I’ve been asked many times by friends coming to Cape Town over the years in the European winter where they should go and explore after spending some time in Cape Town. The Garden Route is a popular choice if you have the time, but there are other great options to venture out of Cape Town and get into the wilderness! It is rainy season and not the best time for a safari in the Kruger over December/January, but there are some other great safari options in the Western/Eastern Cape at this time of year if your children want to see animals. Below are some trip ideas, which we can help put together for you.
The West Coast and Cedarberg Mountains road trip
Ideal length of time: 7 nights
Why we love it: Churchaven for paradise white sandy beaches, turquoise warm lagoon and beautiful houses, Langebaan to learn to kitesurf, Paternoster for delicious seafood and sea kayaking and the Cedarberg mountains to learn about the ancient San culture, experience the stars and the wild, untouched side of South Africa
Our top family accommodation picks: Fynbos in Churchaven, Ganana Guest House in Paternoster and Bushmanskloof in the Cedarbergs mountains.
The Cape Whale Route road trip
Ideal length of time: 7 nights
Why we love it: The beautiful coastal drive, Hermanus for whale watching, coastal walks lagoon watersports, Grootbos Private nature reserve for horseriding, nature walks and immersive conservation activities for the kids. De Hoop Nature Reserve for wild coastal scenery, hiking, bird watching, and whale spotting, Elgin for an amazing nature guided tour and ziplining experience through the Hottentot Holland mountains.
Our top family accommodation picks: The Cootclub near Hermanus, Grootbos Private Nature reserve, Mokuru family collection or Lekkerwater beach lodge in the De hoop Nature Reserve.
The Garden Route road trip
Ideal length of time: 10 nights plus
Why we love it: Wilderness for the beautiful ancient forest and kayaking/hiking trip up the Touws river, Knysna for the delicious Oysters and boating on the lagoon. Going out of the Knysna heads and spotting whales and dolphins from a beautiful sailing boat. Plettenberg Bay for the beaches and elephant sanctuary, and Tsitsikamma National Park for water activities like tubing on the river, and for active families the start of the otter trail.
Our top family accommodation picks: Simbavati fynbos on sea in Knysna, Emily Moon river Lodge in Plettenberg Bay, Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay
The Orange River Rafting trip
Ideal Length of time: 5 nights
Why we love it: Transformative experience for the family with older children (10 years and above ideally), spending 4 days kayaking down the Orange river which borders Namibia (6.5 hours drive from Cape Town). Spending the days having fun on the river and nights sleeping under the stars. The kids will remember this forever!
Eastern Cape Safari
Ideal length of time: 4/5 nights
Why we love it Fantastic malaria free luxury safari experiences at Samara Karoo Reserve, Addo Elephant Park and the Kwandwe Private game reserve in the Eastern Cape, all providing fantastic activities for both younger kids and the chance to get involved with conservation activities for old children/teenagers. An Eastern Cape safari could end a garden route road trip, alternatively, you can fly to Port Elizabeth from Cape Town.
Our top family accommodation picks: Samara Karoo Lodge, Ecca Lodge or Kariega Lodge
Desert, Space and Stars: Tankwa Fly-in and Camp Experience
Ideal length of time: Overnight
Why we love it: This is a truly authentic, incredible overnight South African experience from Cape Town! If you are looking for an epic adventure, to get into the wilderness but only have a short amount of time, you must consider this! You fly from Cape Town in a small private plane into the Tankwa Karoo desert (45 minute flight), to a place near where Afrika Burn takes place. You stay in the desert in cabins for the night, and the raw untouched beauty and sheer space will offer your family a profound sense of peace and tranquility as well as a reconnection with the natural world (and a digital disconnect!).
