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Southern Africa Family Safari

Embrace your inner explorer on this epic, two-week adventure, spotting the Big Five in South Africa’s wild national parks, summit Cape Town’s Table Mountain and feel the bracing mists of the mighty Victoria Falls.

15 days

suggested length

$17,895

price from

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Beneath immense skies, southern Africa is a journey like no other – a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure that allows young explorers to be immersed in the value of conservation and the untamed beauty of the natural world. From the roar of a prowling lion to the rush of Victoria Falls, wild encounters wait down every winding dirt track. On this tailor-made family adventure, combine thrilling game drives in national parks and reserves with four days exploring Cape Town, home to cultural treasures, children-friendly wineries and a host of wildlife experiences of its own. A&K’s safari experts have selected a host of family-friendly lodges, perfectly situated for spotting South Africa and Zimbabwe’s epic wildlife. They offer a range of in-house activities and excursions enabling you and the family to make the most of these truly exceptional locations, before dozing off beneath dazzling night skies.  

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Highlights

Spend two days exploring Madikwe Game Reserve seeking out Africa’s most iconic creatures, with your own dedicated family safari team

Sleep out safely under the stars in a treehouse at Marataba Game Reserve in Marakele National Park, while elephants, rhino and giraffes roam below

Soak up the vibrant culture of Cape Town and soar above the city on the famed cable car to Table Mountain

Explore the Cape of Good Hope, home to baboons, mountain zebras and tortoises, and shipwreck-studded beaches licked by rolling surf 

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and drama of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World

Stay in luxurious family villas and lodges, which support your children in becoming explorers themselves

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Your Itinerary

Our experts have designed this gold-standard itinerary to inspire you, featuring our pick of the best hotels and experiences in every thrilling destination.

Rising from the plains of the north, Jozi is a modern metropolis, the powerhouse of South Africa, its veins coursing with rivers of gold. Yet for all the country’s natural wonders, it is human history that is writ large in Johannesburg: moving museums chart the difficult story of Apartheid, while the Cradle of Humankind is home to the largest concentration of ancient human fossils ever discovered, a fascinating glimpse into where human life began. 

Your A&K Experiences:

Unwind at your hotel or explore at leisure.  

Hotspot image of Johannesburg
Your Hotels
abercrombie kent AtholPlace House & Villa
Selected

Johannesburg, South Africa

AtholPlace Hotel & Villa
Your Experiences
Experience image of Explore Johannesburg at your own pace
Included

Johannesburg, South Africa

Explore Johannesburg at your own pace
Experience image of Explore Johannesburg with a private guide

Johannesburg, South Africa

Explore Johannesburg with a private guide
Experience image of Private visit of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Johannesburg, South Africa

Private visit of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Experience image of Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind

Johannesburg, South Africa

Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
Experience image of See Johannesburg through its street art

Johannesburg, South Africa

See Johannesburg through its street art

Madikwe Game Reserve

Where the bushveld meets the red northern sands, Madikwe is home to a breathtaking cast of iconic fauna. Madikwe is a private reserve, meaning overnight stays are required to experience its sensational wildlife, which ranges from elephants to lions, rhinos to wild dogs. Bed down in your very own, two-bedroom private bush house on the Marico River and fall asleep to the rustles and roars of the Big Five as ink-black nights cloak the landscape, then hear the reserve stir into life each morning. 

Your A&K Experiences:

Where the bushveld meets the red northern sands, Madikwe is home to a breathtaking cast of iconic fauna. Madikwe is a private reserve, meaning overnight stays are required to experience its sensational wildlife, which ranges from elephants to lions, rhinos to wild dogs. Bed down in your very own, two-bedroom private bush house on the Marico River and fall asleep to the rustles and roars of the Big Five as ink-black nights cloak the landscape, then hear the reserve stir into life each morning. 

Hotspot image of Madikwe Game Reserve
Your Hotels
abercrombie kent Morukuru Owner’s House
Selected

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Morukuru Owner’s House
Your Experiences
Experience image of Madikwe bush walk
Included

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Madikwe bush walk
Experience image of Madikwe Game Reserve Game Drive
Included

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve Game Drive

Marakele National Park

Where red-tipped peaks rear into vast, blue skies, Marakele awes with its exceptional wildlife-watching: all of the Big Five call this national park home, along with an impressive supporting cast of giraffes, cheetahs and zebras. Expect a truly exclusive, secluded safari experience as you spend the night in one of two camps in a private section of the national park, ending each day with a well-deserved sundowner.  

Your A&K Experiences:

Head out on twice-daily game drives, spotting Marakele’s varied fauna, including a notable population of black rhinos and the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures. Back at camp, kids can let off steam at the Mack & Madi Safari Club, which offers a range of fun activities and excursions.

