South Africa Family Safari with Teenagers

Day by day

A breathtaking view of Cape Town's cityscape with the iconic Table Mountain in the backdrop during sunset.

Your journey through

South Africa

Day 1JohannesburgSawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at noon. After, get right into the swing of things with a cycling tour of Soweto – a chance to see contemporary life in South Africa unfold around you. You’ll visit the formal migrant workers’ hostel and meet the families that live here today. Spin through the community of Meadowlands, which was created when apartheid forced displacement in the 1950s. Then, continue to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the historical landmark of the 1976 student uprising, and the famous Vilakazi street, where Nelson Mandela used to live.

Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at noon. After, get right into the swing of things with a cycling tour of Soweto – a chance to see contemporary life in South Africa unfold around you. You’ll visit the formal migrant workers’ hostel and meet the families that live here today. Spin through the community of Meadowlands, which was created when apartheid forced displacement in the 1950s. Then, continue to the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the historical landmark of the 1976 student uprising, and the famous Vilakazi street, where Nelson Mandela used to live.

Day 2Hluhluwe Game ReserveWake up early to start your big travel day. It’s a nice time to get to know your fellow travellers a bit better, so maybe share some of your favourite road-trip games! From Johannesburg, you'll travel into the heart of KwaZulu Natal, where you’ll camp at a lodge just outside of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. This large, protected area is home to some amazing wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes and wild dogs. The rest of the day is free for you to get settled into your surroundings.

A striking close-up of a zebra in its natural habitat in South Africa's Aberdeen Plain.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve

Wake up early to start your big travel day. It’s a nice time to get to know your fellow travellers a bit better, so maybe share some of your favourite road-trip games! From Johannesburg, you'll travel into the heart of KwaZulu Natal, where you’ll camp at a lodge just outside of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. This large, protected area is home to some amazing wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes and wild dogs. The rest of the day is free for you to get settled into your surroundings.

Day 3Hluhluwe-iMfolozi ParkEmbark on an adventure through the oldest proclaimed natural reserve in South Africa. Spend the day roaming around the park in an open vehicle for the best views – keep your eyes peeled for elephants, black rhinoceros, Cape buffaloes, lions and leopards. You’ll have a good chance of spotting the white rhino – thanks to a series of successful conservation efforts, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi has the world’s largest population of these near-threatened creatures, whose numbers are finally again. on the rise. The park also boasts some 400 species of birds, including the African finfoot, bat hawk and white-backed night heron.

Portrait of a giraffe in Cape Town, highlighting its unique features and natural habitat.

Hluhluwe

Embark on an adventure through the oldest proclaimed natural reserve in South Africa. Spend the day roaming around the park in an open vehicle for the best views – keep your eyes peeled for elephants, black rhinoceros, Cape buffaloes, lions and leopards. You’ll have a good chance of spotting the white rhino – thanks to a series of successful conservation efforts, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi has the world’s largest population of these near-threatened creatures, whose numbers are finally again. on the rise. The park also boasts some 400 species of birds, including the African finfoot, bat hawk and white-backed night heron.

Day 4Kosi BayWake up with the sounds of the local wildlife you saw yesterday and depart the park after breakfast. You’ll travel northeast to the coast to the beautiful Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. This spectacularly situated bay is surrounded on one side by picturesque jungle with wild fig and monkey orange trees with a grazing area for hippos. On the other side, a mangrove and coral reef teeming with aquatic life. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a night under the stars around the campfire.

Peaceful view of turquoise waters and hills at Langebaan Lagoon, South Africa.

Kosi Bay

Wake up with the sounds of the local wildlife you saw yesterday and depart the park after breakfast. You’ll travel northeast to the coast to the beautiful Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. This spectacularly situated bay is surrounded on one side by picturesque jungle with wild fig and monkey orange trees with a grazing area for hippos. On the other side, a mangrove and coral reef teeming with aquatic life. Settle into your lodge and enjoy a night under the stars around the campfire.

Day 5Kosi BayThis morning, you’ll get to venture out onto the beautiful bay by kayak – this is the only estuary in South Africa that’s home to five species of mangrove. Keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife as well, like fish eagles, palm-nut vultures, mangrove kingfishers, striated herons and flamingos. Learn why these waters are also famous for the traditional Tsonga fish kraal (fish traps). The Tsonga people have lived here for more than 100 years and are experts at building these wood and reed traps that catch fish moving in and out of the estuary with the tide. If you’d like, you can also snorkel over the coral reef in search of some colourful fish. The rest of the day is free to do as you like.

A breathtaking view of Witsand Beach, Western Cape, South Africa, showcasing a stunning coastal landscape under a clear blue sky.

Kosi Bay

This morning, you’ll get to venture out onto the beautiful bay by kayak – this is the only estuary in South Africa that’s home to five species of mangrove. Keep an eye out for the abundant birdlife as well, like fish eagles, palm-nut vultures, mangrove kingfishers, striated herons and flamingos. Learn why these waters are also famous for the traditional Tsonga fish kraal (fish traps). The Tsonga people have lived here for more than 100 years and are experts at building these wood and reed traps that catch fish moving in and out of the estuary with the tide. If you’d like, you can also snorkel over the coral reef in search of some colourful fish. The rest of the day is free to do as you like.

Day 6Hlane National ParkDrive north today to the small land-locked kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), home to Hlane National Park. This vast expanse of bushveld and ancient hardwood trees are home to the largest wild herds in the kingdom. Settle into your spacious camp then maybe find a spot beneath the ample shade trees to relax – you might be greeted by the odd inquisitive impala, warthog or nyala! If you're feeling adventurous, book a guided mountain bike trail, bird walk or wildlife drive and explore the greater Hlane area. There’s no electricity at camp and the area transforms as night falls, glowing by candle and lantern light. If you'd like, head over to the semi-open-air restaurant and floodlit waterhole, where you might glimpse a rhino or elephant at dusk.

