Probably at first glance this African destination might not seem like a good place to go with your children, especially if they are very young. Perhaps traveling to South Africa with children seems like a synonym for malaria, insecurity, wild animals, and everything seems dangerous and not recommended. However, it’s not just possible, it’s a very good idea.
I make this statement emphatically after having toured Africa’s southernmost country on our own for four weeks with my three children when they were 5, 3, and 1 year old. Going to South Africa with children is easier than you think; you just need a bit of planning so that your family adventure is safe and very fun.
Is going to South Africa as a family a good idea?
Yes, yes, and yes. I find this destination perfect for having a first contact with the African continent. I suggest reading this guide with all the practical information for traveling to South Africa to clear up any doubts such as whether it’s really that unsafe, prices, transfers, routes…
In summary, I will tell you that it is a much simpler and safer country than you imagine, as long as you use common sense and stick to the tourist routes.
The health infrastructure in South Africa is very good. Don’t worry because if something were to happen to your child, there is a good and modern network of hospitals and medical centers to treat them. However, you have to pay for it, so taking out travel insurance is essential to be able to go with total peace of mind, without having to pay anything and with the support of telephone assistance at any time of day.
Exploring South Africa with children is for you if….
- Your children like animals. This adventure is a unique opportunity to spot wildlife in the wild, from lions and giraffes, to penguins, sea lions and whales. Take the opportunity to teach them the importance of seeing animals in their natural environment instead of locked up in a zoo. This way, it will be easier for them to learn to respect them.
- You like nature. South Africa is an explosion of landscapes and all of them different. Here you will go from contemplating the most arid savanna in Kruger, to the green of the forests of Tsitsikamma, the waterfalls on the Panorama Route the wetlands of Isimangaliso, passing through the giant dunes of Koppie Allen, in De Hoop, to the cliffs and the pristine beaches of the Cape of Good Hope.
- Car journeys are not a problem. As a mother of a large family, I know that every child is a world and that there are phases where traveling by car can be hell. If you are right in that stage, maybe this isn’t the most suitable destination, because between safaris and journeys from one area to another, you will spend quite a few hours inside the vehicle. Even so, think about it carefully because everything changes suddenly and magic can appear. My baby, who was 19 months old then, cried a lot on the road and, yet, in South Africa everything went like clockwork.
When I decided I wanted to travel to South Africa as a family and started researching, I encountered several problems. The most important one is that part of the information on the internet is not up to date. And watch out, as incredible as it may seem, this includes official bodies as relevant as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself.
Another handicap when organizing a trip to South Africa with children is that there isn’t much detailed information in Spanish, especially regarding babies. This only makes you rethink if it really isn’t crazy to take a months-old creature on an adventure to this destination.
So that you don’t end up like me and have all the data you need to prepare for this trip at hand, here is everything I consider essential to know. If you miss anything, don’t hesitate to ask me below in the comments or privately. And if you’re thinking about traveling to South Africa with children, but organizing it all seems a bit overwhelming, you don’t have time or you directly want it almost all ready for you, take a look at my
What you need to travel to South Africa with children
Lots of desire to enjoy, to see animals of all kinds, to be surprised by the contrasts of landscapes and to learn from cultural diversity. And although it’s not mandatory, as I said before, for me a requirement is to carry travel insurance.
Requirements to enter South Africa with children
The requirements to enter South Africa with children are, without a doubt, what raises the most questions. And it’s no wonder because before they didn’t make it very easy. However, since November 2019, they no longer require you to carry the long-form birth certificate, or failing that, the family book, translated. Nonetheless, this information remains un-updated on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I also hesitated a lot, so I researched as much as possible and even contacted the South African Embassy in Madrid and delved deep into the South African Ministry’s website.
To leave no room for doubt, here is the official statement linked, which announces that to enter South Africa, foreign minors only need a valid passport as long as they travel accompanied by both parents or just one.
Indeed, after landing they only asked for passports from the whole family at the entry control. However, for both adults and children, make sure it has a validity of at least 30 days from the day you are going to leave the country.
No visa is required to travel to South Africa, unless your stay will last longer than 90 days. Regarding COVID, they will not ask for a vaccination certificate, nor tests or PCR, and it is not even essential to wear masks anymore.
Health: vaccines and malaria
The next topic that most concerns parents when going to South Africa with small children and babies is the health issue.
