Mpila Camp, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve

KwaZulu Natal is a wonderful destination to visit during winter, since its mild temperatures allow you to escape the chill of other parts of the country.  As part of our travels, we chose a visit to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, which was established in 1895, and is the oldest game park in Africa … Continued

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

There’s a secret little world of fantasy and fairy tale, which unfolds every Saturday morning in Constantia, Cape Town. And if you have not treated your children to a visit to the Rainbow Puppet Theatre, at the Michael Oak Waldorf school, then you are missing out! Continued

Pinocchio Pantomime in Johannesburg from 4 November

Adventures of Pinocchio

We have all heard of the story of the little wooden boy who was carved from a piece of pine by the woodcarver Geppetto and who was created as a puppet but dreamt of becoming a “real boy” named Pinocchio. This fictional character has been around since 1883 and has become a well loved tale and was certainly a firm favourite of mine whilst I was growing up.

And if you are in Johannesburg or its surrounding areas you will be happy to know that Pinocchio will be the biggest pantomime ever this year with 60 artists taking part. If you already au fait with pantomimes you probably call them panto’s and already have your tickets booked. However, if you do not fall into this category let me give you a little refresher in what the pantomime is … Continued

The Earth Fair food market deserves a look see

The Biscuit Mill’s Neighbourgoods Market has set a benchmark for just how good food markets can be in Cape Town. When it began, some three years ago now, we were blown away by Justin Rhodes’ and Cameron Munro’s initiative, and the award-winning market now features over 100 specialty traders, with a waiting list of something close on 100 as well. It’s an excellent market, one you’d be hardpressed to beat … Continued

Popular Cape Town Family-friendly Restaurants

Shoreline Café

Cape Town offers some beautiful locations to spend time with your family in a relaxing and playful atmosphere. On a constant quest to find perfect family spots offering healthy child-friendly food with an appetizing menu for adults, set in pleasant surrounds with play areas, here are some of the best experiences on offer …

Shoreline Café at the V&A Waterfront was created for pure enjoyment and is situated next to the Two Oceans Aquarium. An indoor play area makes this spot a great escape for rainy days! The kiddie’s area is lined with AstroTurf and has a big TV to entertain the older chldren, while the younger members of the family will be kept very busy on the creatively designed jungle gym and slides … Continued

‘Do like Balou’ in the Overberg this Holiday Season

Arabella Western Cape Hotel

Take your lead from Balou the bear this holiday season and ‘forget about your troubles and your strife’ at the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa. Of course as the song lyrics caution, you have to know the tricks of the trade in order to survive, and this is exactly where the Arabella’s Kid’s Club at Balou’s adventure centre comes in. Balou’s offers a secure fun-filled environment where children can enjoy stimulating and creative activities, whilst mom and dad relax with a round of golf on the Arabella Golf Course – recently selected as “Best Golf Course in South Africa”, or a well deserved break at the award winning Arabella Spa.

The Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa, which was voted both South Africa’s “Leading Luxury Hotel” and “Africa’s Leading Family Resort” in 2009, is situated in the Overberg, a scenic hour’s drive from Cape Town – in fact it will probably take you longer to pack up your brood, than to get there. The Overberg region is situated on the Southern most tip of Africa and is the meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans … Continued

Butterflies, anyone?

Butterfly World is a hive of activity over weekends, which is only to be expected if you consider that it’s virtually designed with children in mind, or certainly the young at heart.

Butterfly World

But the surprise came, despite our having read up on Butterfly World before heading out, when we entered the covered garden (after muscling our way through the gift shop filled to the brim with butterfly memorabilia, sweets and such like) to discover a tropical paradise filled not only with butterflies but a whole heap of other wonderful animals too – like marmoset monkeys, incredible iguanas, other lizards, huge spiders (good thing that they’re in locked glass boxes), scorpions, snakes and a variety of very vocal birds!

The 1 000 square metre greenhouse – the largest butterfly park in South Africa – is a feast for sore eyes. In fact, the butterflies play second fiddle to all the other activity both at knee level (various fish ponds) and eye level (see previous para but add a wonderful selection of foliage, exotic plants and conveniently placed benches for tired moms) … Continued

For the Kids in August

Fun for kids

If you are looking at ways of keeping your kids entertained and educated this August then look no further, the Noordhoek Farm Village has the answer.  And while your kids are busy having fun you can too by browsing around one of the shops or catching up with old friends over a coffee.

