Safari Holidays to South Africa and Namibia for independent travellers.
Contact Phone Numbers
0845 838 2450
Local rate from UK only
0800 981 420
Toll free from SA only
Other +44 1932 268230
Family Holidays
Cape Town and the Garden Route are ideal for young families
Summary of the Route
South Africa is becoming increasingly popular with families from all over the world who are looking for a holiday that offers sunshine and beaches and plenty of activities for kids in a country that is truly family-friendly.
At the end of the holiday it would be possible to include a family safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. Although not all safari lodges can accommodate younger children, there is still a good range of lodges that can take children of any age, and several of these also offer special childrens programmes.
The cost of this route will vary depending on the type of accommodation you prefer and if you choose to include a safari - there is a wide range of accommodation all along this route from moderately priced guest houses and self-catering properties to 5* hotels and world-class safari lodges.
Cape Town
Cape Town (5 days)
Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities - with a magnificent mountain as its centre, and miles of sandy beaches, there is something for everyone here.
A stay of 5 days allows time to relax after your international flight, and see the attractions in the city which children will enjoy (Table Mountain, the beaches at Camps Bay, street entertainers at the V&A Waterfront and the Two Oceans Aquarium) as well as allowing enough time to drive down to the Cape Peninsula and stopping at Boulders Beach on the way back, to see one of the largest penguin colonies in South Africa.
Suggested Accommodation :
Top : Table Bay Hotel, Mount Nelson
Mid : The Cullinan, The Portswood
Budget : Oceana Luxury Suites & Spa, Leeuwenvoet House
Whale Watching at Hermanus (2 days)
During the July to November whale season the waters of the coast of South Africa are home to large numbers of whales, and the pretty town of Hermanus is an ideal spot for families to base themselves for a couple of days in order to watch these magnificent creatures.
Whale watching boat trips leave early in the morning and as well as whales you will have the chance to see seals and great white sharks - and brave parents can even go diving with sharks if they feel up to it.
If your children are too young for a boat trip, the cliff top paths offer some excellent land-based whale watching opportunites.
Suggested Accommodation :
Top : Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Mid : Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa
Budget : Pebble Beach Guest House, Abalone Guest Lodge
Along the Garden Route (5 days staying in one or 2 different places)
Beautiful coastlines, breathtaking mountains and valleys, and a huge selection of activities are the reasons why the Garden Route is one of the most popular tourist and family holiday destinations in South Africa.
There are a huge number of activities to enjoy along the Garden Route with children - whale watching in season from the cliffs at Plettenberg Bay, hiking in the Knysna Forest or Tsitsikamma National Park, canoeing and fishing.
Not to forget walking with elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park or The Elephant Sanctuary, watching monkeys swing through the trees at Monkeyland, horse riding, ostrich farms at Oudtshoorn, mountain biking, playing on the beach at Wilderness, boat trips on the Knysna Lagoon, marvelling at stalagmite formations in the Cango Caves, shopping for arts and crafts - the list really is endless.
Suggested Accommodation :
Top : Hog Hollow, Kurland Country Hotel, Hunter's Country House
Mid : Knysna Hollow Country Estate, The Elephant Hide of Knysna Guest House
Budget : Ebb & Flow Restcamp, Tsitsikamma Lodge
On Safari in The Eastern Cape (2 days)
The malaria-free Eastern Cape is ideal for family safaris as it is near the popular Garden Route region and nearly half of the lodges in the area can accommodate children.
There are basically 3 options open for parents wanting to give their kids a taste of the wild:
Safari Lodges: Whilst the most prestigious and upmarket lodges in the area do not accept children under 12 or 16 years old, there are plenty of lodges that do accept younger kids, and these offer a magical experince for any child who has always wanted to see African animals in the wild.
Suggested Accommodation :
Top : Riverdene Lodge, Kwandwe Ecca
Mid : Mark's Camp
Budget : Kariega Main Lodge, Woodbury Lodge
Self-drive and day visits: For visitors who are not as keen on the safari idea or who are working to a budget but would still like to see some wildlife, the best options are to either stay in the Addo Elephant National Park at the camp there run by the National Parks Board, or at one of the child-friendly guest houses just outside the Park.
The Addo Elephant National Park is home to around 400 elephants, and offers some wonderful elephant viewing opportunities.
The accommodation in the Park is clean and basic, and there is a restaurant - outside the Park the accommodation is a little more expensive, but it is also a little more luxurious and comfortable.
If you stay in Addo or at one of the guest houses or lodges just outside the Park you can explore the Park yourself on a self-drive basis, join a guided trip in Addo to see the Park with the benefit of a guide, or go as a day visitor to Shamwari or one of the other reserves in the area.
Suggested Accommodation : Addo Main Rest Camp, The Elephant House
Getting Home
At the end of your safari you can either return to Port Elizabeth and fly back home from there (flights connect in either Cape Town or Jo'burg), or alternatively many visitors choose to either have a couple of days in Cape Town or Port Elizabeth before catching the flight home.
About Us | Travel Links | Site Map | Privacy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | ©2003-2010 Travel Butlers Ltd.