Best time for a family to go to South Africa
Wildlife watchers should head to South Africa between July and September, when game is easier to spot and southern right whales visit the Western Cape.![]()
Family holidays to South Africa will always be dictated by the school term, but beyond that, the best time to visit South Africa depends on your interests – game is easier to spot in Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve during the dry winter months of July, August and September, before the rains start to appear in October. This is also the best time to see southern right whales off Hermanus, though sightings may come with a serving of windy, cold weather. The Western Cape is at its most beautiful during the summer months of November, December, January and February, while in Kwazulu Natal summers are hot and wet, with March and April the best time for the beach. Remember things can get crowded during the December school holidays.
Cape Town Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
17
28
21
FEB
17
29
23
MAR
16
27
27
APR
15
25
62
MAY
13
22
111
JUN
12
20
144
JUL
11
20
135
AUG
12
20
108
SEP
13
21
71
OCT
14
24
48
NOV
15
25
27
DEC
17
27
35
Things for a family to do in South Africa
Things to do on a family holiday in South Africa
Things not to do on a family holiday in South Africa
South African safaris for families with teenagers
Visit the famous Kruger National Park and Zulu villages
From
£1394 to £1930
12 days
ex flights
Family holiday to South Africa & Swaziland
Kruger, Swaziland and Durban with the family
From
£1565 to £1739
13 days
ex flights
Family luxury safari & beach holiday, South Africa & Mozambique
Combine a wildlife safari in South Africa with beach time.
From
£4695
12 days
inc UK flights
Family horse riding holiday in South Africa
Family horse riding safari holiday in South Africa
From
£2455
9 days
ex flights
Family conservation project in South Africa
Exciting family volunteering with the Big 5
From
£1 to £1295
6 days
ex flights
Family volunteering and safari holiday, South Africa
Take your family on an unforgettable African adventure
From
US $1595
4 weeks
ex flights
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about South Africa family or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Advice for families going to South Africa
Why South Africa is great for families
Dyan Mckie, from Intrepid Travel:
“South Africa has all the key elements which make for a great family holidays. A vary of accommodation to suit all budgets, scenery that will wow the entire family, fantastic activities from cycling Soweto to kayaking in Kosi Bay and of course the wildlife. With more than 20 National Parks, including two of the world's most renowned wildlife reserves, the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park there are plenty of opportunities to view animals in their natural habitat.”
“South Africa has all the key elements which make for a great family holidays. A vary of accommodation to suit all budgets, scenery that will wow the entire family, fantastic activities from cycling Soweto to kayaking in Kosi Bay and of course the wildlife. With more than 20 National Parks, including two of the world's most renowned wildlife reserves, the Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park there are plenty of opportunities to view animals in their natural habitat.”
Small group holidays
Dyan Mckie, from Intrepid Travel:“The biggest benefit is travelling with other likeminded families. Children get to meet other children from all over the world while viewing some of the best wildlife in the world. It also allows parents to sit back and enjoy the holiday while the local experts take care of all the logistics for them. If families are considering a camping holiday then travelling with a tour company and group ensures all the camping equipment is supplied so they just need to arrive ready for their game drives!”
Volunteering
Anne Smellie, from Oyster Worldwide:“Families are often better suited to volunteering with wildlife in South Africa rather than community projects. Often kids might be quite shy at first; however, once they’ve been given a task, such as caring for an infant monkey or helping to prepare food, they stick to it and often display a really keen work ethic as well as growing in confidence as their holiday progresses. It’s also great for children and their parents to work side by side. This allows adults to show a different side to just being mum or dad, in addition to the whole family working as a team towards a common goal.”
Health and Safety
Dyan Mckie, from Intrepid Travel:“Always check with the national park if you are planning on joining a safari as many don’t allow children younger than six on the daily game drives for safety concerns. All travellers should consult their doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. Talk to your doctor about malaria and where you are travelling. South Africa has some strict regulations regarding travelling with children. Such regulations have has been put in place to protect children from being abducted, kidnapped and trafficked. So check with smart traveller before travelling to seek what additional paperwork you may need to take with you.”
Tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do – and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful South Africa family holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful South Africa family holiday tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday – and the space inside your suitcase.
Be prepared for very long journeys, we did 5600kms. They warn you about this in the pre-tour info and they are not joking but it is a very big place! ![]()
– Tim Gregory
“As we were traveling with small children, it is important to do your research but trust your travel agent at the same time. Give them as much information as possible of what you are looking for, so they can tailor your trip around your needs.” – Monica Belan, Family luxury safari & beach holiday, South Africa & Mozambique
“Be prepared for very long journeys, we did 5600 kms. They warn you about this in the pre-tour info and they are not joking but it is a very big place! Take Kindle and music and a small backpacks for walks etc and you do not need too much in the way of clothes. A good pair of sandals and a sun hat is essential. Plenty of cash machines but dollars are very useful.” – Tim Gregory, Cape Town to Victoria Falls small group lodge tour
“If they were planning to take children to a school, as we did, I would encourage them to be in touch with the school before leaving and discuss how their children could be kept occupied. I was helping to teach classes - and on two days, was teaching full-time - so my kids had to look after themselves. They were fine, but I think that some kids could find it tricky and boring to be on holiday, but attending classes. I'd also suggest that people consider the time of year - we were there in the S. African winter, so the snakes were hibernating. I would have been a bit tense if my children had been wandering freely round the playground and village, knowing that black mambas can and do appear.” – Anita Simon, Family volunteering and safari holiday, South Africa
“Be prepared for very long journeys, we did 5600 kms. They warn you about this in the pre-tour info and they are not joking but it is a very big place! Take Kindle and music and a small backpacks for walks etc and you do not need too much in the way of clothes. A good pair of sandals and a sun hat is essential. Plenty of cash machines but dollars are very useful.” – Tim Gregory, Cape Town to Victoria Falls small group lodge tour
“If they were planning to take children to a school, as we did, I would encourage them to be in touch with the school before leaving and discuss how their children could be kept occupied. I was helping to teach classes - and on two days, was teaching full-time - so my kids had to look after themselves. They were fine, but I think that some kids could find it tricky and boring to be on holiday, but attending classes. I'd also suggest that people consider the time of year - we were there in the S. African winter, so the snakes were hibernating. I would have been a bit tense if my children had been wandering freely round the playground and village, knowing that black mambas can and do appear.” – Anita Simon, Family volunteering and safari holiday, South Africa
Although you might be tired, try and make sure you get out as much as possible while on safari - animals are not always predictable so never assume that the ranger will find what you want to see. ![]()
– Neil Morris
More South Africa family articles
There’s a host of natural and cultural wonders in South Africa to fascinate every member of the family. Our guide to South Africa family holidays has more.
A small group family holiday involves perfectly planned itineraries, super knowledgeable guides, and a readymade gaggle of travel companions.
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