A Family Safari in Kruger National Park: What You Need to Know
Planning a family safari (or a game drive as we call it in South Africa) in Kruger National Park can seem overwhelming at first, but with a little preparation, it can be the adventure of a lifetime. Below, I’ll answer some common questions and share tips for making the most of your safari with kids, including where to stay, how to keep the little ones entertained, and whether to opt for self-drives or guided tours.
Which Camps Are the Best for Families?
Kruger National Park offers a range of accommodation, from rustic to luxurious. You can choose to say in the SanParks accommodation, which have incredible options from tented camps, to bungalows, to larger cottages, the lodgings are simple but practical, providing everything you need for a comfortable stay. Many of the camps have fantastic pools—an absolute lifesaver in the sweltering summer months, they also help to break up your day trips If you are staying outside of the park. We did a morning drive then stopped over at Skukuza Rest camp where we had lunch in an old train station and then had dessert overlooking the banks of the river. The kids got rid of all their energy at the fantastic play area and then cooled down in the pool before we set off on our afternoon drive. You’ll also find restaurants, shops, lookout points, and more. The facilities vary from camp to camp, basics are covered, if you do stay in the camps I would recommend packing things like extension cords, adapters, and mosquito machines.
If you want an all inclusive luxury option, there are a number of incredible all inclusive private options within the Kruger Park as well (these unfortunately arent as friendly on our South African rand pockets, as I wish they were).
If you’re looking to stay outside the park, Hazyview is a great option. It’s about a 10 minute drive from the nearest Kruger gate (Phabeni) and offers beautiful accommodation options. It also has a shopping center so no need to drive with everything, they have a Woolworths, checkers, PicknPay and multiple restaurants such as Mcdonalds, Ocean basket, Nando’s and Spur. Checkers60 even delivered groceries right into our lodge! We stayed at the Kruger Park Lodge which suited our bigger family perfectly, and it allowed my husband to get in a little golf time as well 🙂 The downside of staying outside the national park is that you’ll pay an entry fee each time you go into Kruger, but getting a Wild Card can help cut down those costs.
The park is also home to a number of incredible museums and libraries, offering children the chance to see animals skulls and taxidermy up close, an elephant heart preserved in formaldehyde is an incredible sight to behold for little ones. Some of the rest camps offer evening entertainment with movies and documentaries on show.
Keeping Kids Entertained on Game Drives
Let’s face it—game drives can be long, especially for younger kids. This is probably my most asked question, so here are some tips for making them fun and bearable:
- Break up the drives: Time your drives with ample stops in between, to allow the kids to run around and recharge with energy. The most important tip for me would be to mark out the bathroom stops as well. Make sure the kids use the bathroom before you leave and time your stops for every 2.5 hours. The Kruger Park is so well mapped out with combinations of bigger rest stops, with picnic sites etc in-between so you are never too far away.
- Animal Books: My kids love a good activity book, and there is no shortage of fantastic books on African animals. Books like the “My First Book Of” series are great for keeping them engaged, with simple infographics and illustrations that even younger kids can enjoy, the Tinkers “Guide to the Wild” (available through the Skukuza gift shop) is a favourite of ours, as is the National Geographic Junior has a fun “Kids on Safari” activity book. I also created my own eye-spy and colouring sheet to take along with.
- Don’t be afraid to embrace Technology – While this is not ideal, having a tablet or phone charged up with some pre-downloaded shows on wildlife can give you can extra 30 minutes. I downloaded series like Bear Grylls and Nat Geo Kids for the kids to watch to give them context on our surroundings as well.
- Make Game Drives into a Game: Turn spotting wildlife into a fun competition! Allocate points for different animals (e.g., 1 point for an impala, 100 for a leopard) and tally up at the end of the day. The winner gets a special treat, like an ice cream. A word of advice from an expert player, make sure you clearly mark out the game rules (ie; does it only count as a point for the first sighting), because if you have a competitive family like I do, things can get intense 🙂
- Teach Them to Navigate: Get your kids involved by teaching them how to read the Kruger map. Have them help navigate to the next picnic spot or waterhole. Younger kids can also learn to identify animals and birds using the pictures on the map.
- Post-Drive Treasure Hunts: After a game drive, if you’re feeling exhausted and the kids still have energy, create a quick treasure hunt using the rest camp maps. Give them simple tasks, like finding a specific leaf, or a rock of a particular colour, or spotting birds at the hide. It’ll keep them occupied while you enjoy some downtime.
- Encourage Photography: If they’re old enough, let them use a camera or phone to snap pictures of animals, trees, and landscapes. You can even turn it into a challenge by giving them a list of things to photograph, from clouds to flowers.
- Keep a Safari Diary: Encourage older kids to jot down their sightings in a journal. For younger ones, they can draw their favorite animals or memorable moments. Keep the diaries for future trips—it’s fun to watch how their observations change over time.
