The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s most renowned safari destinations, offering an unforgettable experience for families looking to explore the African wilderness together. For those seeking a family-friendly safari, the Kruger National Park is home to a variety of world-class lodges designed to accommodate families with children. The best family lodges are found in the private game reserves within the Greater Kruger National Park, offering an exclusive and more personalized safari experience.
Lodges within these private reserves provide high-end facilities, including swimming pools, restaurants, spas, fitness centres, and kids’ clubs with activities tailored for all ages. Various accommodation options range from interconnecting rooms and two-bedroom suites to private exclusive use villas. Child policies vary, with some lodges in the Kruger National Park welcoming children of all ages while others have age restrictions.
The top family lodges in Kruger go above and beyond, offering exceptional service, warm African hospitality, and special amenities for families. Flexible dining arrangements, dedicated children’s menus, and accommodations for dietary requirements ensure a seamless experience. Babysitting services are also available, allowing parents to enjoy a quiet evening or head out on a game drive while their little ones are cared for.
Things to Do for Children in the Kruger National Park
- Family Game Drives: Children 6+ can join regular game drives, and younger children can enjoy private game drives (at an additional cost) or Bush Bumble Drives.
- Educational Experiences: Guides offer lessons on the reserve’s ecosystem, wildlife, and African culture.
- Mini Rangers Program: Children learn animal tracking and bush survival skills through interactive activities.
- Kids’ Clubs & Creative Activities: Arts and crafts, rock painting, treasure hunts, and games rooms available at select lodges.
- Cooking & Baking Fun: Baking sessions with the chef, creating animal-shaped cookies and cupcakes.
- Swimming & Outdoor Play: Swimming pools for cooling off and outdoor play areas for exploration.
- Evening Entertainment: Enjoy family dinners, children’s menus, traditional open-air Boma dinning experiences and campfire storytelling under the stars.
A family safari in Kruger National Park is more than just a holiday, it’s a chance to disconnect from daily routines and reconnect with nature and each other. Through game drives, educational activities, and immersive cultural experiences, families can create lasting memories while fostering a love for wildlife and conservation. Kruger offers some of South Africa’s best family safari experiences, where adventure and bonding go hand in hand.
Below you will find a carefully crafted list of the best family safari lodges in the Kruger National Park, with descriptions, highlights and images.
Thornybush Game Lodge
Tucked away in the untouched wilderness of Thornybush Game Reserve, Thornybush Game Lodge offers an exhilarating family safari experience. The lodge features luxurious accommodation, with spacious suites that include private viewing decks overlooking a dry riverbed and surrounding landscapes. For families, Karma Villa provides a 2-bedroom villa-style suite, complete with a culinary team and a private safari vehicle. Guests can enjoy the main lodge’s lookout deck, swimming pool, or relax in the wellness and spa facilities
Children are welcomed with a complimentary ‘Little Ranger in Training backpack’, filled with activities to keep them entertained throughout their stay. Young explorers can enjoy guided bush walks that focus on the smaller wonders of nature and interactive bush skills. The lodge also offers fun baking sessions and a variety of other engaging activities. Game drives and activities are tailored to suit the interests and attention spans of younger guests, ensuring a memorable experience. Additionally, family photo shoots can be arranged with prior notice.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- 2-bedroom Karma Villa with private safari vehicle
- Lookout deck and swimming pool
- Guided bush walks for kids
- Family photo shoots can be arranged with prior notice
Ngala Safari Lodge
Ngala Safari Lodge, part of the &Beyond portfolio, offers a luxurious safari experience in the world-renowned Kruger National Park.
The lodge features stylish thatched cottages, each with a private veranda overlooking the reserve. Family-friendly accommodations include three adjoining family cottages and a spacious three-bedroom family villa. The villa comes with its own private pool, stunning views of the Mapone Riverbed, and dedicated staff, including a butler, ranger, tracker team, and private safari vehicle. Main lodge amenities include a spacious deck, rim-flow swimming pool, spa, gym, and library.
