Off on an adventure through Africa with your kids. Who doesn't dream of that? Monkeys, lions, mountains, jungle, endless plains and other cultures! A year ago we started making our dream a reality. We booked flights, hired a car and mapped out an unforgettable road trip.
But Africa also means roads we don't know, dangerous townships, strange diseases, wild animals and food we're not used to. So for a whole year we pored over not only the most adventurous road trip through Africa, but also the most child-friendly road trip through Africa!
Child-friendly accommodation in Africa
We won't beat about the bush. On the budget of the average Belgian family you can stay in some pretty unique locations in Africa. But the price also goes up quickly with a bit more luxury.
Unfortunately, in Africa you can't always avoid those fixed prices. Whereas in Europe we're used to taking our children everywhere with us, that isn't the case in African tourism.
Safari, for example, remains exciting, and children aren't always equally patient and calm. On top of that, safety with small children and wild predators has to be a top priority. That's why many lodges refuse (small) children.
A second thing you need to take into account is malaria. In Kruger Park (where you can drive through yourself with your children), for example, there is malaria, but also in Etosha and Chobe (cf. Namibia and Botswana).
One solution is the malaria-free private game reserves. These are often home to lodges that specifically target children. You feel this in the price, but also in the activities on offer, and you won't be disturbing any honeymooners there.
Driving safely through Africa
In the southern part of Africa there are three things you need to bear in mind when getting around:
- Crime, and especially in the cities and townships. Make sure you always ask the locals which neighbourhoods to avoid, and don't drive after sunset.
- Wild animals: for this too, don't drive after sunset. Although most wild animals live in the many parks, this isn't the case everywhere. On top of that, most lions, for example, hunt in the dark. Getting out to change a tyre, say, can end fatally.
- The quality of the roads. Namibia in particular is known for its bad roads. Lots of dirt roads, but also potholes. A flat tyre is therefore a common occurrence. We chose Sunny Cars because they offer decent all-in-one insurance.
The best route through Africa with kids
For a whole year we were busy working out a great route for a period of just over a month. It had to include a bit of everything, but still leave enough time to play. This is our plan.
Day 1-3: Johannesburg
Here we chose Hyatt House Rosebank. A family-friendly hotel where you have your own kitchenette and a shared washing machine. The car park is secure and the breakfast is delicious. It's a stone's throw from the markets and the shopping mall.
In Johannesburg we chose to look at the two extremes. We went to the luxurious Fourways shopping mall, where we also did the Adventure Minigolf, and we discovered Johannesburg's turbulent past with a visit to the Apartheid Museum and Soweto. Read here about our adventures in Johannesburg and about travelling safely in Johannesburg.
Day 3-6: Tintswalo Family camp in Welgevonden
A family-friendly safari lodge in a malaria-free area. An absolutely top park with amazing service in the lodge. In three days we saw a lot of the big 5, went on a day trip and a bush lunch, and had wonderfully relaxed days in which the children amused themselves in the pool or the playroom while we did nothing at all.
Day 6-8: Graskop
The Panorama Route is often driven in one go, but because we want to have time to do enough walking, we're adding an extra overnight stay here. We're staying at Treur River Lodge, a chalet where children up to 16 can stay with their parents. Simple eco-lodges with a cosy little restaurant and a campfire you can light in the evening. Our children liked the rope swing over the river and the playground best.
Day 6-7: Lochiel
Really no more than an overnight stop for us. It's a good way past the Panorama Route and already some way towards our next stay. Here we booked Rocks and Roses Inn. We really regretted the short time we spent there, because the accommodation was beautiful, the wifi good, the view worth its weight in gold and the breakfast organic, homemade and top-notch.
Day 7-9: Rhino River Lodge
The second safari we've planned. This park has more than enough of the big 5 and we're especially hoping to see the shy black rhinos there. This is a child-friendly lodge too. Watch out for this, because not every lodge is. Often children aren't allowed on the game drive, or there's malaria, or they target honeymooners, for example. What's unique about this lodge is that it isn't fenced, so wild animals simply roam all around you.
