Family Tour

Having three children of my own means that I have found great things to do with children of all ages at every destination of the tour.  After each trip to South Africa I ask my children what they enjoyed most and where they would prefer to have stayed longer. Without a doubt the highlight is always De Hoop and Keurbooms Strand. Obviously the wine tasting and walking around Stellenbosch is not an ideal child occupation.

Therefore, I now offer a second option for families or adults who would rather have a more relaxing holiday, with less travelling and more time for themselves.

Day 1.         Cape Town

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport in the afternoon. Travel via Fish Hoek to Simonstown, past the Boulders Beach and check into the Rocklands Guest House, about 45 minutes drive from the airport. Here we will spend some time relaxing after the long flight or going for short walks around this beautiful area.

In early evening we will have a light South African meal at Rocklands Guest House.

Day 2.     Cape Town

After breakfast we take you to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront. Here there are shopping malls, restaurants and a very good Aquarium.

The Two Oceans Aquarium is an absolute must see for any child. Here you can see sharks, massive turtles, sea horses and you can even look for Nemo:-)

Or you could catch the Red Bus, which will take you for a tour around Cape Town. This bus allows you to hop off at 17 well known attractions. The Cape of Good Hope Castle may be fun for your children.

Older children may love to go with a cable car up one of Africa's most prominent and famous land marks - Table Mountain. The view from the summit is seen by many as being the most spectacular in the world. Here you will have the opportunity to go for walks through a kaleidoscope of ever-changing beauty and watch ships come into the most famous harbour in South Africa - an experience not easily forgotten.

Or simply walk around Cape Town, taking in its beauty, the culture and flair. A good place to have lunch is at the famous Mama Africa restaurant on Long Street or at the Waterfront.

From the waterfront the ferry to Robben Island operates. Note: For this trip, booking ahead is necessary. Therefore you will have to tell me in advance if you want to go to the island. However, I do not recommend this for young children.

In the late afternoon we travel back to Simonstown. Supper is at the Seaforth Restaurant, where you can choose from their extensive seafood menu. They also have pizzas and other children friendly dishes.

After supper we return to our lovely accommodation at Rocklands Guest House.

Day 3.      Cape Town

After a leisurely breakfast we go to Boulders Beach, where the African or Jackass Penguin come to breed. These penguins are used to people and will allow you to get very close to them. Here you can walk along this beautiful beach, enjoying these interesting birds and scenery. At boulders beach there is a restaurant where you can have lunch.

This beach, as the name implies, has big boulders which my children love to scramble up. Also seeing baby penguins from close up is always a hit with kids.

In the afternoon we travel south to the Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park to the famous Cape Point. It is here where (according to legend) the famous, ill-fated Flying Dutchman disappeared without a trace while trying to round the Cape of Good Hope in stormy weather in 1680.


Cape Point has beautiful soft white sandy beaches with rugged stretches of rock and breathtaking cliffs. These cliffs are among the highest coastal cliffs in the world. The huge waves that are experienced along the Cape of Storms is most impressive for children. Tip: take dry clothes with, as the children normally end up with wet pants:-)


There are a few curio shops and a restaurant here, where we can have a snack and refreshment. There is a funicular service which can take you up to the famous lighthouse [the most powerful on the African coastline]. The energetic can walk up the pathway.

That evening we return to our lodgings at the Rocklands Guest House, having had a meal at either Boulders or Seaforth restaurant.

Day 6.    De Hoop - George

After our breakfast, which you can either make yourself at the accommodation or get at the De Hoop restaurant, we  can either hike along the Vlei, or through the park, drive back to the white dunes to watch whales or relax under the beautiful fig trees, before we head off through the farmlands again to the town where I studied and where my parents now live - George.

Along the route we will make many stops allowing the children to stretch their legs and the adults to (where possible) get coffee or tea. In George you will have the opportunity to wash your clothes and relax or walk around the area. There are many interesting places to visit, including the Museum that shows something of of its view of the past development of this area as well as its history both cultural and geological. There is also a massive Transport Museum with its history of the rail and transport system, including a number of vintage motorcars. 

Or, if time allows, we can take a trip, going past Saasveld College - where I studied Nature Conservation, to the Woodville Forest, with its massive 800-year old Yellow-wood tree. From there we can travel back to George, along the coast, via the Wilderness National Park with its large wetlands and lakes, abounding in birds.

