From the vineyard-covered valleys of the Cape to the bushveld and Indian Ocean coast, this family holiday immerses you within three distinct sides of southern Africa.
Explore the Cape Winelands
Begin with four nights at Spier Hotel, set among vineyards outside Stellenbosch. With interconnecting rooms, gardens, swimming pools and activities for younger travellers, the estate works particularly well for families looking to explore the Cape Winelands at their own pace.
Cycle through the grounds, join a hosted food, wine, art or garden experience, or settle beneath the trees for a picnic. The Buzz Kids Club offers activities for children aged three to 12, whilst parents can visit the spa or sample wines produced on the estate.
Beyond Spier, spend time among the Cape Dutch buildings, boutiques and galleries of Stellenbosch. In nearby Franschhoek, the Wine Tram connects a collection of estates, whilst the town’s restaurants and artisan food producers reflect the region’s long culinary traditions. Mountains rise behind the vineyards throughout, grounding even a leisurely lunch or afternoon walk within a strong sense of place.
Take a Private Safari in the Greater Kruger
Fly from Cape Town to Hoedspruit before continuing by road into Thornybush Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger. Your base for three nights is Siviti Homestead, a four-bedroom villa set apart from the main lodge.
The house is reserved entirely for your family, with a private guide, tracker, chef and host. This allows each day to be shaped around your interests rather than a fixed lodge schedule. You might leave early to look for predators, pause beside a herd of elephants or spend longer following tracks in search of leopard and wild dog.
Between drives, return to the pool overlooking the waterhole, where animals regularly pass through. As evening falls, head back into the reserve to look for nocturnal wildlife and experience how the sounds and movement of the bush change after dark.
Slow Down on the Mozambique Coast
From the Greater Kruger, fly to Vilanculos, with views over the channels, sandbanks and islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago as you approach the coast.
Spend five nights at Bahia Mar Boutique Hotel, a beachfront retreat overlooking the Indian Ocean. Days here can be as active or relaxed as you choose. Paddleboard or kayak from the beach, ride horses along the shoreline or recuperate beside the pool after the early starts of safari.
The islands of Bazaruto National Park can be explored by dhow or motorboat. Snorkelling and diving reveal coral reefs and tropical marine life, whilst dolphins, turtles and seasonal humpback whales may also be seen in the surrounding waters. On land, high dunes rise above clear lagoons and long stretches of sand.
Let’s Plan Your South African Family Holiday
Over the course of the holiday, your family will move from vineyard-covered valleys to the wildlife-rich bush and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with each setting offering a different but equally picturesque way to spend time together.
Speak to our Africa specialists, Illona and Chris, to begin planning your time in South Africa and Mozambique.