Multi-generational travel is the biggest trend in travel at the moment. Post pandemic families have become very conscious of spending quality time with their families and nowadays the entire family, from toddlers to grandparents are going on holidays together. And of course, they are looking for the most budget-wise/pocket-friendly destinations that offer all the mod-cons, comfort, style and attractions to suit and satisfy the varying preferences of the multi-aged families.
Multi-generational safaris are hugely popular. Two ‘Big Five’ reserves in malaria-free areas where you are guaranteed a unique experience are the 5-star Samara Karoo Reserve in the Eastern Cape near Graaff Reinet, celebrated for its re-introduction of elephants, lions and cheetahs to the region and the 5-star Thanda Safari in Kwazulu-Natal, an award-winning private game reserve with a sincere commitment to conservation and community upliftment and a name that means love in isiZulu.
- The family-owned and run Samara Karoo Reserve’s Manor is the ideal safari villa for multi-generational families. With four suites it accommodates up to eight and if booked exclusively there’s a private vehicle, guide, tracker, chef and experienced child/baby minders on hand. Children’s programmes, jam-packed with fun activities, showcase everything from little bugs and beetles through to the ‘Funny Five’ for the kiddies, there are bush walks, sleep-outs and overnight trails for the tweenies and teens, while parents and grandparents can relax, unwind, take in talks by specialists or join in with the kids (kids aged 8 and over can join the adults on the twice-daily guided game drives). Founded as a conservation journey of born-again wilderness in the beautiful Great Karoo, every guest plays a role in also safeguarding the landscape and can connect to the land by planting spekboom. An immersive safari at Samara is one that feeds the soul. Ts & Cs apply. To book: 049 940 1111 or reservations@samara.co.za | www.samara.co.za
- At Thanda Safari families will create memories of thrilling wildlife experiences and adventures – safaris, game drives (children permitted from the age of 6) and bush walks, that offer up-close encounters with Africa’s wildlife and experiencing the magic of the bush together. Thanda Safari’s exclusive accommodation comprises Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented Camp, the luxurious Villa iZulu - a perfect retreat for families with children (fenced to provide safety from wildlife) and recently launched, The Royal Residences in the central part of Thanda within The Royal Thanda Club Estate, a fenced area free of dangerous game. Family-friendly activities include a kiddies Bucks & Bugs Club, a Junior Rangers Course for the older kids where they learn the ‘ways of the wild’ - game tracking and spotting, spoor identification also bird and plant life. Child minders are available and can be booked at reception on arrival or when making the reservation. With the kids taken care of and having the time of their lives, parents and grandparents can enjoy time out in the bush or relax at their accommodation or indulge at the spa. Thanda Safari - the essence of a private luxury family safari. Ts & Cs apply. Thanda Safari: reservations@thanda.co.za | +27 (0) 32 586 0149| www.thanda.com
For those desiring conventional luxury comforts with a twist, one of the country’s most unusual hotels, housed in a transformed old power station - the 5-star Turbine Boutique Hotel and Spa on Thesen Islands, Knysna, delivers on all counts. With luxury accommodation - including a self-catering family room and the Island Café Restaurant, Gastro Pub and its spa it makes an excellent base for exploring Knysna. There’s plenty to do in Knysna – a multitude of multigenerational family friendly activities and excursions include canoeing, cruising on the lagoon, cycling, walks in the forest, ziplining, Featherbed Nature Reserve and shopping on Thesen Island, plus there are plenty of restaurants, many with kids play areas. Ts & Cs apply. Booking is essential.
Reservations: 044 050 3500 |reservations@turbinehotel.co.za |visit www.turbinehotel.co.za
For an active, hands-on immersive and transformative family experience that won’t ‘break the bank’, there’s The De Hoop Collection, a member of Cape Country Routes, in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, one of the Western Cape’s largest and most beautiful nature reserves. Its pocket-wise accommodation options include convenient self-catering cottages and houses; also luxury suites - some interleading, that include dinner and breakfast; the private Melkkamer Homestead that can accommodate up to 22 guests, and the private (fully catered and guided) De Mond Villa that sleeps up to 10 guests. From guided marine walks, bird walks, mountain biking and nature drives to boat cruises for the whole family the days are filled with exciting adventures, each designed to engage and inspire young and the not-so-young minds alike. There’s also a guided Vulture experience out at the Potberg Mountains to see the last remaining breeding colony of these majestic birds and the 70 kilometres of marine protected area that is equally excellent for land-based, whale-watching during May to October and a fun-filled family beach day (picnic baskets can be ordered for a day out in the reserve). Additionally, there is the fascinating 'Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour’ exhibition with a children’s area where the whole family can be entertained and the new four day/three-night slackpacking trail - De Hoop Trail: Vlei to Whales for an unforgettable walking experience through spectacular scenery. The on-site Fig Tree Restaurant is open daily and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A family adventure awaits at De Hoop – look, learn, love, grow and bond… the memories you create here will last a lifetime! Ts & Cs apply. Booking is essential.
