Family-Friendly Seaside Adventure

Arriving at Cape Town International Airport, an agent connected with the family to assist them through immigration and baggage collection toward their driver, who transferred them on to their hotel. After checking in, the family was met by a guide who took them on an exploration of the V&A Waterfront for shopping, a relaxed ramble through the habour and lunch at Harbour House Restaurant. The even squeezed in a one-hour curated tour of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art before heading back to their hotel for an evening at leisure. Day two of their Cape Town stay was dedicated to an adventure tour of the Peninsula, including Chapman’s Peak Drive, Noordhoek Farm Village, hiking Cape Point spot shipwrecks, whales and wildlife, a SUP, kayak or conservation walk near Boulders and a curated tour of the Norval Foundation Art Gallery followed by a transfer to Steenberg Wine Estate for dinner. From one action-packed day to the next, day three saw the family visiting Kirstenbosch Gardens, enjoying a tour of the city and ascending Table Mountain for unmatched views of the city. Day four was dedicated to a tour of the Cape Winelands, tasting spectacular food, visiting Stellenbosch and its boutique shops, galleries and cafes and doing plenty of wine tasting.

After a spectacular visit to Cape Town, the family headed off to Oudtshoorn in a rental car on a slow drive to Surval Boutique Olive Estate, an ideal farm-style overnight stop for travellers coming from the Cape Winelands on their way to the scenic Garden Route. With olive tasting, nature trails and a swimming pool for cooling off before dinner.

Day six was dedicated to fun in Oudtshoorn with a visit to an ostrich farm, the Cango Caves and a walk with the meerkats planned for the whole family. At leisure, the group could continue their self-drive across the Mountain Pass along the coast to reach Plettenberg Bay and The Robberg Beach Lodge for a three-night stay. The lodge offers all the comforts of home in a relaxed, beach-house setting – topped off with elegant surroundings and five-star service. Plett is also home to the Blue Flag Robberg five Beach, frequented by swimmers, surfers, walkers and families. The popular towns of Knysna and George are a short drive away, while nature lovers will be overwhelmed by the outdoor activities available in nearby Storms River and Nature’s Valley. The Garden Route is renowned for having one of the mildest climates in the world – bested only by Hawaii – making it a year-round holiday destination.

Meandering up the east coast, the family continued to Port Elizabeth with the option to stop at Tsitikamma Forest for a tree-tops canopy tour and Bloukrans Bridge to bungee jump or stroll across the bridge. They checked in at the Radisson Blu Hotel Port Elizabeth, only 300 metres from the Blue-Flag beaches of Algoa Bay, a paradise for watersport enthusiasts. They could take in the Big 5 at Addo Elephant Park, flirt with Lady Luck at the Boardwalk Casino, or delve into the past by visiting the city’s museums and monuments.

After a one-night stay in Port Elizabeth, the family returned their rental car at the airport in time to board their flight to OR Tambo Johannesburg International Airpot and collect another rental car to drive themselves to the malaria-free Madikwe Private Game Reserve. After check in and lunch, the group hopped on an afternoon game drive to spot the Big 5. Tuningi has a special programme for kids under the age of five: shorter game-viewing trips, treasure hunts and interactive dinners are just some of the activities the children could enjoy, while experienced babysitters and childminders could also be arranged on request. Accommodation comprises four luxury suites and two family suites, sleeping a maximum of 16 guests in total.

After their final morning game drive, the family checked out and drove themselves back to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport where they returned their rental vehicle and departed on their first flight home.