Malaria-Free Family Safari

Arrive at Cape Town International Airport and transfer to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, the afternoon and evening are yours to explore nearby the hotel.

This morning, head for the Table Mountain cable car that whisks you to the summit and panoramic views of the city just as the morning fog is breaking. You’ll have a chance to explore the top of the table before heading out on a city tour including Company’s Garden, Green Market Square, Saint George’s Cathedral, and the best coffee shop in the world. This afternoon, you’ll visit Uthando, which is focused on a variety of social development projects in Cape Town. This unscripted tour allows you to encounter an authentic side of Cape Town unknown to most visitors.

Travel to the hamlet of Simon’s Town, and embark on a sea kayaking experience to Boulders Beach, where you’ll encounter the local African penguin colony. If you are lucky, they may just swim up to your boat to check you out! After visiting the penguins there may be time for swimming and snorkeling (tide-dependent). From July to December, southern right whales frequent Cape Town, so you might also encounter them in their natural habitat.

Lunch is at a local seaside restaurant and then it is off with your guide to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point is home to an array of fynbos, over 250 species of birds, baboons, and Cape mountain zebra. There are numerous picnic spots, paths, and tidal pools to explore on the isolated beaches. Head back to town with a drive along the coast via Noordhoek and the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive.

Today you are off to the winelands with your own private wine guide, where adults can enjoy wine tastings while the little ones are able to run through the gardens and enjoy their own specialized activities at family-friendly estates. Award-winning wine and delicious food are on offer, and a wine tasting at Spier is one of the most popular options in the Stellenbosch area – the chocolate and wine pairing is a particular highlight (grape juice for kids). An optional Segway-tour of the farm is an option (added cost) and offers a chance to experience the farm’s vineyards and pastures. Little ones are encouraged to run wild on the lawns and feed the farm animals – lookout for the wallabies – while the adults enjoy a Middlevlei tasting. Wrap up with a visit to Paarl, where there’s a smorgasbord of tempting things to do, see, and taste! There’s beer tasting at the craft brewery, grappa at Wilderer distillery, a guided chocolate tasting at DV Artisan Chocolate, an art gallery, a glass-blowing studio, a biltong bar…and more! Your tour may be adapted over weekends and public holidays to accommodate estate and cellar opening hours.

This morning your driver will take you to the Cape Town airport for a flight to Johannesburg, where you continue on by vehicle to Madikwe Game Reserve. Ask about a flight option as an alternative to this four-hour drive. On arrival you are met by your guide and taken to the lodge, watching for wildlife en route. Madikwe Lelapa Lodge provides the opportunity for the perfect family safari as well as introducing children to the wonders and enjoyment of the African bush. Set out on your first game drive this afternoon.

The next days are yours to explore the wonders that Madikwe has on offer. From the long-necked giraffes nibbling the trees to herds of elephants walking across the plains and even snorting hippos in waterholes, every game drive is a unique experience – you never know what you are going to find! You’ll always be on the lookout for lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. Madikwe is home to many other animals such as wild dog and aardvark, which are amazing to encounter. Families with children aged six to 12 years are able to go out on both morning and evening game drives with their parents. Children under six are welcomed to join a shorter “jungle drive” on the camp property. Additionally, childminding services can be arranged while the rest of the family is out on game drives or also during evening meals if the parents would like some time to mingle around the campfire and enjoy a glass of South African wine.

A drive back to Johannesburg puts you at the airport in time for your departing international flight.