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Best Family Safaris in 2025

Where to take your tribe on a life-changing adventure this year

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Mike

Best Family Safari Destinations for 2025 & 2026

A family safari offers the perfect opportunity to bond, learn, and immerse yourself in the wild wonders of nature.

Families seeking unique experiences and unforgettable memories can explore a variety of safari destinations that cater to both adventure and comfort.

From iconic wildlife reserves to pristine wilderness areas, here are our choices for the best family safaris in 2025 & 2026.

Kenya House in the Wild Masai Mara family safari
Family safari at House in the Wild, Masai Mara, Kenya

Kenya

Kenya is one of the most famous safari destinations in the world, and it’s also a fantastic choice for families.

With excellent air access from Europe and North America, it’s convenient to get to and has a phenomenal variety of  pristine wilderness areas, epic landscapes and fascinating culture.

Top of the list for many families is the Masai Mara, known for its incredible wildlife diversity, and offering a truly immersive experience. In 2025, the Mara will continue to be a prime location to witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration (from July to early October) where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross to and from Tanzania in search of greener pastures.

Here at Coral Tree Travel we are huge fans of the Mara conservancies, which border the National Reserve and offer a more authentic experience with closer ties to the local communities and fewer vehicles than are found in the National Reserve, particularly in high season.

Family-friendly safari properties such as Naboisho and House in the Wild provide spacious family suites, private guides, and tailored safaris, ensuring families with children have a safe and comfortable stay.

Kenya has so much more to offer than the Masai Mara and our favourite area for off the beaten track experiences is Northern Kenya, in particular the Laikipia plateau and Samburuland. Here, families will find unique wildlife, world-leading conservation success stories, and some of Africa’s most beautiful vistas.

Lodges like El Karama and Ekorian Mugie have been built specifically with families in mind, which takes the experience up a notch for nature-loving little ones.

El Karama Laikipia Kenya
Bush school at El Karama Lodge.

Tanzania

Tanzania is a dream destination for families looking to combine adventure with luxury, and the natural choice for families looking for a safari and beach holiday.

Tanzania is blessed with 22 national parks, with the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater, both in the north of the country, being the most well-known and perenially popular choices with families looking for a truly awe-inspiring safari holiday.

The Serengeti, with its sweeping plains and large predator populations, is perfect for thrilling game drives. Meanwhile, the Ngorongoro Crater is often referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world” due to its dense concentration of wildlife in a relatively compact area.

Lodges such as Lamai Serengeti or Gibb’s Farm provide a high standard of accommodation and unique experiences, tailored to families.

Tanzania safaris often involve travelling long distances, so we usually recommend it for families with children aged 8 and above rather than those with very young travellers,

Away from the more famous areas, we are enamoured of the untouched beauty of Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park in the south of the country. These two parks combine perfectly and offer a truly unique experience in wildlife areas untouched by mass tourism. As well as traditional game drives, the lucky few who visit these spectacular parks will be treated to boat safaris, walking safaris (age restrictions apply) and wild sleep outs under the stars.

Tanzania Nyerere Roho ya selous family safari
Boat safari from Roho ya Selous in Nyerere National Park

Once the safari has delivered a thrilling adventure, many families choose to end their Tanzania adventure with a stay on one of the evocative islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. The perfect way to relax and enjoy some sun, sea and sand on endless white-sand beaches lapped by turquoise waters.

South Africa

South Africa is one of the best safari destinations for families, especially those with younger children.

Kruger National park lion south africa

The Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest and most famous parks, has some of the broadest choice of family safari lodges in Africa. Kruger offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxurious lodges to more affordable self-catering units, ensuring there’s something for every budget.

In 2025, the private reserves bordering the Kruger National Park, such as Sabi Sands and Timbavati will continue to provide high-quality, family-focused experiences. These private reserves offer personalized safaris, allowing families to experience the bush at their own pace. Children can enjoy specialized activities, such as junior ranger programs, bush walks, and arts and crafts sessions. Many lodges also provide family rooms or private villas, allowing for a more intimate and comfortable experience.

For families with very young children, malaria risk can be a concern, which makes South Africa a natural choice, as it’s blessed with incredible reserves that are malaria-free all year round. Our favourites include Madikwe Game Reserve in the north, particularly Madikwe Safari Lodge, and the Eastern Cape Reserves, such as Kwandwe and Shamwari.

All are home to the Big 5, and the Eastern Cape reserves combine perfectly with Cape Town and the Garden Route for an unforgettable family road trip adventure.