Reservations: 021 422 4522| res@dehoopcollection.co.za | www.dehoopcollection.com
Other members of Cape Country Routes - a collection of privately owned hotels, lodges and guest houses on the scenic and historic routes of the Cape - that tick all the boxes for multi-generational family holidays include:
- The 4-star Arniston Spa Hotel at Cape Agulhas - the perfect destination for a relaxed, multi-generational family holiday. Not only does it run a Kids Club during school holidays and long weekends for children from 2 years up to adults (those who happily admit to being ‘recycled teenagers’) which includes arts and crafts, games, billiards and table tennis. It also has a number of inhouse and outdoor activities for all ages. As the area is relatively flat it is excellent for cycling and families can use the hotel’s complimentary bicycles. A day of swimming and making sand castles at the various beaches is the perfect family outing and hiking the cliffs and beaches, climbing the Waenhuiskrans at low tide and taking a leisurely stroll through the 180 year old fishing village of Kassiesbaai (a grade one Heritage site) are essential activities for lovers of the great outdoors. For adults with relaxation being a prerequisite, the onsite exclusive spa run by the renowned Ginkgo Spa & Wellness Group, is the place for a bit of self-indulgence or you can opt to relax at the pool with a cocktail while reading a book from the hotel library. The Bistro with a patio overlooking the Indian Ocean is a perfect venue to enjoy a cocktail while savouring sushi or fresh oysters. And if you want a day out exploring you can visit Cape Agulhas, the Elim wineries, the Bredasdorp Shipwreck Museum, Kapula Candles and De Hoop Nature Reserve.
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- Val du Charron Wine & Leisure Estate in Wellington in the heart of the winelands, is just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town and offers -from a ‘kids point of view’- 4-star accommodation where there’s no charge for kids up to age 7 sharing with adults, and from age 7 to 12, half price. New family rooms feature bunks beds with charging stations for the kids and a private enclosed garden. For gran and grandad there are adjoining rooms on the ground floor with a private balcony and easy access to the Grillroom. The Pizza Vista restaurant has a kids menu. Onsite activities include a splashpad, a play centre and a pool, Wild Boar trails to walk or ride and close by there are pony joy rides, an inside play area at Dunstone, the Wellington Museum, Old Tannery vintage cars, the Drakenstein Lion and Monkey Park and Animal World. Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- The ultimate urban oasis - the 4-star Hippo Boutique Hotel, smack in the heart of Cape Town’s buzzing Kloof Street precinct at the foot of Table Mountain is a great location for families of all ages. Three of its executive apartments have fitted kitchens which allow families to self-cater for some meals, also the recent addition of luxury sleeper couches to these apartments makes it possible for families with children to be in one room. Its standard and deluxe rooms feature a kitchenette fitted with a bar fridge and microwave. The introduction of new Blocshop ottomans which fold out into a single mattress to the spacious (40m) deluxe rooms makes them ideal for toddlers/young children. The Hippo is within easy access to all the must-see local attractions – the Waterfront, Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, Table Mountain, Constantia Wine route to name just a few, as well as walking around the corner to a large selection of local restaurants and eateries - and not to forget the Hagen-Daas shop around the corner!
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- Wildehondekloof, a family-owned, privately-operated, off the grid and malaria-free luxury Game Lodge 50 kms from Oudtshoorn, is home to nine ensuite, air-conditioned luxurious bedrooms and a self catering house that is perfect for extended families with kids of all ages (babysitting facilities are available) and adults of all ages too. Enjoy great food and the host of activities and fun things to do - swimming, hiking, guided game drives and mountain biking - explore the beautiful countryside teeming with diverse wildlife – most buck species including sables, cape mountain zebra, giraffe and wildebeest and diverse birdlife. Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- and its sister property… De Zeekoe Guest Farm - a working lucerne farm situated outside Oudtshoorn, welcomes multigenerational families and kids of all ages (babysitting facilities are available). It has a range of accommodation - ensuite rooms - luxury and deluxe with interleading rooms, superior rooms with extra beds for kids at the main house and luxurious, private self-catering options. There’s also a great onsite restaurant The Windpomp. Activities are aplenty - swimming, hiking, biking, canoeing and its popular Five Shy Meerkat tours, there’s also a kiddies play area.
