...Trip idea

Southern Africa Family Spectacular

Take in the best of Cape Town and the Cape coast from a stylish boutique hotel and exclusive-use beach house, delve into Big 5 country from a safari farmhouse and finish at dramatic Victoria Falls from a private game reserve.

Highlights

A trip curated to offer a family the very best sights and sounds of southern Africa.

  • Experience dramatic, contrasting scenery and wildlife in one trip
  • See penguins, whales, sharks and dolphins along the Cape coast
  • Stay in private lodges, each seamlessly blending with its landscape
  • Explore endless activities and excursions suited to older children
  • Complete the trip with an aerial view of the Victoria Falls

 

Who for

Ideal for families with teenagers and older children.

When to go:

This trip has been designed to fit beautifully into October holidays and especially designed for families with older children. Each location gives the whole family time to enjoy extraordinary wildlife and scenery with a relaxed itinerary each day, meaning long lazy lunches to share stories of adventures.

How to get there:

A direct flight to Cape Town, a couple of small hops on to safari and finally up to the Victoria Falls. You will fly home via Johannesburg.

Cape town and table mountain in South Africa
Penguins bathe in the cold sea at Cape Town’s boulders beach.
Overhead aerial view of a Southern Right Whale and her calf in the waters off of Cape Town, South Africa.

DAYS 1 - 3

Cape Town has carved its niche as an innovative, buzzy and vibrant city infused by the flavours of its trading post past. Backed by the dramatic silhouette of Table Mountain on one side and the glistening Atlantic on the other, Cape Town offers a fresh and positive vibe where you are never far from nature. It also happens to have some of the finest restaurants in the southern hemisphere backed up by world class wineries.

Explore the city’s iconic landmarks, head inland to the famous winelands for gastronomic feasts or out on the ocean waves to see whales and extraordinary marine life.

Lounge Area(4)
Lounge area(3)
Ithaca Island Suite 2
Cousine Island Suite View
Pool Deck
Main Deck
Residents Lounge Deck 2
Lounge Area
Pool Deck(3)

STAY: TINTSWALO ATLANTIC

With uninterrupted views over Hout Bay from its mountainside perch at the foot of Chapmans Peak, Tintswalo Atlantic is within the Table Mountain National Park. Its suites are individually styled, elegant and comfortable with large terraces overlooking the the main star of the show, the ocean. Refined and yet homely, the atmosphere exudes relaxation while its tucked away location is just a short distance away from restaurants, bars and attractions.

Overhead aerial view of a Southern Right Whale and her calf in the waters off of Cape Town, South Africa.
Morukuru Beach Lodge – aerial picture (4)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – aerial picture (5)

Days 4 - 7

Your exploration continues along the coastline to the De Hoop Nature Reserve. This is where Cape Zebra and an array of antelope roam and the ocean is protected marine park where the Southern Right whales come to breed. Dolphins and seals can also be seen surging out of the water from the beach.

It’s hard not to experience a simple yet profound appreciation of this pristine environment. Take time to explore the dunes,  expect bespoke picnics curated by your own chef, followed by campfires on the beach and safari dinners surrounded by hurricane lanterns.

Morukuru Beach Lodge – aerial picture (3)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – fire pit and seaview
Morukuru Beach Lodge – Ocean View Suite (4)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – pool and hottub (1)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – Ocean View Suite (2)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – Honeymoon Suite
Morukuru Beach Lodge – Ocean View Suite (1)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – honeymoon suite deck (2)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – firepit with a view (3)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – Honeymoon Suite (1)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – dining room (2)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – bathroom (1)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – bar and lounge area (1)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – room service breakfast (3)
Morukuru Beach Lodge – aerial picture (5)

STAY: MORUKURU BEACH LODGE

Picture an idyllic beach house, set above a private beach and surrounded by a vast nature reserve, then add a retinue of private staff to cater to all ages and requests, and you have the core of Morukuru Beach House. This is an exclusive villa with serious wow factor where staff can organise a range of activities in the reserve or along the shore – from snorkelling to game-spotting inland – you can of course just soak up the sunshine and relax by the pool.

