Category: Africa

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South Africa

Safari on the Eastern Cape

Just a 45-minute transfer from Turkey’s Antalya airport, Susesi Luxury Resort is a premium haven situated on its own quiet section of Belek’s sand-and-shingle beachfront. And, it’s entirely designed for families.

Why go?

With a child-friendly ethos, game galore and plenty of organic food to enjoy, the Kwandwe Private Reserve in South Africa is the perfect place to introduce your children to nature at its most glorious.

On the malaria-free Eastern Cape, hippos were nothing but a distant memory until a man called Angus Gillis bought a former goat farm 10 years ago and set about transforming it back into an animal’s paradise. Since then, more than 7,000 animals have been returned to the reserve to make it their home, including the ‘big five’: leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino. 

This success has made it possible for Kwandwe Private Game Reserve to open two lodges, one with six rooms and one with nine, plus two sole-use villas. All in all, the reserve can accommodate 44 guests at any one time. On this expansive 20,000-hectare property, you’ll find peace, quiet and uninterrupted animal viewing opportunities are in ample supply, as well as quality family time.

The beautiful scenery of Kwandwe alone is enough to make you and your children feel relaxed on your family break. Animal sounds are abundant and kids will be excited and bounding out of bed when they hear exotic birdsong at dawn.

It’s no surprise that many of those who visit – the Earl and Countess of Wessex among them – keep coming back. 

Who is it good for? Kids aged eight and above will get the most from this experience and game drives are especially great for teens. Unfortunately children aged five and under cannot go on the safari, however, children of all ages are welcome to join the ‘Striped & Hooves’ adventure, a daily one hour morning game drive after breakfast with or without their parents to view ‘non-aggressive’ game such as giraffe, zebra, monkeys, warthogs etc at no additional cost. 

Activities

Twice-daily game drives, bushwalks and extras including Rhino Monitoring and Big Game Walking are just some of the activities on offer at Kwandwe. Out and about on the reserve, you’ll come across lions, black and white rhinos, cheetahs and hippos all thriving and largely untroubled by the human world beyond. Why not step out of your comfort zone and try an exhilarating night drive where you can see more unusual animals, such as the elusive porcupine, aardvark and bat-eared fox. 

Especially for kids, there are countless fun activities including the unfortunately named ‘poo safari’, fishing, pottery, pizza making and bedtime stories. All children receive a ‘Rangers in Training’ backpack, which include a craft pack, magnifying glass and a booklet to help them identify wildlife.

Accommodation

For families with older children, Great Fish River Lodge is perfect, and it’s one of the chicest lodges in Africa. Rooms are light, bright and creamy white, with large teak beds, vast bathrooms and terraces decked with wood and canvas furniture. From the balcony – and your private pool – you’ll have a sensational view of the Great Fish River where you’ll spend hours watching the hippos, Egyptian geese and crocodiles.

Alternatively, Ecca Lodge, the second of the four small accommodation options within this large private reserve, welcomes children of all ages and offers complimentary childminding.  

Food: After a hard day’s safari the delicious, fresh three-course dinner menu, of which the Ostrich is a highlight, is a real treat. There’s also a special menu for children. 

The lowdown

Price: Great Fish River Lodge takes children from the age of 12yrs and above. A family comprising 2 adults and 2 children, aged between the ages of 12 and 16, staying in double suites would cost from £1,030 per night, all inclusive. 

To stay in Ecca Lodge with a family of four comprising 2 adults, 1 child aged 0-5 and 1 child aged 6-16 sharing a suite would cost from £735 per night. 

How to get there: South African Airways offers return flights from London to Port Elizabeth, South Africa, via Johannesburg, from £779 per person.

Travel time: From London it’s a 15-hour flight to Port Elizabeth, then a 30-minute flight to Kwandwe airstrip, or a 1 hour 45 minute drive, all transfers can be arranged by reservervations. 

What to pack

WHAT TO PACK FOR A FAMILY SAFARI

Available from

You’ll need to pack more than khaki shorts and walking boots for a holiday to Africa.

Read more

Categories
Seychelles

Seychelles with Kids

Hike through lush tropical forests, take a ride in a glass bottom boat, and encounter giant tortioses in the Seychelles.

Why go?

The Seychelles are not only ideal for a holiday, but also a paradise for children – not least because it is one of the few countries in the tropics that doesn’t require additional vaccinations and where there are practically no dangerous animals and plants.

