Widely regarded as one of the best places to go on safari, what better location to introduce your youngsters to the wonders of the natural world than with a family safari holiday in South Africa? The 20 national parks and scattering of private family-friendly game reserves are home to the ‘Big Five’ (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes), and with a ranger and tracker on hand, you’re sure to see the full collection. There are numerous activities to keep the whole family entertained in-between game drives; think scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and adventure activities, while Mum and Dad enjoy some well-deserved relaxation with a massage. Our South Africa family safaris are a real-life Lion King adventure, guaranteed to fulfil any wildlife fanatic’s wildest dreams.

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South Africa Testimonials

4 reviews
4.5 / 5
"Our honeymoon was absolutely incredible. The booking process was excellent, our consultant showed a great deal of expertise, listened to what we wanted and reassured us. The wraparound services you provide are superb, the whole honeymoon was easy and relaxed. The Original Travel app is extremely clear, as was the itinerary, and it was really useful and exciting to be able to refer back to this. The Concierges were AMAZING. They were so kind, kept in regular communication and were really helpful with recommendations."
Louise - London
Published on 5th September 2024
"To say we had the holiday of a lifetime would be an understatement. The attention to detail was unbelievable and it's those things that helped contribute to the great time we had. Given my brief was pretty vague(!), you did an incredible job at creating the most magical of holidays. I could wax lyrical about all the amazing things we saw and did but I won't bore you. But suffice to say, it really surpassed all of our expectations and then some! My husband loved it and both boys have got some memories that will last them a lifetime. The team (and I mean a team!) listened to my rather vague ideas and came up with a wonderful plan for my holiday, which had a significant meaning and they were really respectful of that. Their attention to detail was fantastic, their communication was great and the holiday itself was wonderful in every way. They even handled my last-minute panic (my son was ill 48 hours before we were due to travel!) with calmness, reassuring me and putting an alternative plan into place, should we have needed it (thankfully we didn't!). I would not hesitate to recommend them or indeed use them again. The only downside - they have rather spoilt me for holidays as I only want to do big, 'holidays of a lifetime' with them....! Incredible on every level. The locations, the staff, the resorts, the little touches, the smooth transitions, the planning, the detail - just fantastic. "
Peter - London
Published on 24th April 2018
"Loved the lodge, such a beautiful spot, great wildlife. The park wasn't that big so was good for the kids as we weren't driving for hours to see game, but we always saw something. The lodge staff made it really special and organised a special dinner out in the bush for my husband's 40th birthday. The kids LOVED it... they woke up this morning (back at home) and asked, 'can we go on game drive this morning?'."
Kevin - Nottingham
Published on 21st March 2019

The Original Travel team know South Africa well, having travelled the country extensively to discover the best lodges, parks and activities, so you’re in capable hands when booking a South Africa family safari and we’ll construct your perfect itinerary to hit all of the highlights. Kruger National Park, spanning 7,500 square miles, is known to offer some of the best wildlife viewing of any game reserve, and along with the nearby private reserves, you’ll see a whole assortment of wildlife.


There’s also plenty of activities for your mini wildlife-wanderers, making a South African safari the ideal family adventure. The Eastern Cape game reserves are malaria-free and discreet fencing around our favourite family-friendly lodges ensures a safe and secure stay. The Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in Port Elizabeth is equipped with a play centre, as well as luxurious plunge pools and sweeping views for the grown-ups to enjoy. Twice daily game drives will have you marvelling at the array of animals and our guides are experts on the optimal spots to tick off the ‘Big Five’. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the kitchen to learn the art of cooking a South African braai (a wood or charcoal-fuelled barbeque) and then gather around the fire for an alfresco meal under the stars.


To make the most of your time in South Africa, extend your holiday beyond the safari. The coastal area of Plettenberg Bay is well worth a visit with its unspoilt beaches and quaint seaside towns where you can enjoy some beach relaxation and sample more top-notch South African cuisine. And if it's some adrenaline-fuelled fun you’re after, there’s ample opportunities to canyon, bungee jump and zipline during your stay. As one of the most varied places on the planet, this ‘world within one country’ truly can cater to all and our South Africa family safaris are the perfect starting point.

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