Africa’s Best Destinations for Kids at Every Age

After writing about babymoon safaris (still childless, still awkward around swaddles), this felt like the natural next step: Africa’s best destinations for kids at every age. Why? Well… as legend has it, I used to be a child – which, while not a formal qualification, does give me some insight into what young travellers might actually enjoy. And while I don’t have kids of my own, I’m now surrounded by people who do. So yes, I’ve had a lot of practice dodging Lego and weighing in on snack and nap-related meltdowns.

Kid-Friendly Africa, One Age Group at a Time

If you’re travelling with kids in tow and wondering whether Africa is still doable, the answer is a loud, mildly sticky yes. Whether you’re rolling a pram down Sea Point Promenade or trying to stop a tween from attempting to befriend a warthog, Africa truly shines as a family destination. It’s got wildlife, wow-factor, wide open spaces – and a surprising number of hotels, lodges and resorts that welcome children with open arms (and, occasionally, marshmallows).

So here it is – my well-travelled, child-at-heart take on the best destinations for kids at every stage of childhood – drawn from expert insight, trusted local knowledge, and just enough real-world experience to know what actually works – featuring one Cape Town base per age group (because let’s face it, everyone loves Cape Town), plus a safari pick, a cultural hit, and a beachy escape to round things off. Let’s go.

Infants (0–12 months)

First trip with a baby? You deserve comfort, convenience, and maybe a cappuccino that’s still hot. These spots aren’t just peaceful and practical – they’re contenders for the best destinations for kids, even the tiniest ones. With just enough adventure to remind you you’re still you, they offer all the ease and quiet you need.

1. Bantry Bay, Cape Town

New parents, you need sleep. Bantry Bay is quiet and still close enough to a flat white when you desperately need one. There are sea views, stroller-friendly pavements, and you can pretend you’re the kind of parent who ‘just pops out for a walk’ instead of collapsing face-first into a croissant.

2. Gondwana Game Reserve, Garden Route

Malaria-free and mellow. Gondwana Game Reserve offers family suites and private guides who’ll time game drives around naps. It’s low-stress, high-comfort, and you don’t need to catch another flight as it’s only a four-hour drive from Cape Town city centre.

3. The Cape Winelands, South Africa

Vineyards with soft lawns, shady verandas, and estate restaurants where no one bats an eye if a bottle is warmed mid-lunch. The Cape Winelands are peaceful, scenic, and tailor-made for parents who want their wine chilled, and their dress code elasticated.

4. Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route

Soft sands, slow mornings, and everything you need within arm’s reach. Plettenberg Bay is easygoing and scenic, with wide beaches and boardwalks ideal for pram strolls and safe paddles. Self-catering stays with blackout blinds, baby-friendly kitchens, and nature walks from your doorstep, making it an ideal first escape with a little one.

Toddlers (1–4 years)

Welcome to the snack-powered, nap-dodging years. Toddlers need space to roam, routines that bend (but don’t break), and enough stimulation to wear them out by sundown. These picks strike that sweet balance – and just might earn the title of best destinations for kids in this wonderfully wild age range.

1. Sea Point, Cape Town

Toddlers need space to run, they snack every 11 minutes, and should ideally not be near any open fires or priceless artworks. Sea Point ticks the boxes with its Promenade, parks, and close proximity to ice cream.

2. Marataba, Waterberg 

Malaria-free and drivable. Marataba Safari Lodge is known for big open spaces, fenced grounds, and gentle game drives that don’t push past toddler attention spans. Plus, you have the option to bail mid-drive.

3. Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands 

Think strawberry picking, farmyard animals, and wine farms with jungle gyms and milkshakes. Parents get a glass of rosé. Toddlers get a sandpit. Everyone wins in Stellenbosch.

4. Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape

Warm, shallow estuaries, silky sand, and private homes with big enough lawns for scooter Olympics. Addo Elephant Park is close by if you’re up for introducing your toddler to some very large ‘doggies’.

Primary Schoolers (5–10 years)

Curious, chatty, and endlessly energetic – this is the age of questions, collections, and “just one more” before bedtime. These destinations offer a balance of discovery and downtime, with enough structured adventure to keep little minds (and legs) engaged. It’s no wonder they’re often in the running for the best destinations for kids in this fun, full-of-wonder stage.

1. Simon’s Town, Cape Town

This is the peak curiosity age.  And nothing fuels it quite like the quirks of a charming seaside hamlet. Enter penguins, kayaking, naval history, and cafés serving hot chocolate in mugs bigger than their heads.

2. Kruger National Park, South Africa

The Greater Kruger area is a classic for a reason. Family-friendly lodges and abundant wildlife mean the excitement never stops. Think spotting lions before breakfast and learning animal tracks between swims.

3. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Steam trains, waterfall spray, markets, and drumming sessions. Victoria Falls is immersive and theatrical in all the right ways. Plus, nothing beats the bragging rights of “I saw The Smoke that Thunders.”

