Family Experiences

Family experiences

Seeing the world through the eyes of a child is truly magical. Everything just seems bigger, brighter, and altogether more exciting… And family holidays don’t have to mean stress, tears, or packing half the house. With a little Timbuktu magic, they become wild, wonderful, memory-making adventures that your kids will be talking about for years (and so will you). We’ve got top-notch family guides and activities ranging from archery in Kenya to surfing in Indonesia, private villas with swimming pools and enough space to tire out little legs, and chefs who can whip up pasta at the drop of a hat. So go on, bring them all!

Explore the thundering Victoria Falls

Gazing over the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, it's no surprise to learn that its local name means, 'the smoke that thunders'. Spend the morning or afternoon exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, meander along the walking trails and stop off at each of the 4 view points to see the falls from every angle. As one of the world's largest waterfalls, there is no bad time to be there but it reaches a roaring zenith in May when 10 million litres of water cascades into Batoka Gorge. If you want to have a more involved experience then this can be booked as a guided activity and you can easily pop over to the Zimbabwean side to experience the falls from a different angle for an additional cost.

Spot the Whales from land in Hermanus

Keep your eyes peeled for majestic Southern right whales in Hermanus before delving into the vines of the glorious Hemel-en-Aarde valley.

It’s usually Hermanus that steals the show when it comes to whale-watching, but the drive along the picture-perfect coastal road from Cape Town through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is just as spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic creatures as you go and when you reach Hermanus, stretch your legs with a stroll through the galleries, bookstores and boutiques. After a lazy lunch, head into the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde for a taste of the grapes from a cool-climate region, in particular the South African speciality, Pinot Noir.

Explore the Tswalu Kalahari on horseback

Being on horseback allows you to get close to animals like the endangered roan and sable antelope or the usually skittish Hartmann’s mountain zebra without disturbing them. Beginners and advanced riders alike can ride across the grassy plains and red dunes, drink in the beauty of the Kalahari landscape and enjoy its stillness.