Best Family-Friendly Beaches In Africa

Best Family-Friendly Beaches In Africa

Family safari holidays to Africa are incredibly popular and when you consider the range of activities on offer for all ages, it isn’t hard to see why. There is an abundance of adventures for kids to enjoy on an African family safari in 2025; the diverse scenery and wildlife of the continent always catches the imaginations of little ones, who never forget the first time they encounter one of the Big Five on a safari holiday.

If your children love the great outdoors and trips to the zoo, then Africa will blow them away because, in addition to seeing the stars of The Lion King up close, they will also be able to spot animals as varied as whales, meerkats, dolphins & elephants. Many safari lodges are super kid-friendly, with special programmes designed to help youngsters get the very most from the experience – think bug hunts, learning survival skills and camping out under the skies.

City breaks are also a good choice for family holidays, with trips to South Africa and Cape Town topping the list of family-friendly destinations. Families can enjoy trips to the West Coast Ostrich Farm, the Cheetah Outreach Project, and to discover the penguins at Boulders Beach, all of which provide an excellent day out for all ages.

It isn’t all about the safari though. Everybody loves to be beside the seaside, and everybody loves the beach, particularly a family-friendly beach. Regarded as the land of safari and savannah, Africa is perhaps less well-known for its sunny sands and superb seaside. The Maldives, Mediterranean or Caribbean may spring to mind when you think of powder-white beaches, crystal-clear waters and swaying palm trees, but make room in your mind for Africa as the continent is blessed with some of the finest stretches of sand that the planet has to offer.And like all the very best beaches, there are plenty of African beaches perfectly suited to the diverse needs of a family.

Where are the best family-friendly beaches in Africa?

The famed Indian Ocean is home not only to the twin delights of Mauritius and The Seychelles, but also to exciting Madagascar, where the beaches of very-much-under-the-radar Nosy Be regularly top World’s Best lists.

The East African coastline plays host to some sparkling jewels - exotic Zanzibar and sleepy Lamu, the more developed resort of Mombasa, and the Mozambican twin beauties of Benguerra and Bazaruto, and for something completely different, head inland to explore the delightful beaches found alongside Lake Malawi.

What about a South African beach holiday? Well with one of the longest coastlines South Africa beaches stretch for miles and miles, and the country has a whole range of seaside to choose from; swimmers should head east for the Durban area, family surfers west for the Garden Route resorts of Jeffreys Bay & Plettenberg Bay, whilst social media-savvy teenagers are well-catered for in Cape Town’s stylish suburbs of Clifton & Camps Bay.

Family-friendly beach accommodation in Africa

The Seychelles & Mauritius have some wonderfully child-friendly resorts complete with excellent kids clubs, childcare & family rooms and villas – good examples being The Residence in Mauritius & Constance Lemuria in the Seychelles.

The beaches of Kenya, Zanzibar & Mozambique are all extraordinary bucket-and-spade hotspots, with family-friendly resorts such as the Serena Beach Resort & Spa, Breezes Beach Resort & the Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort leading the way in providing perfect bases from which to enjoy an African family tour.

South Africa beaches are some of the continent’s finest, and there are some wonderfully family hotels and resorts which are perfect for a family beach holiday to South Africa. Along the Garden Route there is the Plettenberg Hotel and the Robberg Beach Lodge, and KwaZulu Natal will soon have its very own brand-new Club Med South Africa, due to open in 2026.

Cape Town has a plethora of family-friendly beach hotels, including the likes of the Bay Hotel & Camps Bay Retreat, and a special mention should also be made of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located 2 hours outside Cape Town, where activities such as treasure hunts, farm visits, pony rides and frog hunts are all laid on for the young, and the young-at-heart.

Combining the beach with a safari

With such a wide range of destinations and activities on offer for all ages, it isn’t hard to see why Africa beach holidays are so popular. There is an abundance of adventures for kids to enjoy on a vacation in Africa, especially if their trip includes a safari - the continent’s wildlife will always catch the imaginations of little ones, who will never forget the first time they encounter one of the Big Five.

Large family villas and private houses are now the norm for those wanting to travel en famille and for a holiday which none of your tribe will ever forget, then it just has to be a family trip to Africa.

It might seem an obvious thing to say, but safari camps aren’t just exclusively for adults. In fact, there is a great number of family-friendly camps throughout Africa, with dedicated kids programmes and activities like tracking animals and earning junior ranger licenses. The camp which is best suited to your family safari is dependent on a number of factors, such as the age groups involved and what is important to your family. However, we can use our expertise to find your ideal camp; we even offer a vast selection of camps in malaria-free areas if you would prefer to avoid taking medication. Similarly, if you are looking to combine a family beach holiday with a city break, we will help you find comfortable accommodation which meets your family's preferences.

Why book your African beach holiday with Africa Travel?

With over 30 years’ experience in creating wonderful vacations in Africa, there is no one more qualified to organise an unforgettable beach holiday in Africa than Africa Travel. We have a wealth of specialist resources to help you book your perfect African family beach holiday, and as all of our staff, amongst them a number of parents, have travelled the iconic continent themselves with their families, you can trust that our personal recommendations will deliver the beach holiday your family have always dreamed of. We even have staff situated at the destination itself to ensure your beach vacation in Africa runs as smoothly as possible.

Our years of knowledge mean that we can advise you of the best beaches in Africa, and give personalised recommendations for your trip, including the best family holiday resorts in South Africa, the finest children’s beach clubs & facilities, the top child-friendly activities and attractions, and the most suitable beaches to visit in Africa with family. Travelling with your nearest and dearest on your family beach holiday in Africa in 2025 will create memories that will last a lifetime.

So round up your relatives, cajole your kids, get everybody organised and let Africa Travel plan your next family beach vacation in Africa. Also remember that a stay by the beach in South Africa, or indeed anywhere in Africa, can also easily be combined with a safari to create the ultimate Bush & Beach adventure.