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1 August 2025WILD WALLPAPER CALENDAR
1 August 2025ADVENTURE STORIES
A Private Family Safari in South Africa
Going on a family safari is hands down one of the most unforgettable adventures you can share together. Africa is home to a wide range of game reserves and lodges that are perfect for families, with options that cater to kids of all ages.
On our recent Private Guided safari, we had the chance to stay at two fantastic, family-friendly lodges: Tuningi Safari Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve and Ecca Lodge in the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. What made these places extra special—besides the amazing wildlife—was that both are located in malaria-free areas and have fenced lodges, giving parents peace of mind while still feeling close to nature.
We kicked off our safari adventure with four incredible nights at Tuningi Safari Lodge, and wow — what a way to start! The lodge has recently been refurbished, and it looks absolutely beautiful. From the stylish rooms to the cozy shared spaces, everything felt fresh, welcoming, and perfectly in tune with the surrounding bush.
One of our favorite spots quickly became “the hide”, located right in front of the main area. It was the perfect place to relax between game drives, and it didn’t take long to see why it’s so popular. During the heat of the day, elephants, zebras, giraffes, and all sorts of antelope came by the waterhole to drink — it felt like we had front-row seats to nature’s best show.
Over our four-night stay, we were treated to some fantastic wildlife sightings, including elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, and plenty of general game. But the absolute highlight? Spending time with a pride of lions — cubs and all — as they fed on a zebra early one morning. It was raw, real, and unforgettable.
Tuningi set the bar high, and we couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the safari had in store!
After a quick overnight stop in Johannesburg, we made our way to our next destination — Kwandwe Game Reserve in South Africa’s beautiful Eastern Cape. A short morning flight to Port Elizabeth, followed by a scenic two-hour drive, brought us to Ecca Lodge, our home for the next four nights.
From the moment we arrived, we were blown away. The views were absolutely breathtaking, and our suite was easily one of the most stunning rooms I’ve ever stayed in. But what really made Ecca Lodge special was how much effort they put into making the safari magical for families — especially the kids.
From child-friendly menus to fun, hands-on activities like fishing, making plaster casts of animal tracks, and even taking turns sitting in the tracker’s seat during game drives, there was always something exciting to look forward to.
Kwandwe is also a brilliant place to spot some of the lesser-known but equally fascinating animals — like aardwolves, caracals, bat-eared foxes, and meerkats. But the true highlight of our time here was something far more meaningful…
We were incredibly lucky to take part in a rhino conservation experience — assisting with a rhino notching project. This involved darting a female black rhino and her calf for vital research and protection efforts. We helped with tasks like collecting blood and tick samples, monitoring her breathing, and even had the surreal opportunity to feel the thick, tough skin of this magnificent animal.
It was a deeply moving and humbling experience — one that brought us even closer to the wildlife we’d come all this way to see. Moments like this are what make safaris not just thrilling, but truly life-changing.
There are so many amazing, family-friendly safari options out there — and if you’ve ever considered taking your kids on safari, I can’t recommend it enough!
In a time when so many children spend their days behind screens, a safari is the perfect way to get them outdoors, breathing in fresh air, and connecting with nature. It’s not just a holiday — it’s an adventure that opens their eyes to the wild and wonderful world around them.
Safaris offer kids the chance to learn, explore, and experience things they’ve only ever seen in books or on TV. And who knows? You might just spark a lifelong love for wildlife and conservation. After all, today’s young explorers are tomorrow’s conservationists — and what better way to inspire them than out in the heart of the African bush?
Until next time,
Nature and the outdoors is something was instilled in me from a very young age, having grown up close the Kruger National Park. Most weekends were spent either visiting this iconic park looking for certain bird and mammal species or fishing at any given opportunity.
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