shake

Hi everyone. Although this is my first post I have been a lurker for awhile now. I cannot believe the wealth of information and knowledge in this website.

My husband is going to cape town for work on july 24 for 4 days and we just decided a few days ago that I would like to accompany him with my 4 year old twins. Unfortunately keeping the kids home is not an option since our relatives live in different parts of the globe. Besides, the twins are well travelled and have already been to France, Belguim, UK, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Oman, UAE and Singapore. We are thinking of adding 10 extra days on the 4 initial days and having a long awaited vication.

Neither my husband nor I have ever been to the African continent before so this is really exciting for us.

So far the only planned part of the trip is the 4 days in the table bay hotel that my husband has booked under his name. We would like to add four extra days in capetown to enjoy the city as a family and are still undecided about the remaining 5/6 days. Many of you seem to go to the garden route after cape town so would that be a good idea? how is the garden route different from cape town? the landscape looks very similar to me. Will the area be a ghost town in winter? My husband has left the planning of the trip to me and although i was very excited now I am overwhelmed.

As much as I would love to do a few days in a game reserve I do not think it is appropriate for my kids since they are too young to really enjoy it. Besides, at this time a zoo would do for them.

How cold does it get in cape town? Is it like london's winter or more mild like an LA winter?

Kavey

The landscapes are quite varied across the garden route - you have the lush agricultural areas of the winelands, the breathtaking mountain passes, and the landscape becomes more arid as you head further East.

Whilst the children probably won't enjoy too much time exploring the winelands they might enjoy whale watching from Hermanus, visiting the penguins at Boulders Beach, exploring the Cango Caves and visiting an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn and maybe doing some adventure activities at Storms River. If you did want to include a vague safari element they may enjoy a self-drive safari at Addo Elephant National Park.

Celia

I concur with Kavey's excellent suggestions. Addo Elephant Park is a good choice if you do decide to do a safari. I think with 4-year olds, you definitely want to self-drive, and Addo is great for that. Look at www.sanparks.org for lots of information about the facilities and activities in the park.

You'll have a great time!

shedridt

While you are in Cape Town I can recommend having dinner at The Africa Cafe. The restaurant offers specialties from all the countries of Africa & you will have the chance to taste a wide variety of quite good food. Moderately priced, & take a cab as in all of Cape Town after dark. I hope you enjoy.

You'll like the Table Bay Hotel! Very very nice, with interesting views of the harbor & the mountain & a wonderful location in the midst of a vibrant wharf - lots of fun things to do right outside your door.

Outside the hotel you can hale virtually any cab to get them to take you around the city. We've done this & a bus tour & prefer being on our own (cheaper, too, as you can arrange to have the cab all day but ask the driver to return for you at pre-arranged times at each stop). Apart from Table Mountain we can STRONGLY endorse a tour that takes you through the various faces of apartheid SA - the Malay section, a township that was demolished in the early '60s I think & has yet to rebuild, a township that has a works project in crafts going, & of course Robben Island. The most moving experience we've had in any of our trips, anywhere. Ask at your hotel as they probably know about this full-day excursion. Your children will be young for this experience, however, which is really unfortunate for you unless you think they're up to it. If you go, take sweets or some other treats for passing out to the adorable children in the township, but be careful to have enough for whatever group you attract before you start handing them out!

Wine country is fantastic but probably of limited interest to young children, although there is a village that features a site where they demonstrate how the property was at various stages throughout its history. I recommend the "tip of Africa" tour highly for a family outing - there's a lovely park & stunning scenery where presumably the Atlantic & Indian oceans meet. And although we haven't done it I understand that there are B&B type inns along the coast that offer great opportunities to see whales & seals etc. in season.

A safari experience is not appropriate for very young children (I'd keep all but the most well behaved under 12s away as much for their protection as for the enjoyment of other guests). The garden route offers beautiful scenery & is probably more in their line. At Ado Elephant Camp they can see LOADS of elephants - you AND they will love the place.

Have fun! I envy you your first visit to SA (you'll definitely want to go back!). It's my favorite destination of all our many travels.

