The Eastern Cape, located on South Africa’s scenic southeast coast at the end of the Garden Route, is a premier malaria-free safari destination renowned for its family-friendly experiences. The family friendly safari lodges in the Eastern Cape are designed to meet the needs of families, offering luxurious accommodations and exciting activities. Located within Eastern Cape’s private game reserves, these family lodges combine exciting game drives with family-oriented amenities, going above and beyond to ensure a seamless and enjoyable stay.
The Eastern Cape is home to private game reserves brimming with wildlife, including the Big Five and one of the world’s largest African elephant populations. Its varied landscapes, from arid interiors to lush, well-watered plains, provide the perfect setting for unforgettable safaris. A family safari in the Eastern Cape offers a rare chance for parents and children to connect deeply with nature and each other. Together, families can enjoy magical wildlife sightings and create lasting memories surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness.
Unlike many safari destinations, the Eastern Cape is more forgiving with age restrictions, allowing younger children to participate in game drives. Kids can also join junior ranger programs, where they learn about wildlife, conservation, and the natural environment through hands-on activities.
Reasons to Go on a Family Safari in the Eastern Cape
- Malaria-free safari region
- Fun and engaging children’s activities and kids clubs
- Educational experiences for children, learning about animals and conservation
- A variety of family-friendly accommodation options
- Easily accessible from Port Elizabeth Airport
- A magical way for families to bond over incredible wildlife encounters
- Perfectly located at the end of the Garden Route, ideal for a road trip combination
Shamwari Riverdene Lodge
Renowned as one of the most luxurious family lodges in the Eastern Cape, Riverdene Lodge at Shamwari Game Reserve delivers an exclusive and stylish safari experience. The lodge features elegant contemporary decor, a spacious open-plan lounge, a cozy bar with a fireplace, and a dining room with indoor and outdoor seating options. Families can relax by the large swimming pool or enjoy the supervised Kids Club and toddler play area, while the popular Kids Adventure Centre ensures fun-filled activities for all ages.
Accommodation: Riverdene Lodge offers nine interconnecting luxury rooms designed with families in mind. Each room includes a small lounge area with a sleeper couch and an en-suite bathroom. For larger families, two inter-leading rooms can be connected to provide additional comfort and space.
For children: The Kids on Safari Adventure Centre offers a range of exciting indoor and outdoor activities tailored for children, from zip-lining to pizza-making. While children under four cannot participate in game drives, they can enjoy plenty of age-appropriate adventures. Kids also have the chance to visit conservation initiatives, including the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the wildlife rehabilitation centre, adding an educational and inspiring touch to their safari experience.
Highlights
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Kids Club and toddler play area
- Kids Adventure Centre
- Interconnecting luxury rooms
Mark’s Camp
Mark’s Camp is the family-friendly lodge at Lalibela Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, offering a perfect blend of comfort and adventure. Set in a prime location within the reserve, the camp is discreetly fenced to ensure the safety of children. Directly in front of the lodge, a large waterhole attracts frequent wildlife visitors, providing an exciting view for guests. The lodge features several relaxation areas, including a spacious lounge, a viewing deck, two swimming pools, and an outdoor dining boma.
Accommodation: All room types at Mark’s Camp are family-friendly, with three rooms offering partitioned sleeping areas for parents and children. Additionally, a two-bedroom suite is available, featuring separate bedrooms and bathrooms for added convenience.
For children: Mark’s Camp also offers a unique children’s program for kids aged two and up, featuring tailored activities and meals. The program includes arts and crafts, educational games, bush skills, storytelling, and kid-friendly meals. Babysitting services are available during certain hours, including during adult dinners and game drives, providing peace of mind for parents. For children under two, trained child-minders and nannies ensure their safety and care at the lodge while parents enjoy the safari experience.
Highlights
- Lalibela Game Reserve
- Customized children’s activities and meals
- Family rooms & 2-bedroom suites
- Large waterhole, frequently visited by wildlife
- Two swimming pools
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Ecca Lodge, nestled in the heart of Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, offers an exceptional family-friendly experience with stunning views of the valley and shale cliffs of the escarpment. The lodge features luxurious furnishings and decor inspired by the vibrant colors and textures of nearby villages. The spacious main area includes indoor and outdoor lounges, a large wooden viewing deck, a rim-flow lap pool, a library, and a shop.
Accommodation: Ecca Lodge offers three family suites, each designed to accommodate two adults and two children, with day beds in the lounge. The suites are spacious, featuring individual lounge areas, private viewing decks, plunge pools, and luxurious bathrooms. Families also enjoy the exclusive use of a private vehicle and dedicated ranger for game drives.
