12 Best Places to Visit in South Africa with Family

Known as the Mother City, Cape Town is a stunning coastal metropolis that shines as one of South Africa’s flagship family destinations. It is a city of high creative energy, set between the imposing, flat-topped Table Mountain and the deep blue of the Atlantic. The cool sea air, world-class cuisine, and sheer beauty of the landscape make it a perfect starting point for your family's luxury South African journey.

What to Expect

• Mountain Heights: The smooth, rotating ascent of the funicular up Table Mountain, followed by a walk along the stone paths on top for breathtaking 360-degree views.
• Penguin Encounters: The amusing sight and sound of a colony of African penguins waddling along the sand and granite boulders at Boulders Beach.
• Seaside Energy: The lively atmosphere of the V&A Waterfront, with its street performers, artisan shops, and boats departing for the historic Robben Island.
• Botanical Wonder: Strolling through Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and walking along the "Boomslang" canopy bridge as it curves 40 feet above the forest floor.
• Active Adventures: The thrill of gliding across sand dunes on a sandboard or the refreshing rush of kite surfing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Highlights

• Mountain Peak: Table Mountain
• Penguin Colony: Boulders Beach
• Harbor Hub: V&A Waterfront
• Historic Site: Robben Island
• Canopy Walk: Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

See how Cape Town fits into a larger family adventure with Zicasso’s Best South Africa safari tours.

Stretching from the coastal town of Mossel Bay to the forested region of Storms River, the Garden Route is a celebrated drive and a region of pure family fun. As you travel the N2 highway, the Indian Ocean unfolds on one side, while a landscape of deep forests, quiet estuaries, and mountain ranges passes on the other. It is a journey defined by the smell of the sea and the deep, earthy scent of the indigenous woods.

What to Expect

• Marine Safaris: An exhilarating ocean trip from Plettenberg Bay, feeling the sea spray as you search for dolphins, seals, and seasonal whales.
• Primate Play: The lighthearted fun of walking through a monkey sanctuary, hearing the calls and giggles of lemurs and capuchins playing in the trees above.
• Forest Soaring: The rush of a zipline tour in the Tsitsikamma Forest, gliding 100 feet above the ground between giant Outeniqua yellowwood trees.
• Forest Sounds: Listening for the distinct, loud calls of the Knysna loerie as you move through the lush, green canopy.
• Coastal Scenery: The constant, beautiful backdrop of the sea on one side and the green, rolling hills on the other.

Highlights

• Primate Sanctuary: Monkeyland
• Forest Zipline: Tsitsikamma Forest Canopy Tour
• Marine Adventures: Plettenberg Bay Ocean Safari

Combine the coast and the bush with Zicasso’s Malaria-Free Family-Friendly Safari with Cape Town and Garden Route Tour.

South Africa’s Kruger National Park stands at the top of the list for a family safari. This vast expanse of protected bushveld is home to the Big Five: lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo, as well as giraffe, zebra, and majestic kudu. A stay here is about shared excitement, from the first morning chill in an open vehicle to the warmth of a fire under the stars in luxury accommodation.

What to Expect

• Expert Guiding: The quiet thrill of tracking a lion with an expert guide, who interprets the sounds and signs of the bush for your family.
• Junior Rangers: Watching your children’s faces light up as they learn to track spoor, identify birds on a "safari bingo" game, or take part in a scavenger hunt.
• Kid-Friendly Drives: Shorter, engaging "safari bumbles" around the lodge for younger children, complete with their own safari booklet.
• Family Lodges: Staying in lodges and camps specifically tailored for families, offering private villas, kids' clubs, and flexible meal times.
• Sweet Treats: The fun of your children joining the lodge chef to bake cookies, a perfect treat to share by the fire later.

Highlights

• Animal Signs: Spoor Tracking
• Kid's Drive: Safari Bumble
• Lodge Fun: Cookie Baking

Find the perfect vacation in our family-friendly safaris and vacations in South Africa.

Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route is one of South Africa’s most dramatic scenic drives, a journey of immense scale and natural beauty. The landscape drops away into the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons on Earth. The air is clear and high, and the sound of thundering waterfalls, like the dramatic Lisbon Falls, provides the soundtrack to your drive.

What to Expect

• Vast Views: The breathtaking feeling of standing at God’s Window, looking out over the endless green lowveld as it stretches to the horizon.
• Geologic Wonders: Walking along the raised bridges at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, watching the water swirl through deep, cylindrical pools carved over millennia.
• Canyon Grandeur: Gazing at the three "rondavels," huge, beehive-shaped mountains that rise from the side of the deep, forested canyon.
• Thrilling Rides: The heart-pounding rush of the Graskop Gorge swing, a free-fall that sweeps you across the gorge in full view of the rushing waterfall.
• Scenic Stops: A relaxed drive with your family, stopping at numerous viewpoints to appreciate the sheer cliffs and deep valleys.