The lodge offers a family safari experience tailored to your children’s ages, interests, and preferences. The WILDchild programme includes a backpack of goodies and seasonal activities like bark rubbing, bug collecting, frog safaris, and baking with the chef. With children’s menus and childminding services, guides keep kids engaged, allowing parents to unwind and enjoy the bushveld. Ngala’s game drives are world-class, with expert guides and trackers offering up-close encounters with the Big-5.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- &Beyond portfolio
- 3 adjoining family cottages and a 3-bedroom family villa
- WILDchild programme
- Rim flow pool overlooking the reserve
Lukimbi Safari Lodge
Located in the southern region of Kruger National Park, Lukimbi is one of the park’s top family-friendly safari lodges, offering plenty for young adventurers. As one of only seven private concessions in Kruger, it spans 15,000 hectares, making it one of the largest inside the park.
The lodge offers spacious, luxury accommodations with contemporary African-inspired décor. Families can choose from standard, premier, and family suites, all child-friendly. Facilities include a swimming pool with sun loungers, a viewing deck, gym, spa, and indoor and outdoor play areas.
Lukimbi’s dedicated Kids’ Program is led by a dedicated guide and includes game drives, nature walks, wildlife tracking, bird spotting, a bush treasure hunt, and spoor casting. The Safari Playroom is open all day, stocked with toys, games, and arts and crafts. There’s also an outdoor jungle gym and garden games, making Lukimbi Safari Lodge an ideal choice for families seeking an engaging, kid-friendly safari in the Kruger National Park.
Highlights
- Children from 5 years are welcome
- A range of family accommodation including standard, premier, and family suites.
- Safari Playroom is open all day
- Kids’ Program is led by a dedicated guide
- Outdoor jungle gym and garden games
Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Tanda Tula Safari Lodge is located in the renowned Greater Kruger National Park, within the private Timbavati Nature Reserve. Known for its commitment to sustainability, exceptional hospitality, and world-class game drives, it offers a truly remarkable safari experience.
The lodge features modern camp accommodations with chic furnishings and stunning décor. Seven luxury suites are designed with canvas and glass, offering an open-plan bedroom, a separate lounge, a private plunge pool, and a wraparound deck overlooking the river. Two family suites with a second bedroom cater perfectly to families with children. The main camp includes exceptional dining under the stars, a gym, spa, rim-flow pool, open-air bar, and a secluded hide.
Tanda Tula creates a unique space for families to disconnect from their daily routines and reconnect with one another. Families can enjoy time together, playing board games, sharing meals, and exploring the surrounding natural world. Traveling with children offers them the chance to experience new cultures, food, and learn the importance of preserving the environment for future generations.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Unique space for families
- Educational experiences fro children
- Two 2-bedroom family suites
- Modern camp with African-chic decor
Kapama Southern Camp
Kapama Southern Camp is a family-friendly lodge located within the Kapama Private Game Reserve in the heart of Kruger National Park. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on catering to families, it offers luxurious five-star accommodations.
The lodge features 15 elegantly designed suites that prioritise both comfort and style. For families, there are three Family Villas that provide an exclusive experience, complete with private plunge pools. The main lodge area offers a beautiful lounge with views of nearby wildlife at the watering hole. The pool deck is a perfect vantage point, offering guests breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness.
Kapama also provides a variety of engaging and educational experiences for young adventurers. Expert guides lead children in activities such as animal tracking, spoor casting, and identifying animal droppings, helping them understand wildlife behaviour. Kids can also get creative through beading, rope-making, and culinary adventures while learning about African culture and survival skills. Younger children can enjoy Bush Bumble Drives that focus on smaller animals and birds, while older children can join Big-5 safaris.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- 3 Family Villas with patios and plunge pools
- Expert guides lead children in activities
- Learning about African culture and survival skills
- Pool deck with breathtaking views
Simbavati River Lodge
Simbavati River Lodge, located in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, offers an ideal family safari experience. The lodge features a modern safari style with thatched roofs and contemporary African decor, along with a large viewing deck overlooking the Nhlaralumi River and a nearby waterhole.
Accommodations include spacious luxury suites, each with an ensuite bathroom and private viewing deck. Three two-bedroom family chalets are perfect for families, and additional suites are available for families with older children.
