There are few travel experiences as rewarding as going on safari with your family. 

Whether it’s grandparents and grandchildren, siblings and cousins, or a mix of personalities, a multi-generational safari becomes part of your family’s shared story. These are the trips that spark inside jokes and that are retold for years.

I’ve been lucky to have led several of these safaris, and every one felt uniquely special. There’s the thrill of a grandchild spotting their first elephant, the laughter as cousins play barefoot football on a dry riverbed, or the quiet awe when a cheetah walks past your vehicle. It’s the slower moments, too - shared sundowners, fireside chats, and watching the kids quiz a guide about elephant dung instead of asking for an iPad.

It’s these moments that create a rhythm, far from the routines of home.

1. Plan Ahead for the Best Lodges

Trips with 6-12 people require foresight. We always recommend booking 12–18 months in advance, especially in the high season. This gives you access to the top family-friendly Safari villas rather than what’s simply left.

2. Appoint a Lead Traveller

Having one person as the main point of contact - ideally the initiator who makes planning smooth. To support them during the planning stage we will share a simple preferences form covering dietary needs, mobility, and safari priorities. It ensures everyone’s voice is heard from the energetic eight-year-old to an anxious parents unsure of what is behind that rustling tree to the grandparent keen to try a walking safari.

3. Travel With a Private Guide

A private guide transforms your experience. They instinctively know when to linger at a sighting or shift gears when the group is tired. They manage the logistics so you don’t have to. And yes, they carry the passports, so Mum doesn’t have to (again).

4. Add More Than Just Safari

Wildlife is just the start. Visiting a local Maasai community, learning from a rhino conservationist, or joining a morning bead-making class gives the journey heart. Often, it’s the unexpected connections, like your teen chatting with a local student about football that tend to linger the longest.

Make Conservation Personal

Choose camps actively involved in conservation and community work. It brings purpose and pride to the trip. At Bonamy, we connect families with real people doing real work. It’s immersive, hands-on, and often eye-opening.

One of my favourite things about these trips is watching how people naturally come together. Kids put their screens down. Grandparents share long-forgotten stories. And parents finally breathe. These are the intangible gifts of a multi-gen safari.

No screens. No distractions. Just shared wonder, laughter and African skies.

Why It Matters

Seeing Africa through your loved ones’ eyes is profound. For children, it’s a window into the wild. For elders, it’s a legacy. For everyone, it’s a memory that binds. 

Multi-generational safaris are among the most impactful trips we design. They bring people together, create lifelong memories and offer a rare opportunity to experience something remarkable, together.

If this sparks something for you, whether you’re the planner in the family or simply dreaming of your next adventure, we’d love to help bring it to life.