Madikwe Family Safaris

Madikwe Game Reserve is one of the few Big Five reserves in South Africa that is officially malaria-free. This matters more than many guests realise – especially if you’re travelling with young children, if you prefer not to take malaria medication, or if anyone in your group has a sensitive or compromised immune system.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne illness transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Even in low-risk areas, travellers often need to consider prophylactic medication and the small but real precautions that come with it.

In Madikwe, none of that is necessary. You can simply arrive, relax, and enjoy your safari without having to think about malaria at all.

For many families and first-time safari travellers, that peace of mind is a significant part of choosing Madikwe.

Children of all ages are welcome at Madikwe Safari Lodge, but age restrictions apply to game drives for safety reasons.

In line with reserve regulations, children under 6 years are not permitted on shared game drives. Families travelling with younger children can either:

• book a private safari vehicle, which allows complete flexibility, or
• enjoy a shorter, tailored children’s safari experience close to the lodge with a guide trained in engaging young guests.

Children aged 6–11 may join normal game drives.

Children 12 years and older are treated as adults on safari and can join all standard drives.

Our guides are exceptionally experienced with families and take great care to ensure children feel safe, included, and excited – without compromising the comfort of other guests or the integrity of the wildlife experience.

Yes. For safety reasons, walking safaris are only offered to guests aged 16 years and older. This is a reserve-wide regulation that applies throughout Madikwe.

Walks take place close to camp or in carefully selected areas, and are always led by a fully qualified trails guide.

For guests aged 60 and older, Madikwe Game Reserve follows the North West Parks Board regulation requiring a doctor’s note confirming good physical health for participation. While the rule can feel counter-intuitive – many guests in their sixties and older are far fitter than people half their age – it is a formal safety requirement applied consistently across these Big Five walking areas.

Your guide will always make the final call on whether a walk is appropriate, taking into account fitness, mobility, weather, recent wildlife movement and overall safety.

Walking safaris are a wonderful complement to game drives: slower, more sensory, and focused on tracks, plants and the smaller details that bring the ecosystem to life.

Choosing the right camp usually comes down to four things: whether you mind the presence of children, how much privacy you prefer, the size of the camp, and your budget. All camps are close together and share a similar design style, so they combine easily for multi-camp stays or families travelling together.

Lelapa Camp – Our largest and most family-friendly camp, with 12 suites (including 4 dedicated family rooms). It has a warm, social atmosphere, but couples still enjoy plenty of privacy thanks to well-positioned suites and quiet spaces throughout the camp.
[All ages welcome]

Kopano Camp – Small, quiet and intimate, with only four suites. Ideal for couples and solo travellers who prefer a calm, boutique-style environment.
[16+ welcome]

Dithaba Camp – Elevated and secluded with panoramic views. Suits honeymooners, privacy seekers, and groups wanting to take over a whole camp.
[16+ welcome]

Elela Villa – A fully private, exclusive-use villa with its own team, chef and safari vehicle. Best for private travellers, families or groups wanting complete privacy and flexibility.
[All ages welcome]

Madikwe Safari Lodge is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading family safari destinations because it combines a malaria-free Big Five reserve with a lodge setup that genuinely works for families.

The lodge offers flexible accommodation, including family rooms and villas, along with safari experiences that can be adapted to suit different ages and energy levels. Game drives are thoughtfully managed for families, with options for shorter drives, private vehicles and guides who are experienced in engaging younger guests.

Families are also supported through considered hospitality, from nourishing, child-friendly food to generous living and entertainment spaces that allow children to feel comfortable and at ease. Parents can relax knowing their children have room to be themselves, without feeling as though they are disturbing other guests.

Importantly, Madikwe Game Reserve’s calm safari culture, limited vehicle numbers at sightings and spacious landscapes create a relaxed, unhurried environment that suits families particularly well.

