Tahiti Tourisme/Gregoire Le Bacon
Regardless of our age, we all like wildlife. Leopards, lions, elephants, hippo and giraffe are introduced to us in picture books as children and never leave our hearts. As adults and travelers, we all like diverse scenery, friendly people who speak our language with a charming accent, mild temperatures, history and culture. Some of us enjoy excellent wine and cuisine, arts and crafts, or being active. South Africa is a destination offering all that, and superb value for money; a country for travelers young and young at heart. Here are our Top Five multi-generational experiences in South Africa.
1. Wildlife
Wildlife isn’t only found in the bush. It goes without saying that South Africa offers magnificent safari experiences allowing guests to sight the Big Five—African lion, African leopard, black rhinoceros, cape buffalo, and African elephant. South Africa is also home to the Marine Big Five. The place where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet offers one of the most diverse aquatic ecosystems in the world. In these waters, the magnificent dolphin, southern right whale, cape fur seal, African penguin and great white shark can be found. Within a few hours’ drive of Cape Town, it is possible to mingle with a colony of cute African Penguins, or, for those who want bragging rights, to dive with great white sharks.
Safari
2. Everyone’s favorite drive
The Garden Route, which extends from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, is a stunningly beautiful drive that can be done in as little as 3 days. Longer is better, however; the Garden Route offers one fun family friendly activity after another. Land based whale watching, exploring the Cango Caves, riding an ostrich, getting up close and personal with elephants and primates at sanctuaries, body surfing or sun bathing at one of Plettenberg Bay’s magnificent golden sand beaches, taking a canopy walk or ziplining at Tsitsikamma, and cruising on the lagoon at Knysna are just a sample of available activities. At the end of the day, a glass of local wine is the perfect prelude to a seafood meal featuring kingclip and oysters.
Garden Route
3. Table Mountain on foot
Every year, thousands of tourists to Cape Town take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for sweeping views of the city, ocean, and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Our recommendation for deeper family bonding is to eschew the cable car and hike any of the trails to the summit. The Platterklip Route takes 2 – 3 hours, and, while moderately challenging, is achievable even by young hikers. At the top, share a picnic, and, especially at sundown, a bottle of wine for the adults. Relax and take in the vistas knowing you can ride the cable car down.
Table Mountain
4. Aerial game viewing
A hot air balloon ride is a bucket list experience. It’s thrilling to watch the enormous ‘bag’ seemingly come to life as it is filled with air, then climb into the basket and soar up to dizzying heights to glide above the veld. In Hazyview and Pilanesberg National Park, the whole family can take a hot air balloon ride to spot wildlife. Hands down, a trip highlight.
Kruger National Park Hot Air Ballooning
5. All aboard
In our fast paced jet age, riding the rails can be a rare treat, offering a sense of what it was like to travel back in the day. South Africa’s Rovos Rail and Blue Train offer elegant journeys both domestically, and to neighboring destinations such as Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Punctuating delicious meals, stops are made for game drives and visits to attractions ranging from diamond mines to artisan studios.
Rovos Rail
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