Debra

coline

You should consider a one way car hire, travel the Garden Route, make sure you visit the Tsitsikamma National Park and then fly out of Port Elizabeth.

I agree with the previous posts, visit Addo I have a 4 year old daughter and you should see enough elephants in a short space of time to keep your children happy.

santharamhari

Shake,

There are a few Child friendly game reserves in SA. You should not allow urself to miss the opportunity.

Hari

KayeN

Hi Shake,

I agree with you that 4 year old kids are too young for a normal game reserve, but Kavey has made excellent suggestions, to be seeing animals, for example, the penguins at Boulders were great, haven't been to the ostrich farm or Addo's but they sound suitable.

I have been in a vehicle with a 4 year old, and it wasn't fun and it wasn't her fault, but it was unreasonable of her dad to expect her to sit still for hours at a time. Mind you, last December, I was in a vehicle with a 19 & 21 year old, and that was far worse, because you expect better of kids that age!

I have taken a niece at 8 years of age, and she was good! Being in a self drive situation or with a guide only is best for you all. I would go with a guide, because it will be more of a vacation, especially for day trips.

Good luck with the planning!

Kind regards,

Kaye

gard

Hi

When it comes to weather you should check out http://www.weatherbase.com . It will give you weather stats

Cape Town is a beautiful city and there is stuff to see and do. The drive along the Garden route is also very nice as you will find small town with beautiful beaches...but I'm not sure what the watter will be like since it is winter I have posted some trip report and pictures from my travels to South Africa on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com . Maybe you can find some useful info there. Have a great trip

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Travel4Fun2006

I'm not sure that I would take a four year old into the townships. There are often stray dogs (and goats) running around and it is not a healthy environment overall. For adults, however, it is educational and worth one's time.

If you travel the Garden Route and visit Oudtshorn, definitely visit the big cat reserve there. I think your daughter will really enjoy it. She can even pet the cheetahs which are quite domesticated.

Enjoy! The Western Cape is beautiful.

shake

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post. Your suggestions have been very helpful.

We have now booked 8 days in the table bay hotel to enjoy cape town. IN these 8 days we plan to go to robben islans, watch the penguins at boulder beach, take a day trip to the winelands, take the cable up table mountain, go to cape point, stroll around the waterfront and do a bit of shopping in century city and canal walk.

Next we are planning to go to hermanus for a day or two for some whale watching. We are starwood platinum members so we have decided to stay in the western cape hotel. How is its location?

Initially we were planning to do the garden route after that but since it is winter and there is always the possibility of rainfall we are now leaning towards going to sun city. I know many of you say "go to las vegas instead? BUT I havent been to las vegas! Can we fly straight to sun city airport?

Our flight leaves from Johannesburg on the morning of the 7th so we will either drive that same day from sun city or come a day before and spend a night in Johannesburg. Where do you recommend we stay? I have been told that there is a city within a city in johannesburg that has all the nice hotels and high end shops and I am finding that appealing for a relaxing las tday in south africa.

Celia

I think you'll have a good time at Sun City. It'll be more fun for the kids than would be a long car trip along the Garden Route. I can't advise about air service to Sun City; we've driven from Jo'burg when we've gone there. I'm sure someone else on this forum can help.

About the city within a city, are you thinking of Sandton, the suburb of Johannesburg? Sandton City is a lovely huge mall with the Michaelangelo hotel, a couple other hotels, and lots of restaurants and shopping. Another nice suburb is Rosebank, which has a really good craft market, along with good restaurants and great people-watching. There are good hotels there too. Either area would be a good place to end your visit.

Have a wonderful trip!

Celia

Celia

Oh, Shake, I'm assuming you know that Pilanesberg game reserve is very close to Sun City. You can take half-day trips into the reserve from the Sun City hotels. I don't know if Sun City provides a baby-sitting service that would watch the kids while you and your husband watch the wild animals, but they might very well. Or maybe some of the trips are designed for children that young. Anyway, it's worth looking into.

Celia

coline

You are very short of time but if you want a safari, Lalibela in the Eastern Cape is a very good option, they have nannies who are great that will look after your children whilst you take the game drives.