South Africa with children

[pebbles]

Hi everyone

We are off to South Africa in Febuary for 2 weeks with our 4 and 2 year olds. We have accommodation sorted in Camps Bay just outside CT for the first week and Franshhoek for the 2nd week.

We are huge beach/swimming fans so thinking in CT we'll do lots of that and obviously in Franshhoek there'll be wine tasting.

What else would people recommend for children of that age. We are thinking Boulders Beach for the penguins and cable car up to Table Mountain.

Any other advice on activities, restaurants etc would be muchly appreciated.

Thanks and Happy New Year

[The Nappy Lady]

I think there are some relatively small safari parks stocked with things like zebras & antelope around Cape Town which you can drive around. You can't do 'proper' safaris until children are over 4 years but those smaller reserves would be fine - we've only done the Kruger/Drakonsburg/Joburg side so I can't recommend any specifics I'm afraid.

Have a lovely trip!

Xxx

[kristymac1]

Oo lucky you!

There's a cheetah reserve not far from Speil which is a short drive from CT, Franshhoek is beautiful although quiet, a drive through the Franshoek Pass is lovely and the kids will see all manner of monkeys on route (some were a little close for comfort at times - keep your car windows up!)

A drive down from CT to Cape Point, the scenery is fabulous and ostriches abound.

We didn't get to go up Table Mountain as there was an large fire at the time which closed the lifts - remember to take very warm clothes if you're going right to the top.

The main marina (Victoria?) in CT is lovely just for a wander around/lunch.

Taking a boat trip out to Robben Island is a must - it's a protected site so the kids can wander round (very safe), lots of penguins, there is a very good tour given although the kids may find that a bit of a chore at such a young age - although I'd do it again just for the views back from the Island to the Mainland.

Have a fab time!

[pommie]

i will ask my partner as he is originally from south africa and may be able to suggest some places for you to go to.

[pebbles]

Thanks so much for all this advice. Keep it coming

[mrs f]

if you are close by then go to boshendal vinyard for a picnic, you need to book in advance but its a stunning setting and would be great for the little ones to run around whilst you drink wine !-)

we went without kids and it was without a doubt the best holiday we have ever been on.... I'm very jealous of you going

[hazelnunhead]

Hi Pebbles

Cape Town used to be my home town - so here are some of my favourite things to do .....

Kalk Bay is really lovely - it is about 20 mins drive from central cape town, it has a sweet little strip of shops (including old antique shops; second hand book shops, ice cream shop, interesting clothing shops - the wonderful Olympia cafe known for its breakfasts, as well as the Kalk Bay Harbour for food and the Palano - which both have great views of the sea, waves crashing up onto the restuarant glass windows and delicious sea food - palano upstairs is more upmarket and Kaly Bay HArbour more bar food like - recommend either.

You can take a train from Kalk bay - or drive to Boulders to see the penquins (definately recommend this). The train ride hugs the coast line so is quite fun. Boulders beach is good for swimming and alot warmer than camps bay! You could in the same day go from Boulders (Simonstwon) to Cape Point, which is a beautiful drive through a nature reserve where you will see beautiful fauna and flora (rooibos or redbush is grown here as well as lots of natural bushes etc)

In cape town i would definately do table mountain - i decided not to take my duaghter (4) this year on the cable car, but you can decide on that .... put you can still drive up to table mountain and enjoy the views of the city - a drive along Signal Hill is also great and a good way to get good all round views of cape town from camps bay to the city

I love the seapoint area - and something i enjoy doing is going to the old seapoint baths - it is a lovely art deco faced building and includes 4 large salt water pools, all with views of the sea - lovely place for lounging around. There has being alot of investment here from the world soccer and seapoint now has a great park where you cna take your kids out on their scooters / bikes or just go for a walk ..... lots of cafes from moile point along seapoint ....

I have always loved kloof street in cape town, it has tremendous views of the mountain, loads of little coffee shops and restuarants and little boutique like shops. There is the lovely Melissa's where you can buy food and jams and preserves and a whole host of wonderful places to eat and relax.

The waterfront has an aquarium which is quite fun for children

Kirstenbosh gardens are wondeful, a good place to picnic, often music concernts on a sunday ..... forest walk near there as well if you are finding it hot and want to find some shade.

wine farms always a treat ,,,,,, You can do Groot or Klein constantia if you dont want to drive out stellenbosch way ....

Hout bay has opened a new food market (and other stuff to buy) on the weekend, great food - also good beach here, and a great place to buy fish and chips on the harbour. The drive from camps bay to hout bay is absolutely stunnning.

I would absoutley recommend if you drive to hire a car, otherwise difficult to get around. I can recommend a local travel agent in cape town if you want. I picked up my car at the airport which was great.

If you are flying (internally) their are cheap airlines such as Mango, Kulula and one time (or else use a travel agent)

One of my favourite things to do is visit the Kruger National PArk (granted this is JHB way) - but if you are thinking of doing a safari, then you can think about his - although in feb it might be too hot (and you ened to check about malaria)

There are so many great restuarants in cape town, i can try and rustle you up a list if you want ....

Camps bay for cocktails is always good, and of course watch the sunset as much as you can ..... there are often picnics on teh beach as the sun goes down.

There is a lovely art museum which has some of the famous south african artists (Kentridge etc) and the Jewish museum.

Mount Nelson hotel for cream tea - go hungry and expect not to eat again for a day or so! A good walk from Mount Nelson down to Parliament buildings in central cape town.

Labia - old fashioned cinema

Long street - good for food; bars at night; interesting shops ....

if i think of more i will add on - there is just so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pebbles]

Thank you all so much

Hazelnunhead - so lovely hearing how passionate you are about your home town - wonderful. i'm now ultra ultra excited and definitely wouldn't' have thought of taking a train to see the penguins but now think that's a must - our 2 will much prefer this than being stuck in the car yet again :)

why did u decide not to do the cable car - if you don't mind me asking? is it scary for that age group?

Would love to hear your recommended car hire recommendation. We r flying with BA and therefore they are offering us to take our car seats for free - is this worth it or do your car hire place provide adequate car seats for kids (i've heard differing views)

so so excited :)

[hazelnunhead]

HiPebbles

I guess you will need to make the decision on the cable car - we were there on a bit of a windy day and i just didnt want my daugther refusing to come down on it!!! However loads of children go on it. I think they will be fine.

If you can take your car seats then do - i have often found with car hire that we have being given really old seats (I used a friends car seat in south africa, so cant comment, just a general comment about car hire!) If you dont have to pay for it as luggage take it, as it will still cost you an extra ?30 or so to hire it.

If you do do the train - catch it from Kalk bay to Simonstown (not from cape town central) ..... but if you want to drive on to cape point from boulders you might want the car (just a thought, but i always loved that train ride)

I use VAUGHN WALKER from TRAVELWISE;

TEL: +27-21-6854138

FAX(direct): 0865 015 337

[email protected]

If you want he can help you with all your local car hire, etc

If you are interested in sport - and want to watch some cricket or rugby or play golf you can try this webiste (its like groupon, but for sporting deals) - FLOOK SPORTING DEALS SA

Have a great time .....

dont forget to buy some peppermint crisps and chocolate logs!