Best Family Holiday Destinations in South Africa in 2026

Why South Africa Works So Well for Families

South Africa is a country that makes family holidays easy and rewarding. This is thanks to its spectacular scenery, family-friendly game lodges plus the opportunity for relaxed family adventures all together.

Whether it’s toddlers marvelling at penguins, teenagers testing their nerve on a treetop canopy tour, or parents finally getting to relax in the bush, South Africa offers something for every stage of family life. From Cape Town’s beaches and mountains to malaria-free game reserves, to remote adventures in Coastal Maputaland, there is something for every family.

Of course, no blog article can replace a personal chat with us about your family. But as a starting point, this article outlines the best family holiday destinations we recommend for families, grouped by age and interests i.e. the best regions for younger children, active families, or older kids/ Plus tips on how to make the most of your family trip.

Check out: Our page on family safaris in South Africa

Family Holiday Destinations for all ages:

Cape Town

Cape Town offers a rare mix of city family fun and natural beauty. Families can explore the Oceanarium, Planetarium, World of Birds or Imhoff’s Farm. Or take boat trips into the bay or head up Table Mountain. Forest trails and beautiful beaches add plenty of space for adventure.

Check out our article on the Top 20 Things to do with Kids in Cape Town (Part 1) and Top 20 Things to do with Kids in Cape Town (Part 2).

Hermanus

This coastal town is famed for whale-watching (Mid July to early November), but families also enjoy its golden beaches, scenic coastal and mountain walks, and boat trips. Older kids may even brave shark cage-diving  in nearby Gansbaai. Hermanus also makes an ideal 2 night stop en route to the Garden Route.

Little Karoo

This area is full of quirky, child- orientated experiences: ostrich farms, meerkat adventures (for older kids only), and the legendary Cango Caves. Wilgewandel Farm was also a great highlight for my kids.  Plus the Cango Wildlife Ranch is also a perennial favourite.

Looking for adventure? Try the Cango Caves Adventure Tour (1½ hours). Expect muddy knees, some young bravado and gentle giggling as Mum squeezes through narrow cracks in the rock. (I speak from personal experience.)

Garden Route

Perhaps South Africa’s most family-friendly region, the Garden Route offers beaches, coastal forests, and lagoons alongside activities such as boat cruises, the treetop canopy tour, Monkeyland, Birds of Eden and whale-watching trips. Families also love the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park with its swing bridge. Adventure activities range from kayaking to stand-up paddling to ziplining.

See our article on Top 20 things to do with kids on the Garden Route.

“It was the first holiday where everyone – from the grandparents to the teenagers – was equally thrilled.”

Drakensberg Mountains

Here you’ll find family-friendly mountain resort hotels, full of in house sporting facilities, and as well as a range of walking trails for all ages. This area is ideal for 6 years and up.

Durban & Dolphin Coast

Perfect for winter sun trips from May to August, when KwaZulu Natal is sunny and warm.  The Dolphin Coast combines long sandy beaches with cultural experiences. Highlights include uShaka Marine World, Natal Shark Centre, Zulu villages with dancing displays, and Valley of 1000 Hills.

Adventures for Older Children:

As kids grow, so do the options. As well as the above, you may like to consider:

Coastal Maputaland

This remote and pristine corner of South Africa is ideal for July to August holidays.

Families can swim, dive and snorkel in the Indian Ocean, canoe on freshwater lakes, or even catch a glimpse of a whale (July to early November). Summer brings  turtle tracking nights (from November to February).

Natal Battlefields

History comes alive here with captivating stories of the Anglo-Zulu and Anglo-Boer battles. It sounds dry but believe me, its not! But best-suited to children aged 10 and older.

Also see our blog on Tips for Family Safaris with Older Children or Teenagers.

Active Family Holidays:

For families who like to get moving:

• Cape Town, Garden Route, Cederberg, and Drakensberg all offer hiking, biking, and water activities (Cape & Garden Route only).
•  Cederberg Mountains  is superb for rock scrambling, ancient rock art, and epic scenery.
• Southern Coast: try a guided slack-packing trail like the Dolphin Trail if you have teens
• Garden Route: kayak up the Keurbooms River, mountain-bike through indigenous forests, or zipline across treetops on a canopy tour. (You’re harnessed to a series of cables, and you glide like a bird from tree to tree!)

 

Family Holidays for Younger Children

If travelling with little ones, it’s important to balance adventure with safety and convenience:

• Cape Town: oceanarium, planetarium, Imhoff’s Farm, and safe beaches.
• Garden Route & Little Karoo: gentle activities and wide-open spaces.
• Eastern Cape and Madikwe: superb malaria-free game reserves with family-friendly lodges that run kids’ programmes orientated towards younger kids, and child-friendly game drives.

See our Safaris for Young Children page, and our article on Family-friendly game lodges.

So, How Does It Work?

Planning a family safari with Cedarberg Africa is simple:

1. Chat with us – Tell us about your family and what excites you (and what doesn’t).
2. Receive your tailored itinerary – No guesswork. Just a plan that works.
3. Travel with total peace of mind – We’ll take care of the details, so you don’t have to.

What You’ll Get from Cedarberg Africa

• Seamless travel logistics
• Family-friendly lodges with flexible meals and downtime built in
• Conservation-positive choices that reflect your values
• Advice from people who’ve travelled with their own kids

“Best Destinations for Family Holidays in South Africa” was written by Kate of Cedarberg Africa

This blog post is written by Cedarberg Africa, a specialist tour operator for Southern and East Africa focusing on upmarket tailormade safaris for busy & discerning couples and families. We hope that it’s useful!