South Africa With Kids: 13 Places For A Memorable Holiday With Your Loved Ones!

23 Mar 2023

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South Africa had always been one of the most favored family friendly holiday destinations. Particularly for the kids, it is a treasure-trove of adventure, fun and vivid wonders that will give them jaw-dropping moments one after the other. So let’s take a virtual tour and find out the absolutely must visit spots if you are travelling to South Africa with kids. You will find some of the rare gems that this international travel destination has in store that puts them high up on the list of world’s best holiday destination for families.

15 Things To Do In South Africa With Kids

The highly ambitious, financially empowered parents of this generation love to travel and hence that gives an opportunity to their children to see the world as well. Read on to know what all you can try with kids in this picturesque land.

1. Cape Town

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The beautiful and enthralling Cape Town appeases travelers of varied age group. With two oceans lapping its waves from both sides and the lofty mountains guarding it from the other side, Cape Town has the best of both the worlds. Apart from the mesmerizing beauty of the place, Cape Town has plenty of activities to make it a dream vacation for every kid.

The Two Ocean Aquarium in Cape Town is complete heaven for kids. It gives them a peek into the aquatic life in the oceans around the city. The vibrant and colorful fishes and sea animals keep them engaged for hours. The cable car ride on the top of the Table Mountain, a visit to the Kirstenbosh Botanical Garden, the mesmerizing Cape Peninsula, swimming in the Boulders Beach with the penguins, and baboons & ostriches in Cape Point Nature reserve are some of the other tourist attractions that are loved by the kids and the adults alike. If you want to explore all these places in Cape Town, then your vacation for at least 2 weeks in South Africa with kids.

Must Read: Johannesburg Nightlife: 10 Spots To Enjoy The Groovy South African Nightlife

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2. iSimangaliso Wetland Park

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Children have a very natural affinity towards animals. They never get tired of watching animals. iSimagaliso Wetland Park may be tad bit scary for the kids with those crocodiles in the swamps but it will not fail to excite them either. So, gear up for a wildlife safari in the savannas and also some coastal adventure that the kids will remember all through their life. You can also spot some of rare species here if you’re lucky enough.

3. Kruger National Park

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The post card identity of South Africa, the Kruger National Park is indeed a treasure trove of adventure for both the adults and the kids. Grab your opportunity to watch the Big 5 that include elephant, lion, rhinoceroses, buffalo and leopard from close quarters. The kids will be thrilled beyond expectations here to spot these vivacious creatures that they only get to see in books in their routine life.

4. Whale Watching

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The biodiversity of of South Africa does not end with the national parks. An hour and a half drive from Cape Town will take you to the small town of Hermanus. This town is home to shallow waters that becomes the breeding ground for migrating whales between the months of June and November. You can really take your kids for a jaw dropping experience of watching the whales from a touchable distance. It is an experience that will give you moments to be cherished for a lifetime. This is one of the must and should things to do in South Africa with kids.

5. Horse Riding Safari

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Taking your kids’ tete-e-tete with the animals forward, take them for a Horse Riding Safari. Panning the national park on the horse back chasing the herd of zebra and giraffe gives a completely new high that the kids enjoy to the hilt. Kids as young as toddler can enjoy this. This is one activity that is enthralling for the entire family taking your South African Safari with toddler to an altogether new height.

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6. Garden Route

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If you think that only animals and activities can keep children engaged and they would not enjoy the nature as much, take them to the Garden Route. You will be surprised to see that the beauty of nature has a universal effect and children are certainly not to be left out from that. The serenity the beaches, the lagoons, the rivers, the woods and the green rocky hills make a completely breathtaking view. Exposing children to nature is actually therapeutic and stimulates their mental and emotional growth in a manifold manner.

