We were looking for a destination with pleasant weather, nature, and lots of animals! We also wanted it to be affordable and, above all, easy to travel with children. While considering some options in Asia and others in South America, we came across a video of a traveling family enjoying their vacation in South Africa, and we thought, why not? We were a bit concerned about safety and the possibility of malaria in the country, but after researching and talking to people there, we booked our flights! We spent three months in this wonderful country (November, December, and January 2022/2023), and we can’t help but recommend it to everyone. Here you can find some suggestions to help you plan your trip.
Health
- Travel Insurance: To travel with peace of mind, we went with our trusted travel insurance, Iati Travel Insurance, and as always, they helped us with everything we needed. While in Simon’s Town, we suffered from food poisoning that left all three of us extremely sick with a high fever. After just a couple of messages, they sent a doctor to our accommodation who assisted us for several days until we fully recovered. Always travel with travel insurance because you never know what might happen, and in many countries, receiving assistance is more complicated and expensive than what we are used to in Europe.
- Malaria: In some parts of the country, such as the famous Kruger National Park, there is a (low) risk of contracting malaria, especially during mosquito season. It is possible to take preventive medications like Malarone, but after much consideration, we decided to leave this area for our next trip and enjoy malaria-free areas like Cape Town and the entire Garden Route. However, we know that many families with young children visit Kruger daily (whether or not they take medication) and have incredible experiences. If you are determined to visit this park or any other malaria-risk area in the country, don’t forget to visit your nearest vaccination center for advice.
Safety
Keeping in mind that South Africa is a country with significant inequalities, we didn’t feel unsafe during the three months we traveled there, but we carefully chose the areas where we moved. The Cape Town area and the entire Garden Route are very popular and touristy, and by taking basic precautions recommended by the locals, it is possible to enjoy an amazing trip without fear. Basically, especially in large cities, it is not advisable to go out after dark, venture into the suburbs where, unfortunately, the most disadvantaged part of the population lives, or display valuables without care. Personally, we felt free to do the same things we could do in Barcelona, for example, although we avoided going out or driving at night.
Our favourite places
Addo Elephant National Park
A wonderful park easily accessible for self-drive safaris with your rental car. Elephants everywhere, zebras, wild boars, birds, lions, buffalos, meerkats, and more.
Tsitsikamma national park
It offers different points to visit and stay, all of them fantastic, a mix of sea, lakes, nature, and wildlife.
Betty’s Bay
Perfect for seeing penguins in the wild by taking a pleasant walk on the beach (and it’s free!). However, be careful because the area is full of baboons, large primates that won’t bother you unless they feel threatened, but they have sharp teeth and very little shame (they enter houses without any hesitation, steal food, trash, and even diapers…!).
Simon’s Town
A small town where you can see the famous penguins at Boulders Beach (and other nearby beaches). Although the color of the sea and sand at these beaches is spectacular, in our opinion, the penguin colony is too crowded and frequented by tourists, and you can have a more natural experience without disturbing the animals in Betty’s Bay.
Hermanus
An ideal place for whale watching (from June to November). It’s a small and safe tourist town with all the services and beautiful nearby beaches. Every Saturday morning you can go to Hermanus Country Market and enjoy their fresh produce, crafts and playground for kids.
Montagu and Oudtshoorn
Two places away from the coast, nestled among mountains, with incredible landscapes and famous for their ostriches.
Cape Town
Also known as the Mother City, it is one of the country’s strongest tourist attractions. You have access to everything you might need, and it’s a vibrant city full of nature. Most travelers visit Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to enjoy delicious food in its market. Our favorite places in the city to explore with children are the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the Green Point Park, which are full of fauna and flora and have playgrounds too.
Dates and weather
We traveled during November, December, and January (2022/2023), and the weather was ideal for us. It’s spring and the beginning of summer in the country, and the temperatures were starting to rise, although the ocean water was always freezing! There were also strong winds along the coast, but they were occasional and generally didn’t hinder normal life. Keep in mind that in December and January, many people are on vacation, and it can be a bit more challenging and expensive to find accommodation, so if you’re traveling during these months, it’s better to book in advance.
Food
In Cape Town and various places along the Garden Route, you have access to all kinds of international food, generally of high quality. That being said, what they offer the most is all kinds of meat, and for them, the barbecue (braai) is a tradition that they do with their families at home, in parks, everywhere! Another typical snack is biltong, which is cured meat from beef, venison, or other animals, like beef jerky. We also really enjoyed bobotie, a meat and mashed potato pie (sometimes with raisins) that is typical of the country.
Prices
For us, supermarket prices were similar to those in Spain, although restaurants and hotels were slightly cheaper and of high quality. South Africa can be considered an affordable country to go on safari and see animals in the wild, as the entrance fees for national parks are much cheaper than many other African countries, and there are numerous options for spotting wildlife on your own without the need for a guide or private tours. Here are some reference prices:
- Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant 25 €
- A cup of capuccino 1,30 €
- 3-week car rental with basic insurance 600 €
- Entrance to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden 11 €
- Entrance to Addo Elephant Park (one day) 18 €
- 2 nights for two (+baby) in a cabin at Tsitsikamma National Park 56 €
Loadshedding
The whole country is affected by daily and frequent power cuts. You can download an app that notifies you of these scheduled cuts, although the reality is that they can happen earlier or later without prior notice. Some places have generators, so you may not be affected by the lack of electricity. However, it significantly impacts the daily lives of the people living there. Sometimes we couldn’t cook or work on our computers (no power or Wi-Fi), but if you plan your time well, you can adapt to living like this. Make sure to have a fully charged mobile phone battery and enough prepared food to get through these hours without electricity.
Conclusion
South Africa has been a dream come true. The abundance of wild animals we have seen, the diverse and untamed nature, the turquoise ocean… It is easy to explore with children if you focus on a particular region (the distances are long), and the people are extremely friendly towards them. In terms of entertainment, there is always an animal, a flower, a beach, or a park to discover with the little ones. If South Africa is a country that appeals to you, don’t be afraid and let yourself be captivated by this fantastic destination. We will definitely return!
