The South African Family Heritage Expedition: Sabi Sand

• MalaMala / Londolozi / Ulusaba: Your choice of the world’s most prestigious lodges, where the ratio of rangers to guests ensures a deeply personalized experience.
• Legendary Leopard Tracking: Sabi Sand is the leopard capital of the world; these properties occupy the most prime territory for consistent sightings.
• The 4×4 Experience: Specialized off-road vehicles that allow your family to get closer to the wildlife than anywhere else in Africa.

• Strict 16-Guest Limit: An intimate group size that preserves the “private” feel of the lodges.
• Custom Safari Vehicles: For families of 4 or more, we strive to secure a dedicated vehicle, ensuring the tracker and ranger cater specifically to your family’s pace.
• Technical Field Support: Expert advice on camera settings for the specific lighting conditions of the South African bush.
• The Southern Skies: Guided night-sky photography sessions, taking advantage of the zero light pollution at these remote properties.

MalaMala is the oldest and largest private Big Five reserve in the area. It is perfect for families who want an authentic, “old-world” safari focused on high-density wildlife sightings without the crowds.

Known as the “Blueprint for Safari,” MalaMala offers massive, unfenced territory shared with Kruger National Park. The Main Camp is an “oasis” of ochre-colored thatched suites nestled along the Sand River.

• Family Highlight: They offer dedicated Luxury Family Rooms that can accommodate triple or quad shares, plus interleading rooms for larger families of 5 or more.
• Photo Expedition Highlight: With a 19km unfenced border with Kruger and no shared traversing on 70% of the land, families get exclusive, uninterrupted access to the Big Five.
• View & Photos: MalaMala Main Camp Gallery

The ranger who will be hosting the family during their stay at Malamala game Reserve will assess the age, enthusiasm and independence of the children and in collaboration with the parents and guardians, various activities will be offered.

• The tracking of various animals from their spoor markings
• Teaching basic survival skills (where to find water, what plants are good to eat, medicinal uses of plants, and the toothbrush and toilet-paper trees)
• Teaching warning signs of dangerous animals and first aid for emergency situations in the bush
• A bush breakfast that helps children learn how to make a fire and to participate in meal preparation
• Communicating on the radio (out of game-drive times)
• Special meals and “ration packs” for children can be provided on the game drives

A Relais & Châteaux property, Londolozi is world-renowned for its leopard sightings and its deep focus on “Family, Food, and Feeling.”

The camp’s aesthetic is “Ralph Lauren meets the African Bush.” Founders Camp is specifically designed for families, featuring a classic safari atmosphere with timber, thatch, and canvas.

• Family Highlight: The Londolozi Cub’s Den is a dedicated space for children to learn tracking and bushcraft. They offer Superior Family Chalets and “Skywalk” interconnecting suites for safe, easy access between parents and kids.
• Photo Expedition Highlight: Home to the “Private Granite Suites” and a dedicated photography studio where families can edit their day’s captures with a pro.
• View & Photos: Londolozi Founders Camp Gallery

The ‘Cubs Den’ is where the children, if they’ve opted out of a midday swim, can run around in a safe environment. This is a creative station with tons of arts and crafts to get involved with. It’s a space to be creative, make a mess and have fun in between their game drives with their families. There is a tree painted on the wall, and for those who have brought your children in the past will know it is a special one. This Tree of Life, which stands proud in Cubs Den, signifies the growth and importance of children. Their hand prints (which make its leaves), some small and some big, bring an array of personalities, bright colours and stories to a tree that was once bare against an empty wall. This tree will now live and continue to flourish with every visit of a child to Londolozi.

From tree climbing, archery, track moulding and baking to fishing, soccer matches, boule and dung spitting contests, it will be hard for them to pick their favourite. Sometimes there is the option for movie nights, photographic walks, for making sand castles in the riverbed, sling-shot competitions and maybe even a Masterchef.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Of course the twice daily safari drives
• Tree climbing for the adventurous
• Archery
• Track moulding using Plaster of Paris
• Baking – muffins, pancakes, flapjacks, all those tasty things!
• Pizza making using fresh, -African garden ingredients (a -Forage to Fork experience)
• Fishing
• Soccer and rugby with the other children, rangers and trackers
• African adventure Boule
• Dung spitting contests
• Mud wallowing just like elephants
• Storytime
• Movie nights
• Seasonal sand castles in the riverbed
• Sling-shot competitions
• Arts and crafts – drawing, painting, face masks, fridge magnets
• Pool activities
• S’mores with an African twist
• African Masterchef
• Photographic walks through camp
• Gardening and permaculture for youngsters

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, Ulusaba (meaning “place of little fear”) offers a more modern, high-adventure luxury feel, split between the riverbed and the hilltop.

• Description: Rock Lodge is perched high on a “koppie” (hill), providing spectacular panoramic views over the Sabi Sand. Safari Lodge is located at the river level, featuring rope bridges and a “treehouse” feel.
• Family Highlight: The Rock Suite is an ideal two-bedroom unit for families, featuring a master bedroom and a second bunk-room for kids. Their “Ulusaba Kids” program includes treasure hunts and safari walks.
• Photo Expedition Highlight: The Cliff Lodge suites provide private decks and plunge pools that serve as incredible vantage points for “wide-angle” landscape photography and sunset portraits.
• View & Photos: Ulusaba Rock Lodge Gallery