Discover how to plan a safari for every generation, with time to enjoy wildlife together, follow different interests and make memories as a family.
← BACK TO JOURNAL ENTRIES
Sharing Africa with your family is a lovely thing to look forward to. A safari means watching the children spot an elephant before anyone else, swapping stories over breakfast, and having time for conversations that are often squeezed into a quick phone call at home.
You may be returning to a place you have always wanted to share with your grandchildren, or finally joining your parents on the safari they have spoken about for years. We would love to hear what has inspired your family to travel together.
Planning a multigenerational African safari begins with getting to know you all. From choosing where to stay to leaving room for a slower morning, we consider what will help everyone feel comfortable, enjoy themselves, and make the most of this time together.
Before we talk about lodges, we want to know your family. Who has been on safari before? Is there a birthday behind the trip? What is everyone looking forward to? A grandparent might be the first person ready for every drive, while a teenager could happily spend an afternoon watching birds. Knowing the people helps us plan beyond their ages.
Agreeing on a travel window and a comfortable budget gives us somewhere to start. One person can coordinate the planning, while everyone shares what matters to them. Our Legacy journeys begin with that conversation.
“Tell us about your family and what you’re looking forward to. We’d love to help you plan a safari that everyone feels part of.” - Chris Renshaw, private guide and director, Safari Craftsmen
The room layout matters as much as the view. Parents may want connecting bedrooms, while grandparents or adult siblings may prefer their own nearby suite. An exclusive-use villa can be a lovely option for a larger family, with shared spaces for meals and afternoons together, and room to retreat when someone wants a little quiet.
We also think about the everyday details: the walk between rooms and the dining area, getting comfortably into a safari vehicle, earlier meals for children, and whether babysitting services are available. We talk these through with each property and check activity age limits before booking, so the stay works for everyone.
South Africa makes it easy to create a journey with something for every generation. Combine unhurried days on safari with the energy of Cape Town and time along the coast, or settle into one reserve and give the whole family space to find their own rhythm.
A stay to consider: MalaMala Camp
Set beside the Sand River, the camp welcomes children of all ages, with family accommodation and activities shaped around younger guests. For families with older children, Sable Camp offers a more intimate setting, including the two-bedroom Lion’s Den suite.
For a malaria-free safari, Marataba offers dramatic Waterberg scenery, varied wildlife and family-friendly experiences. Tswalu pairs the vast southern Kalahari with a private vehicle, guide and tracker for every booking. Both offer an exceptional South African safari without the need to enter a malaria area.
Kenya’s open landscapes, far-reaching views and remarkable wildlife encounters offer something for every generation. Between drives, families can slow down at camp, enjoy the surroundings and spend time together without needing to rush.
A stay to consider: Angama Amboseli
This intimate lodge is a beautiful option for families, welcoming children of all ages and making it especially well suited to those travelling with younger guests.
Botswana brings a gentle sense of adventure to a family safari. Exploring the Okavango Delta by land and water offers a different perspective each day, from wildlife encountered on a drive to birds and smaller details noticed along the waterways.
A stay to consider: Shinde
Shinde offers a two-bedroom family tent sleeping up to five guests, with additional tents for the wider family. Land and water activities give everyone different ways to enjoy the Delta, subject to age requirements and conditions.
Tanzania’s sweeping landscapes give families the freedom to experience safari at an unhurried pace. In the Serengeti ecosystem, there is time to linger at remarkable sightings, return to the comfort of camp and share quieter moments between each adventure.
A stay to consider: Singita Serengeti House
This private home in Grumeti has four suites for up to eight guests and welcomes children of all ages. Shared living spaces and a dedicated team make it a lovely choice for a family gathering.
Zimbabwe combines the energy of Victoria Falls with the quieter beauty of the Zambezi and its surrounding wilderness. It offers families a journey filled with contrast, with time for shared adventure as well as relaxed days beside the river.
A stay to consider: Victoria Falls River Lodge
Family tents and private villas offer options for different group sizes, with room to gather, relax, and enjoy the river views together.
These are a few starting points. Tell us where you would love to go, and we will help you find the right stay for your family.
Every change of camp involves packing, travelling and settling in again. Three or four nights in one safari location is a useful starting point, with longer stays for families who would enjoy fewer moves. Leave some afternoons open, too. A swim, a game of cards or a long lunch can become as much a part of the holiday as the drives.
A private vehicle gives your family room to enjoy safari at your own pace, within the lodge’s arrangements and reserve rules. For larger families, two vehicles can work well: keen photographers might stay out longer while those ready for breakfast head back.
As a private guide himself, Chris knows how valuable it is to have someone travelling with you who gets to know the whole family. They learn who loves birds, who has endless questions, and who needs a little more time to feel comfortable. That familiarity carries from one destination to the next, working alongside each local team to make everyone feel welcome and involved.
Private guiding and private vehicles are separate arrangements. We will talk you through both and help you find the combination that works for your family.
Being on holiday together does not mean everyone needs to do the same thing all day. Some may want every early start, while others might prefer a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before joining the afternoon drive. We like to leave room for those choices, so everyone feels comfortable enjoying the holiday in their own way.
Where available, children’s activities, childminding and separate outings can help, and we arrange these ahead of time.
You might share a morning watching elephants, spend the afternoon differently, and meet again over dinner with something to tell one another.
Chris’s family safari at Monwana and MalaMala shows how these relationships grow. He first guided the family twelve years earlier and had watched the children become adults. By their fifth safari together, they were returning as friends, with familiar jokes, shared stories and a birthday to celebrate.
“When you know a family this well, the way you guide changes too.” - Chris Renshaw, private guide and director, Safari Craftsmen
Planning a return means getting to know the family as they are now. Interests change, children grow up, and finding time together becomes more complicated. That made this journey special before the first game drive had even begun.
Perhaps the family group chat is already buzzing, or you’re simply beginning to explore the idea. Tell us who you would love to travel with, what you hope to experience together, and we’ll help shape a safari that works beautifully for everyone.
We would love to help you make it happen. Start a conversation with Safari Craftsmen
