Why Africa Should Be Your Next Family Holiday Destination

Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of a family-friendly holiday, but to me, it is the ideal destination to take your family. The diversity of experiences you can have makes it an excellent setting for families with children of all ages.

My children are incredibly fortunate to have visited many parts of Africa. I asked them what their favourite African holiday had been. Without hesitation, my six-year-old son said Madagascar and my nine-year-old daughter chose Zanzibar. My son loves the natural world, so all the weird and wonderful plants and animals we saw in Madagascar captivated his imagination. My daughter loved Zanzibar for its warm, calm ocean waters and the chance to make new friends.

My husband’s favourite was hiking among some of South Africa’s highest peaks in the Drakensberg Mountains. It’s challenging for me to choose. I have so many cherished memories of travelling in Africa, beginning with childhood camping trips in Zimbabwe. Some of my top African travel experiences include hearing the indri call in Madagascar, trekking to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and watching elephants from a log-pile hide in Hwange. Glamping in the Okavango Delta, climbing Dune 45 in Sossusvlei with my husband, and hiking the Mnweni Circuit with my mom was also unforgettable. Other highlights are finding a wild dog den with puppies on a Kruger self-drive with my children and staying on the beach at Olifantsbos in Cape Point with friends and family. Enjoying sundowners overlooking a pride of lionesses in the Serengeti was also magical.

Wildlife
One of the most appealing aspects of a holiday in Africa is the opportunity for children to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. Safari destinations such as South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Kenya’s Masai Mara, and Tanzania’s Serengeti offer accommodation and safaris tailored for younger travellers. I remember how delighted my children were to see elephants from the deck of Leokwe camp in Mapungubwe National Park and to watch a large hyena clan from a safari vehicle in Mashatu in Botswana. These safaris are not only exciting but educational, as children learn about animal behaviour, conservation, and ecosystems. Many safari lodges provide specialised activities like junior ranger programs, where kids can engage in tracking animals or learn about anti-poaching efforts, making the experience both thrilling and insightful. There are several malaria-free national parks to explore, for families concerned about malaria.

Beaches
For beach-loving families, destinations like Zanzibar, Mozambique, Mauritius, and the Seychelles offer idyllic spots with calm, shallow waters, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, and enjoying water sports. In these locations children can explore vibrant coral reefs, interact with sea life, or even enjoy boat trips to spot dolphins. I loved one family holiday we did with another family, to iSimangaliso Wetland Park in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province near the Mozambican border. Here, we watched turtles come ashore to lay eggs. Because this occurred late at night, it was an extra exciting adventure for my children!

Wild places
For more adventurous families, hiking in destinations such as Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or South Africa’s Drakensberg Mountains presents opportunities for active exploration. If you want to trek to see mountain gorillas, bear in mind that your children should be at least 15 years old. Namibia offers vast, open, wild places perfect for family exploration. Here, you can search for desert-adapted elephants and rhinos or spot an oryx poised on a dune, its sword-like horns at attention beneath a vivid blue sky. If you’re looking for a truly wild place where lions rule the land, look no further than Ruaha in Tanzania. For a rainforest immersion, visit Odzala in the Republic of Congo.

Meaningful travel
In places like South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania children can participate in cultural activities, like learning traditional dances or drumming. Additionally, your family can visit local communities and learn about African traditions, crafts, and languages. If you wish to make a positive impact on the places you visit, you can do no better than Madagascar. The country needs more tourists to prop up its fragile economy. The more people who visit, the more chance the world has of preserving this fragile ecosystem which is undervalued by local people and underdeveloped for tourism.

Overall, Africa’s combination of adventure, nature, and cultural depth makes it a top choice for families seeking both fun and enrichment.

Happy Travelling,

Diana

P.S. You can read my top tips on how to enjoy an African safari with kids here. Or, email us at [email protected] if you’d like my personal recommendations to help you craft the perfect child-friendly itinerary for your African family adventure.