This South Africa & Mauritius family safari takes you and your family to lodges and destinations where you will instantly feel welcome. Beginning in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, children will be able to unleash their inner wildling and explore the natural world with abandon. The safari is rounded off with blissful beach days at Mauritius, where families can choose to immerse themselves in their ocean-side surroundings.
Tour Plan
Day 1 – Arrival in Johannesburg
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you can elect to recover from your flight, or perhaps fight the jetlag and head out to “The Cradle of Humankind”. It is a fun and interactive visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site, with an excellent educational element teaching adults and children alike about the origins of our species. The richest hominid fossil site (with a fun, in-door boatride to boot), this makes for an intriguing beginning to a holiday full of learning and new adventures.
Day 2 – Transfer to Madikwe Game Reserve
From Johannesburg, head north to Madikwe, a malaria-free game reserve, making it ideal for children too young to take anti-malarial medicine. The journey is best done in a short one-hour plane journey, which enables you to maximise your time on safari. Your home for the next four days will be Madikwe Lelapa Lodge, where your stay is on a full-board basis and is therefore inclusive of safari activities and conservation fees. Lelapa literally means ‘family’, and this lodge uniquely places family at the heart of their entire enterprise. Children of all ages are welcome, making for a relaxing and welcoming stay for parents and infants alike. Ultimately, what we love about Lelapa, is the emphasis it puts on families spending quality time together, sharing adventures and building memories. Rooms exude a cosy home-from-home feel, helping children settle in with their own hot chocolate mugs, snuggly robes, slippers, fun bunk beds and storybooks.
Day 3-5 – On Safari in Madikwe
Spacious rooms, spectacular game viewing opportunities and captivating guides aren’t Lelapa’s only star draws. Special family “bumble drives” welcome families with small children under 6 to experience the natural world together, stopping to point out all the quirky and wonderful things that capture youngsters’ interest. From ages 6 and up, children are further welcome to join the twice-daily signature game drives. Particularly beloved amongst family guests, is Lelapa’s “Mack and Madi adventure safari club”, named for the lodge owners’ two children (now grown). Days at the club can involve anything from meeting Debbie – the resident bearded dragon – to cakes and bakes. What’s more, every family is assigned a childminder, who is on hand to take care of your children and help them explore the natural world, perhaps freeing you up for a date night sipping champagne by the fireside, whilst the little ones are safely looked after by their newest best friends.
Day 6-10 – Beach time at Shanti Maurice, Mauritius
After an exciting week of safari-themed adventure, it’s time for some rest and relaxation by the ocean. The pristine shores of Mauritius are just a short flight from South Africa and provide the perfect self-contained base from which to unwind in peace. Find your new home at Shanti Maurice for five nights in a luxury double suite pool villa on a full-board basis. Little ones will find a world of fun at Les Petits Dodo, offering games and crafts by day, and movies and pyjama parties by night. Family dining is offered from 6:30, with an extensive children’s menu offering a diverse and delicious range of nutritious meals. Families with infants are also particularly catered to, with a full range of equipment available upon request, making it much easier to travel light. Privacy and peaceful simplicity are the order of the day at Shanti Maurice.
Day 11 – Depart & fly home
On your final day, you shall be transferred to the airport in plenty of time for your international return flight from Mauritius International Airport.
