Ten amazing family experiences you can enjoy on holiday in South Africa

Tswalu is a huge private reserve on the edge of the Kalahari — home of the San Bushmen. Over decades, the exhausted land has been conserved into a haven for lion, antelope, meerkats and all kinds of arid habitat animals. Your family will share some unforgettable moments as you discover this unique environment. Spot larger animals on game drives, track meerkat on foot, explore on horse back and even sleep out under the stars.

The Tsitsikamma Forest is a spectacular haven of giant Outeniqua yellowwoods, birds and primates in the heart of the Garden Route. The best way to explore its wonders is at canopy level — so let us take you on a three hour treetop adventure, using an amazing network of ten zipline slides and platforms.

Newlands, founded in 1888, is the home of South African cricket. With a backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak it has one of the most iconic settings in world cricket. The season runs through the South African summer with one-day games and regular test matches. Let us know if you’d like to take in a game and we’ll do our best to score some good seats.

At carefully chosen luxury safari lodges, your family stands an excellent chance of seeing the Big Five. If you are lucky you might even see them all in one day! The highly experienced guides have an intimate understanding of the animals. Many are expert photographers too. See if you can capture images of elephant, rhinoceros, lion, buffalo and leopard that portray each creature’s character. Your guide will help you edit and pick the best images to hang on the wall back home.

In the heart of KwaZulu Natal are famous battlefield sites including Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana. We will arrange for you to explore them in the company of one of South Africa’s finest historian guides. During this educational adventure your guide will bring the battles to life, telling stories of bravery and courage on both sides. Isandlwana where Welsh Guards were massacred by Zulus is especially atmospheric.

As the golden sun emerges on the horizon you could be silently floating above the spectacular landscapes of the Blyde River Valley. Sheltered by the towering ranges of the Drakensberg Escarpment, watch as the forests are illuminated. On calm days your aerial adventure could take you over the private wildlife reserves of Kapama, allowing you to gaze down upon vast herds of elephant and buffalo.

The top of Table Mountain gives your family one of the world’s classic vantage points. You can ascend the easy way, by cable car, or the energetic way on a four-hour hike. Whichever you choose, your reward is to stand on the rooftop of South Africa with Cape Town spread out below and the great ocean stretching away to infinity.

The remote Indian Ocean coast north of Durban has unspoiled reefs, pristine beaches and coastal forest. It’s a haven for birds and marine life. Thonga is one of our favourite places where you can snorkel, dive and explore the natural wonders. November to late March is the turtle nesting season and we can arrange night safaris to see leatherback and loggerhead turtles. Next day you may encounter them as you swim and snorkel in the bay.

Far from cities and light pollution, your family could experience the wonders of the night sky as never before. Your astro-safari guide will know the planets and constellations, marvelling with you at the glory of the Milky Way spread across the night sky. At Leobo Lodge they have an observatory with a powerful telescope and we can even arrange for a professional astronomer to take you on a dazzling, cosmic safari.

Safari lodges are miracles of logistics and organisation where they provide amazing food, service and facilities amid the wilds. The cheerful team of chefs will produce delicious meals, cakes and breakfasts in their bush kitchen. Your children might like to join them between safaris and help make a cake or a pizza for the family.

There are so many travel experiences your family could enjoy on a luxury holiday in South Africa that we’ve had to make another list of ten more! They include exciting ways to encounter wildlife, meet the people and explore the landscapes.