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Cedarberg Africa designs imaginative tours, exclusive safaris and self-drive holidays to Africa. If you share any of these frustrations, we can help you!

Cedarberg Africa was set up by two sisters, Kate Bergh and Ginny Russell, in 1995. We've spent the last 20 working solely with people who want a high value, highly tailor-made safari or holiday in Africa or the Indian Ocean islands. Cedarberg Africa is a family-run business operating from the UK and South Africa. For 17 years we've been helping families, groups and individuals who want a high value, tailormade safari in Africa. We typically help busy, demanding people who are:
Concerned to avoid making the wrong decisions about a "once in a lifetime" trip;
Bewildered by choice or don't know where to start to turn a long-held dream into reality;
Too busy to trawl the chatrooms but don't want to settle for ‘second best’ either. Our consultants have plenty of first hand experience of Africa; most because they were born there and some because they've fallen in love with it as travellers. We've spent time driving the roads, sleeping in the beds and making time to watch the sunrise over the waterhole. We'd like to share it with you. Our clients range from parents anxious to make sure that all the families needs are met on a first-time safari, via time-pressured honeymooners to safari veterans keen to try somewhere "different".

17/10/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤?

South Africa has several malaria-free safari regions, each with its own character.

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐠 & 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐠𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧
Just 2.5–3 hours from Johannesburg, the Waterberg is an easy option for families looking for a safari without a long journey. Expect beautiful mountain scenery, Big Five viewing and, in some reserves, horse-riding and walking safaris.

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐤𝐰𝐞
For classic Big Five safari, Madikwe offers open bushveld, reliable wildlife viewing and the chance of seeing wild dogs. It’s more remote than the Waterberg, but that helps create that feeling of being deep in the African bush.

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞
An easy addition to a Garden Route trip, the Eastern Cape combines beautiful countryside with family-friendly safari lodges. It can also be a good option for a safari outside the traditional winter safari season.

𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢 & 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞
For something completely different, head into the dry landscapes of the Kalahari. Think desert-adapted wildlife, wide-open spaces and a very different kind of safari experience, from classic game drives to horseback and walking safaris.

𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬.

Which one is right for your family will depend on what you want from your safari, the ages of your children and how much travelling you want to do.

We’ve put together a breakdown of the malaria-free game reserves of South Africa to help you explore the options.

👉 Read our blog
https://www.cedarberg-travel.com/malaria-free-game-reserves-south-africa/

14/10/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢: 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰?

Malaria isn’t a concern everywhere in Africa, and the level of risk can vary depending on 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.

If you are travelling to a malaria area, simple precautions can make a difference, from covering up at dusk and using insect repellent to choosing accommodation with mosquito protection.

And when travelling with young children, it’s important to speak to a medical professional about the specific destination and whether malaria prevention medication is recommended.

We’ve put together a guide covering 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢.

👉 Read the full article: Mosquitoes & Malaria on Safari
https://www.cedarberg-travel.com/mosquitos-malaria-safari/

11/10/2026

𝐃𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢?

Not necessarily.

If malaria is a concern, there are wonderful safari options in South Africa where you can enjoy the Big Five without travelling to a malaria area.

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐤𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 are two options worth considering for a family safari.

So, if you’ve been putting off an African safari because of malaria concerns, it’s worth looking at where you travel, rather than ruling out safari altogether.

We can help you find the right destination for your family.

Explore our family safaris:
https://www.cedarberg-travel.com/holiday-type/family-safaris-africa/

08/10/2026

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐭𝐢𝐩: 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐠𝐞.

Travelling with children and grandparents is easier when you have a little more space and flexibility.

An exclusive-use safari house can mean:
• Your own vehicle and guide
• Flexible mealtimes
• Space for everyone to relax
• A safari experience that works around your family

But it’s not just about where you stay.

The journeys between lodges, flight connections, road transfers and luggage restrictions all matter too.

That’s why getting the itinerary right is just as important as choosing the perfect safari lodge.

Planning a family safari? We can help you get the details right from start to finish.

Explore our family safaris

05/10/2026

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐛.

Between navigating malaria-free zones, sourcing lodges that are genuinely family-friendly rather than just "family-tolerant," and matching regional flight paths with unpredictable child routines, the planning process can quickly become overwhelming.

At Cedarberg Africa, we believe the true luxury of travel lies in making the mechanics invisible. For 30 years, we have focused on perfecting the complex logistics behind the scenes—from vetted child-friendly airport transfers to coordinating flexible dining schedules with private chefs.

We use our first-hand experience to handle the hidden friction so that by the time you arrive, your family can simply focus on reconnecting. You won't have to frittered away your limited time navigating the online maze of contradictory opinions.

If you are beginning to map out your next milestone trip, we have curated our collective experience into a series of refined family travel styles on our website to help you get started.

