The ultimate family-friendly road trips to explore Africa this summer

Family Friendly Road Trip Itineraries in South Africa 

• South Africa is a a great destination to visit with kids

• It is a good time to visit South Africa, with the pound being particularly strong at the moment

• There are multiple African Road Trip Itineraries available, use Drive South Africa's new Road Trip Explorer Tool to find the one that suits you

Planning a road trip is no easy feat, particularly when you have children to consider and keep entertained when sorting the logistics. It can often be difficult to know how to break down a long journey and the must-see stop off points along the way.

Which is why leading African car rental company, Drive South Africa, have recently launched their Road Trip Explorer tool, a crowd sourced platform which has more than 90 African road trip itineraries taken by real travellers. Users can plan their dream road trip by selecting their preferred route and duration of travel, with the tool then suggesting popular destinations, activities, and accommodation options.

The platform has a number of family-friendly road trips that have been embarked on by actual motorists so rest assured, they’re tried and tested. Find the full details of 3 recommended African family road trips below.

 

African Road Trip Itinerary: Kempton Park to Kenton on Sea - 1 day trip

images copyright Iviwe Arunachellan 

For those looking for a short road trip, this itinerary can be completed in just one day. At just under 1,100km in length, this journey will require an early morning departure but is well worth it. Start in Kempton Park, where you can explore the local beauty and attractions before embarking on the drive. Along the journey, travellers should stop off at the Free State National Botanical Garden to see the idyllic wildlife and have a stretch of the legs.

Nearing the final destination of Kenton on Sea, road trippers will pass through what’s known as the Sunshine Coast. With pristine bays and coves, this is the ideal stop off point for some beach time. The region has excellent conditions for surfing, an activity that can keep the kids occupied whilst parents have some relaxation on the sand.

After arriving in Kenton on Sea for the night, travellers can see the Big Five at the nearby Kariega Game Reserve or enjoy boat trips on the local rivers in and around the area.

View the full itinerary, map and images here.

 

African Road Trip Itinerary: Explore three African Countries Johannesburg to Swakopmund - 3 day trip

Image from Canva

This 1,755km journey involves driving through three different countries; the perfect way to see as much of Africa as possible. Starting in the town of Zeerust in South Africa, travellers can visit the family-friendly safari lodges of Madikwe Game Reserve to spot some wildlife.

Next, it’s recommended to drive to Kang in Botswana to stay at the privately owned Kalahari Rest Lodge, ideal for enjoying the tranquillity of the area. Expect to see giraffes, waterbuck, zebras, eland, hartebeest, wildebeest, kudu, impala and many more animals on early morning and late afternoon game drives.

Finally, end the 3 day journey in Namibia, where road trippers can stay at the Sandpiper Dunes resort and explore Walvis Bay and the sand dunes that surround it.

View the full itinerary, map and images here.

 

Africa Road Trip Itinerary: Garden Route Motorhome Adventure - 10 day trip

For any families looking for an extended adventure, this 10-day Garden Route road trip is the ideal choice. Starting in Cape Town, travellers should break up their journey to SANParks’ Ebb & Flow Rest Camp by stopping off at Roland Roosterkoek Farm Stall, just outside of Swellendam. Here there’s a jungle gym, swings, trees to climb and plenty of grass for kids to run around, as well as delicious rooster koeks (a South African bread specialty) to sample.

It’s recommended to stay at Ebb & Flow for a minimum of 2 nights and to book ahead of time as it’s very popular, with so much for all of the family to see and do in Wilderness. Take one of the different hikes, swim in the river, rent a kayak or try to spot the elusive Knysna Loerie birds. There’s also a beach, as well as many family-friendly coffee shops and restaurants in the area.

The next section of the itinerary is a real highlight; the Addo Elephant National Park. A 4-night stay is recommended here, with travellers able to go on self-game drives, parking at waterholes to see the elephants come and go. The rest camp has a lovely swimming pool, as well as two resident tortoises to keep the kids occupied. There’s also a museum here for both children and parents to learn about the animals.

There are a number of other family-friendly suggestions for this round trip back to Cape Town, so be sure to check them out in full below.

View the full itinerary, map and images here.

 

Andre van Kets, co-founder of Drive South Africa has some tips for families considering a motorhome road trip:

 

“It’s worth noting that all motorhomes (2-berth, 4-berth and 6-berth options) have seats that secure baby and booster seats and most models also have a bathroom with toilet and shower.

It’s a good idea to collect your vehicle the day before you leave so you can pack in your food, kiddies gear, camping gear, bikes, etc. ahead of time. Leave early the next day to make the most of your time on the road. Ensure you have plenty of games, books, activities and snacks to keep kids (and parents) happy on the drive. Pack in a small tent for the kids to have their own “play room” at your campsites - and to sleep outdoors on a few nights.

Try and travel outside of school holidays to experience SANParks and caravan parks with less hustle and bustle. It also means the roads are quieter too. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the quality family time!”

 

Compare and book your car, 4x4 or motorhome through Drive South Africa: www.drivesouthafrica.com

Find inspiration for an African road trip via the Road Trip Explorer here: www.drivesouthafrica.com/roadtripexplorer

Research from Road Trip Explorer: