South Africa is a destination that is perfect for all ages with so much to see and do. It is known for its widely varying landscapes, adventure-filled safaris and rich history. It tops our list as one of the best family friendly destinations in the world.
TWELVE REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT SOUTH AFRICA WITH CHILDREN
1. CAPE TOWN
Cape Town is a fantastic coastal city, with spectacular Table Mountain as its backdrop, one of our favourites around the world. There is plenty to see and do, great food, the area around Cape Town is scattered with wineries, and the Cape of Good Hope, along with Boulders Bay make a great day trip. You could easily spend a week here and find different things to do each day.
Read Also: Climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town with Kids
2. RELAX IN WINE COUNTRY
Close to Cape Town, a visit to the Stellenbosch/Franschoek region is a must to sample fine South African wines. There are many large estates which all offer tastings and are surprisingly child friendly, much more so than other wineries we’ve visited around the world. They often have playgrounds, large grassy areas, restaurants with outdoor dining, luxury picnics and even ice creameries!
3. THE GARDEN ROUTE
The Garden Route, along with Cape Town, is perfect for those with only a little bit of time to spend in South Africa. In ten days you can drive along the southern coast of South Africa, from Cape Town to Storms River. On the way, visit towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Hermanus. The coastline is gorgeous and if you like to get up close and personal with animals, there is plenty here to keep you entertained.
Read: Road Trip Along the Garden Route in South Africa with Kids
4. GO HIKING ON THE ROBBERG PENINSULA
This is an amazing coastal hike with plenty to keep the whole family happy. Climb the rocky coastline, watch seals playing in the water, slide down a huge sand dune, walk across a wide expanse of beach with waves on either side, and view some of the prettiest coastline in South Africa.
Read: Hiking the Robberg Peninsula with Children
5. HIPPO WATCHING IN ST LUCIA
St. Lucia is a coastal town where hippos roam the streets at night! There is plenty to keep an active family entertained in St. Lucia. Take a boat ride in search of hippos and crocodiles, explore iSimangaliso Wetland Park, go whale watching, visit Cape Vidal to swim in the Indian Ocean and take a safari to nearby Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.
Read: Four Days to Spend in Saint Lucia (in South Africa!)
6. GO ON SAFARI IN THE HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI GAME RESERVE
The oldest Game Reserve in South Africa. Known for it’s white and black rhino population, Hluhluwe & Imfolozi have the largest in all of Africa! This was our first ever safari with the boys and it did not disappoint. The Big 5 can all be seen in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. We managed four out of five, missing out only on a leopard. It was here that we saw our first pride of lions, a male, several females and a number of cubs, all within a few metres of us…amazing and very memorable.
7. SWIMMING WITH SHARKS AT SCOTTBURGH, NEAR DURBAN
Don wetsuits, experience a beach surf launch, get into the water and watch as Oceanic Black Tip Sharks emerge from the murky depths of the ocean. It’s not as scary as you think, and if you want a unique travel experience that is possible in only a few places in the world, put this on your list. This was one of our favourite family activities on our round the world trip.
Read: Swimming with Oceanic Black Tip Sharks with Blue Wilderness
8. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE AND THE PENGUINS AT BOULDERS BEACH
Seventy kilometres south of Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope makes an excellent day trip from the city. Boulders Beach is home to many breeding penguins and a must see en-route to the Cape. This is a day of spectacular coastal scenery, animal sightings and the opportunity to stand at the most south-westerly point in Africa.
Read: How to Visit the Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach from Cape Town
9. FOR SOMETHING UNIQUE…RIDE AN OSTRICH!
In Oudtshoorn, located just inland from the Garden Route, visit Highgate Show Farm for your chance to ride an ostrich. This was the most hysterical animal encounter we experienced on our round the world trip.
10. VISIT HISTORIC ROBBEN ISLAND
Robben Island, located off of the coast of Cape Town, is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for eighteen long years. A highly informative and emotional way to spend a morning or afternoon. A fantastic way to learn about apartheid in South Africa. As a bonus, the ride on the ferry to Robben Island is beautiful, with views of Cape Town and Table Mountain.
Read: Infamous Robben Island
11. GO ON A FAMILY SAFARI IN KRUGER GAME PARK
Kruger Game Park is a family friendly safari destination in South Africa. It is possible to self drive within the park staying at budget friendly rest camps. Alternatively there are many safari lodges offering quality accommodation and daily game drives. You have a good chance of seeing the Big 5 if you are here for a few days.
Read: Family Safari in Kruger National Park
12. DRIVING THE PANORAMA ROUTE
The Panorama Route is located west of Kruger Game Park, and includes the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. It takes several hours to drive to all of the viewpoints but if you like scenic views, put the Panorama Route on your South Africa itinerary.
AND FINALLY…
South Africa is a country filled with many fantastic things to do. With it’s beautiful scenery, interactions with animals, safaris, and history lessons, South Africa makes a great destination for adults and children alike. This is somewhere we will definitely be returning too.
Have you been to South Africa with kids? What were your highlights?
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6 Comments.
What an amazing trip for your children to experience! Everything looks so awesome! But count me out for swimming with sharks! #FarawayFiles
Very scary to start with but an amazing experience with the family, something we’ll all remember for years to come.
Wow, great tip! Have always thought visiting South Africa means exploring just Cape Town but there is so much more. Thanks for sharing 🙂 #farawayfiles
Love this! We have had some very happy holidays in South Africa (before kids) – and so it is good to see that the country has so much to offer smaller travellers too. I remember those penguins – amazing to see, although I seem to remember them having quite a distinct odor… #farawayfiles
Where do I sign up?! Love to visit South Africa and it’s on the cards in the next couple of years as my brother lives in Tanzania – might as well extend eh?! Thanks for joining #FarawayFiles
I would definitely extend..! South Africa was a surprise to us…better than we were expecting, amazing scenery and so much to do for adventurous families.