Days 1–3: Cape Town

Begin with three nights in Cape Town, giving you plenty of time to recover from your journey and explore the city at an easy pace.

There’s lots to keep families busy here. Head up Table Mountain, visit the V&A Waterfront, explore the Cape Peninsula or spend time on one of the city’s beaches. The Two Oceans Aquarium is another good option, especially with younger children, while older children may enjoy kayaking, cycling or one of the city’s many outdoor activities.

With three nights here, you can mix sightseeing with plenty of downtime rather than trying to fit everything into one day.

Accommodation:
Lawhill Luxury Apartments

Days 4 & 5: Boulders & the Cape Peninsula

Leave central Cape Town behind and make your way south along the Peninsula to Boulders.

This puts you close to one of the Cape’s most famous residents – the African penguins at Boulders Beach. Walking the boardwalks and watching the penguins on the sand is a highlight for children and adults alike.

You’ll also have time to explore more of the southern Peninsula, with Cape Point, Simon’s Town and the surrounding beaches all within easy reach.

Accommodation:
Tintswalo Boulders

Days 6 & 7: De Hoop Nature Reserve

Continue east towards De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of the Western Cape’s most beautiful and peaceful coastal areas.

This is a great stop for families who enjoy being outdoors. Spend time walking, cycling and exploring the reserve, with chances to see bontebok, eland and other wildlife along the way.

Between June and November, the coast around De Hoop is also one of the best places in South Africa for land-based whale watching, with southern right whales often visible surprisingly close to shore.

Accommodation:
De Hoop Collection

Days 8 & 9: Gondwana Game Reserve

From De Hoop, continue towards the Garden Route and into Gondwana Game Reserve.

Here, the focus shifts from the coast to wildlife, with time to enjoy a family-friendly safari experience in a private reserve.

Game drives offer the chance to see a wide variety of animals while the villa-style accommodation gives families plenty of space to relax together between activities.

It’s a good introduction to safari before the more traditional wildlife experience later in the trip.

Accommodation:
Gondwana Lehele Family Villas

Days 10–12: Plettenberg Bay

Continue along the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay, where you’ll spend three nights.

This is one of the easiest places on the route to fill several days. You can spend time on the beach, explore the forests and lagoons, visit nearby nature reserves or head out on a boat trip.

Robberg Nature Reserve is a particular highlight for active families, with walking trails of different lengths and beautiful coastal views. There are also plenty of family-friendly attractions in the surrounding area, from wildlife sanctuaries to canopy tours and river activities.

Accommodation:
Emily Moon River Lodge

Days 13 & 14: Addo Region

On Day 13, continue east towards the Addo area.

This part of the journey brings you closer to the Eastern Cape’s wildlife country, with a more rural and mountainous setting after the coast.

Spend your time exploring the surrounding landscape, relaxing at the lodge or visiting nearby Addo Elephant National Park, where elephants are naturally the main attraction but buffalo, antelope and plenty of other wildlife can also be seen.

Accommodation:
Camp Figtree Mountain Safari Lodge

Days 15 & 16: Amakhala Game Reserve

For your final two nights, continue to Amakhala Game Reserve and settle in for a proper safari finale.

Morning and afternoon game drives take you out in search of wildlife, with chances to see elephant, lion, rhino, giraffe, zebra and a variety of plains game.

For families, it’s a lovely way to finish the trip: no more long drives between destinations, just time in the bush, relaxed meals and the excitement of heading out to see what wildlife might appear next.

Accommodation:
Woodbury Lodge

Day 17: Departure

After your final morning in the bush, check out and begin your onward journey.

By the end of the trip, you’ll have experienced Cape Town, penguins at Boulders, the wild coast at De Hoop, the Garden Route and two very different safari areas – with plenty of beaches, wildlife and outdoor adventures in between.