That night we will stay at the Vierkleurhof B&B, which is walking distance away from my parents house. In the evening we will have a meal at one of the special restaurants in George.

Day 7.      Outeniqua Area

Today we travel over the rugged Outeniqua Mountains into the Little Karoo (Karoo means "Place of Great Dryness" in the language of the Khoi, the earliest inhabitants of the land). We travel to Oudtshoorn. This is the "Capitol" of the Ostrich industry. In fact, it is from here that the modern Ostrich Industry throughout the world has grown.

Here we will visit the farm Chandelier Ostrich Farm of Gerrie Ferreira, where  we can see the ostriches from up close and personal, as well as check out the interesting items and objects made from ostrich products. Almost every single part of the ostrich and everything it produces is used in some way. If you are brave you can get a chance to ride on the back of one of these big birds.  Chandelier Farm is a working farm as well as a Game Ranch with 26 varieties of antelope and other game to be seen.

About 40 Km beyond the farm are the famous Cango Caves to where we next travel. The massive limestone caverns are a major attraction of great interest and beauty. Here the more adventurous can crawl down the narrow channels to see the more remote parts that other tourists seldom see.

Along the way we pass the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where those who don't want to go to the Cango Caves can hop out and enjoy this wonderful park. Here you can take a tour to see their large variety of birds and animals, touch a cheetah or even go crocodile diving. This I would recommend to all parents to do as an alternative to the caves as the children seem to enjoy this experience much more.

That evening we will have "Ostrich Potjie", a very traditional meal at my parents house.

Day 8.    George - Keurboomstrand

Today we pack up and move further eastwards towards our sea home at Keurboomstrand, near the well-known tourist town of Plettenberg Bay.

We travel first to the town of Knysna, voted the "best vacation place in South Africa" two years running. Here we visit the Waterfront on the Knysna Lagoon. Besides the malls and eating places, a special experience is a ride on one of the big ferryboats, like the John Benn. The John Benn takes us to the famous Knysna Heads where the Indian Ocean beats against the towering turrets of the Heads. We can buy a meal to eat as we travel the calm waters of the Lagoon.

After Knysna we head off to Keurboomstrand.  This coastal wonderland near Plettenberg Bay, is in my eyes the most beautiful place in South Africa. Here I spent every Summer holiday and some of my fondest childhood memories are from  here.

At this pristine coastal area you will have the opportunity to walk for miles on the endless beaches, go swimming in the Indian Ocean, watch whales feeding their calves and dolphins playing in the waves.

Some of the most famous landmarks in this area include Robberg, Bird Rock and Cathedral Rock (which is a 20 minute walk along the beach). Oyster Catchers can be observed running along the beach and there is an abundance of coastal vegetation. From the terrace of our sea house you can watch the whales and dolphins and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

That evening you can go down Enrico's Restaurant, a very good Sea Food restaurant at the beachfront. Here you can enjoy a lovely sea food meal and watch the sun set, while your children play on the beach a few meters away..

Day 9., 10. & 11.      Keurboomstrand Area

The next three days you will have the chance to experience this coastal paradise. Some of you may want to take long walks along the beach that stretches for many kilometres, or you may wish to go shopping and explore Plettenberg Bay - here one can buy various curios or you can take a boat to watch Whales and Dolphins. At the beach where the whale boats leave is a wonderful swimming area. Here there are no currents. There is also a restaurant right at the beach offering sea food as well as other meals. Here I often go swimming with my children.

We will also visit one of my favourite places Birds of Eden. This is the largest free flight bird aviary in the world. It is an experience for everybody. Here you get to see many different species of birds up close. There is a restaurant inside the aviary, allowing us to have a meal with the birds. For kids, this is an absolute must.

Right next to the Birds of Eden is Monkey Land, for those of you who would like to get close to monkeys instead. There are many interesting types of monkey, such as the Spider Monkey, the tiny Squirrel Monkey, the impressive Howler Monkey and different Lemurs. There is also a long bridge, spanning the high forest canopy, allowing you to observe the monkeys which usually only live high up in the trees. Like at the Birds of Eden, here too is a restaurant where we can have a snack - beware, however, the monkeys are good thieves ;-)

Close by is an Elephant Park where rehabilitated and other elephants are kept on a large estate - here we can stroke and feed them and even ride on one if you wish.

