When the UK’s only family safari specialist particularly recommend a safari in South Africa for kids, we want to know more. So why does Coral Tree Travel believe there’s nowhere like South Africa for making your children’s wildest dreams come true?
White Rhino, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Why choose Coral Tree Travel?
As the UK’s only family safari specialist, Coral Tree Travel focus exclusively on luxury holidays tailor-made for families. Started in 2020, Coral Tree might sound quite young, but its founders, Tess and Mike Kelly, have spent two decades between them, living and working in Africa. To say they’ve a passion for the continent is an understatement: they even got engaged in the Masai Mara.
However, what really sets this husband and wife team apart are the connections they’ve built up over the years. So not only do they have the best and most knowledgeable people working with them, they also partner with some of the world’s leading safari companies, from &Beyond, Elewana Collection and Nomad Tanzania to The Safari Collection: owner of world famous Giraffe Manor in Kenya
Although it’s not just expertise and practical knowledge that sets them apart. What really makes Coral Tree different is the fact that nothing, not even the shortest day trip, is included in a family holiday, unless it’s been tried and tested by the team, who are all family travel experts and parents too. That’s why when an experience, destination, beach lodge or safari camp is Coral Tree recommended, you know it’s ‘personally’ recommended and that it’s exceptional, because only then does it make the cut.
Getting up close to wildlife, South Africa
How to plan the right safari for your family
Every family safari holiday starts with a conversation. If you’re planning this type of adventure, you may already have talked long and hard about it before you even get in touch with Coral Tree. That’s perfect, tailoring a trip exactly to your dreams is one of the team’s many talents and knowing what you have in mind is a good start.
The conversation with Coral Tree is all about turning those dreams into reality: asking the right questions; finding out about your children and you; getting an idea of what you like to do; when you want to travel; what type of experiences are important to you, and of course, how much you want to spend. Naturally, some safari destinations are more expensive than others but, depending on when you go or where you fly to, even those can be realistic options. And then again, countries like South Africa, are just year-round great value and pretty much offer everything you could ever want from a family safari holiday.
Lioness and cub, Kruger National Park
Why safari in South Africa with your kids?
South Africa is the world’s most popular family safari destination with good reason. Not only can you fly there direct from the UK in under 12 hours, there’s no jet lag to worry about. The country’s also known for malaria-free game reserves, another big plus for families. And to add to all that, it’s also famously diverse, hence the nickname, ‘Rainbow Nation’.
The South African landscape is remarkably diverse too, which makes it a great choice if you want to mix your safari with some beach time, an urban adventure, marine safari or even a road trip. Of course, the wildlife is sensational, so you’ve one of the best chances of seeing the prized Big Five here, as well as the Big Seven. But what might come as more of a surprise, is how affordable it is compared to many other comparable African countries.
So it’s easy to understand why Coral Tree is a passionate champion of all-round-excellent South Africa for family safari holidays.
Coral Tree tailor family safaris to your family
A hint of how to safari in South Africa with Coral Tree Travel
Creating your family safari with Coral Tree Travel gives you the opportunity to design the ideal holiday for everyone; from the most convenient South African airport to the wildlife you don’t want to miss and the perfect combination of experiences. You can also easily tailor your holiday to the ages of your children or even to different interest if you’re planning a multi-gen safari.
Of course the adventure will be as individual as you are, but Coral Tree itineraries let you see what’s possible, they’re also a great source of ideas and a good place to start.
Overlooking Cape Town from Table Mountain, South Africa
Big Five safari in South Africa with urban adventures in Cape Town
One of the best ways to encapsulate the essence of South Africa is by combining its world famous, malaria-free, game reserves with time in the coastal city of Cape Town.
- Fly into Johannesburg and spend a night in South Africa’s biggest city. No jet lag means you can start your holiday as soon as you land.
- Safari Madikwe Game Reserve for three days.
- One of the finest, malaria-free, Big Five game reserves in Africa, Madikwe sits on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and promises a true wilderness experience.
- Cutting the sense of an untouched wilderness with luxury is your stay at Morukuru Owner’s House in Madikwe.
- As well as game drives and seeing the Big Five up close, kids can join fishing expeditions, cool off in Morukuru’s private pool or even sleep out under the stars.
- Four days in Cape Town lets you explore lots; from legends like Robben Island and Table Mountain National Park to the newer thrills of the V&A Waterfront.
- Incredible as Cape Town is, it’s also the gateway to Western Cape wonders like Boulders Beach, the Cape Winelands and the Garden Route.
Take a closer look at this South Africa malaria-free safari holiday
Surikate Meerkats, Kruger National Park
Two legendary South African game reserves and a beach break
Coral Tree describe this safari in South Africa as ‘epic’ and it’s hard to argue with the mix of two of the world’s greatest private game reserves, plus downtime on Durban’s glorious KwaZulu-Natal coast.
- Three-nights at Sabi Sands combines access to Kruger National Park and the Big Five with the exclusivity of an exceptional private game reserve.
- In Coral Tree’s experience, Sabi Sands offers some of the most prolific wildlife sightings in Africa.
- Activities tailored to kids’ ages from game drives to learning bushcraft make Sabi Sands perfect for families.
- &Beyond Kirkman’s Kamp at the heart of Sabi Sands couldn’t be better designed for families, from its twice-daily game drives to the WILDchild programme for 3 to 12 year olds.
- Phinda Private Game Reserve in Kwazulu-Natal province gives you extraordinary wildlife close to remarkable beaches.
- &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge offers a wide range of children’s activities from walking and birdwatching safaris to conservation experiences.
- Spend four nights on the KwaZulu-Natal coast discovering Durban, diving, snorkelling, hiking, exploring and even whale watching – at the right time of year.
Be inspired by this South Africa private reserve safari
A safari holiday will stay with children forever
What kids learn on safari will stay with them forever
As Coral Tree is run by parents for parents, family is at the heart of everything. So it’s not much of a surprise to find they also believe that all safaris should be powerful learning experiences, both for children and adults. The idea that “Not all classrooms have walls” runs through all their safari holidays, which means as well as wildlife, you can look forward to discovering the culture and customs of local communities, broadening your understanding of conservation, meeting hugely knowledgeable local rangers, and even spending nights stargazing under vast African skies.
It probably isn’t going too far to say that a safari is one of the most life-changing family holidays. With that in mind you want to work with people who will make every second unforgettable, give you the big ‘wow’ moments, but also the time to stop and simply breathe. The many families who have put their trust in Coral Tree Travel to date will be only too happy to tell you, they are those people.
Now find out more about Coral Tree Travel and family safari holidays tailored to your family