Here I tell you about my personal experience, but my main recommendation is that you always consult with your children’s pediatrician who is the one who best knows their health status and any particularities they may have, such as allergies, intolerances, diseases…
And the next step is that you make an appointment at a specialized unit to get information about vaccinations and the updated health situation of the specific areas you have in mind to visit. Ideally, you should call to make an appointment at least two months before your departure date to tell them where and when you are going to travel and ensure you are seen at the right time.
In Madrid, I always go to the Unidad del Niño Viajero (Traveling Child Unit) located in the La Paz Public Hospital, on the ground floor of the children’s hospital. You can make an appointment by calling 91 727 72 01 and 91 727 16 44 between 08:00 and 14:00. The pediatric and nursing team are very attentive, they will create a small history for the little one and give you all the necessary recommendations to travel with peace of mind. Bring their vaccination record.
Look for one in your community, and if there isn’t one, go to the Traveler Units or International Medicine and Health services.
Vaccinations for going to South Africa
Currently, no mandatory vaccinations are required to enter South Africa.
However, keep in mind that if you have previously been in a destination where there is yellow fever, they will ask for a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
In my case, both my 5 and 3-year-old children, as well as the 19-month-old baby, were given the Hepatitis A vaccine as a precaution. This vaccine consists of two doses; the second dose must be administered between six months and a year after the first. None of the three children had any kind of reaction. You don’t have to pay anything for this vaccine.
If your little one is under one year old, it is possible they won’t give them the Hepatitis A vaccine. In my case, we were going to travel to South Africa for the first time when the baby was 7 months old (we had to cancel on the day of the flight due to the Omicron variant of COVID), and at that time, the doctor decided not to administer it.
Malaria and children in South Africa
We were prescribed pediatric malaria prophylaxis, as we were going for a few days to a low-risk zone such as Kruger National Park during the start of the rainy season (October). We adults were also prescribed prophylaxis on the grounds that if we contracted it, it would be difficult for us to care for the children.
Now, this is always a medical recommendation that you decide whether or not to follow. My advice, of course, is to listen to healthcare professionals. They will consult updated malaria maps to see if your route will take you through a risk zone. And they will tell you how and when to take it.
My advice is not to give them the pill to swallow with milk, for example, because when it gets wet it dissolves quickly, has a very unpleasant taste, and you won’t get them to take it again. What worked best for us was giving it to them, very quickly, inside a spoonful of yogurt. As I mentioned, if you leave it too long, it releases all the flavor. In this case, it did not cause them side effects, but obviously, every case is different.
Keep in mind that depending on the time you travel, this risk will be higher or lower. Malaria is contracted through mosquito bites, so the best way to avoid infection is to prevent mosquito bites.
To that end, the recommendations are:
–Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk, which is when mosquitoes are most active.
-Wear long-sleeved clothing that covers the skin and, if possible, light colors or white.
-Use plenty of mosquito repellent with a high DEET content. Note: apply sunscreen first and then repellent. From 12 months onwards, you can apply repellent to them; before that, it’s recommended to spray a little on their clothes before putting them on and use mosquito nets. For example, Goibi has an Xtreme Forte repellent for malaria zones suitable from 2 years of age.
-My recommendation is not to stress and use common sense. I brought a mosquito net from Spain that I only used in Kruger to cover the crib while the baby slept. In my case, in the month of October, I didn’t see any mosquitoes, and out of the five of us, only my daughter had a single bite.
In any case, if you are going to South Africa with a very small baby and don’t want to take risks, there are many options outside of Kruger. Some malaria-free zones where you can go on self-drive safaris with a baby in your own car include, for example: Pilanesberg National Park, less than three hours from Johannesburg, where it is possible to see the Big Five; Addo Elephant National Park where, besides many elephants, there are also lions; or De Hoop Nature Reserve where you can walk among herbivores and see whales.
Tips for going on safari with children in South Africa
After having done self-drive safaris during my trip to Namibia and Botswana, one of my concerns was whether my children would be afraid of the excessive proximity of, for example, an elephant, whether they would handle the hours in the car, or how they would react to a potential danger situation.
After returning and spending many days doing safaris with children in our own car in places like Kruger, Hlane (Eswatini), St. Lucia, Addo, or De Hoop, I can say it was a success. Here are a few things that will be useful for you to know:
–Children under 6 cannot go on guided safaris organized by the parks. I do recommend signing up for at least one of these safaris, called game drives there, because it is the only way to leave the camps before sunrise and after sunset, when the gates are closed for private vehicles. They cost around €23, last about 3 hours, you go in a small open truck, and they are booked at the camp itself or in advance on the corresponding Sanparks website.
