Category: Family Friendly Holiday

Cape Town to Cape Town, 5 Day Garden Route & Klein Karoo tour

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Dusty Klein Karoo roads South Africa

The Western Cape is one of South Africa’s most diverse regions. From Cosmopolitan Cape Town, to the arid starkness of the Klein Karoo, the rugged splendour of Wilderness, and the world renowned beauty of the Garden Route… this tour will leave you dazzled by some of the country’s most scenic sights!

Start in Cape Town and travel inland, via Route 62, towards Oudtshoorn. Route 62 meanders through vineyards, mountain vistas and the semi-arid Klein Karoo. Stop for lunch in Barrydale, at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. Afterwards, discover Calitzdorp, South Africa’s port wine capital. Enjoy a wine tasting. Oudtshoorn, dubbed ‘the ostrich capital of the world’, boasts over 400 ostrich farms and several, so-called, Feather Mansions. Board a tractor for a guided tour of a working ostrich farm. Relax and delight in the friendly Klein Karoo hospitality. Enjoy dinner in town. Overnight at Hlangana Country Lodge or similar – Dinner and breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before departing for Knysna. Visit the Cango Caves, a 20-million-year-old national treasure in the foothills of the Swartberg mountain. Continue over the Outeniqua mountains to the Garden Route. Enjoy sweeping views from Dolphin Point and the Map of Africa (weather permitting), before arriving into Knysna. In Knysna, board a boat and enjoy a sunset Knysna oyster tour. This informative cruise introduces foodies to local wines and the culinary delights of a wild Knysna oyster. Dinner is served at a Knysna Estuary Restaurant. Overnight at Protea Hotel by Marriott Knysna Quays or similar – Dinner and breakfast

After breakfast head for the historical harbour town of Mossel Bay. Visit the Dias Museum Complex and several different museums, including the Shell and Maritime Museums as well as the iconic Post Office Tree. Relax and enjoy lunch at The Point. Continue westwards to a private game reserve offering the opportunity to see the ‘Big 5’ and other game. Board an open safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive. Delight in an outdoor dining experience (weather permitting). Overnight at Garden Route Game Lodge or similar – Dinner, breakfast and 2 game viewing excursions

Enjoy an early morning game drive before breakfast. The reserve is home to elephant, lion, buffalo, white rhino, giraffe, cheetah and a variety of antelope species. Departs for Arniston, a small coastal village in the Overberg region on the Cape south coast. Lunch is enjoyed en route. Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight at The Arniston Hotel or similar – Dinner and breakfast

Have a leisurely breakfast before departing for Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa and where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. The Cape of Storms is notorious for its many wrecks. Visit a South African national monument – the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and Museum. Continue on to Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching. In season (July to November) the southern right whale returns to these waters to calve. Lunch is enjoyed en route. Continues to meander along False Bay’s coast before arriving in the late afternoon into Cape Town.

This is tour is a private guided tour, but can be operated as a self-drive tour too.

Contact African Sands to plan your Cape Town to Cape Town, 5 Day Garden Route & Klein Karoo holiday.

 

4 Day Cape Garden Route Holiday

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Tsitsikama Suspension Bridge

You have explored Cape Town, now you want to head out and discover the world renowned Garden Route.

This 3 night/ 4 day itinerary is perfect for you!

Depart Cape Town heading for Oudtshoorn, via Route 62, a picturesque route that explores the contrasting regions of the Western and Eastern Cape. Stop in the Tradouw Valley for lunch, followed by a wine tasting. While in Oudtshoorn, once known as the “Feather Capital” of the world, enjoy an informative tour of an ostrich farm aboard a tractor learning about the intricacies of a working farm. Spend the night at Surval Boutique Olive Estate (or similar)

The next day continue onto the Cango Caves for a guided tour before continuing over the Outeniqua mountains to the Garden Route. Enjoy incredible photo opportunities in Wilderness, with its sweeping views from the Map of Africa lookout point. Then make your way to Knysna where you will stay for 2 nights at the Protea Hotel Knysna Quays (or similar). In the late afternoon embark on a sunset Knysna oyster cruise. This is an informative cruise introducing guests to the culinary delights of a wild Knysna oyster.

After breakfast, head for Plettenberg Bay. Take a boat at Lookout Beach for a marine excursion with the emphasis on marine-mammal conservation. This Fair-Trade Tourism certified ocean safari affords guests close-up views of whales, dolphins and seals. Back on shore, enjoy a relaxing lunch. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Qolweni Township, school and crèche. This community development programme focuses on education. Allocated tour proceeds are channelled into initiatives targeting the education of Qolweni’s young children. You are invited to donate pencils, books and other stationary.

The next day travel to Port Elizabeth, via Storms River and the beautiful Tsitsikamma Forest. The Garden Route features lush forests, blue ocean waters and rugged mountain peaks. Stop at Storm’s River and enjoy a short walk to the suspension bridge to take in the views. Enjoy lunch in the Tsitsikamma Forest area, home to century-old trees.

Arrive into Port Elizabeth – transfer to the airport to stay at one of the Beachfront hotels.

