Kids of all ages welcome on safari at Marataba Game Lodges

Kids of all ages welcome on safari at Marataba Game Lodges

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 July 2025: Multi-generational travel is booming, with MMGY Travel Intelligence finding that 86% of American travellers with kids are interested in travelling internationally in the next two years. But safari has long posed a challenge: how do you create an experience that excites grandparents, relaxes parents and delights kids, all at once?

Marataba Safari Lodge, a luxury lodge within the Marakele National Park and part of the MORE Family Collection, is changing the way families experience safari. As of 1 June 2025, Marataba officially welcomes kids of all ages on game drives, making it easier than ever for families to explore the wild together.

“Safari has always been about connection. Whether it is to the land, to wildlife or to one another,” says Robert More, custodian and CEO of MORE Family Collection. “We’re passionate about sharing our love for the wilderness with every guest, young and old. Marataba’s new offering is designed to inspire a lifelong respect for nature in tomorrow’s conservation champions.”

Traditional safaris often make it difficult for families to travel together, only accepting kids aged six and above or only offering a limited selection of activities that may be too advanced for young kids. Logistical challenges around accommodation and established family schedules can also complicate things further.

Marataba’s new offering is designed to remove these barriers by including the following:

• An all-ages welcome policy: From toddlers to teens, kids can now join in the full safari experience alongside parents and grandparents.
• An expanded Mack & Madi programme: Now includes a wider age range and new nature-inspired activities under the care of trained professionals.
• A new Eco-Garden experience: This hands-on space lets young explorers dig, discover, and learn through play. Integrated with the Mack & Madi programme, it transforms conservation education into pure adventure.

In addition to these enhancements, Marataba has retained its long-standing guest favourites, including:

• The Thabametsi Treehouse, which provides an experience unlike any other, creating lifelong memories sleeping under the stars for kids aged six and up.
• The Miss Mara Water Safari, which ensures that every member of the family can enjoy the African wilderness, regardless of their mobility level.

Unlike many safari experiences that separate families or offer limited engagement for kids, Marataba has created a model where every member of the family is considered and catered for, from dawn drives to sundowners.

“This isn't just about removing age barriers, it’s about creating genuine connection across generations,” says More. “What lingers long after the game drives and starlit dinners is something far quieter: the feeling of having truly connected to the wild, the people you love and something far bigger than yourself.”

For travellers seeking something more intimate, Marataba Mountain Lodge offers private suites and no single supplement for individual guests, making it an equally appealing option for couples and solo adventurers looking for a more secluded safari experience.

Whether you’re planning a first safari for a curious toddler or marking a milestone birthday with the whole family, the MORE Family Collection Concierge team can help you design a journey that works for everyone.

Contact the MORE Family Collection reservations team on +27 (0)11 880 9992 or [email protected].