As a family holiday destination, South Africa ticks all the boxes with its city fun, great weather, action-packed resorts, beautiful beaches and Big 5 safari parks. As well as all of this, South Africa also boasts a huge variety of accommodation options that are perfect for families. Here are just a few of our favourites:
Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town
Situated on the historic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The award-winning 5-star Table Bay Hotel is perfectly positioned against the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean and provides easy access to all the top places to visit in Cape Town. The Family Rooms and Suites are perfect for families, and the location is ideal - there is an entrance to the V&A Waterfront within the hotel, allowing easy access to a multitude of restaurants, cafes and shops for everyone to enjoy. For a city safari head down to the marina by the Clock Tower, the kids will love trying to spot one of the resident seals basking in the sun.
The Ant Collection, North West
Located in malaria free Waterberg district, The Ant Collection consists of two properties Ants Nest and Ants Hill, which both pride themselves on providing a safari experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family! Children of all ages are always welcome and both properties offer a broad variety of activities to suit all interests and abilities. Horse riding safaris are the most popular option. But don’t worry if you’ve never been on a horse before! The team at Ants consist of highly skilled and experienced guides who will help you find your saddle legs! Pony walks and one-on-one lessons in the schooling arena ensure budding young riders gain enough confidence to ride out in the open savannah, creating memorable encounters with a diverse selection of wildlife.
Sun City Cabanas, North West
Sun City Cabanas is the most relaxed and casual of all the Sun City properties – it is light in style and looks, and fun to stay in with three dining options and a host of amenities for all ages. There is family specific accommodation and a children’s pool to, as well as a children’s club that involves a wide variety of activities and educational programmes for them to get involved in.
Hlosi Game Lodge, Eastern Cape
Located in the malaria free Eastern Cape, Hlosi Game Lodge is one of the best family-friendly safari lodges available. Their two-roomed family suites are spacious and feature a private verandah, outside courtyard, spa bath and underfloor heating. A recent addition to the lodge are their 4 luxury family safari tents, which offer a memorable tented safari experience without compromising on luxury or comfort. As well as a private children’s room, the lodge also offers a daily Cubs on Safari programme run by the Child Co-ordinator. The guides are excellent with children and really help them to get the most out of their time in the bush.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Set in 2,500 acres of indigenous fynbos forest overlooking Walker Bay, Grootbos is a nature lover’s delight with the forest, the beach and the ocean and a plethora of activities for all ages. The reserve is superb for families especially with the 2 bedroom suites at the Garden Lodge. Grootbos also offers child specific programmes for exploring the reserve and teaching the little ones more about the surroundings. Outdoor activities include exploring the organic farm and assisting the gardeners in picking fruit and veg or shell collecting at the nearby beach. The reserve’s milkwood forest also makes the ideal setting for a treasure hunt or a game of hide and seek!
Bushmans Kloof Private Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Located in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, Bushmans Kloof is one of the country’s top family-friendly properties. Bushmans offers a range of beautifully proportioned rooms, suites and even a private villa, which can accommodate up to 10 guests and features its own private pool, guide and chef. The property also boasts an enormous range of activities to keep all ages occupied including archery, canoeing and traditional game drives. The reserve is also malaria free.
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
Set in a magnificent garden estate with palm-lined avenues, rolling lawns and enviable rose gardens, the iconic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is ideally located for the city centre, as well as for the Waterfront and the best beaches. The hotel is very family friendly offering children a programme of activities, including face painting, story-telling, swimming, games and treasure hunts. For the over 12’s and under 18’s, there is a separate teen lounge area with a Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 4, a computer, and another big screen televisions with a range of DVD’s for teens. The hotel also offers a babysitting service, restaurant with a children’s menu and interconnecting rooms on request.
Oyster Box Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal
A near-perfect beach location right on the edge of the Indian Ocean, this classically-influenced Oyster Box Hotel offers luxury and comfort in great style, and yet is just a five minute walk from the boutiques, restaurants and bars of Umhlanga village. The Oyster Box’s child-friendly attitude makes it a must for parents who want to spoil the whole family. Thoughtful child-friendly touches include: children-focused menus in all their restaurants, exclusive access to their 24-seater, in-house movie theatre, a baby-sitting service and an O-Band which entitles kids to a host of complimentary goodies during their stay including ice cream and candy floss.
If you are interested in staying at any of the family friendly properties mentioned in our blog get in touch with us on 020 7843 3500 and our experts can start planning your dream family holiday to South Africa today.