7. Drakensberg

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Literally meaning ‘mountains of the Dragon,’ Drakensberg is yet another treasure trove of nature’s opulence; Drakensberg is complete with beautiful waterfalls, unpolluted rivers, forests and rock art. There is plenty of open space for the kids to run freely, fresh air that you can fill your lungs with, a breathtaking sunset that kisses entire landscapes goodbye spreading myriads of colors all around – the kids will love it as much.

8. Johannesburg

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Back to the city of Johannesburg, you step into the most vibrant and lively city. Cities may be full of crowd, noise and concrete clutter, but they have a different kind of appeal. After panning the picturesque landscapes for days, when you hit back to the city, the traffic lights, the honking cars, the illuminated skyline at the night, makes you feel like coming back home. And no two cities are identical with each other.

Johannesburg is the place where you get to feel the pulse of South Africa. The best of the retail marts, art galleries and restaurants – walk through the city or take a bus tour; the spirit of the city tends to sink into your heart and it indomitable energy reverberates long after you have left the city.

Traveling for the kids is as adventurous and exciting as it is for the adults. And given the exponential multi-dimensional growth that the travel industry is experiencing right now, every destination has something special for every age group. And the millennial kids make up for a lion share in the whole segment of their target audiences.

9. Boat Trip

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If you are visiting South Africa in summer then you must opt for a boat ride from the Victoria and Alfred Dock in Cape Town. You will be able to witness the amazing wildlife like sunfish, dolphins, and seals among others. Relax on the boat, soak in the warmth of the sun, and enjoy the panoramic view of the city with your kids. A boat trip is an ideal activity that you can indulge in South Africa with a 2-year old kid.

10. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

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Victoria and Alfred Waterfront has been an iconic tourist destination which has attracted many tourists every year due to its European architecture, picturesque view of ocean and mountains, and entertainment complex. Situated in Cape Town, this waterfront is easily accessible and provides a plethora of fun activities for kids. Children can admire underwater creatures in aquariums in the complex and can enjoy the 360-degree views of the city. If you are in Cape Town with your family, then V&A Waterfront is a must-visit place where you kids can have a playful time.

11. Ziplining

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If you are looking for some extra fun for your kids then you can head out to Storms River near Tsitsikamma National Park where you can opt for ziplining. It is a perfect blend of fun and adventure as it goes on for a massive 211 meters. This activity will help them to build their confidence and add a new experience to their list.

12. Cango Caves

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As kids always love to make tunnels and caves with pillows and sheets, Cango Caves will surely increase their excitement. This system of chambers is easily accessible from Mossel Bay if you have opted for the Garden Route trip. Some of the caves and tunnels are so narrow that you will have to bend down to cross them. There are two ways of exploring these caves, either by opting for Heritage Tour or Adventure Tour.

13. Knysna Elephant Park

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Kids are always curious and come up with all sorts of questions. There answers related to elephants and other animals can be answered in the Knysna Elephant Park. This park has been recognized as one of the best facilities for elephants as it has been able to rescue and relocate around 40 elephants. You and your kid will not only get to feed them fruits and vegetables but can also solve all your queries about mammals with the ranger.

Further Read: New Year In South Africa: 13 Things To Do To Welcome It With Some Sass

Travelling is not just a recreation. In fact, it is a beautiful way to elevate yourself and broaden the horizon of your mind. And the earlier you get to start with it, the better. In that sense, the kids of this generation are particularly lucky. So, plan your family adventure holidays to South Africa with TravelTriangle and let your kids guide you through the country for a fun-packed holiday!

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Frequently Asked Questions South Africa With Kids

What are some fun facts about South Africa?

There are 11 official languages spoken in South Africa including Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, and English.

What do kids eat in South Africa?

Both kids and adults in South Africa like to eat mealies (corn), seasonal vegetables, springbok, chicken, beef, ostrich, and kudu.

What is South Africa known for producing?

South Africa is a key producer of palladium, zirconium, ilmenite, coal, iron ore, and rutile. It used to be the largest producer of gold and platinum before.