If you’re considering a South African family holiday, we’ve got some great news. You are right on trend! The country at the southern tip of Africa has become a favourite destination of travellers from the world over of late. Plus, it’s particularly suited to group holidays and family vacations. Here are six excellent reasons why you should be headed to sunny Mzansi on your next family getaway:
You can have four (or five!) holidays in one
When you’re travelling in a group, it can be hard to tailor a holiday that suits everyone’s unique tastes. Some might like to get their adrenaline pumping; others want to visit museums and art exhibits. Some like to spend their days on the beach; others crave the glamour and fast pace of the inner city. This is why South Africa is such a wonderful destination. You can quite literally have four or five holidays rolled into one.
From cosmopolitan Cape Town (voted the world’s favourite destination yet again in 2018), to glitzy Johannesburg, you can get up to pretty much anything. See the Big Five in Kruger National Park. Zipline among the treetops along the Garden Route. Explore the Cape Floristic Kingdom at Cape Point Nature Reserve. See modern African art at the Zeitz MOCAA. Eat, drink and be merry with the locals. Adventure, culture, safari, beach, city – South Africa offers it all.
There are lots of hands-on experiences on offer
If you’re into immersive travel experiences South Africa is the place to be. From riding on ostriches in the Karoo, to picking golfball-size cherries in Ceres, you can really dig in and get your hands dirty. Take part in grape stomping, head into the woods to gather mushrooms, go fishing, cook Cape Malay food. Learn to mill alpaca wool, go spelunking along centuries-old cave systems or take up a craft like beading or pottery. Whatever your interests may be, South Africa will have a hands-on experience that will tick all your must-have boxes.
Excellent weather = unimpeded exploration
South Africa is a fairly large country, which means it has various climatic regions. As such, you can plan your trip to coincide with the weather. E.g. if you’re travelling between July and August, you’re heading into South African weather. This does not mean you have to get wet though. The eastern parts of South Africa like Kruger National Park have a summer-rainfall climate, so winter is a great time to go on safari. Conversely, Cape Town gets winter rainfall, so you’ll have wonderful beach weather when you head there between November and February. It all depends on when you’re visiting, so check in with a local tour operator to make the most of your holiday.
Related: 10 Unmissable South African outdoor experiences
It’s a cultural melting pot of note
If you’re travelling with your children in the hope of instilling an appreciation for other cultures, head to SA. The country has 11 official languages! But that’s just the start of it. The true magic lies in the integration and overlap of it all. Here you can eat boerewors, morogo, putu pap and chakalaka all in one meal. You’ll see Caucasian gents in shweshwe shirts and Zulu ladies in haute couture. Local music draws influences from countless cultures, underpinned by an infectious African beat. Roses grow alongside cacti; vellies are worn with silk stockings. It’s bonkers, colourful and incredibly inspiring!
South Africans love tourists (for real)
When we say the locals are friendly, we really mean it (read what our founders have to say about this). And not only in a hi there, yes please spend your money in our country kind of way. South Africans love to engage with tourists. Perhaps because the country is such a tapestry of cultures to start with, they are open to meeting and befriending folks from all around the globe. You can expect to be roped into celebrations, invited to braais and engaged in vigorous bouts of beach tennis. Learn a few words in a local language or two, and you are bound to return home with an impressive list of SA mates.
Related: What you need to know before travelling to South Africa
It’s still pretty affordable
As an emerging economy, South Africa’s currency is quite affordable when compared with those of Europe, America and the East. This means you can enjoy a wonderful holiday without spending too much. Additionally, you’ll be contributing to the local tourism sector, which means you are helping to create jobs! If you support local businesses who comply with ethical travel practices, it’s a win-win for all involved.
These are just a few of the many wonderful reasons why South Africa makes the ideal destination for a family holiday. There are many more besides. So, just do it! Book your South African tour, pack plenty of sunscreen and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. The country is only going to become more popular, so stay ahead of the curve with a family holiday in South Africa.