The Seychelles are a family-friendly holiday destination and if you are travelling with your offspring the locals are likely to approach you for a friendly chat, with the older ones often patting the children on their heads. This is a common gesture and is just their way of showing how much they like children. You won’t find people frowning at you if your child behaves the way children behave, by playing loudly or kicking up a fuss.

The endless, sandy beaches that line the island are an absolute pleasure. The sand is fine, powdery and usually very clean. In many places the beaches have very shallow waters that are ideal for children. 

Activities

Children aged eight and up can participate in a Bubble Maker course where they learn how to use a mask and snorkel. Those 12 years and older can do the Junior PADI Open Water Diver Certificate. It is important to remember that your children need to obtain a diving medical certificate from a sports physician prior to departure. 

Glass bottom boat trips are available on Mahé and other islands. Without getting your feet wet, you can observe corals, fish and other marine creatures up close.

Mahé: It is worth taking the children on a visit to the Botanical Gardens and older children will enjoy exploring the Jardin du Roi where you can explain to them where spices come from, which most only know in their processed form in their kitchen cupboards. The same goes for the Tea Factory, where they can experience the growing, harvesting and processing of tea.

La Digue: Visit the L’Union Estate for a demonstration of the processing of coconuts.

Praslin: If you are staying on this island, you should book a day trip by boat to the neighbouring islands of Cousin and Curieuse, where you are guaranteed to encounter giant tortoises and all kinds of exotic birds and the tortoises don’t mind if you pet them. 

 

Top tip: It is a good idea to have beach sandals with non-slip soles as some of the beaches have sharp-edged corals that can cause nasty injuries. 

Accommodation

When choosing your accommodation, it is worth noting that some hotels have locations that are not suitable for children – such as the Sunset Beach Hotel on Mahé, which is on a rocky outcrop right on the sea. These hotels usually have a prescribed minimum age for their guests. On the other hand, some large hotels offer special entertainment programmes for their younger guests as well as a babysitter service for those parents who need some time alone. Some hotels also offer family suites, most have cots available for infants and many hotels have space for an extra bed for an older child. If children want their own rooms, larger hotels have adjacent rooms with connecting doors. Travel agencies usually indicate these options in their catalogues.

The high-end category of hotels also have offers especially geared to the needs of children such as the Lémuria Resort, which attracted so many children that, in addition to the children’s playground, they now also have options for older children and teenagers. There are even spas with treatments for children and teenagers so they can enjoy a yoga class or a chocolate massage.  

The lowdown

Travel time: Flights from London take approximately 11 hours and 50 minutes. 

How to get there: Fly with Emirates from London Heathrow to Seychelles International; from £780.

Top tips: Read a Marco Polo travel guide before you go on your family holiday. 

Categories
Egypt

Soma Bay, Hurghada

At Soma Bay you’ll find a sunny Red Sea beach and child-friendly activities galore.

Why go?

Set on a peninsula with a coral reef on one side and a gentle, natural bay on the other, the resort of Soma Bay would be perfectly placed but for one thing: it’s on the Hurghada side of the Red Sea, which, until recently, suffered from poor UK connections. Direct flights now might come courtesy of easyJet, but don’t let that put you off: Soma Bay’s seclusion has done it a serious favour.

The resort’s white sandy beaches boast space and warm shallow water aplenty – protected by shark nets – in which smaller children can play.

There are daily trips out to the coral reef, kite surfing and regular excursions to the historical treasures at Luxor and Karnak. There’s also golf for Dad and a huge spa for Mum, not to mention a kids club where children can be safely left while their parents indulge in a spot of R&R. 

Don’t miss: The best part of Soma Bay is to be found below the waves and even the youngest children can get involved thanks to the resort’s glass-bottomed ‘submarine’. An upgraded version of the glass-bottomed boat, it lets you get close to the rainbow residents of the resort’s reef without getting wet. The utterly cute Nemo fish and the endearingly gawky parrotfish will be favourites, and inspire numerous re-runs of the Disney film. Whether you find Nemo or not; it’s brilliant fun and about as energetic as it gets at Soma Bay.

Accommodation

Although guests can use facilities at all of the resort’s four hotels, the distances between them are large and not all have a child-friendly beach.

The cheapest, Breakers, has no beach at all and caters for those who want to learn to dive – great if you have a budding scuba enthusiast, not so much fun with a toddler who just wants to splash about.