Simbavati River Lodge caters to both children and adults with a variety of activities. While parents can relax on game drives led by expert guides, kids can enjoy the Cubs Club kids’ centre with games, arts and crafts, and other activities. After breakfast, children can take part in cupcake decorating, bug hunts, animal face mask creation, and more. For older children, there’s also the chance to try archery or explore animal spoor on short nature walks, combining fun with educational experiences.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Three 2-bedroom family chalets
- Cubs Club kids’ centre
- Elephant visits at the lodge
- Overlooking the Nhlaralumi River
Simbavati Waterside lodge
Simbavati Waterside Lodge is located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, next to the Kruger National Park, with views over a scenic waterhole that draws a wide variety of wildlife year-round. The lodge offers luxurious accommodations, including four 2-bedroom family suites, each with a private viewing deck and either waterhole or bush views.
Game drives offer families a chance to unwind as experienced safari guides lead the adventure, creating unforgettable memories. A range of educational activities for both younger and older children are available after breakfast. These activities, designed around the fundamentals of the reserve, allow knowledgeable guides to share fascinating insights in a fun and engaging way.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Overlooks an active waterhole
- Educational activities for children
- Four 2-bedroom family suites
- Engaging guides
Kalserie Drift Safari Camp
Klaserie Drift Safari Camp, located in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, offers an intimate family safari experience. The camp features 8 luxury suites, including Garden suites and River suites, with two River suites offering private decks and plunge pools, perfect for families. The inter-leading Garden suites are ideal for families, accommodating up to 2 adults and 3 children.
Guests enjoy off-road game drives in search of the Big-5 and other rare wildlife sightings within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The lodge also offers a dedicated Kid’s Club, where children can participate in educational and fun activities such as exploring animal tracks, baking animal-shaped cookies, target shooting, and creating art from natural materials. These activities provide a balanced mix of learning and adventure, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience for young adventurers.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- The camp overlooks the Klaserie River
- Dedicated Kid’s Club
- Inter-leading Garden suites are ideal for families
- Family run camp
Singita Sweni Lodge
Singita Sweni Lodge is a luxury, family-friendly safari retreat on the banks of the Sweni River, ranked among the best lodges in Kruger National Park. It offers seven elegant suites, including two-bedroom family suites with private safari vehicles for guests with young children.
The lodge features a rim-flow swimming pool, river-view deck, dining room, spa, and multiple relaxation areas, all beautifully designed with stylish décor and breathtaking views of the reserve.
Guests can enjoy game drives, bush walks, and bird watching, while children have access to a variety of activities. The Mini Rangers Course introduces young explorers to tracking, bush survival, and wildlife spotting through interactive games and quizzes. Kids can also take part in cooking sessions, arts & crafts, board games, stargazing, movies, and swimming, making it a perfect safari destination for the whole family.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- 2-bedroom family suite with private vehicle
- Customised Mini Rangers Course
- Renowned Singita collection
- Views over the Sweni River
Royal Malewane Waterside Lodge
Waterside Lodge at Royal Malewane offers a family-friendly experience with luxurious accommodation in the Kruger National Park, within the Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
The lodge features beautifully decorated suites, including the two-bedroom Baobab Suite and four-bedroom Waterside House, welcoming families of all sizes. Children can also stay in the one-bedroom Luxury Suites or Aloe Rooms with a private vehicle.
Royal Malewane offers an unforgettable family safari, combining adventure and education. With some of Africa’s most qualified guides, kids learn wildlife tracking, animal behavior, and bushcraft through the Royal Rangers programme. Older kids can join the Junior Rangers course for more advanced skills. Families enjoy child-minding services, the Royal Cubs Spa menu, flexible dining, and a variety of activities, ensuring a fun and enriching experience for all ages.
Highlights
- Children of all ages are welcome
- 2-bedroom Baobab Suite and 4-bedroom Waterside House
- Royal Rangers programme
- Child-minding services & flexible dining
- Bend of colourful and contemporary elements
Useful Information
If you’re planning a family safari in Kruger, we recommend these articles to help you prepare.
- View all Kruger lodges
- View all Kruger holiday packages
- Best time to go on Safari to the Kruger
- Travelling to the Kruger National Park
For personal planning assistance and advice contact out team.