In our case, we took turns; one of the adults went on the safari and the other stayed at the accommodation with the children. The rest of the time, you can go on a safari with the children in your own car. This way, my children saw practically the same animals we did, even lions and cheetahs. Obviously, sightings depend on luck; remember it is not a zoo.
If your child is already 6 years old, I still recommend that you assess whether it is worth it for them to go on one of these game drives or not. Why? You leave or arrive at night and, as they are open trucks, it is usually quite cold. Not having windows also implies that you must keep quiet so as not to scare the animals and that some situations of real risk and danger may occur. For example, I saw two male lions less than a meter from the truck and if my 6-year-old son had been there, I honestly don’t know how he would have reacted. Additionally, it might be long and boring for them. Since you know your child well, you will know if they can go or not.
–Always get a park guide that indicates the roads, the tracks, the distances from one point to another, and the rest areas where you can stop and get out of the car. Ideally, you should plan the route a bit so that the safari doesn’t become excessively long.
– Crossing animals off the list is the best ally. In Kruger, they sell a guide that I highly recommend, not only for the map I mentioned before and for all the info it provides, but because it has a lot of pages with animals so you can mark off sightings. Don’t forget to bring a pencil.
In Addo Elephant National Park, ask for the map that includes a game to earn points based on the animals spotted. It was very fun to do as a family and the kids were very motivated.
-A good gift before going is a pair of binoculars, but binoculars like these with which the little one can actually see far. Ours were almost like toys, they barely magnified, and the eldest ended up asking for ours. Another great idea is a children’s camera that they will love to use during the safaris just as you will with yours. With both things, they will be very entertained.
-Remember that you cannot get out of the car; wild animals hide very well. As I said before, there are designated areas to do so. This means you should bring water and snacks, but also that you take the children to the bathroom just before putting them in the car...
-Do the math to see if it’s worth buying the Family Wild Card to save money because children as young as two already pay an entrance fee in national parks. Until the age of 11, they are charged the reduced child rate, and from 12 years old, they are considered adults. Here is a full article dedicated to the Wild Card where I explain how this annual pass works for SANParks national parks and many reserves.
Things to do with kids in South Africa
A priori, the same as for adults, except for exceptions where children’s presence is not safe or explicitly prohibited. Here is a list of some of the things my children liked most in case they serve as a guide, besides, of course, going on safari looking for animals non-stop.
- ‘Playing’ with penguins at Boulders Beach and seeing them first at Stony Point. Please explain to them that they must be respected and keep their distance.
- Whale watching very close during the boat trip in Hermanus. If, like me, you also have doubts about whether they allow babies on these whale-watching outings, they usually do as long as it is a more or less large boat. For safety, they usually do not allow children on zodiacs or on sailboats with open railings. In any case, with luck, you can also see them simply walking along the coastal trails. Whale season runs from June to November.
- Walk among monkeys at Monkey Land, a multi-species monkey sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay where they give a new chance to animals that lived in captivity in zoos, private residences, and even laboratories. There is a gibbon and many lemurs that delight the children. The visit is accompanied by a guide.
- See hippos in St. Lucia sailing by boat through the Isimangaliso Wetland Park estuary. We also saw a lot of different birds and crocodiles.
- Summiting Table Mountain in Cape Town. Taking the cable car up Table Mountain is something I did alone with my 5-year-old, and he enjoyed it very much.
- Playing on the beaches, but not swimming. The ones they liked most were Camps Bay in Cape Town, Mission Rock, in Isimangaliso, Platboom Beach at the Cape of Good Hope, and Muizenberg for its colorful little houses. Pay attention to safety signs because there are sharks at some.
- Riding in a real safari car through the De Hoop Nature Reserve. This was the only place where the children could go on a game drive and get on one of the classic open safari trucks. They loved the experience, had a great time, and also enjoyed having the included snack while running through the grassland with ostriches and zebras in the distance. In this reserve, there are no dangerous animals, so it is possible to walk and cycle.
- Crossing the suspension bridges in Tsitsikamma. The start of the Mouth Trail hiking route along the coast to the bridges is very simple and perfect for children. However, wear appropriate footwear because the wooden boardwalks are slippery.