There is also Tenikwa Cat Sanctuary, where you can see many different rehabilitated cats such as Servals, Wildcats, Lynxes, Leopards and Cheetah. Here you can also go for a walk with the Cheetahs.

If you wish, we could also visit the Tsitsikamma National Park - here you can go for long walks along the coast or through the forest. A short and easy hike leads along the western side of the Storms River mouth, past a Strandloper (indigenous people) Cave to the long suspension bridge across the mouth.

On route to the Tsitsikamma National Park we cross over the Bloukrans Bridge, where those adventurous amongst you will have the opportunity to bungy jump. This bridge has the highest commercial bungy jumping platform in the world. Here brave parents can impress their children:-)

Keurboomstrand is also closely situated to Natures Valley, where my parents are honorary rangers - helping to conserve the area. This too, is a beautiful area, with thick indigenous forests, an estuary and a beautiful coastline. Here, if we are very lucky, we may see the very shy Narina Trogon - a beautiful forest bird. Here we can hire canoes and go for a long trip up the river. The lagoon is a great place to swim, as there are no waves and currents.

One supper will again be a typical South African meal, cooked by my mother and wife. The other suppers can be had at Enrico's restaurant or you can make your own. Every day one vehicle will be going to the mall in Plettenberg Bay for you to get supplies.

Day 12.     Keurboomstrand - Port Elizabeth

On this day we continue our journey along the Garden route to Port Elizabeth, where I went to Grammar School. 

Along the route we stop at one of the massive Kalander Yellowwood Trees that are to be found along the way. Many are well over 800 years old – and the reason they escaped the woodsmen in those early years was because these trees were then already too big for the primitive equipment of the time!

We also cross the Blaukrans Bridge, the highest singlespan of its kind in the world. Near to where the Bungy Jumpers take off. A “Cultural Village” has been built to give an idea of living conditions and art of the original Khoisan.

Along the way we will stop at a shop allowing you to buy refreshments and supplies for breakfast for the next two days. Our accommodation for the next two nights are very luxurious, with fully equipped kitchens.

At the Kragga-Kama Game Park, where we spend the night in their spacious bungalows, we will see many species of game, which we have not encountered on our journey until now.

Here you can see Giraffe feeding high up in the Acacia trees, beautiful antelope, such as the graceful Impala, Waterbuck, the shy Nyala and Springbok, as well as the White Rhinoceros.

Here you will also have the chance to get really close to the animals and even stroke and lie down with Cheetahs.

That night we will sit on the veranda and eat another South Africa Speciality, while watching the animals go about their routines. Maybe the White Rhino come and join us for a drink:-)

Day 13.     Port Elizabeth

Today you have various options. If you wish you can spend the day at Kragga Kamma Game Park, going for a drive through park, relaxing around the camp or petting a Cheetah.

Close by is the Seaview Lion Park which has various animals in large natural enclosures. Most of these lions and other big cats have been saved from hunters and zoos. If we are lucky we can get to play with the cubs.

Or I will take you to Addo National Park (here an early start is essential) where you will have the opportunity to see some of South Africa's most impressive animals in their natural environment and yes, if you are lucky, up close.

I will take you for a game drive around the park and teach you about this important ecosystem. You will have the chance to observe these animals going about their business from the comfort and safety of the car.

Addo National Park is well known for its large population of Elephants. These large beasts eat more than 150 kg of vegetation every day and can drink nearly 200 litres of water daily. This means that an ideal place to observe these animals is at the waterholes, where they come in all sizes to drink, bath and play in the mud.

What we need to bear in mind at all times is that these Elephants, unlike the ones we saw in the Elephant Park are wild, and we are entering their territory. They can be aggressive, especially when they have their young with them. Here we need to stay in the car (except at certain designated lookout points), not take any photos with a flash or be too loud.

Addo National Park, like the Kruger national Park has all the "must see" Big 5 African mammals, namely the Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Lion, Leopard and the African Elephant, BUT, unlike the Kruger National Park, it has none of the notorious diseases like Malaria.

We can have lunch at the Addo restaurant, which is in front of a waterhole  where the animals come to drink. There is also a hide right at the water, allowing you to see the animals up close.

That evening we have supper at a restaurant outside Kragga Kamma Game Park.