Hotspot image of Marakele National Park
Your Hotel
abercrombie kent Marataba Safari Lodge
Selected

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Marataba Safari Lodge
Your Experiences
Experience image of Game drives in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Game drives in Marakele
Experience image of Water safari on the Matlabas River
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Water safari on the Matlabas River
Experience image of Morning bush walk in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Morning bush walk in Marakele
Experience image of Kids’ adventures in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Kids’ adventures in Marakele

Cape Town

Stand atop Table Mountain and see the fertile seams of natural beauty threading through the city below, from the fynbos-covered hills of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to the soul-melting sunsets of Llandudno Beach. Down by the docks, the V&A Waterfront is home to the Zeitz MOCAA, home to a vast collection of contemporary African art, while food and wine are an artform themselves; Cape Town is surrounded by some of the greatest vineyards in the world.

Your A&K Experiences:

Spend a full day discovering the child-friendly estates of the Cape Winelands: indulge in a private wine tasting at the Manor House as the children explore the Tree House or play ball games on the lawns, while teenagers can enjoy mountain-bike trails or a light hike with the guide on the farm. Lunch is on a family-friendly wine estate, followed by a delicious chocolate tasting courtesy of a local chocolatier. 

Hotspot image of Cape Town
Your Hotels
abercrombie kent Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel
Selected

Cape Town, South Africa

Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
Your Experiences
Experience image of Ride the waves and snorkel with seals
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Ride the waves and snorkel with seals
Experience image of Family Tour of the Cape Peninsula
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Family Tour of the Cape Peninsula
Experience image of Family vineyard tour of Cape Winelands
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Family vineyard tour of Cape Winelands
Experience image of The iconic Cape Peninsula

Cape Town, South Africa

The iconic Cape Peninsula
Experience image of Back in time at Robben Island

Cape Town, South Africa

Back in time at Robben Island
Experience image of Visit Robben Island prison

Cape Town, South Africa

Visit Robben Island prison
Experience image of Dine with Mandela’s former prison officer

Cape Town, South Africa

Dine with Mandela’s former prison officer
Experience image of Kalahari gourmet discovery

Cape Town, South Africa

Kalahari gourmet discovery
Experience image of See the city in a vintage sidecar

Cape Town, South Africa

See the city in a vintage sidecar

Zambezi National Park

While spectacular herds of zebras and antelopes nibble the grasses along the Zambezi River, it is Victoria Falls that draws most visitors to Zambezi National Park. The world’s greatest sheet of falling water is an epic sight, formed as the Zambezi roars 300ft down a chasm on its zigzagging course between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a place rich in wildlife and geological history, where ancient basalt rock is drenched beneath those famous mists, curling up from the gorge like the soul of the river itself. 

Your A&K Experiences:

Discover Zimbabwe’s wildlife from your lodge, set amid 56,000 hectares of unspoiled wilderness, with epic views of the river and watering holes. Drift off beneath twinkling night skies, the distant roar of Victoria Falls your lullaby. 

Hotspot image of Zambezi National Park
Your Hotels
abercrombie kent Old Drift Lodge
Selected

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Old Drift Lodge
Your Experiences
Experience image of Zip-line over the Zambezi
Included

Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe

Zip-line over the Zambezi

More Recommended Hotels

Choose your dream hotel in every destination from our curated list.

Add-On Experiences

Switch up your adventure by adding more experiences that thrill you.

Experience image of Explore Johannesburg at your own pace
Included

Johannesburg, South Africa

Explore Johannesburg at your own pace
Experience image of Madikwe bush walk
Included

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Madikwe bush walk
Experience image of Madikwe Game Reserve Game Drive
Included

Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Madikwe Game Reserve Game Drive
Experience image of Game drives in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Game drives in Marakele
Experience image of Water safari on the Matlabas River
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Water safari on the Matlabas River
Experience image of Morning bush walk in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Morning bush walk in Marakele
Experience image of Kids’ adventures in Marakele
Included

Marakele National Park, South Africa

Kids’ adventures in Marakele
Experience image of Ride the waves and snorkel with seals
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Ride the waves and snorkel with seals
Experience image of Family Tour of the Cape Peninsula
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Family Tour of the Cape Peninsula
Experience image of Family vineyard tour of Cape Winelands
Included

Cape Town, South Africa

Family vineyard tour of Cape Winelands
Experience image of Zip-line over the Zambezi
Included

Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe

Zip-line over the Zambezi
Experience image of Explore Johannesburg with a private guide

Johannesburg, South Africa

Explore Johannesburg with a private guide
Experience image of Private visit of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Johannesburg, South Africa

Private visit of the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Experience image of Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind

Johannesburg, South Africa

Time travel at the Cradle of Humankind
Experience image of See Johannesburg through its street art

Johannesburg, South Africa

See Johannesburg through its street art
Experience image of The iconic Cape Peninsula

Cape Town, South Africa

The iconic Cape Peninsula
Experience image of Back in time at Robben Island

Cape Town, South Africa

Back in time at Robben Island
Experience image of Visit Robben Island prison

Cape Town, South Africa

Visit Robben Island prison
Experience image of Dine with Mandela’s former prison officer

Cape Town, South Africa

Dine with Mandela’s former prison officer
Experience image of Kalahari gourmet discovery

Cape Town, South Africa

Kalahari gourmet discovery
Experience image of See the city in a vintage sidecar

Cape Town, South Africa

See the city in a vintage sidecar

Go Further

Combine your itinerary with more amazing destinations.

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