​With beautiful wilderness, the wild animals and rich cultures; South Africa is the ideal destination for a family vacation!  Most 3-star accommodation, provincial and national parks, allow children of any age without problems. However, not all activities will be suitable for young children.

Please, clearly indicate your preferences, requirements and your children’s ages at the time of your trip, in your request for a quotation from Tailor Made Safaris. Our travel experts will then create a trip based on your wishes.

Are there any places my children can't go to?

​Unfortunately, a number of luxury lodges do not admit children under the age of 12. This is to ensure an undisturbed stay for other guests, as young children can be boisterous and may negatively impact other guests’ experiences. Should you wish to include luxury lodges in your family holiday simply let us know and we can advise which ones will be suitable for children.

Can my child join a game drive?

It is most probably possible, but not all lodges cater the same way for children​:
  • Some lodges allow children of all ages to join guided game drives, provided that they can remain calm and quiet for the duration of the game drive (3-4 hours).
  • Other lodges only allow children above a certain age to participate in game drives. Often, babysitters are available to care for children under 3 while their parents are on game drives. Some lodges even have a kids club for children under 12.
  • Some lodges do accommodate children but require parents to book and pay for a private game drive.

Be sure to let your consultant know what kind of experience you're looking for so he/she can match what you had in mind to the best of his/her abilities.

Why are these policies in place?

  • Some lodges choose not to admit children under 12 in order to ensure all guests can enjoy a quiet and intimate wilderness experience. Many people come to Africa to revel in the peace and serenity of the bush, and would therefore rather avoid children on their vacations.
  • National rules apply to all walking safaris (guided walks):  no children under the age of 16 (14 years in KwaZulu-Natal) may take part in walking safaris.
  • Age limits have to be set for game drives to ensure the safety of all guests and children. You'll often see large, wild, potentially dangerous animals. There is no need to worry as long as you follow your safari guide's instructions. However, experience shows that the younger the child, the less likely he/she is to adhere to guides' instructions which could lead to dangerous situations.
​When embarking on a self-drive game drive, you may of course decide whether your children will accompany you. For your own safety please keep your children under close supervision.

​Additionally, a number of activities, such as swimming with dolphins, whale watching and snorkeling, may not be suitable for young children. Ask your consultant for advice.

Will my children pay full price?

Accommodation:
  • Children under 3 often do not pay for their accommodation.
  • Children under 12 generally pay half price, although this does vary per accommodation.
Activities:
  • Children under 12 generally get a discount, although it does vary per activity.
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​Please note ​your child’s entire trip will not be discounted at 50%. The Tailor Made Safari’s team factors in all appropriate discounts prior to invoicing.

Can my children and I sleep in the same room?

When travelling with 1 child: most accommodations have no problem adding an extra bed/mattress or crib to your room/chalet. If you need a crib please indicate this well in advance so that it can be booked.

When travelling with 2 or more children: A number of 
​accommodations have family rooms available. As these are very popular, we unfortunately cannot guarantee their availability. Where shared rooms are not available, we will attempt to keep families in neighboring rooms or units.