I created a little game drive “box” for my children before we left and in it I had a new pair of binoculars for them to use by themselves, sticker books, Tinkers Activity books, colouring sheets, I spy games. I also included bandanas and beanies to help keep their heads and ears warm during the open drives. They loved this and it created such excitement around the drive. All of these activities are really designed to ignite a love for nature and create curiosity in our children, really forging a love for the wild.
I created a little game drive “box” for my children before we left and in it I had a new pair of binoculars for them to use by themselves, sticker books, Tinkers Activity books, colouring sheets, I spy games. I also included bandanas and beanies to help keep their heads and ears warm during the open drives. They loved this and it created such excitement around the drive. All of these activities are really designed to ignite a love for nature and create curiosity in our children, really forging a love for the wild.
Self-Drive or Guided Safaris?
Honestly, I would recommend a little of both. One of the best things about Kruger is that you can do a self-drive safari, giving you the flexibility to go at your own pace. With young children, this can be a real advantage. You can stop when you need to, cut drives short if they get restless, or pull over for snack breaks at the many picnic spots.
If you want a more educational experience, guided game drives are a fantastic option. However, note that some lodges don’t allow children under six to join guided drives, and the National Park has a rule of no children between the ages of 0-3 are allowed in open vehicles. Family-friendly lodges that do cater to younger children often have specialized kids’ programs with fun activities and learning opportunities about wildlife and conservation. They also offer “bumble” game drives, which often leave a little later in the mornings and are slightly shorter in time to accommodate little ones. If organizing a game drive directly with SanParks rangers I would encourage you to pack snacks and a few treats for your kids along the way.
Best Places for Kids in Kruger
The southern part of Kruger is ideal for families. The drives between camps and picnic areas are shorter, the landscape is more varied, and you’re more likely to spot wildlife. The Crocodile Bridge Gate is a great entry point, as you’ll quickly start spotting animals, and Lower Sabie—a popular child-friendly camp—is just an hour’s drive away. The Phabeni gate, in Hazyview give you quick access to Skukuza which has the most incredible rest camp with a play area and swimming pool. It’s about a 2 hour drive from Phabeni and you can exit through the Paul Kruger gate which is about a 40 minute drive from there. It’s the perfect place to stop for lunch and let the kids burn off some energy. Honestly, out of all the National Parks I have been too, the Kruger is definitely the most family friendly and I was gob smacked by the range of exquisite restaurants available and facilities for children inside the park itself.
Important Notes on Safety and Health
While Kruger is a wonderful destination, it’s important to note the risk of malaria, especially for younger children. Most experts recommend only taking children over the age of five into the park, and it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before the trip to ensure you have the proper precautions in place dependent on season and your personal preference of a family.
The Realistic Side of Parenting on Safari
Let’s get one thing clear: even in the wild, parenting is still parenting. That moment when you’re just about to spot a rare leopard, and your toddler starts crying because they dropped their juice bottle… yep, that’ll happen. Or the classic “I need to wee” declaration just as you’ve settled into the game drive. (Pro tip: always make sure they’ve gone to the bathroom before the drive!)
There will be moments of pure chaos, but then there’ll be the moment when your child’s eyes light up as they spot an elephant crossing the road right in front of you. And suddenly, all the snack crumbs, spilled juice, and endless questions about “how much longer” will seem so worth it.
Taking kids on a trip to the Kruger National Park is not just a family trip—it’s an adventure they’ll never forget. And yes, there will be moments of frustration (and maybe even a few meltdowns), but watching your kids’ eyes widen in wonder as they see their favorite animals in the wild is truly magical. So pack your patience, your snacks, and get ready for a wild ride—literally!
Why Kruger National Park Is Perfect for Families
Kruger is the place to go for a family-friendly safari, and here’s why:
Self-Drive Options: You can do your own thing at your own pace. No pressure to stay on someone else’s schedule or deal with dirty looks if your kids get noisy.
Rest Camps and Facilities: The park is equipped with family-friendly camps that have pools, restaurants, and playgrounds. This gives kids the chance to burn off energy between game drives, and parents get a much-needed breather.
Big Five Viewing: Let’s be honest—nothing will captivate your little adventurers more than spotting a lion or elephant in the wild. It’s like a real-life version of their favorite animal shows, but 100 times cooler!
Educational Programs: Many rest camps offer junior ranger programs or guided walks where kids can learn about wildlife, conservation, and the local ecosystems. It’s not just a vacation; it’s a hands-on educational experience.
Memories for Life: There’s nothing quite like seeing the joy and wonder on your child’s face as they experience nature in its most raw and powerful form. These are the kinds of moments that stick with them forever—way better than any theme park ride!
A Little Humor for the Road
If you’re anything like me, your pre-safari fantasy probably involves serenely sipping coffee while watching a pride of lions in the distance. The reality? You’ll likely be refereeing backseat fights over who gets to hold the binoculars next and wiping sticky fingers off the car windows. But hey, if you can survive a road trip with kids, you can handle a safari. Plus, out in the bush, there’s no Wi-Fi, so no one can post your “real-life parenting” moments online. Bonus!