Beyond comfort and logistics, a safari at Madikwe offers children a meaningful connection to the natural world – encouraging curiosity, awareness and respect for wildlife in a way that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.

Lelapa Camp welcomes children of all ages, with different elements of the safari experience appealing to different stages of childhood.

• Younger children benefit from the malaria-free environment, flexible accommodation, child-friendly dining and the option of shorter or private game drives.
• School-aged children often thrive on safari, engaging deeply with wildlife, tracking, storytelling and time outdoors.
• Young teenagers tend to enjoy the sense of independence, the quality of wildlife viewing and the more immersive aspects of the safari experience.

Across all ages, safari offers something increasingly rare: dedicated, uninterrupted time with parents, shared experiences and moments of discovery that naturally bring families closer together.

Because the lodge can adapt the pace and structure of activities, Madikwe works particularly well for families with mixed ages, as well as multi-generational groups travelling together.

Lelapa Camp is the best choice for families travelling with younger children, as it is the only camp that welcomes children of all ages.

Lelapa offers:

• Family-friendly room configurations
• Generous shared spaces where children can feel comfortable and relaxed
• Easy access to dining, the spa, pool and main lodge facilities
• A warm, inclusive atmosphere that works well for families spending time together

That said, older children and teenagers may also be well suited to Kopano Camp or Dithaba Camp, particularly when families book the camp exclusively.

The reservations team can advise on the best camp option based on your children’s ages, group size and how you would like to experience safari as a family.

Yes. Lelapa Camp offers dedicated family rooms designed to give parents and children both connection and privacy.

Children are accommodated in a separate bedroom adjoining the parents’ room, typically set up with twin beds or bunk beds, depending on the specific room layout. This allows families to stay together while ensuring everyone has their own space.

In certain cases, a third child may be accommodated on a stretcher bed in the parents’ room, set up in the lounge area, subject to availability and the child’s age.

Because family room layouts vary, the reservations team will always confirm the most suitable configuration based on the number and ages of children travelling, and availability a the camp.

For safety reasons, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on shared game drives.

As part of the children’s programme at Lelapa Camp, younger guests can enjoy guided ‘bumbles’ close to the lodge. These short explorations are designed to introduce children to the bush in a fun, age-appropriate way without the intensity of a full safari drive.

If parents would like younger children to participate in game drives, a private safari vehicle can be arranged at an additional cost. This allows the guide to adapt the pace, duration and focus of the drive to suit children’s ages and attention spans.

The reservations team will advise on the most suitable safari options based on the ages of your children and how you would like to experience safari as a family.

Yes. Dining at Madikwe Safari Lodge works well for families, with child-friendly meal options, flexible portion sizes and relaxed mealtimes.

At Lelapa Camp, children are well catered for with dedicated kids’ menus, simple and nourishing dishes, and the ability to adapt meals to suit younger tastes. Mealtimes are designed to be easy and unpressured, allowing families to enjoy meals together without formality.

If your child has dietary requirements or preferences, we recommend sharing these in advance so the kitchen team can plan accordingly.

Yes, particularly at Lelapa Camp.

Children can take part in nature-led activities through the Eco House, including spoor identification, simple bush crafts and hands-on discovery. Guided bush ‘bumbles’ close to the lodge offer safe outdoor exploration, while pool time at Lelapa’s main pool is a firm favourite for families.

Activities such as pizza making and baking take place in the kitchen and dining areas, allowing children to be part of lodge life rather than a separate programme.

There is no formal kids’ club – activities are kept informal, flexible and integrated into the safari experience.

Yes. Babysitting can be arranged at Lelapa Camp, both during game drives and in the evenings, subject to availability and prior arrangement.

This service is offered at an additional cost, which will be confirmed at the time of booking. Babysitting is provided as a supportive, lodge-based service rather than a formal childcare programme.

Because availability depends on staff scheduling, we strongly recommend arranging babysitting in advance through the reservations team, who can also advise on the applicable costs.