Planning a family trip to South Africa and not sure where to start? We’ve just guided the Gerritsen family on a 25-day journey through South Africa and Eswatini, from the streets of Johannesburg to the beaches of Cape Town, with lions, rhinos, hippos and a lot of laughter along the way.
This is the real itinerary, not a brochure version. Below it you’ll find honest answers to the questions families ask us most: when to go, whether it’s safe, what to do about malaria, and how a trip works when teenagers and grandparents travel together.
The short answer: planning a family holiday in South Africa
- How long: Two weeks is enough to see one region well. We spent 25 days, which gave us room to slow down.
- When: The dry winter months, roughly May to September, are the best for seeing wildlife.
- Where: A mix of city, safari, culture and coast keeps every age group happy.
- Malaria: Some areas are malaria-free, and some are not. We explain below how to choose.
- Flying: About 11 hours from the Netherlands, with little or no time difference, so jet lag is not a problem.
Our 25-day family itinerary through South Africa and Eswatini
Days 1-3: Johannesburg and Pretoria, where the story begins
We always start families in Gauteng. It’s the best way to understand the country before you meet its wildlife. We visited the Apartheid Museum, stood outside Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto, climbed the steps of the Voortrekker Monument and walked the gardens of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Then we balanced all that history with some pure fun at Gold Reef City theme park, and an evening of food, music and dancing at Lesedi Cultural Village.
Days 4-6: Our first private safari
Nothing prepares you for the first morning in the bush. On the open safari vehicle we found elephants, lazy lions in the shade, rhinos and hippos, all on the first day. Later we added buffalo, giraffe, cheetah and the sighting everyone hopes for: a leopard. We also did a morning bush walk in a Big 5 area, where you notice everything from the smallest squirrel to a rhino grazing in the open.
Days 7-8: Hazyview and the Sabie River
After a few days of safari, we wanted something active. In Hazyview we went river rafting on the Sabie River, with crocodiles watching from the banks. It was loud, wet and exactly what the family needed.
Days 9-12: Kruger National Park and Marloth Park
For Kruger we did something different: a self-drive. No guide in the vehicle, just the family, a map and a lot of shouting “stop!”. We saw zebras, a lilac-breasted roller, a lioness walking through the golden light, hippos, ostriches, a southern ground hornbill, kudu, giraffe and a crocodile on a sandbank. We stayed in Marloth Park, right on the edge of Kruger, where zebras and warthogs walk past your terrace and the Crocodile River is just below you.
Days 13-14: Eswatini, culture and rhinos
Eswatini is small, but it gave us two of the best moments of the trip. We watched traditional song and dance, and we stood just meters away from white rhinos. You could hear them breathe, and the ground shook when one walked past. It’s an experience that reminds you why we always keep a safe distance and respect the rules of the park.
Days 15-16: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
This KwaZulu-Natal park is known for its rolling green hills and its rhinos. We did another self-drive here, and spent a long time with a resting rhino and her calf, just watching. Sometimes the best safari moment is the quiet one.
Days 17-19: St Lucia
St Lucia is hippo country. We spent three relaxed days here, with wildlife in the water and a slower pace after a busy first two weeks.
Days 20-24: Cape Town
We finished in Cape Town, with Lion’s Head above the beach at sunset. After weeks of bush and dust, the sea, the food and the mountain were the perfect way to end the journey.
Day 25: Home
We said goodbye with a lot of photos and a lot of stories.
How many days do you need for a family trip to South Africa?
South Africa is huge, so the trick is to choose a loop and not to cram too much in. Ten to fourteen days works well if you focus on one or two regions, for example Cape Town plus the Garden Route, or Johannesburg plus Kruger. If you want to combine city, safari, culture and coast, as we did, three weeks or more lets you travel at a family-friendly pace, with at least two nights in each place.
When is the best time to visit South Africa with family?
For wildlife, the dry season from about May to September is hard to beat. The vegetation is thinner and animals gather around rivers and waterholes, so they are much easier to spot. Mornings and evenings can be cool, so pack layers. The summer months are green and good for birdwatching, but it can get very hot, especially in the east of the country. If your family is tied to school holidays, a good guide can help you choose regions that suit the season.
Is South Africa safe for families?
Millions of visitors, including many families, travel safely in South Africa every year. As in any country, we use common sense: don’t display expensive phones and jewelry, be alert at ATMs, plan your driving for daylight hours and remember that traffic drives on the left. Having a local guide is a big advantage here, because we know which areas to enjoy and which to skip, and we can handle the practical details so you can relax. In the parks, safety also means respecting wildlife: stay in the vehicle where required, keep your distance and never walk where you are not allowed to walk.
