South Coast Family Getaway

DAY 1 Arrival

After flying through the night you'll land in Johannesburg early this morning to be assisted with the transfer onto your onward domestic flight to Port Elizabeth. The flight time is just under two hours so you'll be landing and on the ground in the Eastern Cape before you know it. In Port Elizabeth you'll pick up your pre-booked hire car and can set off to start your South African family road trip. The first leg of the trip is nice and short as the drive to your family friendly safari lodge in one of the Eastern Cape's private reserves is only around an hour.

We're sure excitement levels will be through the roof by the time you arrive so the rest of the afternoon is yours to settle in, explore and get some much needed sleep before tomorrow's activities.

DAY 2 To Plettenberg Bay

With one last morning game drive to enjoy before you go, say goodbye to your new-found wildlife friends and leave your safari lodge behind. Your next stop is Plettenberg Bay, which is four hours west along the coast. There are also plenty of lovely beachside towns to stop at along the way if you prefer to take the journey at a slower pace. Once you arrive settle into your new surroundings with a dip (or dive bomb) in the pool and then drinks and supper in the main area which overlooks the Matjies River Gorge.

DAY 3 To The Beach

It's back on the road today as you make your way further west along the coast to the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The World Heritage Site reserve is made up of 139 square miles of conservation area with rich biodiversity and over 30 miles of pristine coastline - essentially, it's the ideal family adventure playground. The drive to get to your lodge is around five hours long so make sure the kids have their iPads charged and stop at several points along the way for you all to stretch your legs.

When you arrive the little ones will no doubt want to run straight to the beach, which is just across the dunes from your lodge. Accompanied by your guide, get the adrenaline pumping after the car journey with some sandboarding fun. Beware, the thrill of speeding down the dunes is pretty addictive and you're almost guaranteed to go back to the lodge with sand in your socks.

DAY 4 To The Winelands

After your fill of beach-based fun the family adventure continues eastward today. Pile back in the car for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the legendary Cape Winelands region. When you arrive, stretch your legs with a stroll around your hotel grounds or go for a swim in the pool. Afterwards Mum and Dad will be eager to sample some of the local produce and there will freshly squeezed juices for the kids. Dinner can then be enjoyed in your hotel restaurant or in the fun town of Franschhoek.

DAY 5 Cape Crusaders

The next two days are yours to spend in Cape Town as you please. With so much to see and do you'll be spoilt for family fun choice and we can book and arrange any activities you want to do in advance. One must-do is taking the revolving cable car up Table Mountain for incredible views and for the children to spot hyraxes (like oversized guinea pigs) basking on the rocks. Another must is a visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to some remarkable plant and tree species only found in South Africa, but also to the great fun Boomslang (tree snake) treetop canopy walkway, fun adventure playgrounds and acres of woodland and dens for youngsters to explore.

The next day, we'd recommend escaping the city altogether on a guided Cape Peninsula tour, where the family can try boogie boarding or surfing on the super safe beach break at Muizenberg, see the cute penguins at Boulders Beach, spot baboons, sea lions and ostriches and enjoy enormously fun treasure hunts in the dunes. If the weather isn't great, count the number of different fish you can spot at the aquarium or, for historically minded children, we highly recommend a visit to Robben Island to learn more about the one-timeprison and its political history.