Contact African Sands for more details on this 4 day Cape Garden Route Holiday

Cape Malay Cooking Safari

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Cape Malay Cooking Safari

For me, travelling is all about discovering the local culture. Learning about the history, the people and events that have affected or influenced the culture of that society.

It is fascinating, and makes visiting new destinations that much more interesting.

The fastest way to learn a new culture, is to learn about their foods.

In Cape Town, there is a REAL interactive experience in the Cape Malay quarter, one of the countries oldest established communities. This community dates back to the early settler days, when captives were brought to the shores in the 1600’s to work on the farms.

Start your day with a Walking Tour of this historic, Heritage Protected area, visit to a Community Empowerment Project, the popular local Spice (Masala) shop and the Bo-Kaap Museum.

Then it is time to visit your hostess – a local resident, for an exciting encounter with her religious, cultural and indeed culinary background – in her own home! You will participate in preparing and cooking samoosas, Rooti (flat bread) and chicken or veg curry-in the kitchen around her table. Once the lunch is prepared, you get to sit back, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

It is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the local culture

Contact African Sands to learn more about a holiday to Cape Town & the Cape Malay

Family Friendly Cape Town

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Travelling with children can be great fun, but it can also be very stressful!

Finding enough things to do that will occupy young minds and older minds alike can be quite difficult…. But not in Cape Town! With a wide variety of exciting activities available to capture inquisitive minds, you can be sure that a Family Holiday in South Africa with be just that – a true Family Holiday!

Here are our top tips of what to do with children in Cape Town:

1. Cape Point Nature Reserve

This is a great day out for the whole family. En-route to Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach (just near Simon’s Town) and see the resident Jackass Penguin colony. These cute little creatures will liven up anyone’s day and they are clearly visible from the neat boardwalks that have been laid out to make viewing better and to preserve the penguins breeding area. Continue onto the Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the children can look out for the wild buck and baboons that are often seen in the reserve. Take the funicular to the old lighthouse with its great views. There are often baboons in the car park just waiting for tourists … remember not to feed them! If you still have energy after Cape Point, continue onto the Cape Point Ostrich Farm, where you can see the world’s largest flightless bird and the fastest bird on land

2. Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands is a perfect adult and child combination!

There are many wine estates along this route to explore most with excellent wine on offer – so enjoy the wine tastings.

A great estate to explore is the Fairview Wine Estate (near Paarl) which has wine making as well as cheese making. They are famous for their goats’ cheese, and have two resident goats on the estate. Kids love seeing the goats, especially watching them climb into their tower house. Parents love the wine and cheese tasting…

Nearby is Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm – they have over 1000 crocodiles on the estate and kids can hold a small baby crocodile.

Continue onto Franschhoek and explore this wonderful town on foot. Enjoy art galleries, antique shops and craft stalls. Not to mention lots of exciting places to eat true gourmet food. Mont Rochelle is a fabulous state to explore in this area with wine tasting and horse riding on offer

3. Table Mountain

Taking the Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain can be a really fun experience. Especially since the ride takes 4 minutes to reach the top of the mountain and the floor revolves, offering great views of the city below and the mountain. At the top of the mountain is a restaurant to catch a quick bite to eat and a shop for souvenir shopping, or be prepared and take your own picnic with you – there are lots of beautiful spots to sit and enjoy a meal – especially if you wander off from the main tourist hub. Look out for “Rock Rabbits” locally known as Dassies. They often pop up from gaps in the walls and can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks.

To work off energy after the Mountain, why not enjoy coffee at the Deer Park Café in Vredehoek, which has an outdoor park attached – so parents can relax and enjoy their afternoon tea while the kids run riot in the park.

4. V&A Waterfront

This is a premier destination in Cape Town and has good shopping options available.

Wander around this working harbour and see the boats at moor. Watch the harbour waters for the resident seals. You can often see them basking on the jetties. There are many good restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Quay Four is renowned for its fish and chips on the dock.

If you want a fun experience, take one of the charter boats out for a sunset cruise with views back over the harbour and mountain it gives you another perspective of this landmark.

5. Two Oceans Aquarium   

Located at the V&A Waterfront, this Aquarium is a wonderful showcase of what goes on under our earths’ sea! There is a really good Atlantic Ocean display with its murky depths and sea kelp forests as well as an Indian Ocean display with its tropical fish and coral. Enjoy the Shark tank with a variety of shark pieces swimming past you. Don’t miss the Japanese Crab display!

6. Butterfly World

This is an area dedicated to the preservation of Butterflies, located in the Winelands. You can enter this magical world and wander among the many butterflies flitting around. Enjoy coffee and relax in this tranquil setting.

7. Camps Bay

Parents can sit on this world famous beach and relax and enjoy the goings on, while the kids can caper in the Atlantic Ocean. With many restaurants and take away options available across the road from the street, as well as an exciting Ice Cream store that has many wonderful ice cream scoop flavours – it is no wonder this spot is a firm family hit.

Contact African Sands to help you plan your family holiday to South Africa