South African Family Adventure
Duration: 14 Days
Location: Cape Town, through the winelands to the Eastern Cape
This is a self drive itinerary. Make memories to last a lifetime as you explore the beauty of South Africa as a family. Spend time in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, before winding your way through the Cape Winelands, Hermanus and the Overberg region and the scenically spectacular Garden Route before culminating this special time with a family safari in the Eastern Cape.
Highlights of the tour
Time to explore Cape Town
The Cape Winelands
Farm tour and garden walk at Boschendal
Stunning landscapes of the Overberg Mountains
The coastline of the Garden Route
Exploring Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding area
A safari in the malaria free Eastern Cape
Day 1 - 4 - Cape Town
Spend your time in Cape Town exploring and soaking up the cosmopolitan atmosphere of this vibrant city. From the V&A Waterfront where you can find Two Oceans Aquarium; journeying to the top of Table Mountain; relaxing on one of the beautiful beaches at Clifton or Camp’s Bay; visiting Boulders Beach to see the penguins before continuing onto Cape Point. See the colourful houses and taste traditional Cape Malay fare in the Bo-Kaap, wandering through the Company Gardens and enjoying a Fynbos Tasting, walking or cycling along the Sea Point Promenade or enjoying the view of Cape Town from above during a helicopter trip.
Day 5 & 6 - Cape Winelands
Today leave your hotel for the Cape Winelands. Stop off for a wander in the historic town of Stellenbosch, it is surrounded by around 200 wineries. Many of the wineries have wide open spaces for kids to explore and some offer special kids tastings. The spectacle of hundreds of little ducks doing their daily parade across the historical farm werf of Vergenoegd Wine Estate will elicit squeals of excitement from the little ones – and the estate is also a wonderful place to enjoy scenic walks through the vineyards, as well as bird-watching from hides. Spier Wine Farm has a host of child-friendly activities, including Eagle Encounters, where these birds of prey are rehabilitated before being released back into the wild; and Segway tours, where kids explore the vineyards on two-wheeled battery powered vehicles. After a fun day of exploring the Stellenbosch area you can continue onto Franschhoek where you will be spending the next two nights.
Day 7 & 8 - Overberg
After a fond farewell to the Cape Winelands you’ll be traveling today to the Overberg - an area of fruit and grain farms, verdant wine-growing valleys and a coastal Riviera known for its charming towns and whale viewing. During the calving season, Hermanus is arguably the best destination to view the Southern Right Humpback Whales. From June to December these migratory animals make their presence known in Walker Bay, with pods of up to 50 creatures frolicking close to land. Hermanus' resident Whale Crier sounds his kelp horn alerting the town to the proximity of these magnificent sea beasts. Recently established, The Hemel en Aarde wine route extends back from Hermanus. This successful wine-growing region boasts highly-acclaimed Pinot Noirs cultivated from its vineyards and wine estates.
Day 9 - 11 - Plettenberg Bay
After departing the Overberg you’ll travel though some of South Africa’s small town including Swellendam, Mossel Bay and Knysna as you journey towards Plettenberg Bay. There are plenty of stops along the way, including the sleepy town of Swellendam and the popular town of Knysna, where you can explore the Knysna Waterfront, journey to the Featherbed Nature Reserve or visit the Knysna Heads before continuing onto Plettenberg Bay.
Day 12 - 14 - Kariega Game Reserve
Travel onwards through the seaside town of Jeffery’s Bay (known for its local surf sports) and the city of Port Elizabeth before reaching your final destination, Kariega Game Reserve. This is a malaria free lodge and as well as the safari there are other activities that children can enjoy. From learning how to create moulds of animal tracks, practise shooting with a traditional "kettie" (a safe y-shaped slingshot) and other bushcraft and wildlife survival skills, dependent on the kids ages. Arts and craft activities could include colouring and making animal masks, creating "Bushman paintings" as well as environmental education using natural items from the bush including ostrich eggs and porcupine quills.
Day 15 - Port Elizabeth
Enjoy you last views of the African bush before your leisurely drive to Port Elizabeth, where you will depart on your onward flight
If you’re ready to start exploring your next fabulous family holiday, we’d love to help. And perhaps inspire you, with new ideas you might not even know are possible yet.
Call us on 0118 336 0363 or click here now to reach us personally & talk more about your plans.