Day 9-11: St Lucia
We had planned a wonderful trip along the Garden Route, but unfortunately we had to ease off a bit because of sick kids. So at the last minute we decided to stay in St-Lucia, which was close to Manyoni. A small island with an estuary on one side that is home to 900 hippos and 1300 crocodiles. This estuary is the heart of the iSimangaliso National Park. The other side of the tropical island has a fabulous beach that looks out onto the Indian Ocean.
Day 11-12: Durban
From St-Lucia it's only a short drive to Durban, where we spent a day enjoying Indian food and the beautiful Umgalanga beach. You're right in the tropics here!
Day 12-13: Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is an overnight stop while 'cutting across' the country.
Day 13-15: Northern Cape Upington
The Orange River is known for its delicious wines, so we're staying here to have the South African wine experience after all. We've already drunk some delicious, gently priced wines and would like to learn more about them.
Day 15-17: Namib Desert
Although Namibia is very child-friendly, think safety, beautiful lodges and lots of child-friendly activities, it's still a good idea to plan your route in advance. The distances are often long and the roads not great. We're planning The Desert Grace, right in the middle of the desert. From here we want to explore the beautiful desert. This accommodation also offers activities itself.
Day 17-18: Namib Desert Lodge
A bit closer to Swakopmund is another desert stay. This one is a little simpler but great for families to go glamping and do activities like looking for fluorescent scorpions, for example.
Day 18-20: Swakopmund
We drive through the desert to the enormous sand dunes of Swakopmund. This is where the ocean meets the desert. Swakopmund is great for adventurous children. You can go sailing, sandboarding and quad biking, but also have cultural experiences such as exploring Mondesa Township or meeting the Herero.
Day 20-22: Etosha
From Swakopmund we drive to Etosha, where we hope to meet a few more tribal peoples along the way. Etosha is a safari park with a very low malaria risk. Just long clothing and spray with DEET is enough to protect yourself. Ideal, then, for anyone travelling with children. There's water and you can see four of the big five here. Only the buffalo are missing. There are, however, lots of leopards and cheetahs. In Etosha we're staying at the Etosha Desert Lodge. A luxury lodge with a pool so the children can play and cool off between activities.
Day 22-23: Hakusembe
From here on we drive into malaria territory. So it might seem that this region is less child-friendly. We decided to enjoy this part of Africa anyway, with extra precautions. The north of Namibia is very green thanks to the river that flows here. We're staying one night at Hakusembe Lodge.
Day 23-25: Namushasha
This spot is often used as a stopover on the way to the Victoria Falls, but we're staying two nights. Namushasha River Lodge is a fun one because you can fish and go boating here, but also see crocodiles, for example. It's very green and has a totally different vibe from the desert of Namibia.
Day 25-26: Chobe
We leave Namushasha early to cross the border into Botswana and drive as close as possible to the Victoria Falls. There we take a guide to the Victoria Falls for a short visit. After that we drive as far as we can into Botswana.
Day 26-27: Nata
Halfway through Botswana lies this small safari town. There are lakes here and plenty of water. In other words, plenty of wild animals to see too. Be careful, safari in Botswana is less child-friendly as the lodges aren't fenced. So you have to keep an eye on your small children at all times.
Day 27-31: Wider Johannesburg area.
We're spending our last days in South Africa back in Johannesburg. After the busy trip we're only planning activities for the children here. A safari park that also has a playground, a theme park on top of an old gold mine and breakfast among the giraffes. Johannesburg is ideal if you want the Africa feeling without driving for miles. Especially with limited time and small children it's an ideal base.
Over the coming month you can follow our adventures through Africa, but also learn about safety and preparation. We travel a lot, but travelling through Africa is just a little different from what we're used to.
