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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 
Witness touching moments like these two baby African elephants playing when you take a tailor-made holiday with Alfred&

South Africa Family Safari

By Helen Austin
Purchasing Manager for Alfred&

Ticking the box for both teens and younger children, this family adventure has the UK summer holidays in mind. Start in hip Johannesburg for the educational factor (and a whole lot of fun) with a chance to explore Nelson Mandela’s hometown by bike as well as stalagmite-studded caves. Then it’s off to the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, a game-changing safari destination for families. Here children can spy the cast of the Lion King on their very own game drives followed by marshmallow toasting in the boma.

Places

Length
7 days
Guide price range
£3,095 - £3,295pp
Price for family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 12) including international flights
Best months to go
May to October

Top Experiences
Itinerary Highlights

Madikwe Game Reserve

Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge: where kids enjoy their very own game drives

A lot of people are hesitant to take their children away because of malaria being a risk, whereas Madikwe is a malaria-free zone....

Madikwe Game Reserve

A day on safari in the Madikwe Game Reserve

The reserve hosts not just the Big Five but also Africa’s Secret Seven – rare species known for their shy nature...

Johannesburg

Discover the spirit of Soweto on two wheels

Cycling is one of the best ways to see the township because you’re out there and there are no barricades between you and the people...

Day by day
Itinerary in detail

1

Arrival in Johannesburg

Land in Johannesburg where you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city featuring ample-sized rooms with twin double beds as well as interconnecting rooms. You have the rest of the day to unwind or head out at your whim discovering the city’s rich history, exciting food scene and creative buzz that gives Cape Town a run for its money. Overnight at Voco Johannesburg Rosebank.

2

Johannesburg

We've kept today free so you can explore the city with optional activities at your fingertips to keep it flexible. Teens will no doubt love cruising the cool suburbs of Newtown and Maboneng, home to musicians and notable actors such as Black Panther’s John Kani. Your guide is part of Johannesburg's creative DNA and the best person to take you around its graffiti walls, art studios and local markets. Or why not try a spirited bike ride around Soweto – Nelson Mandela’s hometown – for a cultural injection plus a lot of fun. For an adventurous morning out, the Cradle of Humankind is worth the hour drive out of Johannesburg to explore limestone caves below where you can see stalactites, stalagmites and million years old fossils. Overnight at Voco Johannesburg Rosebank.

Things to do:

3

Johannesburg & Madikwe Game Reserve

Stock up on snacks for your four-and-a-half-hour road transfer this morning to the Madikwe Game Reserve or if car journeys aren’t your thing, it’s a one-hour flight (additional cost). Perfect for families, Madikwe sits in a malaria-free zone with a handful of family-friendly lodges making it joyful to explore with your clan. Lelapa is one such lodge where children can enjoy their very own game drives and a whole smorgasbord of other kid-centric activities. Not to mention fab family suites featuring bedside hot chocolate mugs and bunk beds stashed with games and toys. Overnight at Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Things to do:

4

Madikwe Game Reserve

Families can roam the savannah on twice daily game drives while young explorers (3-5 years old) won’t miss out on pancake-fuelled safaris spotting zebra, giraffe and elephant with highly attentive guides. Back at the ranch, it’s easy to swap television for an eco-house filled with animal skulls and other archaeological treasures followed by games around the swimming pool backed by a lively waterhole. Cue cookie baking, scavenger hunts and marshmallow toasting in the boma. There’s even a dedicated children’s menu – and not a processed meal in sight! Adults can dip in as they please although this might be the opportune time to retreat for a massage. Reconvene for stargazing under a dazzling sky and stories by the campfire. Overnight at Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Things to do:

5

Madikwe Game Reserve

This morning for a different perspective, you might like to try a walking safari connecting you to the intricacies of the bush (minimum age is 16 years old). Don your comfy hiking shoes and head into the wild with a highly trained guide perhaps identifying tracks, studying plants and getting up close to plains game. After a thrilling morning of adventurous pursuits, there’s every reason to wallow in the pool entertained by the wandering wildlife. Overnight at Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Things to do:

6

Madikwe Game Reserve

For an educational slant, conservationists in the making may want to take part in Madikwe’s esteemed rhino conservation (an optional activity). This involves helping gather DNA samples from and notching a sedated rhino in the company of a specialist veterinarian – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you're after extra insight without the heavy price tag, Lelapa’s field guides often conduct wildlife lectures and are all too happy to discuss the week’s findings regaling you with fun facts of the local area. After an exhilarating few days you might then want to hang by the swimming pool as the kids run riot on the lawn, take a dip in your suite’s private plunge pool or read, ensconced on the deck with views over the patchwork of acacia. Overnight at Lelapa by Madikwe Safari Lodge.

Things to do:

7

Madikwe Game Reserve & Departure

Transfer back to Johannesburg via road or flight (additional cost) in good time for your onward journey.

Holiday Budget
Guide price information

Low Season

01 Jan - 30 Jun, 01 Sep - 19 Dec

Family of 4 (consisting of 2 adults and 2 children under 12)

£3,095

High Season

01 Jul - 31 Aug

Family of 4 (consisting of 2 adults and 2 children under 12)

£3,295

Other family options

Please contact us for prices for families of other sizes and ages

n/a

2 adults sharing

Travel without children on the same itinerary

£4,075

Alfred & Helen Austin

Helen was fascinated by travel from an early age, avidly watching holiday programmes and dreaming of future travel plans. Fantasy became reality when she joined Kuoni just over 20 years ago, and she has continued to explore ever since. She fell in love with Africa on her first safari experience in Zambia, watching an elephant herd meander across a dusty track as the sun set dramatically. Subsequent trips to South Africa, Namibia, and Kenya have further fuelled her passion for the wildlife, diverse cultures, and beautiful landscapes of her favourite continent.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

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