Tourism Update sources 10 travel products of appeal to the preferences of British travellers accompanied by their families.  By Michelle Colman. 

1.Bush, Beach and Battlefields in KZN

This KwaZulu-Natal based itinerary from Wilderness Safaris combines wildlife, the ocean and a chapter in South Africa’s past that is of much interest to the British visitor.

The historical aspect focusses on the Anglo-Boer War and the clash of the British Empire with the South African Republic and the Republic of the Orange Free State. A fiercely contested battle at Spioenkop in 1900, when the Boers were defeated by an army double their size, is central to the story, and thus this package begins with a two-night stay at Three Tree Hill Lodge bordering the Spioenkop Game Reserve. 

The bush part of the itinerary comes in at the Big 5, five-star Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge in the Ladysmith region, where another two nights are spent in a family suite. This is followed by marine activities for three nights at Rocktail Camp in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

2.Unusual excursions from Tintswalo Manor House

The Tintswalo Concession in the Manyeleti Game Reserve occupies a strategic wildlife spot, bounded by the Kruger National Park, the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and the Sabi Sand Reserve.  Not far from its main lodge on the Nwaswitsontso River, is a four-star facility that accommodates families of up to 10 members – perfect for multi-generational groups.

Along with game drives, birding and star gazing, Tintswalo offers a range of excursions which include community trips, hot air ballooning and scenic tours along the Blyde River Canyon.  A little more unusual is an encounter with Jessica the Hippo, a tame hippo that has featured on Animal Planet shows many times.  There are also trips to the Hoedspruit Cheetah Research Project and Moholoholo, an animal rehabilitation centre.

The lodge will tailor a children’s programme.  It offers a swimming pool with deep shaded patio, and a traditional boma for evening barbeques.

3.Wilderness Safaris’ Bush Buddy

Last year Wilderness Safaris featured in an award programme run by the British publication, Family Traveller, taking the ‘Best Family Educational Holiday’ title for 2015.  The product that won the consumer vote was the Bush Buddy programme, which makes the most of the natural environment to entertain and educate children of all ages.

The programme is a highlight at Wilderness Safaris camps that are particularly family-friendly: Seba, DumaTau and Kalahari Plains Camps in Botswana; Kulala Desert Lodge and Damaraland Camp in Namibia, and Rocktail Camp in South Africa.

Each family-friendly camp offers different activities suited to its own particular environment, for example, water activities characterise the wetter regions in the Okavango Delta, while land activities are emphasised in the Namibian camps. In Botswana, families can request the company of an experienced ‘bush buddy’ to join them as mentor and friend to their youngsters, introducing them to the highlights of the wild.

Children take part in various games, arts and crafts, often geared towards acquiring particular traditional skills; giving them the opportunity to learn about the local culture and customs.

4.Eagle encounter and grape juice tasting for kids at Spier

Spier Wine Farm in the Western Cape has gone all out to offer attractions for all ages. A particularly successful one is operated by Eagle Encounters, a rehabilitation and conservation centre based on the wine farm.  Visitors can witness Africa’s largest eagles in flight, the use of age-old falconry techniques to train birds, or simulated bird hunts.  A number of interactive flying shows are held daily, while interactions with owls, tortoises, rabbits and other animals are possible all day.

Wine tasting may be a strictly adult activity, but Spier has introduced grape juice tasting for kids, offering them juice samples made from the grapes that go into pinotages and merlots. The tasting is coupled with an educational activity sheet highlighting the role insects play in vineyards.

5.Luxurious perks for all ages at Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa

Over and above a superb location against Table Mountain and high service standards, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa goes out of its way to make junior guests feel as comfortable as their seniors. 

For a start, all children 16 years and younger stay free when booking a superior sea-facing room or any suite.  They are welcomed on arrival with apple juice, milkshakes or chilled fynbos tea, and a welcome backpack with their own room key and lanyard, as well as a gift or game.  They can expect a basket of toys in the room, kiddie robes and linen, and milk and cookies at turndown.