North West Province
Cheetah
Cheetah cub
Morukuru Family Madikwe – mother and calf white rhino

Day 8 - 13

Madikwe Game Reserve is at the forefront of many conservation projects – relocating Painted or African wild dogs as well as rhino into its sanctuary. Morukuru enjoys everything that the main reserve has to offer but also its own private concession – all the wildlife but with no other people. This allows you to head out on walking safari as well as by 4×4 and leads to a far more interactive safari experience than is possible in the main reserve. With sundowner platforms overlooking productive waterholes you are not bound to rigid safari timetables and can stay out late into the evening if you wish. The guiding is absolutely first-rate and the experience rivals the best lodges anywhere in Africa.

Morukuru Family Madikwe – bedroom at Farm House
Morukuru Family Madikwe – romantic sleepout
Morukuru Farm House – aerial picture sunrise
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Bush dinner
Morukuru Farm House – entrance
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Bush breakfast
Morukuru Farm House Living
Morukuru Family Madikwe – bathroom at Farm House
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Farm House bedroom (4)
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Farm House outside dining area
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Farm House bedroom and bathroom
Morukuru Family Madikwe – Hide sleepout

STAY: Morukuru Farmhouse

Morukuru Farmhouse is an oasis of verdant calm in one of the most game-rich areas of the Madikwe Game Reserve. Designed as an open-plan plantation-style lodge focused around a cool central courtyard and surrounded by lush tropical gardens and lawns, the farmhouse fuses Scandi style with African charm. Beyond the perimeter fence you are immediately deep in the heart of Big 5 Country and its exceptional service and attention to detail is an ideal continuation from Morukuru Ocean House, its sister property.

Zambia, Victoria Falls
Victoria falls, Zambia

Day 14 - 18  

Victoria Falls needs little introduction with its vast cascade of water throwing mist high up into the clouds. This is the perfect destination to round off a trip and a real highlight, although the Falls themselves are just one attraction of the area. Enjoy relaxing sundowner drinks on boat cruises on the Zambezi River or head of to Zambezi National Park for some more game viewing. For the more adventurous, you might want to go ziplining, bungee jumping or white water rafting – there is masses to see and do.

MatetsiVictoriaFalls_riverhouse2
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_riverhouse1
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_Riverhouselunch1
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_westcamp6
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_lunch2
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_private_dine1
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_westcamp3v2
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_eastcamp3
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_lunch
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_cellar1
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_suite4
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_suite6
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_RiverHouse_Lounge
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_westcamp3
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_pool_hero1
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_eastcamp4
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_vic.falls7
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_bush_dinner
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_fishing
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_canoe_safari
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_canoe_aerial
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_boat_cruise2
MatetsiVictoriaFalls_boat_cruise
matetsi_buffalo
matetsi_buffalo1
matetsi_lion4

STAY: MATETSI

Victoria Falls has become busier over the years it is now more important than ever to be upstream from the Falls, away from the noise of whirling helicopters and river traffic. Matetsi offers the perfect location as well as excellent service, food and drink. Incredibly stylish and on the banks of the Zambezi river, Matetsi sits within its own 136,000-acre reserve which is home to everything except rhino (yet!). Here you can spend a morning on safari then an afternoon/evening on the river watching the elephants come to drink from the water’s edge.

Summary

The magic of a trip like this is that at each point there’s an opportunity to tailor your holiday to every member of the family. However, you might find that the times you’re all together, like by campfire under the never-ending African sky, are the moments you remember the most.

Ben Oxley-Brown

Personal Travel Designer

01488 689700 Read Ben’s profile
Ben Oxley-Brown
"It's always a great pleasure and privilege for me to organise a family trip to Africa as I know well the huge impact African landscapes, marine-filled waters, spectacular waterfalls and wild animals can have on the younger generation. And as a family - you'll never forget it."

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