Eager young guests visiting Sabi Sabi are in for the wildlife experience of a lifetime. Early morning and late afternoon safaris* where up-close encounters with wildlife await, are highlights for young ones and their parents alike. Children introduced to nature at a young age become aware of and show appreciation for all inhabitants of the natural world, expectantly fostering environmental responsibility.

Bush Lodge is our family-friendly, ‘luxury home in the bush’, where children of all ages are most welcome.  In this fast-paced world of ours, we have found more and more that this is a time when parents and children re-connect in an environment where there are no outside distractions – where learning is a shared experience and where the parent and child bond is reaffirmed, making memories to last a lifetime.  In fact, it is a common sight to see parents joining their children at the EleFun Centre and share in their activities – having just as much fun as our young guests!  During mornings and afternoons there are age-appropriate activities that include educational games, craft making and learning about the bush in a fun and interactive way.   

The EleFun Centre at Bush Lodge was designed by childcare professionals who set out to create a space where hands-on, interactive activities would engage children between the ages of 4 and 12 years old. Environmentally sensitive subjects, including bush survival skills, identifying bugs and birds, tracking and signs of wildlife are taught by qualified tutors. Budding young rangers are kept interested with a varied daily programme with content based around a bushveld theme, with ample tools to keep young minds active.

The suites at Bush Lodge are perfect for families, each equipped with a day bed that converts into a bed for children, complete with mosquito draping. The two Luxury Villas at Bush Lodge feature a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second en-suite bedroom with twin beds where the little ones can sleep. 

Even the Amani Spa at Bush Lodge is geared up for children, with a bespoke section on the spa menu that is dedicated to “Bush Babies”, offering treatments such as a “Paw Pedi” and an “Elephant Footprint Massage”.

Little bodies burning energy are fuelled with nutritional meals specially prepared by our Chefs. Healthy, interesting, child-friendly meals are served according to the requirements of the children, with input from their parents on special diets or fussy eaters. Child minding and baby-sitting are available on request, should parents wish to have a dinner in the boma at night, or go out on safari without the kids.  

Hundreds of colourful handprints of previous young guests adorn the walls of the EleFun Centre - a testament to young minds that were exposed to the bush, taking home with them a deep love for Africa.  

At Sabi Sabi, educating and expanding enquiring minds isn’t limited to the young guests visiting Bush Lodge and the EleFun Centre from time to time. A Bush School, with a permanently employed teacher assists with teaching children of our Sabi Sabi staff members as well as children from adjoining reserves. Ranging from 3 to 11 years, the children are enrolled through ‘Brainline’ on a home-schooling curriculum.  A dedicated classroom on the lodge grounds has been kitted out so that school work can carry on during the morning and afternoons are spent at the EleFun Centre. The Bush School is a uniquely structured learning environment where regular school-going activities are mirrored, but with multiple grades in one class, all working together.

Our commitment to conservation must be carried on through our youth, and in doing so, raise awareness amongst our children for our environment and the role we play in it. To ensure that future generations value nature, especially the Sabi Sabi sanctuary that we have worked so hard to preserve, our aim is to teach children from an early age to fall in love with the bush and remain deeply committed to its existence so that they may become custodians of this pristine piece of the African bushveld for many generations to come.

* Children are allowed on safari from the age of 6.  Children under the age of 6 are only permitted on safari if exclusivity of a vehicle is reserved (subject to availability).