There’s a children’s menu in The Café Grill, and complimentary popcorn in the hotel’s private cinema during age-appropriate screenings. They are entitled to use the hotel’s X-Box as well as the DVD library. The Guest Relations Manager will gladly arrange kids’ tours and recommend places of kids’ interest.

6.Mini-rangers course at River Bend Lodge, Eastern Cape

At River Bend Lodge, a five-star property on a private concession in the Addo Elephant National Park, a mini-rangers’ course goes down a treat with families. 

It’s an opportunity for parents to have some time away from their young ones, assured that their children are entertained and supervised.

The course is directed at three age groups: 3 -5 years, 6 – 9 years and 10 – 12 years. Each participant receives a mini-ranger bag, the contents of which are an examination book, spoor guide, pencil and wax crayons. Thus equipped, they learn how to track animals, identify and measure animal spoor, identify different bushes and edible fruit, learn survival skills such as how to find water, and recognise animal sounds.  Weather dependent, the younger kids can experience a bug hunt.  At the end of the course a certificate is presented.

The course is available at no extra charge for guests who are booked on the fully inclusive rate.

When it comes to game viewing drives there is no age limit at this lodge, and child safety seats are used for younger guests.  For those interested in the night skies, the guides will explain aspects of astronomy.

Youngsters can also make use of a day room with games, books and TV/DVD player with a selection of kiddies’ viewing material.  There’s a garden to play in, and an opportunity to bake biscuits with the chef. Child minders are available for parents who wish to enjoy dinner without the kids.

7.Beach and beasts at Plettenberg Bay

While on a Garden Route tour, Plettenberg Bay, a great beach resort, is also within easy reach of some animal-inspired family attractions.

At Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary most of the 18 species of primates roam freely. The facility offers monkey safaris, a restaurant, souvenir store and viewing deck, and a 128-metre suspended canopy walk.  Next door, Birds of Eden is a large free-flight bird aviary – 50m high and covering 23 000sqm of forest. It houses more than 3 500 specimens of 280 species, with the main focus being African birds. Visits are usually self-guided, but guided walks can be requested.

A five-star spot to spend a few nights here is Kurland Hotel, which is family-friendly to the extent that it provides suites with kiddies’ loft rooms, a playroom, children’s dining conservatory and baby- sitting services.

8.Whales and walking at De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve, managed by the Western Cape’s provincial conservation body, Cape Nature, is popular with hikers, cyclists, and bird and whale watchers. It is located in the Overberg near Hermanus, three hours’ drive from Cape Town.

In fact, its Whale Trail - a five-day hiking trail, is considered one of the country’s best. Its route offers coastal and mountain walking, with spectacular views and, of course, plenty of opportunities for whale watching in season.

The neighbouring marine reserve, which extends 5km out to sea, is one of the largest marine protected areas in Africa.

9.City discoveries on foot

With the trend towards experiential experiences, walking tours engage all the senses. More and more of these are springing up in all South Africa’s main tourist cities.

In Gauteng, PAST Experiences has carved out a name in both Pretoria and Johannesburg’s inner cities, as well as neighbouring Soweto.  In Cape Town, the Cape Town City Walk is a collaborative community project that combines walking with storytelling and public art. In Durban, there are walks highlighting the city’s Oriental community or the town’s history.

These are just a few examples and many established tour operators are teaming up with emerging entrepreneurs to offer walks that explore the fascinating nooks and crannies of inner cities and township locations.  There’s also a growing list of themed walks, highlighting subjects from cuisine to graffiti.

10.Southern African Magic adds sparkle to SA, Zimbabwe and Botswana

UK-based Acacia Africa offers a 14-day trip of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana that will have the traveller game viewing by 4 x4 in the Kruger National Park, on foot in the Matobo National Park and by mokoro in the Okavango Delta. 

Doing things a little differently, the itinerary also features a sunset cruise at the Victoria Falls, a Tswana village visit at Gweta and a visit to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary near Serowe in Botswana.

Also worth consideration is the seven-day Okavango Wilderness Trail for small groups, which includes a wildlife cruise on the Chobe River, or the Kruger & Victoria Falls itinerary with a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River.