Planning the Best Family Safari with Teens
We all know teenagers can be difficult: they operate on a different time zone to other humans, have the attention span of a gnat and really only like hanging out with other teens—much less Mum and Dad. So is it mad to plan a safari holiday with teenagers? Absolutely not! Get it right and it’s a wonderful family adventure full of excitement and laughter.
Canoeing on the Okavango Delta, perfect adventure for teens while staying at Seba Camp, Botswana
You won’t get to do this at home! Meeting giraffe at Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya
9 Top Tips to Planning the Perfect Family Safari with Teens
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Choose your destination carefully
Even the most fanatical wildlife fan will tire of endless hours in a vehicle. Some destinations offer more variety than others with quad biking, horse riding, canoeing, walking and mountain biking on offer alongside traditional vehicle-based game viewing. Make sure there’s something for everyone. Pick a destination like South Africa, Zambia or Kenya and you’ll be onto a winner.
Mountain biking with a guide, Loisaba, Kenya
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Mix it up
Combine traditional safari with the likes of Livingstone, where you’ll find plenty of adrenaline fuelled activities, or Cape Town for fab shopping, bars and restaurants. With a bit of expert planning your African family holiday will provide your teenagers with all the action and adventure they need.
Take a heli-flip over the Victoria Falls. Photo courtesy of Stanley Safari Lodge
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Add time on the beach
Recharge your batteries on the beach in Mauritius, which has some great family hotels. Or try something a bit off the wall and head to 350 mile long Lake Malawi, where sandy beaches, clear waters, PADI scuba courses, fishing, kite surfing, kayaking and star gazing are all on offer.
Family time on the secluded beach on the North Island, Seychelles
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Make room for plenty of downtime
Dragging teenagers out of bed at dawn day after day isn’t going to be fun for anyone. Although a safari holiday is likely to see them more eager to get up than a school morning, if they want to sleep in one day, let them.
Brunch with elephants, Davisons’ Camp, Hwange, Zimbabwe
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Consider booking a private vehicle
Think about booking a private vehicle. Teenagers won’t always mix easily with other guests. Cheetah at Little Vumbura, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Most safari camps we recommend to families offer private vehicles for free or at a reduced rate. As it is the iconic African species that are to grab teenagers’ attention having your own car avoids the conflict that could arise from sharing with keen birders!
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Find out beforehand where they can plug in
Though parents might want to get away from it all, cutting teenage social media communication is akin to disappearing off of the planet. Updating the outside world with news of their African exploits now and again will work wonders. Some may even surprise themselves and become so immersed in the wonders of Africa that they give the digital stuff a break!
Children and parents bird watching together at Robin’s House, South Luangwa, Zambia
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Try something unique
Though walking isn’t exactly a beloved teenage pursuit, it’ll take on a different perspective in the company of camels. Mainly there for the luggage there’s no problem hopping aboard for a quick ride now and then. Also, following lion and elephant on foot will get everyone’s hearts racing.
Our family visitors just love walking with, and learning from, our wonderful team of Samburu guides. Creeping up on giraffe with the camels always raises a laugh.
Kerry Glen, owner of Karisia Safaris
Likewise, sailing around a string of remote islands off the Mozambique coast will offer an unforgettable experience. If you’re feeling really adventurous how about a private family trip up Mount Kilimanjaro?
Hitching a lift on camels with on a Karisia walking safari, northern Kenya
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Take a private safari house
With your own private accommodation, guide and vehicle you can do exactly what you want, when you want – so no worrying about fitting your family in with others’ plans. Some of the very best private safari houses are found in Zambia’s South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi national parks, and in the Masai Mara in Kenya.
I loved looking after families at Luangwa, it was perfect for all generations and the delight on everyone’s faces, no matter what age, at the antics of the resident wildlife was wonderful. With everything tailored specifically to the family staying, we could ensure that everybody did what they wanted.
Aardvark’s Lucinda Rome who managed Luangwa Safari House for many years.
Family time relaxing by the pool, Luangwa Safari House, South Luangwa, Zambia
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The best time of year to travel to Africa with teenagers
Africa is a truly vast continent with many different altitudes and seasons. This means that the weather varies enormously. Planning a family safari with sunshine and great wildlife is possible all the year round.
Family safaris at Norman Carr, South Luangwa, Zambia
The two most popular times for families to travel are Christmas and the summer holidays. Easter is also an excellent time to visit Africa and is a good way of avoiding the ‘high season’ costs associated with Christmas and the summer months. Equally, for those with two weeks off in October, the weather and wildlife are excellent pretty much anywhere.
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Start planning your family safari
You’re welcome to call me (Richard) to talk about a family holiday to Africa, but all our experts travel regularly, so anyone can chat to you and recommend the best properties for you and your teenagers. Call or email and let us know something about your likes, dislikes, your preferred travel dates, and any budget you have, and let one of our team do the rest.
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Family of leopards, Okavango Delta, Botswana, 
On the shores of Lake Malawi, 
Hi there I am interested a a family safari holiday for 2019 ideally in the summer holidays . My boys ages are 14,12,8 .can you recommend some options please.
Thanks julie
Dear Julie,
Your enquiry has been passed on to a travel expert who will be in touch. Best regards Renate
I am interesting in a Safari holiday with teens aged 14 and 15. Needs to have some other activities included as well as a safari.
Thank you.
Dear Catherine,
Your enquiry has been passed on to the sales team who will be in touch. Best regards Renate
Please can you advise me on where and when would be suitable for a family safari holiday in 2020. I have two boys who will be 17 and 16yrs old . I would like to go after their exams are completed so approx June or July .
I would like a combination of safari, activities but need a beach holiday too so happy to do 14 days .
Many thanks for your expertise .
Nicola
Dear Nicole, Your enquiry has been passed to one of the sales team who will be in touch. Best Regards Renate
We are interested in a Safari holiday in South Africa with a 16 year old in summer 2024. A promised treat. He very much likes animals of all sorts. Cycling trips are not an option. As his grandparents are in their early 70’s this holiday should not be too hectic and include some beach time. Whale watching etc.
Perhaps you can advise on a suitable trip.
Many thanks
Verna Ward
PS If you can give us some guideline prices including flights in August 2024 so we have an idea of pricing ahead of time
Dear Verna, Your enquiry has been passed onto a safari sales person who will be in touch shortly. Best regards
Renate
We are interested in a safari August 2021. 2 adults and our 13 year old daughter. Looking for a package including flights from the UK., with safari and downtime, approx 14 days or so. Thanks
Dear Liz, Your enquiry has been passed onto a safari sales person who will be in touch shortly. Best regards
Renate
Please can you give an idea and rough price for a trip for 2 adults and 2 boys (will be 12 and 14) with safari, some camping or tented accommodation, activities, bit of downtime. We are keen to minimise travel time as much as poss, so an ideal would be one international flight out/back – or one int flight out/one flight for few days relaxation then int fly back from that destination (rather than having more flights). Re dates we are thinking ideally out overnight Sun 12 Dec or out Mon 13 Dec, then back Wed 22 or Thurs 23 Dec. Heathrow or Gatwick airport. We would be open to relaxation at a beach area or a city like CapeTown. thank you
Thanks for your question. I will ask one of the team to get in touch by email and perhaps arrange a call to take some more details and provide some suggestions.