Fodor's Expert Review Riverdene Family Lodge

Riverdene combines the great food and service of Shamwari's other lodges with a much more child-friendly atmosphere and a rather unprecedented number of facilities designed to keep youngsters engaged and entertained, making it the ultimate safari lodgings for younger families. The building itself is an elegantly restored frontier homestead with a modern and unpretentious design, and the lodge is styled in soothingly pale earthy tones and decorated with lovely botanical prints. There's the usual infinity swimming pool, a very comfy lounge and bar, and a pretty courtyard dining area and boma, the latter of which has fine views over Bushmans River. But what really stands out is the considerable efforts to make children feel like they're the center of attention here: The "Kids on Safari" Adventure Centre is an expansive indoor and outdoor area where children get color-coded wristbands so they know which parts of the playground are best for them—there's a massive wooden jungle gym, mini climbing walls, ziplines, a swing bridge, sandpit, and a treehouse. The playroom is fully supervised and there's a host of dedicated nannies so you needn't worry when out on a game drive.