4. Knysna and Tsitsikamma, Garden Route

In Knysna, lagoon cruises and forest walks set the scene for gentle family adventures, while nearby Tsitsikamma ups the tempo with zip lines, canopy tours, and its famous suspension bridge. Between the two, you’ll find boardwalk trails, curious monkeys, and just enough wildness to feel like a proper adventure – without needing a survival guide.

Tweens (11–13 years)

Somewhere between childhood and full-blown teenager, tweens want a taste of independence – but still need a safety net. These destinations give them just enough freedom to feel grown-up without letting them completely off the leash.

1. V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

At this age, they want some space but still need to be within shouting distance. Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront hits the sweet spot: an aquarium, a pirate ship cruise, and enough sugar from the Lindt store to power a small nation. Bonus: it’s safe, walkable, and hotel staff have seen it all before.

2. Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is all fly-in camps and real wilderness vibes – without giving up the creature comforts. Think mokoro rides, animal tracking, and guides who turn every outing into a wildlife detective mission.

3. Sossusvlei, Namibia

Space to climb, run, and explore like mini-adventurers. This is the age for wide-open deserts, fossil hunting, and ancient petroglyphs that make school history feel suddenly cool (Sossusvlei cool).

4. Swakopmund, Namibia

German bakeries, icy seas, sandboarding, and quad biking through desert dunes. Swakopmund is quirky, offbeat, and absolutely one of the best destinations for kids growing up fast but still wanting to play.

Teenagers (14–17 years)

Teenagers are notoriously hard to impress. These picks offer enough thrill, edge, and independence to get their buy-in while still delivering the kind of shared experiences they’ll talk about (eventually). For families chasing the best destinations for kids that can actually win over teens, these spots hit the mark.

1. Clifton and Camps Bay, Cape Town

Teenagers want edge. Clifton and Camps Bay gives Insta-worthy beaches and is where Cape Town’s cool crowd shows up and shows off. Think sleek hotels, incredible sunsets, ocean-view cafés, street-style fashion, and the kind of hoodie they’ll wear till it falls apart. You want security, Wi-Fi, and maybe a sushi platter. Everyone’s covered.

2. Sabi Sand, Greater Kruger

This is your BBC Earth moment. In the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, lions laze, leopards lurk, and game drives are led by trackers who can spot a rhino before you’ve even finished your rusks. Add private guides, open vehicles, and luxury lodges with pools and Wi-Fi, and you’ve got serious bragging rights back home.

3. Lower Zambezi, Zambia 

Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park presents a proper step into the wild. Canoe past hippos, catch tigerfish, and learn bush survival skills in a place where Google Maps doesn’t help. Unplugging has never been this fun.

4. Mauritius

Mauritius shows off with white-sand beaches, volcanic mountains, and enough water sports to keep even the moodiest teen entertained. Think kitesurfing, snorkelling, Sega dancing, and sunset selfies that might actually include the rest of the family.

Young Adults (18–21 years)

They’re newly legal, full of opinions, and ready to roam. These picks offer freedom, flavour, and a hint of sophistication – with enough adventure to still feel like a proper trip. They may be (technically) grown, but these spots still rank among the best destinations for kids who aren’t quite done travelling with family.

1. CBD / Long Street, Cape Town

They’re legally allowed to taste wine (well, in South Africa, at least), have opinions, and wander off. Let them loose in Cape Town’s CBD and along Long Street, where rooftop bars, design studios, and live music venues fuel independence and a healthy dose of late nights.

2. Serengeti, Tanzania

This is where the classic safari fantasy comes to life – vast plains, dramatic sunsets, and the Great Migration if your timing’s right. Perfect for young adults craving big adventures, camera-roll bragging rights, and the thrill of being far from home (but still within Wi-Fi range, sometimes).

3. Stone Town, Zanzibar

Get lost in alleyways of history, taste clove-laced everything, and pick up Swahili phrases before lunch. Stone Town in Zanzibar is where you’ll find culture you can eat, wear, and dance to – making it a surprising contender for the best destinations for kids with curious minds and adventurous taste buds.

4. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique 

Empty beaches, clear water, and just enough luxury to feel like a graduation gift. Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago is the kind of place they’ll post about… and where they won’t have time to nag you! 

The Kids Will Thank You Later (Probably)

Look, you don’t need to be a parenting pro to take your kids to Africa. You just need to know where to go. Whether it’s babies in Bantry Bay or post-grads in the Panhandle, there’s a place here for every age, every milestone, and every kind of meltdown (yours or theirs).

Because if you’re going to raise a family, you might as well do it between elephants, ocean views, and excellent wine. Africa might just be the continent with the best destinations for kids – and for the grown-ups they’re becoming.

Ready to plan your family’s next big adventure? Chat to our Travel Experts, and let’s make it unforgettable.

Featured Image: Wilderness Seba