Madike Lepala Lodge Madikwe Game Reserve Luxury Family Safaris South Africa Coral Tree Travel
Baking fun at Madikwe Safari Lodge

Botswana

Botswana is most well-known for the Okavango Delta, which is a pristine and unique destination for families who want to experience a combination of game drives, mokoro (canoe) safaris, and walking safaris.

In 2025, the Okavango’s crystal-clear waters, rich wildlife, and serene landscapes make it an ideal choice for families looking for a truly sensational safari adventure. Many camps here, such as Mokolwane and Shinde, cater to families by offering private guides and family-friendly activities.

The Okavango Delta is known for its biodiversity, and families can expect to see everything from elephants and lions to hippos and colorful bird species. Kids can also engage in fun conservation-based activities, learning about local ecosystems and the importance of wildlife preservation. Because of its more remote nature, the Okavango offers a peaceful, exclusive experience where families can bond without the distractions of everyday life.

Complimenting the Okavango Delta are the equally stunning regions of Botswana, such as the Central Kalahari, Chobe National Park and the Linyanti Wetlands.

Camp Kalahari Luxury Family Safaris Botswana
Family safari at Camp Kalahari, Botswana

Zambia

2025’s most up and coming safari destinaiton, Zambia is home to outstanding safari experiences in Africa’s most jaw-dropping locations.

South Luangwa National Park is one of the best places to go for a more intimate and off-the-beaten-path safari. Known for its walking safaris, South Luangwa offers a hands-on approach to wildlife observation that is perfect for children who are eager to learn about the environment (age restrictions apply). Families can enjoy private game drives with some of Africa’s most experienced guides who can tailor the experience to the interests of younger visitors.

Lodges like Flatdogs Camp and Kafunta River Lodge offer family-friendly accommodations and safari programs designed specifically for kids. These include educational games, scavenger hunts, and creative workshops focused on the park’s animals and ecosystems.

Lower Zambezi National Park can stake a claim to be Africa’s most beautiful wilderness area. The mighty Zambezi River brings life to this haven for wildlife and the winter thorn acacia forests bring a touch of ethereal beauty to the magical landscape. On a recent visit, we saw more predators than we’ve ever witnessed anywhere in Africa, including huge numbers of lions, leopards and wild dogs, living side by side.

The BBC are currently filming a new flagship wildlife series here, due to be released in 2026, so it’s only going to get more famous!

Kutali Camp Luxury Family Safaris Zambia Coral Tree Travel
Walking safari from Kutali Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park

Namibia

The home of the luxury self-drive itinerary, Namibia offers the chance to hit the road and experience the true majesty of Africa’s wild open spaces.

Etosha National Park offers a unique safari experience with its vast salt pans, waterholes, and a high concentration of wildlife. Etosha is home to a variety of species, including elephants, lions, rhinos, and giraffes, which can be easily observed from the comfort of the park’s waterhole viewing platforms.

Etosha’s well-maintained infrastructure, including family-friendly accommodations like those at Onguma Bush Camp, makes it a convenient and safe destination for families. The park’s focus on self-drive safaris allows families to explore at their own pace, while still benefiting from expert guides who can provide insightful commentary on the animals and their behaviors.

Further south, families will marvel at the towering red sand dunes of Sossusvlei set within the vast Namib desert. There’s no greater place to enjoy a hot air balloon safari, soaring over the dunes.

Nestled along the picturesque Atlantic coast of Namibia, Swakopmund is a charming seaside town that beckons with its unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and German colonial history.

Characterised by rocky escarpments, granite kopjes and burning red mountains, the Damaraland is a remote and sparsely populated region. With tourists few and far between, it is the perfect destination for families wanting to get off the beaten track.

All of the above can be combined seamlessly in an epic family safari drive itinerary, in the comfort of an elite 4×4 vehicle with unrivalled support from our team on the ground in Namibia.

Sossusvlei Luxury Family Safaris Namibia

Conclusion

For families looking to embark on a safari in 2025, these destinations offer the perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and comfort.

Whether you choose the rolling savannas of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, the rich biodiversity of Tanzania’s Serengeti, or the serene waterways of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, each destination promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all ages. With family-focused accommodations, expert guides, and an array of activities tailored to children, these safari destinations will create lasting memories for your entire family.

As family safari specialists, we are used to designing unique safari adventures for families of all shapes and sizes. From multi-generational celebrations, to solo parents travelling with children, or a special occasion family bonding trip; we’ve got you covered.

When you’re ready to start planning your own incredible adventure, get in touch with us here at Coral Tree Travel and we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Request a free consultation
Sayari Camp Luxury Serengeti Luxury Family Safaris Tanzania Coral Tree Travel
Bush dining at Sayari, Serengeti National Park

Some images used in this blog are the property of our partners. Please contact us for more details.

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Author: Mike
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