Western Cape & Eastern Cape Family itinerary

Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to Cape Town to enjoy this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laidback lifestyle. Whether you are a serious tourist or just want to lie on the beach and enjoy life, Cape Town will satisfy your needs.

Nestled in a fertile valley surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is an elegant heritage village located approximately 75 kilometres east of Cape Town. Known as South Africa’s food and wine capital, it combines a rich French Huguenot heritage with a relaxed countryside atmosphere. Visitors can explore acclaimed estates producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and exceptional Cap Classique sparkling wines, often travelling between vineyards aboard the popular wine tram. Tree-lined streets, historic Cape Dutch architecture, and boutique galleries add to the village’s charm. Summer brings opportunities for hiking and cycling through lush farmland, while winter invites cosy cellar tastings and the acclaimed annual literary festival. The scent of vineyards carried on the breeze, paired with sweeping views of green valleys and dramatic mountain backdrops, creates a refined yet welcoming year-round destination for food, wine, and culture enthusiasts.

Situated on South Africa’s southern coast in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a tranquil protected area renowned for its unspoilt landscapes and rich biodiversity. Stretching from rolling limestone hills and fynbos-covered plains to dunes and pristine beaches, it offers a peaceful alternative to the country’s busier wildlife destinations. Visitors can explore scenic hiking and cycling trails, spot zebra, bontebok and other antelope, or enjoy exceptional birdwatching around the reserve’s wetlands. Between June and November, the coastline becomes one of the best places in South Africa to observe southern right whales from shore. With ocean vistas, wildflower displays and the sound of waves breaking along the coast, De Hoop delivers a profoundly peaceful and untamed coastal wilderness.

Nestled between the imposing Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean and surrounded by world-renowned forests, Knysna offers a wealth of activities for visitors. The beautiful lagoon and more than eight beaches provide opportunities to swim, surf, canoe, yacht, jet-ski, boat, fish, walk on soft sand and take ferry rides. Various markets offer organic goods, delicious food, indigenous plants and a social atmosphere. Mountains, valleys, lakes, forests and streams are ready to be explored. The region isn’t known as the “Garden of Eden” for nothing! A birding route is available for avid bird watchers. World class golf courses are at your doorstep. And of course the area is famous for the Knysna Heads and delicious oysters.

The Portuguese explorers called it the Beautiful Bay, and it’s easy to see why – Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with miles of pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Playground to the wealthy, beach mansions overlook the Indian Ocean, often dotted with luxury yachts, while leisure time is given over to polo and golf, among other things. However, all kinds of visitors will feel at peace here as simply swimming in the warm water on a safe beach is a great way to experience the beauty of Plettenberg Bay.

Much of the indigenous forest in this eastern part of the Garden Route falls within the Tsitsikamma National Park. The park is not only a breathtaking haven for indigenous flora and fauna but also for marine life. A marine conservation belt forms part of the park, stretching five and a half kilometres out into the ocean.

Situated on the Eastern Cape coast between East London and Gqeberha, Port Alfred is a relaxed coastal town set where the Kowie River meets the Indian Ocean. This small resort destination is known for its easy-going seaside atmosphere and wide sandy beaches, including Kelly’s Beach, a Blue Flag stretch popular for swimming, surfing and bodyboarding. Beyond the beaches, the Kowie River offers boating, kayaking and estuary cruises through tranquil waterways lined with birdlife, while anglers are drawn to productive fishing spots along the shoreline. Nearby nature reserves offer short hikes and wildlife viewing, and the historic harbour and Royal Alfred Marina, with its network of canals and waterways, add to the town’s charm.

Located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape along the Kariega River estuary near Kenton-on-Sea, Sibuya Game Reserve is a privately owned, malaria-free wilderness reserve defined by riverine forest, coastal grassland and tranquil waterways. It offers an intimate, low-impact safari experience, with guests travelling by boat from Kenton-on-Sea, drifting through reed-lined channels before entering the heart of the reserve. Game drives and guided walks reveal elephants, antelope and prolific birdlife, with regular Big Five sightings typical of this private reserve. Wildlife roams freely across the landscape, though encounters are never guaranteed, reinforcing the authentic safari experience. Reed beds rustle in the breeze, fish eagles call overhead, and evenings unfold to the sounds of frogs and distant surf, creating an immersive sense of quiet wilderness.

Stretching from the spectacularly scenic Zuurberg Mountain Range to the beautiful Sundays River, the Greater Addo area is known for its malaria-free opportunities for big game viewing. This is an area rich in history and diverse in culture, while also famous for its lush citrus valleys, rolling dunes, and abundant fauna and flora. Easily accessible from the large city of Port Elizabeth, Greater Addo boasts numerous private game reserves, which are home to the Big Five. Must-see sites include the renowned Addo Elephant National Park, hosting one of the most densely populated elephant herds in the world, and the local favourite store, the Nanaga Farm Stall, known for its delicious pies. The Greater Addo area offers an exciting array of activities ranging from hiking, horse riding, fishing, canoeing, and mountain biking; to bird watching, game safaris, and 4x4 off-road adventures.