BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Read more >>
See animals in their natural habitat, watch a herd of elephants walk past your vehicle, spot a mother cheetah with her cubs, or listen to a pride of lions roaring at night – a family safari holiday is a magical experience you will never forget.
At Yellow Zebra we understand the importance of creating safaris that suit the whole family. Whether you’re travelling with teenagers or as part of a large multi-generational family group with parents, grandparents, and kids of all ages, we will design a trip to suit everyone.
‘I was recommended Yellow Zebra. The dedicated team were both knowledgeable and incredibly patient. We opted for Tanzania – the less-visited south rather than the majesty of the Great Migration in the north.... It was perfect. The format is standard – the experience anything but.... It was – hands down – the best holiday we have ever had.’
"Our family, ranging from five-year-olds to an 80-year-old, had the trip of a lifetime. Most heartwarming was the interaction between the guides and the grandchildren. They catered to their needs, their interests, and their imaginations. It was wonderful. Yellow Zebra’s itinerary allowed for very valuable “family” time. The true measure of how well Yellow Zebra served the needs of our family is that the siblings are looking to plan another family trip! 10 stars on a 5 star scale."
To help you start planning your family safari holiday, here we recommend specific destinations as well as family trips we've designed around the age of the children travelling:
If you're travelling with very young children, the main priority is to travel to areas that have no malaria. As virtually all of Africa lies within the malaria belt, the only destination we would recommend for families with very young children is South Africa. There are a number of malaria-free holiday reserves in South Africa, which can easily be combined with Cape Town and the Garden Route, or even the beach destination of Mauritius – Africa’s most family-friendly beach destination.
For families with children between the ages of 5 and 10, we would recommend a safari holiday to either South Africa or Kenya. South Africa’s parks (both non-malaria and malarial areas such as the Kruger) are well set up for children, with a number of lodges offering excellent children's programmes that occupy the middle of the day during safaris. Kenya is also an extremely good destination for family safari holidays. The Maasai Mara offers superb big-game viewing, while the Laikipia and Lewa area offers a large range of activities, and also interaction with local cultures.
The whole of Africa opens up for families with older children, especially as children of this age do not necessarily need the range of non-safari activities offered in the destinations we recommend for younger families.
One of our favourite destinations for families with older children is Tanzania, especially the north of the country where the Serengeti and Ngorongoro region have the perfect balance of big game and great lodges, as well as authenticity and adventure. Trips to Tanzania can also include a cultural element, as the Maasai tribe lives throughout the region. The beaches of the Zanzibar Archipelago are also a superb place to finish. Botswana is also a wonderful destination, but it is expensive – you have to expect to pay Africa’s highest safari prices if you go there.
If you think your children are able to handle the kind of wild experiences Africa can offer, we really recommend that families with children over 10 consider a more adventurous trip.
Southern Tanzania is particularly ideal for adventurous families, as it has many small camps where the focus is on adventurous activities such as boating, fly camping, and walking. Climbing Kilimanjaro is also an option for a family wishing to do something different during their safari-focused holiday. Zambia is our other recommendation. It is home to the most adventurous safari in Africa. Walking is the highlight here, while there are also a number of canoe safari options on the Zambezi river.
Tanzania is the envy of most safari countries, being home to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar. All of Tanzania’s safari parks have their own special appeal, which makes the country a real contender for our favourite destination.
Known for its diversity of experiences, South Africa is a stunning year-round destination. Exceptionally high standards of accommodation and good prices make South Africa a genuine contender for the best destination for a first trip to Africa.
Kenya was the original birthplace of safari holidays, a diverse destination offering seriously good game and great beaches. Home to the Maasai Mara, and the stunning Laikipia Plateau, this is undoubtedly one of Africa’s top safari destinations.
Playing host to some of the finest private reserves in Africa, Botswana is most famous for the sheer beauty of the ‘Okavango Delta’ and unparalleled levels of exclusivity. Desert, Delta, and stacks of game... the purest destination.
Famous for its exceptionally high standards of guiding and simple yet very high-quality camps, Zambia offers great-value safari holidays that is off the mainstream circuit. A competitor to Zimbabwe for the title of ‘adventure capital’ of Africa.
With a reputation for being home to some of Africa’s finest guides, Zimbabwe is the destination for an ‘activity-focused’ adventure of a lifetime. This is a destination for clients looking to stay away from the crowds and get off the beaten track.
Malawi is an incredibly scenic country to visit, with rolling hills, striking escarpments, spectacular mountains, and of course the famous Lake Malawi – probably its most iconic feature.
Land of the super-luxury resort, Mauritius caters for travellers looking to relax, be pampered, and do little else! A world-class beach destination for families and honeymooners alike.
Over one hundred islands make up the Seychelles. Boasting some of the most exclusive private islands anywhere in the world, this is an expensive destination, but one that would stake its claim as the finest beach holiday destination on Earth.
Sand dunes as high as skyscrapers, desert-adapted wildlife, Africa’s most dramatic scenery... our safaris to Namibia are unlike anywhere else we operate. It is one of the most unique and stunning travel destinations in the world.
Well known for its stunning shoreline, Mozambique is home to some of the best beaches in Africa, as well as world-class diving and fishing. Mozambique is the perfect post-safari beach holiday destination.
This family safari takes you on a journey through Tanzania’s most famous attractions – the Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, and Zanzibar! It’s one of our most popular family safaris, with great rates for children and a diverse range of activities.
Discover the best of Botswana with this family safari to Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park, and the Okavango Delta. We use some of Botswana’s best value camps and clever family room rates to make this expensive destination great value for money.
Cape Town and Madikwe is one of our most popular family safaris! Starting with More Quarters in the City Bowl area of Cape Town, your family can explore everything the Cape has to offer before setting off for your Big Five safari in Madikwe.
Our Zambia Family Safari at this classic level features the South Luangwa National Park and the Lower Zambezi. These two amazing safari parks combine dry game viewing with the waterways of the Zambezi. One of our most popular Zambia family safaris.
Family safaris don’t get much better than this. The Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater, and Zanzibar combine to create a family adventure that includes great game, Maasai village visits, and a good amount of beach time. Excellent value for money!
What better way to experience South Africa than on a family safari? You’ll start in exhilarating Cape Town, before moving up to Madikwe Game Reserve for exceptionally good game viewing in one of the country’s best malaria-free reserves.
This trip involves the best of green-season safari! You’ll visit Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti, before heading to Zanzibar for a beach break. We’ve chosen properties that offer great rates for kids and lots of activities.
