Cape Town is South Africa’s least intimidating major city and absolutely the easiest and safest to travel to with children. With its glorious waterfront location and close proximity to stunning beaches, it offers everything one would expect from a cosmopolitan, thriving metropolis and is (in the tourist areas) happily without too much danger or visible poverty. If you're going to South Africa with kids, Cape Town should definitely be on your family holiday destination list.
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Sometimes the easiest and most impactful way to teach kids about the world can be done right from the comfort of home without having to travel with kids. Signing up the entire family to sponsor a child provides the human element kids really need to learn more about other cultures, societies and economies – without ever getting on a plane. MasterChef Australia’s first winner, Julie Goodwin, tells suitcases&strollers about her experience going to visit her sponsor child in Uganda.
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Noah Davies just might be the most travelled toddler we’ve met so far. After being born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at the age of 2 he has already been to 29 cities from Miami to Melbourne, Koh Samui to St Juan. (His father works in the tourism industry.) The longest he has ever stayed in one destination is 2 months (Germany and Orlando, Florida, USA). His mother, Yolade, tells us the story of this frequent flier. (And we want to meet your little frequent fliers too. To win a Gooie backpack go to the bottom of this story for details. *THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED*)
A safari is one of the most amazing memories to share with children. The excitement of bouncing around on a game drive or stopping to get close to a dazzle of zebra is simply magic for kids. Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa is a family-friendly park that offers the opportunity to give your children that experience, while allowing for adults-only time as well. Here's a great way to do an African safari with kids.
Sometimes learning about other cultures doesn’t even require you to open the front door. Whether it’s to prep for an upcoming holiday or just to encourage a desire to see the world, books can be an excellent inspiration for children and adults. Here are some fun travel-themed books for kids.
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If the prospect of visiting Africa seems too unlikely and daunting, a family holiday in South Africa’s wine region will dispel any fears. Don’t be intimidated – this is the perfect beginner’s trip to the larger continent. Not only is the landscape almost ridiculously picturesque, it’s so refined, colonial and quaint that at times it’s hard to believe you are not in Germany, the French countryside or even the Adelaide Hills. Which all means it is a safe, friendly, pleasant little family holiday destination and a great introduction to South Africa with kids.
If you’ve ever aspired to have a bookshelf full of Lonely Planets then you want to talk to Tony Wheeler, the co-founder of the brilliant guidebooks that had 20-somethings backpacking around the globe. The godfather of intrepid travel recently told suitcases&strollers and Air India Magazine about the unexpected joys of travelling with children, why you shouldn’t underestimate kids as travel companions and some of the surprising doors that can be opened when you travel with kids.
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Stefan Zwanzger is obsessed with theme parks. From Africa to Russia, New Zealand and, of course, North America, he has been to over 200 and charted and rated them on his website The Theme Park Guy. He tells suitcases&strollers what fuels this passion for the tacky architecture and ridiculously frightening rides and which are the best theme parks for kids.
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Kitschy and mass market, a cruise might seem like the type of holiday for people too lazy to plan their own family vacations. But that’s exactly what makes them so much fun. Yes, the décor is often tacky. Yes, you may be eating buffet (a lot). Yes, your friends will laugh. But you and your kids will enjoy yourselves more than you can imagine and you will come back super relaxed. And isn’t that what a holiday is all about? Here are 10 reasons why cruises make for some of the best family holidays.
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There is really something magical about an authentic safari experience and Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa makes that particularly accessible to families with young children. The park is famed for its elephants that will come right up close to your vehicle – as well as a large population of antelope and zebra. It is big enough to host a sizeable variety of wildlife, but small enough to ensure you will always spot animals. For one of the best family holiday destinations to do a safari with kids, this is it.
Deciding whether to go to Africa with kids is both a thrilling and frightening prospect. No matter how ambitious a jetsetter you aspire to be, it’s hard not to let words such as “malaria”, “car-jacking” and “racial tensions” put you off. Sometimes the best way to set your mind at ease – and save yourself a lot of time and hassle – is to engage a reliable and efficient travel agent who knows the area well and can plan safe but memorable destinations for your family holiday.
