Start with a treasure hunt through the scenic Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, situated in the Franschhoek Mountains. Boasting spectacular vistas over the Franschhoek Valley, the reserve is home to small animals, fynbos and a diversity of plant life. Your hunt leads you to Breakfast Rock (an easy 1 km into the reserve) where you will pick up your energy levels with a break for juice and delicious home-baked treats. Next, stop at a boutique estate, renowned for its sparkling wines. The winemaker travels to Champagne every year, and – a glass of bubbles in hand – it is clear that his time is well spent. While parents wine-taste, kids have their own iced-tea tasting, so they are never left out.
Explore the charming town of Franschhoek with its French Huguenot origins – and you can choose a more active hiking and biking option which is great for older kids. Then it’s on to a family-friendly wine estate. We have unearthed those properties where family is at the heart of things and little explorers are not only warmly welcomed, but allowed to treat the farms as a playground. This is the world where fountains have been specially designed for cooling off after a run through the vines, and milk and cookie tastings are done in a cellar courtyard.
This afternoon, old wine estates with ancient cobweb-filled cellars, reveal their secrets to wine pilgrims and young imaginations alike. Taste the flavors and vintages of the region, while kids soak up ghost stories, play in magical surrounds and wander through charming gardens. Lunch options are a choice of local eats, fine dining or a wild picnic lunch. Overnight at More Quarters or Mount Nelson.
Days 5 & 6 – Whale Coast: Transfer to Mosaic Lagoon Lodge or Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Garden Lodge. Spend the rest of the day and a full day enjoying the area and engaging in activities such as kayaking, nature walks, whale watching, beach visits, quad biking (ATV), a cave tour, shark cage diving, horseback riding and biking. Activities vary based on accommodation choice and are subject to availability.
Deluxe: Mosaic Lagoon Lodge is on the Hermanus Lagoon, by the pristine Walker Bay Beach on the Atlantic and has magnificent views of the Overberg Mountains. Mosaic is a boutique guest resort where luxury is laced with earthly beauty and heavenly night skies.
Mosaic offers a multifaceted experience in the area with over 2,400 acres of conservation land and nearly 2 miles of frontage on the beautiful Hermanus Lagoon. Activities at Mosaic include being immersed in awesome fynbos flowers and bird-life of the Cape Floral Kingdom, lagoon cruises, stunning beaches, fascinating marine life and some of the world’s most beautiful wine lands. This is topped off with warm smiling staff serving fresh cuisine paired with delicious South African wine. Mosaic is also centrally located to whale watching, marine tours, shark cage diving and exploring the Overberg Wine Region, and the perfect location for nature and activity lovers.
Luxury: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve Garden Lodge gazes down at the picturesque Hermanus seascape and is surrounded by the glorious colors of the fynbos and the verdant greens of indigenous bush. This exotic, stone and thatch retreat stylishly reflects African warmth and contemporary elegance. Eleven free-standing suites merge with the surrounding fauna and command sweeping views of mountain and sea from private wooden decks.
Grootbos is an eco-reserve, a place where highly professional, specialist guides (qualified botanists and scientists) enthusiastically introduce guests to the wonders of the plants, birds and small game which inhabit this slice of heaven. It provides a memorable interactive wilderness experience for the whole family – and for the kids, it’s both fun and educational. Optional extra whale-watching, shark-cage diving, and marine eco-tours are available.
Day 7 – Greater Kruger Area: After breakfast, travel to the Greater Kruger Area. Overnight at Notten’s Bush Camp or Londolozi Pioneer Camp.
Deluxe: Notten’s Bush Camp is located within the Sabi Sand Reserve and Greater Kruger National Park. Notten’s is an exclusive and private safari lodge personally run by the Notten family. Each of the suites have an open plan bedroom and en suite bathrooms, both indoor and outdoor shower facilities and private wooden decks with a beautiful view of the bush. The camp also has a pool and spa.
Luxury: Londolozi Pioneer Camp is a luxury, exclusive use camp in the Londolozi Private Reserve, a private conservancy in the Greater Kruger area. Boasting a refreshed explorer lounge, a re-appointed interactive homestead kitchen, a beautiful lookout deck, breakfast balcony and full-length lap pool surrounded by 6 million acres of wild lands – Pioneer Camp is one of the best safari homes available. Each of the five Londolozi camps, including Pioneer Camp, offer luxurious accommodations, stunning views, top-notch guides and exceptional cuisine. Customized children-friendly safari game drives with experienced rangers orientated towards children on safari and a personalized children’s program specifically designed for your child at the Londolozi Cub’s Den in camp make it the premier place to stay as a family.
