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A safari with a two year old? It can be done!
In fact, a safari with a two year old makes a great family vacation. Many safari lodges are well-suited for family travel and catering to children.
Our favorite lodges for families have babysitting services and nannies available to look after children who aren’t old enough for game drives, or if you want to steal away some time for adults. There are also dedicated activities and learning centers for children to keep them engaged and teach them about the African bush.
The children will get plenty of face time with animals too. Waterholes in front of safari lodges provide lots of game activity for the youngest travelers to enjoy, although some lodges allow them to go on game drives around the property in search of general game.
Head to one of our favorite lodges in South Africa’s malaria-free game reserves for an unforgettable safari with a two year old or children of any age.
Madikwe Safari Lodge
Children of all ages are welcome at Lelapa Lodge and at Dithaba Lodge when it’s booked exclusively
At Madikwe’s Eco House, a learning center built with kids in mind, children can participate in activities like painting, drawing, and making models. They also get introduced to some live animals like a bearded dragon, a snake, and a tarantula. Parents can participate in the activities with their children or steal some time for themselves while the children are engaged for adult game drives.
Game drives aren’t available for children under the age of two. For children between the ages of two and five, they can head out on late morning family safari drive for general game. (For safety, family drives don’t go into lion or elephant sightings.)
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Children of all ages are welcome, but only children over the age of 6 are permitted on game drives
At Kwandwe Ecca Lodge, there are plenty of activities to entertain the youngest travelers, like a Bugs & Bones ecology walk, a Minnow fishing trip with rangers, and a “Chefs in Training” baking and cooking lesson. While children under six aren’t permitted on game drives, when pre-arranged, there are nannies that can look after the youngest travelers.
The six individual suites are great for families too, with wide open spaces, bean bag chairs, and day beds that can be arranged to fit the needs of the children.
Tswalu Kalahari
Children of all ages are welcome
At Tswalu Kalahari, children are greeted with a backpack full of guides and tools for their safari. There’s also a Junior Ranger Program that has been carefully designed for the young safari-goers with activities like archery (including making your own bow and arrow), children’s bush walks, and tracking, and even younger children are included in private game drives.
There are three family suites designed with families in mind with two separate bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. Complimentary babysitting is also offered at any time.
For more information about going on safari with a two year old, or a child of any age, please contact your Luxury Travel Consultant. To stay up to date on all of our online content, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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