Highlights

• Green Canyon: Blyde River Canyon
• Carved Rocks: Bourke’s Luck Potholes
• Gorge Swing: Graskop Gorge Swing

Combine these views with a safari from our luxury South Africa safaris.

This region offers a journey of two parts: first, the pastoral charm of the Midlands, a picture-postcard landscape of rolling farmland and artisan studios, followed by the sheer, imposing majesty of the Drakensberg Mountains. It’s a transition from the cozy and creative to the grand and serene, offering activities that are relaxing and invigorating.

What to Expect

• Artisan Crafts: The simple, hands-on pleasure of the Midlands Meander, dipping your own candles, tasting locally made chocolates, or painting pottery.
• Country Pursuits: The quiet joy of trying catch-and-release fishing in a placid farm dam or taking a mountain bike on a serene trail.
• Mountain Air: The sense of peace as you get closer to the Drakensberg, with your family free to explore hiking paths and gentle walks.
• Riding High: The freedom of a horseback ride through the mountain foothills, with stunning views at every turn.
• Floating Above: The quiet wonder of a hot-air balloon ride at dawn, soaring over the peaks from Giant’s Castle to the striking Amphitheatre.

Highlights

• Artisan Trail: Midlands Meander
• Mountain Trails: Horse Riding in the Drakensberg
• Aerial Views: Hot-Air Ballooning over the Drakensberg

Find inspiration for your custom journey with our Hidden South Africa Two-Week Tour.

Set inland off the scenic Route 62, Oudtshoorn is a town of surprising contrasts, surrounded by the semi-arid landscapes of the Klein Karoo. Here, dusty farm roads lead to fields of trotting ostriches and just beneath the dry, rocky hills lies a hidden, subterranean world of caverns and formations.

What to Expect

• Underground Worlds: The cool, damp air of the Cango Caves as your family follows a guide through a network of immense caverns, lit to show off the stalactites.
• Farm Life: An interactive and amusing tour of a working ostrich farm, where you can see the giant eggs and watch the world's largest birds up close.
• Desert Creatures: A special morning encounter with meerkats, where you can sit quietly and watch these curious, amusing animals warm up in the sun.
• Karoo Scenery: The unique, stark beauty of the Klein Karoo landscape, with its red earth and distant Swartberg mountains.
• Exciting Chambers: The fun of navigating the smaller, more adventurous passages of the caves on a kid-friendly tour.

Highlights

• Subterranean Marvel: Cango Caves
• Farm Tour: Ostrich Farm Visit
• Morning Watch: Meerkat Encounter

Incorporate this stop into our Garden Route Adventure: Four Weeks in South Africa.

This seaside town is a gem for a luxury family adventure, famous as the whale-watching capital of the world. From June to November, Hermanus is electric with anticipation and the sound of the whale-crier's horn announces sightings from the scenic cliff path. Even outside of whale season, the fresh salt air, rock pools, and coastal trails make it a perfect family stop.

What to Expect

• Marine Giants: The awe of a boat-based whale-watching tour, getting a water-level view of southern right whales breaching and tail-slapping.
• Land-Based Awe: The unique thrill of spotting whales right from the shore while walking the seven-mile Hermanus Cliff Path.
• Coastal Hikes: Exploring the trails, discovering hidden coves, and letting kids play in the swirling rock pools at the Blue Flag Grotto Beach.
• Forest Fun: The excitement of a quad bike tour in the nearby forest, traversing rocky terrain with beautiful mountain and sea views.
• Local Learning: Engaging with the town's history at the Old Harbour Museum and Whale House Museum.

Highlights

• Marine Encounters: Whale Watching
• Forest Trails: Quad Biking
• Scenic Walks: Coastal Hiking Trails

Learn more about this seasonal spectacle in our Guide to Whale Watching in South Africa.

South Africa’s northeast coastal region is a land of deep history and wild landscapes. It is home to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the country’s oldest game reserve and a crucial sanctuary for rhinos, as well as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the energy of the Zulu culture is palpable, set against a backdrop of sugarcane fields and wild, golden beaches.

What to Expect

• Rhino Sightings: The thrill of tracking the Big Five, especially white and black rhinos, in the rolling green hills of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi.
• Living Culture: A respectful visit to a traditional Zulu village, feeling the rhythmic energy of songs and dances and learning about ancient customs.
• Hands-On Crafts: The fun of trying to weave traditional baskets or make colorful beaded necklaces alongside local artisans.
• Turtle Journeys: The moving, seasonal sight (Nov-Feb) of newly hatched loggerhead and leatherback turtles making their way to the Indian Ocean.
• Wetland Wonders: Snorkeling at Cape Vidal or taking a boat trip on Lake St. Lucia to see hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.

Highlights

• Rhino Sanctuary: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
• Cultural Immersion: Zulu Cultural Village
• Coastal Reserve: iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Explore this region with Best One-Week South Africa Safari.

