Exploring South Africa With Kids: A Family Road Trip to Remember
- Claudia Grobe
- May 13
- 4 min read
South Africa – a country that gets under your skin instantly. Wild, warm-hearted, wide open. This wasn’t our first visit – we’d already explored the Garden Route and Cape Town (which I absolutely love!). But this time, we wanted to discover a different part of this vast country – off the beaten track.
So, we kicked off our family adventure with a rental car – a self-drive journey with kids, from Johannesburg all the way to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains.
Our Route (about 3 weeks)
📍 Johannesburg
📍 Panorama Route
📍 Private Game Reserve (Greater Kruger)
📍 Kruger National Park
📍 Kingdom of Eswatini
📍 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
📍 St. Lucia / iSimangaliso Wetland Park
📍 Drakensberg Mountains
Leg by Leg: What We Experienced
✈️ Arrival in Johannesburg – and straight into nature
After landing in Johannesburg, we were greeted by a German-speaking couple at the airport – a great help after a long flight. We picked up our rental car and quickly left the city behind, heading for the Panorama Route – one of the most scenic areas in the country.
🌄 Panorama Route – Wonder, Walks & Wide Views
Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window – the viewpoints sound almost biblical, and they truly are spectacular. Especially with kids, the short, easy hikes and breathtaking views are perfect for those first magical moments.
A quick dip in the water and spotting the first monkeys? Priceless.
🦁 Private Game Reserve – Up-close SafariOur next highlight was staying at a private game reserve in the Greater Kruger area. Unlike national parks, private reserves allow for sundowner drives and even walking safaris.
For the kids, it was unforgettable: giraffes curiously looking at our vehicle and a ranger teaching them how to track animals.
🐘 Kruger National Park – Safari at Your Own Pace
Next, we continued to the famous Kruger National Park. Going on safari in our own car was an adventure for all of us. The kids were always on the lookout – “Look, an elephant!” or “Are those hyenas?”
Tip: Safari days can be long – especially when animals aren’t always around the next corner. We packed lots of things to keep the kids entertained, like animal bingo, binoculars, and travel games.
The camps in the park are quite simple, yet family-friendly, often with playgrounds and pools. Falling asleep to the grunts of hippos is quite an experience.
🇸🇿 Eswatini – The Little Kingdom With a Big Heart
Crossing the border into Eswatini was easy. The country welcomed us with rolling hills, warm people, and insight into traditional life.
We visited local craft markets, learned about Swazi culture, and stayed at a charming lodge surrounded by greenery.
At the cultural village, the kids experienced firsthand that people live in many different ways – a beautiful lesson in openness and respect for other cultures.
🦏 Hluhluwe-Imfolozi – Wild, Untamed, Magical
On the way to St. Lucia, we stopped at Africa’s oldest national park: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi.
Here, you really feel the spirit of the bush. The landscape is hillier than Kruger’s, the light softer, and the wildlife encounters more intense. The rhinos resting in the middle of the road left a lasting impression – rarely are they so present anywhere else.
The game drives and that feeling of space and raw wilderness – an absolute highlight of our trip.
🐊 St. Lucia – Hippos, Mangroves & Ocean
St. Lucia felt like a whole new world – tropical, humid, and teeming with life.
In the evening, we walked through the small town – always on the lookout, because yes, hippos really do wander the streets at night. No joke. We’ve got the photo to prove it.
The Indian Ocean was warm, the beach wide and empty – the perfect place to unwind.
⛰️ Drakensberg Mountains – Hikes, Waterfalls & Wide-Open ViewsTo round off our trip, we headed into the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains – high peaks, green pastures, crisp air.
We hiked to waterfalls, saw San rock art, and the kids had a blast in our nature-based accommodation with a playground, swimming pool, and ponies to ride. A spa on-site was the perfect treat for parents at the end of the journey.
Where We Stayed – So Much More Than Just a Bed
From cozy beach cottages and family rooms in bush lodges to lovingly run guesthouses with big backyards – South Africa offers a huge variety of charming, affordable, and family-friendly places to stay. Many hosts have kids of their own and love welcoming little travelers.
Why We Love South Africa With Kids
Diversity: Mountains, ocean, safari, culture – all in one trip
Wildlife: No zoo compares to a real safari
Flexibility: Self-driving = stopping whenever we want, exploring however we like
Warm hospitality: We were welcomed with open arms everywhere
Family accommodations: From kid-friendly lodges to sweet guesthouses
Our Tips for Families on a Road Trip
✔️ Organize good navigation in advance (e.g. offline maps)
✔️ Choose safari lodges that welcome kids
✔️ Use domestic flights if distances are too long
✔️ Pack plenty of toys & snacks for long drives
✔️ Take your time and don’t overplan – the journey is the destination, and you don’t need to see everything!
What Remains: Memories for a Lifetime
A self-drive trip through South Africa with kids is more than just a holiday – it’s shared wonder, new discoveries, and growing together as a family. When kids go to bed happily exhausted after seeing “real wild animals,” roast their first marshmallows at a campfire, or run barefoot through sand dunes – you know: this trip will stay with them forever.
Our Verdict: South Africa with Kids in a Rental Car?
Absolutely doable. Absolutely worthwhile. Absolutely wonderful.
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