5-6 weeks in Africa flying into Cape town- safari and suggestions with kids- Etosha? Kruger?

4-5 weeks is a great amount of time, and as you are not on budget, there are plenty of amazing options and possible itineraries. I have been to Namibia twice and to South Africa 6 or 7 times, and both to Sabi Sand and Etosha (and other parks). Both are great for wildlife, and totally different from each other. So if you are into wildlife, I would totally go for it.

In the Sabi Sand, you stay in a private game reserve where you have full board and 2 game drives per day included. Those places are not cheap, but totally worth it in my opinion, and you will have a great experience and if not extremely extremely unlucky, you will get within "touching distance" of elephants, lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and plenty of other game. Sitting in an open land-rover with just a few other people watching wildlife so nearby is an amazing experience. In the Sabi Sand, a place that is lovely for families is Nottens. Arathusa is also good, and one of the cheaper priced lodges. You could also consider the Timbavati, which is north of the Sabi Sand and just as good for wildlife, and maybe a little bit less "busy". There, have a look at Motswari and Simbavati River Lodge for example. Do check if the lodge you consider allow children on game drives (some dont allow children at all, some only from 12 years upwards).

Etosha is totally different in terms of landscape. Its a flat pan, the vegetation is scare and you are self-driving and have to stick to the road (where as in the Sabi Sand and Timbavati there are only tracks, and the rangers are allowed to go off track for the big 5 and cheetah and wild dog). So very close up sightings are less common. But that doesn't mean that its not a great place for wildlife.

Personally, what I would do with 4-5 weeks and with the little I know about you and your family:
Fly into Cape Town and spend up to a week in and around town. Its an amazing city, and offers so much, for all ages and tastes and budgets. There is so much to do and experience in town, on the Cape Peninsula and in the winelands.

Fly to Windhoek and rent a 4x4 vehicle with two roof tents and self drive around Namibia for 2-3 weeks - you will have to pay for flights, but you wont have to pay a one way rental fee (which is around USD 1000). Or rent the vehicle in Cape Town and drive up to Namibia - you will be able to see stuff on the way (for example the Fish River Canyon and Keetmanshoop), dont have to pay for flights, but there will be the one way rental fee.

In Namibia, with 2 weeks (if you fly) or 3 weeks (if you travel overland from CPT), you can self drive and do a not too rushed loop that includes the main highlights. Namibia is not so much about wildlife (with the exception of Etosha, but honestly, if "all" you are interested about is wildlife, there are "better" places for it (like the Sabi Sand and Timbavati)). Namibia is mostly about big open spaces, amazing landscapes, and dunes, very undensely populated, wonderful stary skies, dramatic rock formations etc. The "classic loop" is Windhoek - Kalahari - Sossusvlei - Swakopmund - Damaraland - Etosha - Windhoek. Of course depending on interests and on how much time you have, you could also include other destinations.

After returning the car in Windhoek, I would fly to Krüger Mpumalanga (for Sabi Sand) or Hoedspruit (for Timbavati) - both via Joburg - and spend at least 2 nights there (the more, the better) in a private game reserve.

Just a final thought for the moment on the falls. Personally, I would rather spend more time in Cape Town, or Namibia, or in a place where I can enjoy wildlife. Yep, they are impressive, and its nice to take a sunset cruise on the river, but at the end of the day, for me not a major highlight. But of course that is only my opinion.

Hi there,

Thank you for the helpful information! We are considering late December/early January vs June/July. Would you recommend one over another for weather and wildlife? Thanks again!

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