Family Explorer

Explore Africa with the "Family Explorer" Tour

18 Days

Embark on a thrilling 18 night journey with our Family Explorer Tour, an unforgettable South African adventure filled with wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural treasures. Start in the vibrant city of Cape Town, where you’ll explore iconic sites such as Table Mountain, the Bo-Kaap, and the Company’s Garden. Continue to the majestic Cape of Good Hope, where you’ll visit Boulders Beach to meet the penguins and enjoy panoramic views. Experience the wild at Aquila Private Game Reserve, get up close to animals at Cango Wildlife Ranch, and discover the beauty of Knysna’s forests and beaches. End your trip in the coastal gem of Hermanus, famed for its whale watching. Perfect for families, this tour offers a mix of relaxation, adventure, and learning.

Trip Highlights

Cape Grace Hotel - Cape Town (7)

Cape Town

Embark on an unforgettable 18-day South African adventure, including whale watching, shark cage diving, visits to iconic wine estates, and scenic exploration of Knysna, Wellington, and the Garden Route. Discover stunning landscapes, luxury accommodations, family-friendly activities, and cultural gems along the way. Perfect for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and wine enthusiasts, this bespoke tour offers a comprehensive South African experience.

Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila’s 10,000-hectare Big 5 game reserve offers exciting safaris on game drives, horseback rides, and quad bikes. Experience the African wilderness in luxury accommodations, complete with a spa for ultimate relaxation.

Ostrich

Oudtshoorn

Known for ostriches and the stunning Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn presents a unique blend of natural wonders and small-town charm. Explore one of Africa’s largest cave systems and witness the region's thriving ostrich industry.

Oudtshoorn is a town located in the Klein Karoo region of the Western Cape Province.

Oudtshoorn is often referred to as the "Ostrich Capital of the World" due to its significant role in the ostrich farming industry. Visitors can tour ostrich farms, where they can learn about the farming practices and interact with ostriches.

The Cango Caves, located just outside of Oudtshoorn, are a series of dripstone caverns and chambers. These caves are known for their impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Guided tours are available, providing insight into the geological history and cultural significance of the caves.

Oudtshoorn and its surrounding areas are home to several wildlife reserves and sanctuaries. These reserves provide opportunities to see a variety of indigenous fauna, including game such as springbok and kudu.

The primary aim of Cango Wildlife Ranch is conservation through education and awareness. The facility is involved in various breeding and conservation programs for endangered species, including cheetahs, lemurs, and crocodiles.  One of the highlights of Cango Wildlife Ranch is the opportunity for visitors to have up-close encounters with various animals. These interactions are often supervised by trained guides and offer visitors a chance to learn about the animals' behavior and conservation status.

The facility is home to a diverse range of animal species, including big cats like lions, tigers, and cheetahs, as well as primates, reptiles, birds, and more. Visitors can observe these animals in naturalistic enclosures designed to mimic their native habitats.

The ranch includes facilities such as a restaurant, souvenir shop, and picnic areas, providing visitors with amenities to enhance their experience.

Nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains near the town of Oudtshoorn in South Africa's Western Cape, the Cango Caves offer an awe-inspiring journey into a subterranean wonderland. These extensive limestone caves are renowned for their breathtaking formations and rich history, making them one of South Africa's most popular natural attractions.  The Heritage Tour is perfect for first-time visitors, offering a leisurely exploration of the caves’ most accessible and striking features. As you enter the first chamber, known as Van Zyl's Hall, you are greeted by the sheer size and grandeur of the space. This vast cavern, named after the cave's first official guide, is adorned with massive stalactites and stalagmites, some reaching heights of over ten meters.

Knysna Lagoon

Knysna

Nestled between mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the beautiful lagoon, indulge in world-class golf, or enjoy a seafood feast in this lush "Garden of Eden." Discover Knysna, nestled between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Known for its stunning natural beauty, Knysna boasts pristine beaches, lush indigenous forests, and the famous Knysna Lagoon, where the river meets the Indian Ocean at the iconic Knysna Heads. Explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve with panoramic views, embark on scenic hikes, or visit cultural attractions like art galleries and craft markets. With a rich history as a timber town, Knysna is the perfect destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and culture enthusiasts alike. 

 

Mosselbay

Mosselbay

Mossel Bay, located along South Africa's renowned Garden Route, is a picturesque coastal town offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant activities. With its mild climate and stunning ocean vistas, Mossel Bay is a favorite destination for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax by the sea.

Start your exploration at the Dias Museum Complex, named after the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who landed here in 1488. The museum houses a life-sized replica of Dias' caravel, offering a fascinating glimpse into the age of exploration. The complex also includes the famous Post Office Tree, a centuries-old milkwood tree that served as an informal postal system for sailors. Visitors can still leave postcards in a boot-shaped postbox at its base.

Shark Cage diving - MD

Hermanus

Hermanus is a charming coastal town situated along the southern coast of the Western Cape. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, whale watching opportunities, and laid-back atmosphere, Hermanus has earned the

ickname "The Whale Capital of the World." 

One of the main attractions in Hermanus is the opportunity to observe southern right whales from the shoreline. These majestic marine mammals migrate from the icy waters of Antarctica to the warmer waters of the South African coast between June and November each year to mate and calve. The town's elevated cliffs provide excellent vantage points for whale watching, and visitors can often spot whales breaching, spouting, and playing close to shore.

Hermanus is situated along the shores of Walker Bay, a picturesque stretch of coastline characterized by rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. In addition to whale watching, Walker Bay offers opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and coastal hikes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Beyond whale watching and beachcombing, Hermanus offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventure enthusiasts. Visitors can explore scenic hiking trails, go mountain biking in the nearby mountains, or embark on horseback riding excursions along the coast. The town also boasts several world-class golf courses with stunning ocean views.

Hermanus is known for its excellent dining scene, offering a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and eateries serving fresh seafood, South African cuisine, and international fare. You can enjoy seafood feasts overlooking the ocean, sample local wines at boutique wineries, or indulge in gourmet picnics amidst scenic vineyards.

Wellington

Wellington

Discover the charm and beauty of Wellington, South Africa, a destination that offers both relaxation and adventure. Your stay begins on a picturesque working wine farm, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. With two on-site restaurants, a refreshing swimming pool, a play area for children, and vast open spaces to explore, it’s an ideal location for families and nature lovers alike. The farm also boasts fantastic hiking trails, making it easy to connect with the stunning natural surroundings.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day Winelands Tour that takes you to some of the finest wine estates in the region, including Le Pommier Wine Estate, Rickety Bridge, and Nederberg Wine Estate. While adults indulge in world-class wine tastings, children can enjoy a range of fun, kid-friendly experiences. From pizza and juice tastings to cookie and hot chocolate pairings, young explorers will have a memorable time. The tour is designed to be enjoyable for all ages, blending the joys of fine wine with family-friendly activities.

If time permits, end your day with a visit to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, a must-see for car enthusiasts. The museum houses an impressive collection of vintage, pre-war, and post-war classic cars, each meticulously maintained and displayed in four spacious halls. From rare early models by Ford, Bugatti, and Rolls-Royce to sleek post-war classics like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and the Jaguar XK120, the museum offers a fascinating journey through automotive history. Whether you’re a wine lover, history buff, or nature enthusiast, Wellington is the perfect getaway for a memorable experience.

 

Photo Credit: Andres de Wet