For children: For younger guests, the lodge offers a variety of engaging activities based on the fundamentals of the reserve. The Den, the lodge’s kids club, keeps children entertained for hours, while the swimming pool is another family favourite. As the largest private game reserve in the region, Kwandwe provides twice-daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, ensuring memorable wildlife encounters for all ages.
Highlights
- Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
- Kids club & children’s activities
- Three family suites
- Private decks with plunge pools
- Private vehicle and dedicated ranger
Long Lee Manor
Perched high in the stunning landscapes of Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, Long Lee Manor is a luxurious 5-star safari lodge offering sweeping panoramic views of the plains below. As the original manor house on the reserve, Long Lee has been carefully restored to reflect the region’s rich heritage. The lodge is surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and features a large rim-flow swimming pool on the terrace, providing the perfect place to relax between safari adventures.
Accommodation: For families, the inter-leading Garden Rooms offer convenience and comfort, while private verandas provide views of the lush gardens and vast plains. Spacious family suites come with private terraces and pools, while the two-bedroom family suites offer a perfect setup for groups, ensuring both privacy and comfort.
For children: Long Lee Manor is ideal for families, welcoming children aged 8 and older. The lodge offers dedicated activities such as the Junior Ranger Program and a kids’ club. Guests can enjoy twice-daily game drives in open 4×4 vehicles, guided by experienced rangers, for thrilling opportunities to spot the Big Five and a variety of other wildlife.
Highlights
- Shamwari Private Game Reserve
- Children from 8 years are welcome
- Junior Ranger Program
- Kids Club
- 2-bedroom Family suites with private pools
- Inter-leading Garden Rooms
Pumba Bush Lodge
Pumba Bush Lodge is a luxurious 5-star safari retreat situated within the Pumba Private Game Reserve, offering exceptional game viewing right from the lodge. Its prime location provides sweeping views over a nearby waterhole from a spacious wooden viewing deck. The lodge’s amenities include a fire pit with seating, a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor boma, a curio shop, a spa, and a fitness centre, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Accommodation: The lodge boasts 11 glass-enclosed Msenge Chalets, each offering stunning, unobstructed views of the reserve. Each chalet comes with private decks, outdoor showers, and plunge pools. Families can opt for a Msenge Chalet with an extra sleeper bed or choose a dedicated two-bedroom family chalet, which features two en-suite bedrooms and an open-plan lounge, separated by a foyer.
For children: Guests can enjoy two daily game drives, as well as additional activities such as guided walking safaris, birdwatching, bass fishing, stargazing, and archery. While children under six cannot join the main Big Five game drives unless a private vehicle is arranged, the lodge offers a special one-hour game drive designed for younger children after breakfast. Kids can also enjoy activities like board games, wildlife films in the library, and roasting marshmallows around the fire in the boma. Each child is provided with an activity book to keep them entertained.
Highlights:
- Pumba Private Game Reserve
- Located around an active waterhole
- Private decks and plunge pools
- 2-bedroom family chalet for families
- Home to the White Lion
Pumba Water Lodge
Water Lodge is a luxurious 5-star safari retreat located within the Pumba Private Game Reserve, offering a prime position overlooking Lake Cariega, home to a pod of hippos and a busy watering hole frequented by a variety of wildlife. Guests can unwind in the lodge’s lounge, relax on the sun deck, or enjoy the pool with picturesque views of the lake. Other amenities include a cocktail bar, a restaurant, a curio shop, and indulgent spa treatments.
Accommodation: The lodge features 12 stone-walled, thatched chalets, each with a private viewing deck, plunge pool, and spectacular lake views. Families can opt for chalets with sleeper beds or choose the Kudu two-bedroom chalet, which is especially suited for families. This chalet offers two private en-suite bedrooms, a shared lounge, a private deck, plunge pool, and even a steam room for added comfort.
For children: Guests can enjoy two daily game drives, as well as guided walking safaris, birdwatching, bass fishing, stargazing, and archery. Children under six are not permitted on the main Big Five game drives unless a private vehicle is arranged, but the lodge offers a special one-hour game drive designed for younger guests after breakfast. Kids can also enjoy a variety of activities such as board games, wildlife films in the library, and roasting marshmallows around the fire in the boma. Each child is provided with an activity book to keep them entertained.
Highlights:
- Pumba Private Game Reserve
- Located around Lake Cariega
- Private decks and plunge pools
- 2-bedroom family chalet for families
- Home to the White Lion
Kariega Main Lodge
Kariega Main Lodge is the family-friendly heart of the Kariega Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. This welcoming lodge offers breathtaking views of the Kariega River valley and features a variety of relaxation areas, a kids’ club, a restaurant, and a swimming pool. Guests can enjoy buffet-style dinners in the restaurant or opt for a traditional dining experience in the outdoor boma.