The Noordhoek Farm Village is in a beautiful setting under oak trees and you will be able to shop, dine and relax here.  There are also a number of regular events that take place. Situated on the southern slopes of Chapman’s Peak Drive in the Noordhoek Valley this tranquil farm setting is only a 25 minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre … Continued

Things to Do with Kids in KwaZulu Natal

Pony Rides

Is it school holidays again?  Battling to keep the kids entertained?  Look no further than this blog for fun filled ideas to make the holidays fly by!  KwaZulu Natal may have sticky, humid summers, but it also has the most wonderful, temperate winters - perfect for spending the day outdoors.

If you live in the Ballito area what about a few hours at the Flag Farm Animal Farm?  The farm is located on the N2 North and is open daily from 9am to 4.30pm.  Children will have the opportunity to learn how to milk a cow, feed the chickens or have a pony ride.  There is a tea garden for light meals or picnic sites should Dad want to meet you after he finishes work.  The farm is also pram and wheelchair friendly. Continued

Things to Do with Kids in Cape Town

Visit Kirstenbosch

I’m sure lots of Moms are wondering what to do with the Kids during the school holidays? Well, Cape Town and surrounds actually offers more than its fair share of things to do, even during the winter season.

For starters, seeing as most of us are having to watch our budgets, this is the time to take advantage of the special deals offered at some of our famous touristy “hot spots”! Not only are these places less busy right now than during the high season but you can also save quite a bit. Table Mountain has a “2 kids travel free with every paying adult” special (see http://www.tablemountain.net/) and Robben Island’s ticket prices have been reduced to R50.00 per child under 18 for the holidays. The Two Ocean Aquarium at the Waterfront is free to kids under 4 and 4-13 year olds pay R40.00 entrance fee. They are geared for children with special exhibits that will be fun for kids. (See http://www.aquarium.co.za/kids/default.php) Continued

Featured Family-friendly Game Lodge

RiverBend Lodge

The first in our feature on “Family-friendly Game Lodges” is the 5-Star RiverBend Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. Children of all ages are welcome at River Bend. Various activities are on offer including a playroom where hours of fun can be had.

The team at RiverBend are geared towards every need and children will be taken on walks with their guide, baking biscuits with the chef or doing mini treatments with the Beauty Therapist. There is also a dedicated channel on their television network on which children are able to choose from a selection of videos to be played.

When you need some time to yourselves and your children will not be joining you on a game drive or for dinner, RiverBend have trained child minders to take care of your precious ones whilst you relax and enjoy the beauty of the Addo Elephant Park. Continued

Family Holidays in South Africa

Family Holidays

Newly launched on SA-Venues.com is our Child-friendly Accommodation section. Catering specifically for families travelling with children from birth (age 0-3 months) to teenagers, the section features over 1,200 establishments catering for children, including family hotels, game lodges that cater for kids, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, self catering holiday suites and apartments that welcome children of all ages.

And whilst you are looking for that perfect family holiday destination in South Africa, visit the Family-friendly Provinces pages for some great ideas on what to do with the little ones in different parts of the country.

Port Elizabeth boasts fantastic beaches, an oceanarium and snake park at which to entertain children, the Garden Route is a wonderful escape for families with children of all ages, particularly for those children who can join you on walks through magical forests where the elusive knysna loerie serves as part of an entertaining diversion. Continued

Lalibela Game Reserve Children’s Programme

Lalibela for Kids

Since opening, Lalibela were aware that there is a huge demand for families wanting a safari holiday in a malaria-free area. Lalibela’s location makes it ideal for adults travelling with children who are wanting to combine a family safari with the Garden Route and Cape Town.

Over the last 12 months Lalibela have looked at various programmes catering for families and have come up with a children’s programme which optimizes the safari experience with quality family time.

Each family is different and children require varying degrees of attention, which is why the emphasis at Lalibela is to be as flexible as possible to ensure memorable family holidays.

In the early morning Lalibela’s child minders come on duty so that parents can leave for their morning game drive. The children are given a chance to wake up, get dressed and be ready for the day. Parents are welcome to stay behind and accompany their children on the kiddies game drive. Continued