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Kids on Safari_kiddiesbackpack
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Kids On Safari

Experiences to Treasure for a Lifetime

Children staying at Shamwari Private Game Reserve have the chance to run wild.

Riverdene Lodge and Sarili Private Villa are especially designed with families in mind, welcoming children of all ages—from curious toddlers to excited school-aged kids. These lodges offer spacious family rooms, safe play areas, and plenty of fun activities to keep the little ones happy and entertained.

For families traveling with older children and teenagers, Long Lee Manor provides a wonderful setting that blends comfort and style with exciting opportunities for adventure. Teens will love the chance to explore, learn, and connect with nature, while parents can relax knowing everyone is safe and cared for.

At Shamwari Private Game Reserve, we believe in conserving a vanishing way of life

That’s why we offer family safari holidays, where children and adults alike can be educated about our conservation practices all within a luxurious setting. You can also rest assured knowing that Shamwari is a malaria-free area, making it perfectly safe for you and your family.

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Activities for Kids

Fun Family Safari

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Fun Family Safari

Shamwari is the perfect place for families looking to share an unforgettable adventure together! With three family-friendly lodges to choose from, there’s something to suit every family’s needs.

At Shamwari, children don’t just have fun—they also learn! Each day on safari is a chance to discover the wonders of the wild, see amazing animals like elephants, lions, and rhinos, and understand why protecting these incredible creatures and their homes is so important. With the help of knowledgeable guides and special kids’ programs, young explorers become conservation heroes, gaining respect and appreciation for the natural world.

A family safari at Shamwari is more than just a holiday—it’s a magical journey that brings families closer together, inspires curiosity, and creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Kids on Safari Adventure Centre

Kids on Safari Adventure Centre

At the heart of this program is the Kids Adventure Centre at Riverdene Lodge, which provides a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for children of all ages.

Outdoor Activities:

  • Zipline: Children can enjoy a thrilling zipline experience, helping to develop coordination skills.
  • Rock Climbing Walls: Designed for older kids seeking adventure, these walls offer an adrenaline-pumping challenge.
  • Treehouse Network: A series of suspended walkways connect treehouses, allowing children to explore the reserve from above.
  • Adventure Slide: A fun slide that adds excitement to the outdoor play area.
  • Maze: A family-friendly maze that provides entertainment for all ages.

Indoor Activities:

  • Kids Library: A selection of books to stimulate young minds.
  • Arts and Crafts: Creative sessions for children to express themselves.
  • Pizza Making: Children can make their own pizzas using a wood-fired oven.
  • Cookie Decorating: A sweet activity where kids can decorate their own cookies.

A children’s coordinator is available to guide activities, and childminding services are offered at an additional cost for children under three years old, who are not permitted on game drives.

Born Free Foundation

Born Free Foundation

Come and spend some fun and special time with your family at the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary—a safe and happy home for rescued lions, leopards, and other big cats from around the world. These beautiful animals were saved from very sad and unfair situations, like tiny cages in circuses or people trying to keep them as pets. Now, they live in a peaceful place where they are cared for, loved, and free to just be wild cats again.

During your visit, you’ll get to see these amazing animals up close (but safely, of course!) and learn all about their stories—where they came from and how they were rescued. You’ll discover why it’s so important to protect wild animals and the places they live, like forests, grasslands, and jungles.

There are fun facts to learn, cool signs to read, and friendly guides who will tell you what lions like to eat, how leopards hide in trees, and how we can all help keep animals safe. You’ll also find out why wild animals should live in the wild—not in cages or in someone’s backyard.

By the time you leave, you’ll be a little wildlife hero—ready to tell your friends and family how to help protect animals and nature, just like the Born Free team does every day!

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

At Shamwari, we care deeply about nature and all the amazing animals that call the reserve home. That’s why we have our very own Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre—a special place where animals who are sick, hurt, abandoned, or orphaned can get the help they need. Whether it’s a baby antelope who lost its mother, a bird with a broken wing, or a zebra who needs extra care, our team of expert vets and caregivers work hard every day to make sure these animals feel safe, strong, and healthy again.

When you visit the centre, you’ll learn all about how we take care of wild animals and prepare them to go back to their natural homes in the wild. It’s like a real-life animal hospital—but instead of dogs and cats, it’s full of wild African animals!

A visit to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is not just fun—it’s inspiring. You’ll walk away with a greater love for animals and a new understanding of how important it is to take care of our planet and all its wild friends.

Special Notes

As we want to ensure an enriching experience for moms and dads too, here are a few points that you should take note of:

  • Children younger than 3 years are not permitted on game drives, at the Born Free Foundation or at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.
  • Child minding facilities are available at an additional charge, please arrange prior to arrival.
  • All swimming activities must be always supervised by parents.
  • All ages are welcome at Riverdene Kids Adventure Centre. Internal transfers can be arranged for children staying at Sarili and Long Lee Manor.
  • Special children’s menu available.
  • Riverdene and Sarili welcomes children of all ages whilst Long Lee Manor welcomes children from the age of 6 years.
  • Ziplining for older children has a weight restriction of up to 50 kg’s.
  • All of our safari vehicles offer children specific Swarovski optic binoculars, two per family depending on the children’s ages, to make use of whilst on drive.

Our Lodges

Your African Adventure Awaits

Plan your Trip

Getting here

Getting here

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