Is South Africa malaria-free? Choosing a family safari
This is one of the most common questions we get. The honest answer: parts of South Africa are malaria-free, and parts are not. Kruger and the areas around it, parts of Eswatini and northern KwaZulu-Natal are in malaria-risk areas, mainly in the warmer, wetter months. Many families visit these areas in the cooler dry season, and some choose to take preventive medication. Please speak to a travel doctor well before you leave.
If you want to avoid the question entirely, South Africa has excellent malaria-free Big 5 reserves, including Pilanesberg and Madikwe in the North West, and several reserves in the Eastern Cape such as Shamwari. These are very popular with families with young children.
Self-drive or guided safari with kids?
We love both, and on this trip we did both. A guided safari vehicle gives you a high seat, an expert pair of eyes and the stories behind what you’re seeing. A self-drive in a park like Kruger or Hluhluwe-iMfolozi gives you freedom: your own pace, the quiet moments and the thrill of spotting something yourself. Many families find that mixing the two is the best of both worlds.
Is South Africa good for teenagers and grandparents?
Yes. Our family ranged from teenagers to grandparents, and everyone found something they loved: history and culture in Gauteng, adrenaline on the river, quiet game drives, and beaches in Cape Town. The key is pacing. We plan shorter driving days, build in pool time and choose accommodation with space for everyone to relax.
What do you need to know before you travel?
- Passports: Make sure every traveller’s passport is valid for your whole stay, with enough blank pages.
- Visas: Many nationalities, including Dutch passport holders, can visit South Africa for tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. Always check the current rules before you book.
- Travelling with children: South Africa has had specific rules for children under 18, such as carrying a birth certificate that shows both parents’ details. These rules have changed over the years, so check the latest requirements with your airline or the South African Department of Home Affairs.
- Flights: From the Netherlands there are direct flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, about 11 hours.
- Driving: South Africa drives on the left.
How much does a family trip to South Africa cost?
The cost depends on a few big choices: your flights, the type of accommodation, how many nights you spend at private reserves compared with self-drive in national parks, and whether you travel with a guide. South Africa offers good value compared with many other safari destinations, and a mix of self-drive and guided experiences, like ours, helps to balance the budget. Our private family tours start from €1000 per person for 10days, but every itinerary is tailor-made. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send you a personal proposal.
Why book a private family tour with a local guide?
Because a family holiday works best when someone else handles the details. At Brom Africa we plan and guide our private tours personally. We know the parks, the people and the places where kids can run around. Our trips are built around culture, adventure, and nature, and we have hosted many families and student groups from the Netherlands. You are not just a booking number. You become part of the journey, just like the Gerritsen family did.
Curious what that looks like? Explore our private family tours in South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
Is South Africa a good destination for a family holiday? Yes. It combines wildlife, beaches, culture and adventure in one country, with good infrastructure and activities for every age.
What is the best age to take children on safari in South Africa? Many families start with children from around five years old, especially in malaria-free reserves. Older children and teenagers often get the most from game drives and bush walks. Always check the age policy of each lodge.
How many days do we need for a family trip to South Africa? Ten to fourteen days works well for one or two regions. Three weeks or more gives you a relaxed pace across several regions.
Can we self-drive in Kruger National Park? Yes, Kruger allows self-drive. Follow the park rules and keep a safe distance from all animals.
Do we need malaria tablets? It depends on where and when you travel. Kruger and its surroundings are malaria areas, while Pilanesberg, Madikwe and many Eastern Cape reserves are malaria-free. Ask a travel doctor for advice.
Can Brom Africa arrange the whole trip? Yes. We plan the itinerary, accommodation, activities and guiding, and we adapt everything to your family. Start planning here.
Ready to plan your own family trip to South Africa?
Every family is different, and so is every journey. Tell us who is travelling, what you love and how long you have, and we’ll shape a trip around you. Explore our private tours and get in touch.
Gezinsvakantie Zuid-Afrika: de belangrijkste tips
Droom je van een gezinsvakantie in Zuid-Afrika of een rondreis door Zuid-Afrika met kinderen? Een familiereis van ongeveer twee tot drie weken is ideaal om stad, safari, cultuur en kust te combineren. De beste reistijd voor wilde dieren is het droge seizoen, ongeveer van mei tot september. Zuid-Afrika is ongeveer 11 uur vliegen vanaf Nederland, met nauwelijks tijdsverschil en dus geen jetlag. Er zijn ook malariavrije safarigebieden, zoals Pilanesberg en Madikwe. Wil je weten hoe een persoonlijke familiereis eruitziet? Bekijk onze privéreizen of neem contact met ons op. Wij denken graag met je mee!
