As many of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations groan under the weight of over-tourism, with locals protesting and cities capping visitor numbers, it’s time to ask a different kind of question: Where does your family holiday truly make a difference?

Of course, we all want sunshine, space to unwind, and beautiful scenery. But more and more, as well as wanting fun and adventure, our children and teenagers are becoming more conscious of the environment, more aware of inequality, and more curious about how they can give back.

At Journey South, we send guests to mainly independant and owner-run lodges that welcome families not just with open arms, but invite you to be part of something bigger, where your stay directly supports conservation, education, and community wellbeing. These are journeys that leave your family more curious, more connected, and more compassionate, and ensure the landscapes and communities you visit continue to thrive.

Take Kwandwe in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Once depleted farmland, this 22,000-hectare reserve has been painstakingly restored into thriving wilderness. Every family that visits contributes directly to its success, not just through park and lodge fees, but by supporting the Kwandwe Foundation, which funds healthcare, education, and food security projects for the surrounding communities. Your children won’t just spot elephants and rhino here they’ll learn what it takes to bring a landscape back to life. With private game drives, child-friendly rangers, and engaging activities like spoor tracking, fishing, and bush treasure hunts, children are invited to connect with nature in very hands-on ways. Best time to visit: All year

Or journey to Wolwedans in Namibia’s vast NamibRand Nature Reserve. You become part of a broader story of sustainability, where income from tourism funds conservation training academies and supports a local workforce. Children can witness firsthand what it means to tread lightly in a delicate desert ecosystem and to travel with purpose, at the same time enjoying incredible desert activities like quad biking, horse riding and sleeping under the stars. Best time to go: Between May and November

With older children and teenagers head north to Sarara Camp in Northern Kenya. Set within the vast Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy, Sarara is 100% owned by the local Samburu people. Families staying here directly support the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, mobile schools for nomadic children, and healthcare projects across the region. Children can meet local Samburu elders, listen to stories by the fire, and learn about ancient traditions, camp under the stars, enjoy horse safaris, guided bushwalks and beading with samburu ladies. Best time to go: Anytime of the year (April and May rainy season)

If you’re after something coastal, Blue Safari Seychelles on the remote Alphonse Atoll offers one of the most exciting marine conservation travel experiences anywhere in the Indian Ocean. Here, tourism directly funds research and restoration efforts across the outer islands, from turtle tagging and coral rehabilitation to manta ray monitoring. Families can join marine biologists on reef snorkels, help release baby turtles, and learn about the fragility and wonder of island ecosystems. Enjoy world class fly fishing, sailing, tennis and biking amongst the palms. Best time to go: April/May and October/November.

Ready to plan an unforgettable family trip that matters?

We’d love to help you create a meaningful, memory-rich, fun African adventure for your family! Please book a call or contact polly@journeysouth.travel.