The Eastern Cape offers the perfect solution for a family safari: premier, malaria-free game reserves set among rivers and rolling hills. Within an easy drive of the Garden Route's end, this region allows you to seamlessly combine a "bush and beach" adventure without the need for additional flights, making it a stress-free and rewarding safari destination.

What to Expect

• Elephant Herds: The impressive sight of the dense elephant population at Addo Elephant National Park, a reserve dedicated to their protection.
• Malaria-Free Ease: The peace of mind that comes with a high-quality Big Five safari in a region free from the risks of malaria.
• River Safaris: A tranquil afternoon boat cruise on the Kariega River, spotting grazing buffalo and wallowing hippos from the water.
• Birding Fun: Helping your kids spot and check off colorful birds like the red-billed oxpecker and greater double-collared sunbird.
• Cultural Welcome: Returning to your lodge, welcomed by the joyful, traditional singing and dancing of the staff.

Highlights

• Elephant Haven: Addo Elephant Park
• Avian Life: Bird Watching
• Water Safari: Boat Cruise and Safari

For more information, take a look at our Best Places to Visit in South Africa.

Nestled in the crater of an ancient, extinct volcano, Pilanesberg National Park offers a unique and highly accessible safari experience. Just a few hours from Johannesburg, its circular geography creates a stunning backdrop of rocky outcrops and grasslands, providing a contained and rich habitat for the Big Five and over 300 bird species.

What to Expect

• Volcanic Scenery: The unique feeling of being on safari inside a 1.2-billion-year-old volcanic crater.
• Accessible Wildlife: The ease of spotting a high density of animals, including the Big Five, within a manageable and beautiful park.
• Aerial Views: The silent, breathtaking perspective of a hot-air balloon safari at dawn, watching the sun rise over the crater's ring.
• Learning Hub: Engaging your children at the Pilanesberg Centre, where interactive displays explain the park's geology and wildlife.
• Walking Trails: Guided bush walks that offer a chance to connect with the smaller creatures and fascinating plant life often missed from a vehicle.

Highlights

• Accessible Wildlife: Big Five
• Sunrise Soaring: Hot-air Balloon Rides
• Park History: Educational Center

Ask our travel specialists to incorporate this region into a Personalized South Africa Safari.

As South Africa’s economic heartland, Gauteng is a province of high energy, home to the fast-paced city of Johannesburg and the administrative capital, Pretoria. For families, it offers a chance to engage with the nation's complex history, from the origins of humanity to the glittering rush for gold and diamonds.

What to Expect

• Gold Rush Fun: The blend of history and thrills at Gold Reef City, a theme park built on an old gold mine, with rides and underground tours.
• Diamond History: A fascinating tour of the Cullinan Diamond Mine, where some of the world's largest and most famous diamonds were found.
• Mountain Views: The smooth glide of the Hartbeespoort Dam cableway to the top of the Magaliesburg Mountains for stunning views.
• Human Origins: The profound, thought-provoking experience of visiting the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO site detailing the history of our ancestors.
• Cave Exploration: Entering the Sterkfontein Caves to see fossil displays and learn about the groundbreaking discoveries made there.

Highlights

• Mine Tour: Cullinan Diamond Mine
• Ancient History: Cradle of Humankind
• Political History: Apartheid Museum

Start or end your South Africa tour in Gauteng.

Nestled in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, the quaint town of Clarens is known as the "jewel" of the Eastern Free State. It is a creative hub with a backdrop of stunning sandstone cliffs, which glow a deep gold at sunset. The nearby Golden Gate Highlands National Park and wide-open spaces make it a perfect destination for active, outdoor-loving families.

What to Expect

• Golden Cliffs: The sheer beauty of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, especially in the late afternoon as the sun lights up the sandstone.
• Mountain Air: The feeling of freedom while hiking or mountain biking on the trails of the Clarens Village Conservancy.
• Trail Riding: The classic adventure of a horseback ride through the Maluti Mountains, with gorgeous views of golden valleys.
• Active Fun: The excitement of quad biking in the foothills or abseiling off the Swartland cliff.
• Seasonal Treats: The simple pleasure of a tractor ride and picking fresh cherries as a family if your visit coincides with the November festival.

Highlights

• Sandstone Scenery: Golden Gate Highlands National Park
• Active Trails: Mountain Biking

An itinerary like our Adrenaline and Adventure Tour of South Africa can easily be customized to include Clarens and Golden Gate.

South Africa is the embodiment of diversity, offering a remarkable range of landscapes, adventures, and cultures in a single, family-friendly destination. With rolling vineyards, dramatic coastlines, vast bushveld plains, and engaging cities, it is one of the world's top destinations for families. From the slopes of Table Mountain to the safari routes of Kruger, you can create a journey filled with shared excitement and lasting memories.

With so much to see and experience on your vacation, explore our comprehensive South Africa travel guide for invaluable insights, inspiring travel ideas, and practical tips to help you meticulously plan your dream trip. Our specialists are ready to ensure every moment perfectly connects with your desires, transforming your South Africa safari tour and vacation into an unforgettable journey.