Call us on 646-895-8368
Start Planning
Family trips in South Africa

Luxury South Africa Family Tours made for you

Luxurious, bespoke, private and family-friendly South Africa safari tours

Create memorable moments on a bespoke South Africa family safari

We can’t really tell you enough how South Africa is the perfect destination for a family trip.

With such a spoiling choice of locations, landscapes that beg to be explored, and a dizzying breadth of activities to decide upon; we can help you create a trip that not only matches the make-up of your family (be it travelling with toddlers, grandparents or teenagers) but that every member gets to enjoy it with all the ease, comfort and personal service you’re looking for.

We have extensive experience in dealing with family holidays and your personal safari designer will shoulder the detailed planning and a personal itinerary organised to the highest standards. From effortless transfers between all your chosen lodgings, baby-sitter services, restaurant recommendations and bookings, to a diplomatic balance of activities and relaxation that will keep everyone entertained and superb local guides to look after you every step of the way.

See our example family trips below, or we can help to design one from scratch.

  • Table Mountain looms over a sandy beach with white sea foam washing ashore under a blue and cloudy sky.
  • Two hippos by the water in the African wildnerness
  • An adult baboon walking on dry ground with a small baby baboon hitching a ride on its back.
  • Brightly colored dashiki shirts and various handcrafted African souvenirs displayed for sale at an outdoor market stall.
  • A woman and two children fishing on the grassy bank of a wooded stream during a sunny day.
  • A close-up of a spotted leopard cub resting its paws on a tree limb in the wild.
  • rofile view of a lioness sitting in tall dry grass under warm sunlight.
  • Dark silhouettes of two giraffes walking across a horizon during a bright orange sunset.
  • An adult dolphin and a baby dolphin jumping out of the sea together.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our specialists

Ride through the Winelands

Go horse-riding through lush vineyards in The Winelands

Watch whales off Hermanus

Keep your eyes peeled for pods of whales frolicking off the coast in Hermanus

Roam the wild Kalahari

Discover the wildest corners of the Kalahari

A word from one of our experts

No destination brings a family together like South Africa! World class service, accommodation and entertainment for all ages and interests makes South Africa a truly magical experience.

Jody van Merode Senior Travel Designer

Luxury family accommodation in South Africa

There are many incredible, family-friendly places to stay in South Africa. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your family’s specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for your family and good for the planet.

South Africa family trip inspiration

Get inspired with our South Africa example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

Ready to plan your family adventure?

Whatever you want from your South Africa family tour, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Where to go

Meet your Africa team

When to visit

Cape Town and along the Garden Route are great to visit any time of year, but early summer when the winds drops are particularly pleasant. If you’re visiting for safari, the dry winter months are often considered the best but the wetter summer months bring full waterholes, lush bushveld and lots of newborn animals.

Wildlife adventures

May - October

Around Cape Town

October - April

Whale watching

June - August

When Is the Best Time to Visit South Africa? Read more

South Africa travel guides

Plan your family trip to South Africa

Whatever you want from your family adventure in South Africa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start Planning

Ask our experts

Are there age restrictions for game drives in South Africa?

Yes, there are age restrictions for game drives in South Africa, although specific age limits can vary between lodges. As a general rule, most lodges allow game drives for children aged six and over, but in many cases, a private safari vehicle is required for families with children under the age of 12. Many family-friendly safari lodges offer babysitting services for younger children.

What destinations are best for family trips to South Africa?

The best destinations for a family trip to South Africa are Madikwe Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. Madikwe Game Reserve is ideal for families with younger children as it is malaria-free, and is also home to the Magnificent Seven: elephants, rhinos, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, lions and African wild dogs. Meanwhile Kruger National Park is excellent for wildlife spotting, including the Big Five and rare predators.

What family experiences are available in South Africa?

Family-friendly safaris are some of the most popular family experiences available in South Africa, including game drives, guided nature walks and conservation experiences. Families can also enjoy exploring Cape Town’s Cape Peninsula or taking the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, or whale watching on the Whale Coast. Experiences are tailored to suit all kinds of family groups, including those with young children, teenagers and multi-generational families.

Are South Africa's cities suitable for family trips?

Yes, South Africa’s cities are suitable for family trips. Cape Town is a great family-friendly option to complement a family safari. Families can explore Cape Peninsula, including African penguins on Boulders Beach, or the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. You can also head to the top of Table Mountain by cable car to take in views of the city. Jacada will arrange the logistics of your stay and provide an expert local guide to ensure a seamless family trip.

What are the best safari lodges in South Africa for families?

The best safari lodges in South Africa for families are Morukuru Family in Madikwe Game Reserve, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve and Lion Sands River Lodge in Sabi Sands. These safari lodges are great for families because they offer multi-bedroom private villas to accommodate larger or multi-generational families. Private safari vehicles offer greater flexibility for families and child-friendly activities keep kids of all ages entertained.

Don't take our word for it

“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

Amy Schulz Trustpilot ★★★★★

“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

MJ Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

Lisa Schrage Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

Find Out More