South Africa February Holidays

Cape Town

Under the whopping shadow of flat-topped Table Mountain lies Cape Town, South Africa’s capital and one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. A February holiday in South Africa wouldn’t be complete without a pit stop here. An open-top bus is a great way to see the city and keep little ones engaged, before getting the wiggles out with a cable car journey up Table Mountain for a walk along the breathtakingly beautiful plateau. Wannabe safari guides can catch a glimpse of the African elephant’s closest living relative, the rock hyrax (or dassie as locals call them), without setting foot near a reserve or national park. Cape Town also boasts some wonderfully wild beaches which are perfect for a walk in the warm wind, as well as perfectly manicured winelands which are calling to be picnicked in. History buffs shouldn’t miss the Apartheid Museum, for a poignant insight into the country’s difficult past, or a trip to Robben Island, where former president Nelson Mandela was jailed for 18 years. Meanwhile, art afficionados will be in heaven in one of the many art galleries scattered across the city. As the evening draws in, the Victoria and Albert waterfront is the perfect place to grab a drink and watch the sun hit the Atlantic Ocean or you can head into one of its markets and see what South African goodies you can find to take home.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

You couldn’t embark on a February holiday in South Africa without exploring the country’s wildlife offerings. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is a couple of hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth, South Africa’s seaside city, and is the place to live out all your Lion King dreams. Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalos) and hundreds of different bird species. Between game drives, the wildlings can head out on bush walks to seek out different kinds of bugs and dung with an expert guide, or even have a cooking lesson with the camp chef. After evening drives, settle down for a traditional South African braai (barbecue) before lying out under the stars, naming constellations and spotting shooting stars with a guide.