➡️ Explore our family travel styles: https://www.cedarberg-travel.com/holiday-type/family-safaris-africa/

03/10/2026

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝: "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢?"

Many parents assume they need to wait until their children are teenagers before considering an African holiday. They worry about safety, long drives, and whether younger kids will get anything out of the experience.

But in our 30 years of experience, there isn't a single correct age. There is only the correct destination for that specific age.

For families with younger children or toddlers, the answer lies in malaria-free, highly accessible reserves like Madikwe or the Eastern Cape. Here, the focus isn't on sitting in a vehicle for six hours; it's about shorter, flexible game drives, private tracking activities, and lodges designed with family spaces that allow parents to actually relax.

For teenagers, the rhythm changes. They are ready for the vast landscapes of East Africa, walking safaris, or tracking iconic predators in the Okavango Delta.

The magic of a family holiday doesn't depend on your children reaching an arbitrary age milestone. It depends on building the trip around the pace they already have.

We are not afraid to challenge assumptions to protect your holiday time. Let us guide you to the right mix of wildlife, comfort, and adventure.

➡️ View our popular family tours and itineraries: https://www.cedarberg-travel.com/holiday-type/family-safaris-africa/

30/09/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢?

The honest answer?
It depends.

There isn't one perfect age for a family safari. But your children's ages can make a big difference to the type of safari that will work best.

𝟑 𝐭𝐨 𝟓:
Often the trickiest age. Many lodges have age restrictions for standard game drives, so family focused lodges, shorter children's drives or a private vehicle can make all the difference.

𝟲 𝘁𝗼 𝟳:
Generally easier, with more lodges allowing children to join standard game drives.

𝟴 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟮:
Lots of possibilities. Longer game drives, more destinations and a wider range of safari experiences can start to work well.

𝐓𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬:
More flexibility opens the door to adventurous activities, walking safaris, boating, fishing and combining safari with other experiences.

But age is only part of the picture. We also consider personality, interests, attention span and how your family travels.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐞.
𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲.

16/09/2026

The biggest family safari mistake?

Trying to see too much.
• Cape Town • Winelands • Garden Route • Safari • Victoria Falls • Beach.

It is very easy to look at everything Africa has to offer and think, “Why not do it all?”

But when you are travelling with children, every extra destination also means another transfer, another check in, another suitcase to unpack and another change of pace.

And suddenly, a holiday that looked exciting on paper can start to feel like a lot of moving around.

We often find that a family holiday works better when there is a little more space in the itinerary.

Fewer destinations. Longer stays. Time to settle in. Time to enjoy the lodge. Time for the children to get excited about where they are and what they are seeing.

A family safari isn't about ticking off as many places as possible.

Sometimes it is about choosing one really good safari destination instead of trying to fit in two or three.

Sometimes it is about combining safari with Cape Town and leaving the rest for another trip.

And sometimes it means saying no to something that looks wonderful, simply because it doesn't fit comfortably into the holiday you are creating.

Because every extra destination comes at a cost.

Not just financially, but in time, energy and the amount of time your family actually gets to enjoy being together.

When we plan a family safari, we look at the ages of the children, how they travel, how much time you have, the distances involved and how much space the family needs to simply slow down and enjoy the experience.

Because the best family itinerary isn't the one that fits in the most.
It's the one that works for your family.

And sometimes, knowing what to leave out is just as important as knowing what to include.

15/09/2026

A family safari isn't simply an adult safari with children added.

The best family safaris are planned around the people travelling.
• The ages of the children.
• Their personalities.
• How they handle travel.
• What they enjoy.
• How much time they can happily spend in a safari vehicle.
• And whether they want plenty of activities or simply time to explore and be together.

Then there is the destination, the lodge, the accommodation and the pace of the trip.

After more than 30 years of planning African safaris, Cedarberg Africa has learnt that getting the details right can make all the difference between a safari that simply works and one that the whole family talks about for years.

So save this post before you start planning you next Family Safari!

14/07/2026

Where the towering dunes of the Namib Desert meet the Atlantic Ocean, you'll find one of Namibia's most spectacular landscapes.

A 4×4 excursion to Sandwich Harbour is equal parts adventure and natural wonder. Traverse towering dunes, discover pristine wetlands teeming with birdlife, and stop at breathtaking viewpoints along one of the country's most iconic coastlines. Every trip is shaped by the tides, making each experience unique.
jantjies thoughts:
"The contrast between the towering dunes of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean creates one of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen.

Pro Tip: If you have time, I'd recommend staying three nights in Swakopmund. This gives you time to enjoy both the Living Desert Tour and the 4×4 Sandwich Harbour dune excursion, which was a dream come true for me."

Would Sandwich Harbour be on your Namibia itinerary?
Let us know in the comments!

Address

Clanwilliam
8135

Telephone

+27274822444

Website

http://www.cedarberg-travel.com/

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