From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
Eastern CapeSouth Africa
Shamwari Private Game Reserve – Riverdene Family Lodge
Our rating
TripadvisorBased on 6,874 reviews
Kids on Safari
Riverdene Family Safari Lodge has been specifically designed to ensure that families may enjoy a safe safari experience.
This spacious lodge is perfect for those travelling with a family. Complete with a pool, kids' club and Adventure Centre, cosy indoor fires and an outdoor boma where you can socialise with other families and gaze up at the night sky, blanketed in stars, there’s plenty to keep you entertained when not out on a safari. This is the ideal place to discover the beauty of the bush. Children from 4 years old are welcome on game drives at Shamwari; younger children will be taken care of by the childminders at the lodge. The Rangers at Riverdene are used to taking children on safari and will work with them to complete their ‘junior ranger’ books and teach them about the African bush. Back at the lodge, kids can run around the huge outdoor Adventure Centre where they can play on tree houses, ziplines, rock climbing walls and a big slide.
Best for:
SafariSuitable for children
Avg flight time7 hrs
Avg transfer timeIt’s a 1-hour drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) Airport. Operating out of Cape Town and OR Tambo Johannesburg airports you can fly directly into the reserve on the Shamwari Air Shuttle.
SettingLodge
Kids on Safari
Why our experts like it
We've done the exploring, asked the locals, made the mistakes, and found the gems... so you don't have to start from scratch! These are the bits we think you'll love the most. Think of it as travel advice from a friend who just got back and can't wait to tell you everything.
If you love French cuisine, look no further than La Belle Vie
An incredible way to kick off your Maldives holiday
“There's something pretty special about travelling by seaplane. The view from the sky is extraordinary - tiny specs of island and shades of blue that barely look real.”
Jeremy FisherKuoni Travel Expert
The iconic, mile-long sandbank
Perfect for isolated sunbathing, dramatic photoshoots, and watching breathtaking Maldivian sunsets.
Snorkelling and diving isn't the only way to catch sight of the underwater world
“If snorkelling and diving isn't for you, it's possible to catch a glimpse of the reef from a glass-bottomed boat instead.”
Sarah ShepherdKuoni Marketing Team
Kids club at Niva Kuramathi Maldives
Supervised activities through the day, so younger guests get their own adventure while you get a quiet hour by the water.
Kids on Safari
We book this hotel the way you want it
This Maldives hotel is perfect on its own, but add Sri Lanka, Dubai or the Seychelles and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.
Food & drink
Meal times are flexible at Riverdene so that parents can keep a routine for their children.
Kids on Safari
Things to do nearby
Curated experiences to help you do more, see more, or simply switch off while you're here.
Eastern Cape Game Reserves
Visit the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries at Shamwari Private Game Reserve
Behind each of the big cats in their care, there is often a traumatic story. The rescued lions and leopards at the sanctuaries have grown up in appalling conditions of captivity. Whilst they should have been born in the wild, where they belong, unfortunately re-wilding them is not possible. With a dedicated team to monitor them as they adapt to their new surroundings, the sanctuaries give them a better home than they have ever known. There are two centres that Shamwari guests can visit. Located in the southern part of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the Julie Ward Centre was established in 1999 and provides sanctuary for the rescued cats. Education is also a vital role of what they do and at the Jean Byrd Education Centre, in the northern part of the reserve, guests, local schools and colleges come to learn about South Africa’s wildlife and the importance of conservation for future generations.
Kids on Safari
There is more than one way to do this trip
A match made in paradise
This hotel is perfect on its own, but add a second destination and it becomes something even better. Discover our multi-centre holidays and make paradise last longer.
Kids on Safari
In the area
Riverdene Family Safari Lodge is located within Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown
Kids on Safari
Trip ideas
You've come this far - and the world has more to offer. Why not pair Niva Kuramathi with another island, add a stopover in Dubai on the way for city lights and desert skies, or extend to Sri Lanka for tea, temples and safari? Below you'll find our recommendations for maximising your time away...
From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
From £4,234pp
Sat 9 May · 7 nightsLondon Heathrow2 adults, 1 child · 1 room
Kids on Safari
When to visit
Whether you're chasing guaranteed sunshine or don't mind a little rain with your relaxation, here's how the weather stacks up throughout the year. Use the chart below to find your perfect window, or just pick whenever suits you best, paradise doesn't really have a bad season.
| Measurement | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average temp | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 30°C | 30°C | 29°C | 29°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C |
| Average rainfall | 110mm | 60mm | 75mm | 125mm | 220mm | 175mm | 150mm | 175mm | 200mm | 195mm | 210mm | 215mm |
| Average price | £4,746pp | £4,992pp | £4,149pp | £4,222pp | £4,827pp | £4,835pp | £5,104pp | £5,176pp | £5,176pp | £5,129pp | £3,958pp | £3,958pp |
Kids on Safari
Current offers
Savings worth having on the departures we think are worth taking. Every offer below applies to this hotel — check each one for the dates and conditions that come with it.
Save up to £300pp
Based on selected departures in September 2026
Save up to 25% when you book by 6th July
Based on selected departures in September 2026
Save up to 35% + complimentary meal upgrade
Based on 20th July 2026 departure
Free half-board upgrade
Based on selected departures in October 2026
Stay 7 nights, pay for 6
Based on selected departures in November 2026
Save up to £200pp on honeymoons
Based on selected departures in January 2027
Complimentary spa treatment for two
Based on stays of 7 nights or more
Free kids' places
Based on selected departures in August 2026
Kids on Safari
Build your trip
Pick your airport, then choose a departure date to see how the price moves across the year. Everything you change here updates the summary alongside.
Select holiday details
Departure details
Can't see your airport of choice?Enquire now
Prices shown are per person, and based on the cheapest flight available that day.
May 2026
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June 2026
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You can upgrade your transfers and flight class when booking (subject to availability).
Local taxes & fees apply upon arrival.
Who's going?
2 adults, 1 child
Duration
7 nights + travel
Departure airport & date
Sat 9 May 2026London Gatwick
Board basis
Speak to an expert | Available until 8pm0800 298 5034
Great offers on Niva Kuramathi Maldives
Escape to Niva Kuramathi and enjoy exclusive savings on your Maldives getaway.
View offersHave you considered a multi-centre?
Maldives pairs really well with other destinations, from Dubai to Sri Lanka.
View multi-centresGood to know
- Includes flights, baggage, and private transfers to and from your hotel
- Total flight time ~ 7 hrs
- Total transfer time ~ 2 hrs
- Overnight in Malé may apply (subject to flights & transfers)
Kids on Safari
Questions? Sorted.
Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?
British passport holders are issued a free 30-day visitor visa on arrival. You'll need a passport valid for the duration of your stay, a confirmed onward ticket and proof of your accommodation booking.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
November to April is the dry season, with the most reliable sunshine and calmest seas. May to October brings shorter rain showers, lower prices and better surf.
What currency is used in the Maldives, and do I need cash?
The local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, but resorts price and bill in US dollars and take major cards. Most guests never need cash — a small amount is handy for tipping.
Is the Maldives good for honeymoons outside peak season?
Yes. Off-peak brings noticeably lower rates and quieter islands, and rain tends to come in short bursts rather than all day. Many resorts add honeymoon extras during these months.
What activities are there for older kids and teens in the Maldives?
Most resorts run watersports centres with windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding, plus PADI dive courses from around age ten. Snorkelling safaris, sandbank trips and night fishing all suit older children.
Kids on Safari
Guest reviews
Tripadvisor reviews will appear here once the feed is connected.
Kids on Safari
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