Discover the best family experiences in Cape Town and beyond

WWith no jetlag, a great year-round climate (particularly during school holidays), the strength of the pound against the South African Rand giving families fantastic value for money and an incredible abundance of nature and wildlife, South Africa is an ideal destination for families. To mark the royal visit, here are some of the top family activities in Cape Town and beyond.

SSpend an afternoon at Noordhoek Farm Village

Children with a grown-up palate will love Foodbarn in Noordhoek Farm Village, a fine dining restaurant which welcomes kids and serves up delicious dishes in a relaxed and characterful barn. Noordhoek farm is the perfect place to while away a sunny afternoon as a family, exploring the craft shops, tucking into freshly baked artisan bread, handcrafted ice cream, raw juice, sushi and coffee from the local roastery or heading to the village pub, The Toad for a hearty lunch. There’s a children’s playground and large green open spaces for children to roam around. www.thefarmvillage.co.za/

SSpot the Big Five at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Kwande Private Game reserve is located in 22,000 hectares of pristine, private wilderness and offers the chance to spot the iconic Big Five. The reserve is ideal for a family safari, with a number of activities created for toddlers to teens from campfire cooking, treasure hunts, fishing and nocturnal safaris. On arrival children receive an Eco-nect Guide including animal checklists, themed games and activities, and a pledge to ‘live green’. A great way for families to give back during their stay is by planting Spekbook, a vegetation native to the Eastern Cape and one of the top five carbon-storing vegetations on the planet. A fun and important way to offset their holiday. www.kwandwe.com

GGrape juice tasting for children at Spier

South Africa is famous for its world-class wines, produced in the sun-drenched vineyards of the Cape winelands, with an array of boutique vineyards and wineries where guests can sip delicious Pinotage and Chenin Blanc, amongst many other grape varieties. Not just for adults, at Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, children can take part in Grape Juice Tasting, a 45-minute session where little ones can taste two different grape juices and learn about the vines and grape growing process. www.spier.co.za

HHead to Hermanus to spot Humpback and Southern Right Whales

The lower season months from June to November offer a wonderful time for whale watching off the coast of South Africa as the Southern Right Whale and Humpback whales come closer to the shoreline and make their way from Hermanus in the Western Cape to St Lucia up in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Famous as a fantastic spot to view whales, Hermanus is a pretty town on the Garden Route and fantastic for families, with spectacular views over the ocean and just a two-hour drive from Cape Town. For marine life closer to the city, children will love seeing the Penguins at Boulders Beach, which is the only remaining home to the rare African penguin. www.hermanus.co.za/whale-watching

HHave a picnic at the top of Table Mountain

The iconic Table Mountain stands over Cape Town, offering incredible views of the city and the Atlantic.  

The mountain is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and has an array of floral species, making it a great place for children to spot colourful flowers and plants. Families can take a cable car to its summit and enjoy a picnic with spectacular views over the Mother City. www.tablemountain.net