A safari jeep with people observing wildlife at dusk in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa.

Hlane National Park

Drive north today to the small land-locked kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland), home to Hlane National Park. This vast expanse of bushveld and ancient hardwood trees are home to the largest wild herds in the kingdom. Settle into your spacious camp then maybe find a spot beneath the ample shade trees to relax – you might be greeted by the odd inquisitive impala, warthog or nyala! If you're feeling adventurous, book a guided mountain bike trail, bird walk or wildlife drive and explore the greater Hlane area. There’s no electricity at camp and the area transforms as night falls, glowing by candle and lantern light. If you'd like, head over to the semi-open-air restaurant and floodlit waterhole, where you might glimpse a rhino or elephant at dusk.

Day 7Hlane National ParkExplore Hlane National Park on a safari drive in search of wildebeest, zebras, impala and cheetahs, which were reintroduced to the area and now thrive here. This park – Eswatini's largest, at 30,000 hectares – used to be a private royal hunting ground, and, today, as a protected wildlife area, is a prime spot for wildlife viewing. The flat lowland area has some grasslands and shallow pans and the birdlife here is abundant and diverse – this spot also has the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in all of Africa! After dinner, enjoy an evening of family-bonding and play some games around the campfire. Listen for roaring lions in the distance ad you stargaze under the clear African sky.

A lone giraffe stands gracefully in the African savanna surrounded by dry foliage.

Hlane National Park

Explore Hlane National Park on a safari drive in search of wildebeest, zebras, impala and cheetahs, which were reintroduced to the area and now thrive here. This park – Eswatini's largest, at 30,000 hectares – used to be a private royal hunting ground, and, today, as a protected wildlife area, is a prime spot for wildlife viewing. The flat lowland area has some grasslands and shallow pans and the birdlife here is abundant and diverse – this spot also has the highest density of nesting white-backed vultures in all of Africa! After dinner, enjoy an evening of family-bonding and play some games around the campfire. Listen for roaring lions in the distance ad you stargaze under the clear African sky.

Aerial black and white view of Cape Town's cityscape with the iconic Table Mountain.

Your journey through

South Africa

Day 8Kruger National ParkCross back into South Africa and journey to Kruger National Park – one of Africa's best wildlife areas. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a safari as you make your way to your overnight campsite.

Kruger National Park

Cross back into South Africa and journey to Kruger National Park – one of Africa's best wildlife areas. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a safari as you make your way to your overnight campsite.

Day 9Kruger National ParkMore drives, more animals – today you’ll further explore Kruger in an open-top safari vehicle. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park boasts more than 500 bird species, 100 reptile species and 150 mammal species, like the endangered African wild dog. Depending on the areas you visit, you might see some exotic birds along the way, like the tiny bronze mannikin and the more conspicuous ostrich. Keep an eye to the sky, where if you're lucky, a giant eagle owl or martial eagle might be soaring.

Kruger National Park

More drives, more animals – today you’ll further explore Kruger in an open-top safari vehicle. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park boasts more than 500 bird species, 100 reptile species and 150 mammal species, like the endangered African wild dog. Depending on the areas you visit, you might see some exotic birds along the way, like the tiny bronze mannikin and the more conspicuous ostrich. Keep an eye to the sky, where if you're lucky, a giant eagle owl or martial eagle might be soaring.

Day 10Blyde River CanyonThis morning, you’ll visit the Black Mambas headquarters for an inspiring and educational chat with the team. The Intrepid Foundation is proudly partnered with Helping Rhinos, which directly supports the work of the Black Mambas, who are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Made up of a team of 42 young African women, the Mambas patrol 20,000 hectares of the Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park. After the visit, continue to Blyde River Canyon – your home for the next two nights.

Blyde River Canyon

This morning, you’ll visit the Black Mambas headquarters for an inspiring and educational chat with the team. The Intrepid Foundation is proudly partnered with Helping Rhinos, which directly supports the work of the Black Mambas, who are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Made up of a team of 42 young African women, the Mambas patrol 20,000 hectares of the Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of Greater Kruger National Park. After the visit, continue to Blyde River Canyon – your home for the next two nights.

Day 11Blyde River CanyonToday you’ll witness one of South Africa's most spectacular attractions, Blyde River Canyon – the third-largest canyon in the world, and probably the greenest. The sheer-sided walls of the canyon rise over 2000 m (6562 ft) and the vegetation varies wildly, from dry, rocky sections to rainforest, depending on the altitude. You’ll get out to explore the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes, where shadowy rock formations take on different colours in the changing light. Then, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You may like to go on a hike, relax at the resort or take a dip in the swimming pool with the family.

Blyde River Canyon

Today you’ll witness one of South Africa's most spectacular attractions, Blyde River Canyon – the third-largest canyon in the world, and probably the greenest. The sheer-sided walls of the canyon rise over 2000 m (6562 ft) and the vegetation varies wildly, from dry, rocky sections to rainforest, depending on the altitude. You’ll get out to explore the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes, where shadowy rock formations take on different colours in the changing light. Then, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy. You may like to go on a hike, relax at the resort or take a dip in the swimming pool with the family.

Day 12JohannesburgAfter breakfast this morning, make the journey back to Johannesburg. Your trip comes to an end when you arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in the afternoon. If you prefer, you may be dropped at the original joining point location. Please advise before you depart. If you would like to extend your stay in Johannesburg, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Johannesburg

After breakfast this morning, make the journey back to Johannesburg. Your trip comes to an end when you arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in the afternoon. If you prefer, you may be dropped at the original joining point location. Please advise before you depart. If you would like to extend your stay in Johannesburg, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.