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- The 4-star Lily Pond Country Lodge, situated near Nature’s Valley on the edge of the Tsitsikamma National Park is a tranquil and popular retreat with a magnificent garden and two big lily ponds. Its spacious luxury suites (two of which can accommodate a child (up to 14 years) on a sofa-bed sharing with two adults. All rooms are on ground level with a just a few steps along the walkways and into some of the rooms ensuring easy access for all and are situated in a way that each block consists of two rooms with each front door are conveniently less than 2 metres apart. The onsite restaurant has special children dinners catering to their likes and dislikes. Bird watching, koi fish watching and a small nature trail are just some of the relaxing activities at Lilypond Country Lodge.
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- Located on Route 62, halfway between Cape Town and the Garden Route, Montagu Country Hotel - the only original Art Deco hotel in South Africa - offers various accommodation options for multigenerational families from stylishly furnished self-catering suites to interleading rooms, ground floor rooms for older adults, also a wheelchair friendly room – all the hotels’ public areas are wheelchair friendly. The two on-site restaurants, Charleston’s & Feathers & Flatcaps offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and kids' meals. There’s a Jungle gym for small children and the Activity Centre is geared for the more adventure orientated family – try the biking tour through Montagu with Flying Feet situated in the Activity Centre. There are two swimming pools. Additionally, babysitting can be arranged and it’s pet friendly.
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- Just off Route 64, in Barrydale the Karoo Art Hotel - where creativity meets comfort, nestles in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains and mountain passes. Accommodation options The Prynnsberg Room, the Ostrich Room and both Groot Karoo Rooms (the more luxurious rooms) have interleading rooms for the kids, while the ground level Garden Suite is ideal for grandparents - no stairs, but there is a fireplace, so no worries about the Karoo winters. In summer the hotel pool is the place for kids, parents and grandparents to chill out and be spoiled with drinks and snacks served all day. With a top chef in the kitchen the kids can enjoy their favourite pancakes, pizzas and hamburgers while parents have a more sophisticated choice from the Karoo specific menu. And if your kids love art, there is always a sketchbook waiting for the budding young artists to enter the annual drawing competition. Ts & Cs apply.
Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- In the Great Karoo about 325 kms from Cape Town the eco-conscious Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve with accommodation options within its Eco-Village that include self-catering cottages (sleeping up to eight), large enough for three generations to share, is perfect for multigenerational travel. Kid friendly rooms (bunk beds) to spacious living area where board games can be played around a fireplace. There are activities that are fun for old and young - fossil and nature drives, stargazing, cycling together; there’s plenty space for kids to run around and guides are available to take the kids on an hour-long ‘treasure hunt’, while adults enjoy time together around a fire with a glass of wine – safe and secure environment; Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve is home to the greatest heaven on Earth – this is where you will awaken your senses! Booking is essential.
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
- In the Eastern Cape Supertubes Collection: Supertubes Guest House, with the world-famous, Jeffreys Bay surfing beach right on its doorstep is multi-level family friendly. Accommodation includes standard and luxury rooms and two self-catering apartments - the ‘11 Pepper’ with three en suite rooms and the ‘Khaya Zinza’ with five rooms. For the family elders there is a downstairs bedroom with grab rails in the shower and a comfortable shower chair; there’s also a wheelchair friendly bedroom with access to the deck and dining area. For infants there are camping cots and feeding chairs, and babysitting can be arranged in advance. In the lounge area there are baskets with toys, also board games. Beach bats, spades and buckets, beach balls, as well as fishing nets are available to take to the beach. Beach towels, beach umbrellas and sun chairs are provided to take to the beach. Aside from the surfing of course, there are plenty other activities including whale watching, fishing and Big Five game viewing; excursions and activities like surf lessons, horse riding, hiking and shell museum visits can be booked at the reception desk and for the teenage daughter, mum and grandmom there’s always shopping!
Ts & Cs apply. Enquiries: bookings@capecountryroutes.com|www.capecountryroutes.com
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