A destination can be considered family-friendly if it provides a safe, comfortable, and engaging environment for families with children of all ages. The destination should be safe for families with children, with minimal risks of accidents or crime. The availability of family-friendly accommodation with enough space and amenities like kitchens, laundry facilities, and swimming pools can make a huge difference in the overall experience. The destination should have a variety of age-appropriate activities for families, including amusement parks, museums, zoos, and other attractions that cater to kids of different ages.
Family-friendly dining options, including restaurants with child-friendly menus and high chairs, can make it easier for families to enjoy their stay. The destination should be easy to navigate, with good transportation options and accessibility for families with strollers and wheelchairs. Affordability is also an important consideration for families, and destinations that offer value for money, including free activities and discounts for children, can be particularly attractive.
Overall, a family-friendly destination should provide an environment where families can make lasting memories together and enjoy a hassle-free and comfortable vacation.
Kwa-Maritane Bush-resort
Kwa Maritane, means ‘Place of the Rock’, and is located inside the Pilanesberg National Park. The lodge is famous for its waterhole hide linked to the lodge by a 180m long underground tunnel where you can relax and enjoy watching animals as they come down to drink at the waterhole.
LOCATION: Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Pilanesberg, North West Province
MALARIA: No
SETTING: Overlooking the bushveld
ROOMS: 90 – 16 Twin Rooms, 34 Studio Rooms, 40 Executive Studio Rooms
CHILD POLICY: All ages welcome
OTHER FACILITIES: Aircon, 2 Swimming Pools, Children’s Playground, Junior Rangers programme, Rock Climbing Wall, Tennis Courts, Pool Table, Table Tennis, Bush Putt Putt, Spa, Camp Fenced, No Trackers, No Off Road
Mabula Lodge
Resort-style bush hotel with game drives and plenty of facilities to keep you and the kids happy. Excellent affordability, situated near Bela Bela, Limpopo Province, with close proximity to Gauteng.
LOCATION: Mabula Game Reserve, Bela Bela, Limpopo Province
MALARIA: No
SETTING: Overlooking a plain
ROOMS: 53
CHILD POLICY: All ages
OTHER FACILITIES: Aircon, Pool, Spa, Camp not Fenced, No Tracker, No Off Road
Karongwe River Lodge
Simple lodge with a most beautiful river front setting, located in the central lowveld region of the Limpopo Province. Bordered by the Drakensberg escarpment, this is arguably the most scenically attractive of all the private lowveld reserves. With 4 rivers flowing through the reserve there are plenty of animals.
LOCATION: Karongwe River Lodge, Karongwe Reserve, Greater Kruger, Limpopo Province
MALARIA: Yes – low risk area
SETTING: Overlooking a riverbed
ROOMS: 11 Suites – 5 Luxury, 2 Family, 2 Executive and 2 Presidential Suites
CHILD POLICY: All ages
OTHER: Aircon, Pool (and private plunge pools in the Presidential Suites), Spa – In-room massages, Camp Fenced, Tracker – ranger and tracker. Off Road
Springbok Lodge
Tented camp in Nambiti that offers superb value for money, friendly personal service, comfortable accommodation and game experiences. 8 Family interleading tents and 13 doubles.
LOCATION: Nambiti Private Game Reserve, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
CHILD POLICY: Children of all ages welcome
MALARIA: No
SETTING: Hillside
ROOMS: 21 Tents
OTHER: Aircon, Pool, Spa, Camp Fenced, No Tracker, only ranger, Off Road