Where to stay in South Africa with kids
If you are looking for accommodation for the trip, I recommend reading this article about hotels in South Africa. But here are the ones we liked most for sleeping with kids:
- –Ndlovu Camp. Our favorite hotel of the trip, even if you don’t go with kids, is this one in the neighboring country of Eswatini, former Swaziland. You will sleep inside Hlane National Park where there is a waterhole where rhinos go to drink, among many other animals. Just for seeing them three meters away, it is worth staying there.
The experience becomes even more special at night when the camp is lit with lanterns, as there is no electricity. Quite an adventure for the kids. Oh, and here you can also go on safari with them in your own rental car.
- AfriCamps at White Elephant This glamping option inside the Pongola Game Reserve was perfect for a rest day with the kids. A giant tent with a living room with a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a porch with a barbecue, and a hot tub to bathe in while you watch antelopes, monkeys, and even giraffes pass by. Additionally, they have a beautiful communal swimming pool and organize activities such as safaris and boat trips.
- De Hoop Collection Sleep inside the De Hoop Nature Reserve in a bucolic farmhouse where kids can go out to play while zebras, ostriches, and elands pass by. They have two outdoor swimming pools and offer safaris where children are allowed to go. Take the car to bring them to play on the giant dunes of the beach where, with luck, you can see whales from the shore or sea lions resting on the sand.
- Blue Mountain Farmhouse. Although the house where we stayed was a bit old, we liked it for the very affordable price, for all the outdoor space we had just for ourselves, because the sheep came to greet us since it was a farm, for the trampoline, and for the small pool (a bit neglected, though) to cool off in.
Even so, I recommend that you try home exchange because it is a great option to save a lot of money and perfect for traveling with children. In South Africa, we did 12 nights in exchange houses; in a couple of them, little ones lived there, so we had toys, cribs, and even a pool with a trampoline in the garden.
¿Sabes cómo funciona el intercambio de casas? Si nunca has oído hablar de esta fórmula de alojamiento cooperativo que te permite viajar por todo el mundo alojándote en casas particulares mientras tú dejas la tuya, te invito a leer este artículo muy completo donde te explico cómo funciona el intercambio de casas. Yo siempre uso la plataforma HomeExchange en la que por solo una suscripción anual de 149 €, lo que en muchos casos te costaría una noche de hotel, puedes hacer todos los intercambios recíprocos que quieras o todos los que te permitan tus guestpoints. Durante este 2023, aprovecha el 20% de descuento en la suscripción por ser lector de este blog con el código DEILUSIONARECUERDO23
Questions and tips about going to South Africa with children
–Is it easy to find diapers?
If you are going to South Africa with a baby, relax because you will find diapers, wipes, baby food, and everything your baby needs in any supermarket without any problem.
-And the food?
Food won’t be a problem because there are ‘Western’ options everywhere; the difficult thing there is finding dishes of South African cuisine. Anyway, I have written a very complete article on where to eat in South Africa with children which includes a lot of great restaurants for them. Mind you, be prepared to eat meat.
-Should you bring a stroller or not?
Honestly, you’ll use the stroller quite little because much of the time you’ll be in a car, especially on safaris, and the rest of the time it’s likely not comfortable to use, like on beaches or hiking trails. In our case, we used the baby carrier a lot—we always carry two—and our folding travel stroller, the GB Pockit All terrain, which fits under the airplane seat and was very useful during the days we spent in Cape Town.
– When it comes to preparing for the trip and involving the children in the preparations, we used the World Atlas. Purple Edition from Maeva publishing house quite a lot, where they learned a lot about the country, such as what its flag is, what is eaten, where it is located, what animals live there… Watch out, it’s useful for any trip because it covers 66 countries. A must-have for traveling families! We also went to the library to read several stories about the continent and safari animals.
-As I explain in this guide for traveling to South Africa, there are power outages very often, so I recommend you bring a small flashlight or a headlamp so the children can use it and feel safer. Explain to them before going that you might find yourselves in the dark sometimes.
Sigue leyendo sobre Sudáfrica: Viajar a Sudáfrica:guía práctica Hoteles en Sudáfrica Qué ver en Ciudad del Cabo Guía para visitar Table Mountain Las mejores excursiones desde Ciudad del Cabo Visitar el Cabo de Buena Esperanza Qué ver en la Ruta Panorama Wild Card ¿merece la pena? Sudáfrica con niños 10 restaurantes en Sudáfrica para ir con niños Guía para viajar a Esuatini Hlane National Park Hermanus, el paraíso de las ballenas