Accommodation: Accommodation consists of 24 log chalets, with one, two, or three bedrooms, each featuring spacious lounges, comfortable bedrooms, well-appointed bathrooms, and private viewing decks. Some chalets also offer private plunge pools.
For children: Kariega Main Lodge is ideal for families, welcoming children of all ages. Kids can join their parents on morning and afternoon game drives, as well as river cruises. The Kids on Safari center offers a range of supervised activities, including Bushman paintings, arts and crafts, target practice, and guided nature trails where children can learn about plants, insects, and animal tracks.
Highlights:
- Kariega Private Game Reserve
- Children of all ages welcome
- Family lodge at Kariega
- One, two, or three-bedroom chalets for families
- Kids on Safari center & children’s activities
Sibuya River Camp
Sibuya River Camp is a unique family-friendly safari lodge located in the Sibuya Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Set in a peaceful mini forest along the banks of the Kariega Estuary, the lodge offers a tranquil safari retreat. Operating primarily on solar power, the camp is free from Wi-Fi, television, air conditioning, and electric fans, allowing guests to fully immerse in nature.
Accessible only by boat, Sibuya River Camp is located 10 km up the Kariega Estuary. The main lodge features a spacious wooden viewing deck, comfortable indoor and outdoor lounges, and meals served buffet-style in the dining room or traditional outdoor boma.
Accommodation: With just four luxury tented suites, the camp is perfect for small families, each suite accommodating two adults and two children, with additional beds and sleeper couches available for younger guests.
For children: Famiies can enjoy two daily game drives with experienced rangers, exploring the beautiful Kariega Estuary, ancient floodplains, and coastal forests. The area is home to nearly 400 bird species and a variety of wildlife, including the Big Five. Additional activities include a range of children’s activities as well as fishing, canoeing, and scenic river cruises.
Highlights:
- Sibuya Private Game Reserve
- Set along the banks of the Kariega Estuary
- 4 luxury tented suites
- Family-friendly eco lodge
- Open-air African Boma
HillsNek Safari Camp
HillsNek Safari Camp is a family-friendly tented lodge located in the Amakhala Private Game Reserve, nestled along the banks of the Bushman’s River with stunning views of the reserve’s landscapes. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and attentive service, the camp offers a relaxed, immersive safari experience. The main lodge area includes a raised deck with a swimming pool, dining area, bar, and a traditional firepit.
Accommodation: The lodge features four luxury safari tents, each set on wooden decks with panoramic views of the plains. These tents are positioned for privacy and connected to the main lodge by raised walkways. Families can enjoy a two-bedroom tented suite, ideal for two adults and two children. It includes an additional small bedroom and a shared bathroom. The family tent has an expansive deck with impressive views, making it perfect for relaxation or for larger groups seeking more space.
For children: Amakhala Game Reserve, which boasts five of South Africa’s eight biomes, is home to a rich variety of wildlife and plant life. Families can embark on morning and afternoon game drives led by expert guides, exploring the diverse fauna of the reserve. Additional activities have been put together that concentrate of the fundamentals of the reserve. Additional activities include boat safaris on the Bushman’s River, bush walks, horse trails, and stargazing.
Highlights:
- Amakhala Private Game Reserve
- Prime location along the Bushman’s River
- Only four luxury safari tents
- Two-bedroom tented suite for families
- Large private viewing decks
Hlosi Game Lodge
Hlosi Game Lodge is a family-friendly safari retreat located within the Amakhala Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Set on a hill overlooking a scenic river plain, the lodge offers a peaceful and immersive safari experience. The main lodge features a spacious wooden viewing deck, lounge, dining area, bar, and a swimming pool. A nearby waterhole attracts a variety of wildlife, which can be observed from the lodge, providing guests with a front-row seat to nature’s wonders.
Accommodation: Hlosi accommodates guests in 14 rooms, including six suites and eight luxury tents. For families, the lodge offers two-bedroom family suites, perfect for two adults and two children. The fenced lodge area ensures a safe environment, allowing young children to view wildlife from a secure distance.
For children: A highlight of the lodge is its family game drives, which allow families to enjoy the safari together. Additionally, Hlosi offers a dedicated Kids on Safari program, designed to engage children with fun, educational activities that introduce them to the reserve’s wildlife and ecosystem.
Highlights:
- Amakhala Private Game Reserve
- Set on a hill above a scenic river plain
- 2-bedroom family suites
- Kids on Safari program for young explorers
- Waterhole attracting a variety of wildlife
Useful Information
If you are planning a safari in the Eastern Cape, we recommend reading these articles to find out when to go and where to stay.
- Best time to go on Safari to the Eastern Cape
- View all Eastern Cape lodges
- View all Eastern Cape holiday packages
For personal planning assistance and advice contact out team.
