The Ultimate South African Family Holiday

Itinerary Highlights

This itinerary's highlights are a collection of rich and diverse experiences intended to reflect the vibrancy of South Africa and, perhaps most importantly, the wants and needs of discerning families traveling with adventurers of all ages. Starting with your stay at the One&Only in Cape Town, you'll enjoy a resort-like ambiance in the heart of the historic harbor and V&A Waterfront. This central location ensures that families can safely and comfortably venture from the hotel on foot to enjoy some of the city’s best attractions and restaurants. The recently renovated rooms offer stunning views of either Table Mountain or the resort's private islands, and the resort boasts Cape Town's most extensive spa, as well as a lovely kids’ club that will provide parents some peace of mind should they wish to explore the Mother City on their own.

Your next stop, Perivoli Lagoon House, is set in a pristine wilderness reserve along the Klein River lagoon. Here, you will find yourself overwhelmed with activity options, ranging from highly adventurous to the purely relaxing. Thanks to the all-star management team, you are guaranteed an exceptional time regardless of what you choose. Additionally, you'll relish farm-to-table dining from a celebrated private chef and tailored wine experiences. As the property is owned by the Perivoli Trust, your stay contributes to conservation efforts in this remarkable ecosystem, as well as to a local nursery school for at-risk children.

Moving on to the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel, you'll find yourself in a beautiful, working farm at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountains. Guests of Babylonstoren have the opportunity to engage in virtually every aspect of the sprawling farm’s inner workings, from feeding the baby water buffalo to baking your own bread. Home to the highly awarded farm-to-table restaurant, Babel, the culinary feats of the largely organic kitchens at Babylonstoren are sure to please even the pickiest of pallets. With easy access to nearby wineries and Cape Town, there is a multitude of activities to partake in.

The final highlight is Kamara House, a private three-bedroom safari house overlooking the Monwana dry riverbed in the famous Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Thornybush is one of the Greater Kruger Area’s most wildlife-abundant regions, with all of the Big Five and remarkable predator sightings typically found on a daily basis. Meals here are prepared by your personal chef, and you have a dedicated game drive vehicle, guide, and tracker. This exclusive experience allows you to relax, enjoy, and marvel at the Big Five in their natural habitat and at your family’s own pace.

*This itinerary can be tailored in various ways, most notably to include an exclusive-use safari villa in a malaria-free region of South Africa, should that be of high priority (Thornybush and the Greater Kruger Area is in a low-risk malaria area, though the risk is even lower during winter months when temperatures drop and water sources dry up). We also have various private homes or exclusive hotel residences within Cape Town catering speficially to family. We recommend speaking to your Craft Travel designer and identifying the best combination of properties and destinations based on your preferences, as well as the size of your family and the time of year in which you wish to travel.

Itinerary Details

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by our VIP local team who will assist you with an expedited Immigration & Customs experience. You will then be escorted via private transfer in a luxury van (car seats available) to the One&Only Cape Town, located in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The combination of high-touch comforts of a true five-star hotel with the ultimate family-friendly amenities like a kids’ club make the One&Only a natural choice for families traveling with children of all ages. The Two Oceans Aquarium next door is another bonus!

Known as the “Mother City”, Cape Town’s blend of culture, history, and natural beauty is hard to beat and serves as the ideal first stop for any trip to the African continent. Throughout your four-day stay in Cape Town, you will explore renowned sites such as Table Mountain (which can be done as a hike, via cable cars or as a combination of both), the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, home to the iconic penguins of Boulders Beach, and significant historical locations like Robben Island or the Bo-Kaap Museum.

Families will be thrilled to find a diverse selection of kid-friendly activities and restaurants throughout the city’s various neighborhoods.

At the scheduled time, your driver will meet you at your hotel in Cape Town and transfer you on the scenic 2.5 hour drive toward the Whale Coast, considered by many to be the official start of the famed Garden Route and, in the opinion of Craft Travel, its most beautiful part. Here you’ll experience the ultimate luxury of a four-bedroom exclusive use villa, Perivoli Lagoon House, nestled between ocean, lagoon and mountains in one of the the Whale Coast’s most unique and breathtaking locations.

Hosted by one of South Africa’s most decorated management couples, Marcelino and Simone, Perivoli boasts endless possibilities for family adventure. From sand surfing on dunes to kayaking, whale watching to hiking and fishing to quad bike riding, the world is quite literally your oyster at Perivoli. The house is so beautiful that you may be inspired to simply sit on the deck and enjoy the heated pool overlooking the Overberg Mountains alongside your loved ones. And the private chef will ensure that your fully inclusive dining experience is a highlight of your time there.

You will be escorted via private transfer to the heart of the breathtaking Cape Winelands, arriving at one of the Western Cape’s most beloved and unique properties: Babylonstoren Farm Hotel. And it is certainly a farm hotel! While Babylonstoren boasts all of the luxuries of a top hotel, guests will find themselves returning to nature with immersive activities such as cheese making, essential oil mixology and lake kayaking. Their recently renovated spa offers countless treatments and the perfect setting in which to fully relax after a day of exciting experiences. And dinner at the iconic Babel Restaurant, where a seasonal menu is developed based on the farm’s own production, on site will undoubtedly redefine what it means to eat “farm to table”.

Not only will you have the chance to create lasting memories, but your little ones will also be entertained with engaging activities like feeding the friendly donkeys, collecting fresh eggs, and even lending a hand in baking mouthwatering farm breads. With an army of nannies on site, parents will have the chance to explore nearby wine farms during the day, or dine at some of the Winelands’ most awarded restaurants, such as La Petite Colombe or JAN Franschhoek.

Your final destination may for many be the highlight of the trip, as you embark on world-class safari from the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, an iconic wildlife sanctuary bordering Kruger National Park. Immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of the African savanna as you settle into your luxurious private safari villa, the Kamara House, built in 2023 with impeccable design and boasting a private pool overlooking a wildlife-rich riverbed.

Indulge in an unforgettable culinary experience as your private chef crafts delectable meals tailored to your preferences, showcasing the finest local flavors and ingredients. Savor each bite while relishing the tranquil ambiance of the African wilderness.

Embark on intimate family safari experiences like no other, guided by your dedicated and highly knowledgeable ranger and tracker. Traverse the vast landscapes in your own exclusive vehicle, venturing into the heart of the park to witness the majestic "Big 5" - the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Observe these incredible creatures in their natural habitat, capturing unforgettable moments that will forever be etched in your memory, along with the little ones with whom you are traveling.

Enjoy one last morning game drive through Thornybush Private Game Reserve. At the scheduled time, you will return to the airport either via bush flight (via the Thornybush Airstrip) or commercial air (via Hoedspruit Airport), and our team will be ready to assist you with embarkation on your departing flight home.

• Comprehensive 11-night itinerary based upon double occupancy or exclusive-use buyout based on six travelers (Itinerary and pricing can be amended to reflect any number of travelers)

• Daily breakfast throughout

• Full board provided at Perivoli Lagoon House and Kamara House, offering a diverse selection of local and international cuisines, as well as non-premium alcoholic beverages

• Effortless navigation with included private transfers and round-trip commercial domestic flights (Cape Town to Hoedspruit/Hoedspruit to Johannesburg)

• Private touring throughout Cape Town, Perivoli & off-site activities in the Cape Winelands

• Shared experiences in small groups with other property guests on-site at Babylonstoren Farm Hotel

• Private vehicle, ranger and tracker at disposal at Kamara House, Thornybush Private Game Reserve

1. *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights or any internal flights not described above, scheduled or private bush flights (can be quoted at an additional cost), meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature and travel insurance (required)