For that, there’s the good value Sheraton.

The gorgeous Kempinski is more expensive than the rest, but it does have a useful Italian restaurant where even the fussiest eater will be hard pressed not to find something they like.

The lowdown

Travel time: 5 hours 20 minutes and a short 20 minute journey by car from the airport to Soma Bay.

How to get there: easyJet flies direct from London to Hurghada; from £157 return. 

The hotel: Prices start at £70 per night per person depending on which hotel you choose. For more information, see somabay.com. 

Categories
Mauritius

Sun Holidays: Veranda Pointe Aux Biches, Mauritius

If you fancy a sunshine holiday with the kids this winter (who doesn’t?), then we recommend this three star resort in Mauritius.

Why go?

Situated about a 15 minute drive from the tourism hub of Grand Baie, on the north-west coast of the island, Veranda Pointe aux Biches has done a sterling job of appealing to all age groups. 

While a secluded area of the hotel ‘Sandy Lane’ has been set up for honeymooning couples who want to eat, swim and drink away from the noise, the other section of the hotel is almost exclusively devoted to families – think cultural programmes, a kids club and 44 family rooms which feature a double bed for the parents and a connecting door for the kids (sleeps two adults and up to three children).

Tired mums and dads can also have their own taste of paradise with a massage on the beach followed by some ‘laughing yoga’ or traditional Sega dancing with the kids.

Activities

KIDS’ CLUB

The Timomo children’s club runs from 9am until 8pm each day and includes painting, sand castle competitions and natural henna classes. A visit to the nearby aquarium runs once a week (Rs 275) and the club organises an end of week theatre show for children to perform to parents.

 

CULTURAL PROGRAMMES

Families can also benefit from the resort’s cultural programme. Activities for all ages including ‘laughing yoga’ on the beach and Sega dance lessons – the traditional Mauritian dance which is taught using traditional instruments of goatskin drums and triangles. These activities are all resort-based and included in the price of the rooms – itinerary available on request.

 

OUTSIDE EXCURSIONS

For adults who fancy escaping the beach, the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, is just 15 km away (25 minutes by car). Recommended excursions during the summer months include visiting the sixty-acre Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (Rs200, open 8.30 – 5.30pm), the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. 

 

For something a little closer, ask the hotel for a guided walk or cycle ride to the nearby Hindu temple Maheswarnath. Simply after a change of scenery for the day? Veranda Resorts offers guests free access to its sister hotels during their stay. If the kids are in the kids’ club, head to adults-only resort Veranda Paul & Virginie for a peaceful lunch and stunning views.

 

For a family affair, head to Veranda Palmar Beach or Veranda Grand Baie (there is a free shuttle service to Grand Baie, the area with the only real option for night life, from the hotel). Both resorts also have a children’s club and cultural programme, with activities including a coconut workshop, glass-bottomed boat trip and traditional Creole cooking classes.

The lowdown

PRICE

High season (22 December-3 January): B&B from £92 per adult per night, with children (2-11) an extra £46 and teenagers (12-17) an extra £69. 

 

Low season (1 May-30 Sept): B&B from £60 per adult per night, with children (2-11) an extra £15 and teenagers £30. 

 

All-inclusive requires a supplement of £36 per adult and teenager per day, with children (to age 18) at £20. 

Price includes: Cultural itinerary , snorkelling, kayaking, table tennis, pedal boat, badminton, WIFI. There is also a shuttle service to Grand Baie which operates three times a week (check at time of booking).

 

Travel time: A flight from London to Mauritius is approximately 12 hours and it is approximately one hour’s drive from the airport to the resort.  

SPECIAL OFFERS

Save 10% on early booking bonus, booking code VPAB/WW/13-14/EBB

Save 30% on a seven night stay (excluding peak), booking code VPAB/PUB/13-14/SS

 

More information: Visit veranda-resorts.com/en/hotel-veranda-pointe-aux-biches

 

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Have fun with the little ones with this how-to guide on a Mauritius holiday with children.

Categories
Botswana

Botswana Family Holiday – Canoe in Africa

Boat past hippos and giraffes on this wonderful water safari, in Africa’s beautiful Botswana.

Why go?

Fancy a spot of parent-teen bonding on an intrepid wildlife adventure? We suggest a four-day, 45km canoe along Botswana’s Selinda Spillway. On this once-in-a-lifetime trip you’ll have the bush pretty much to yourself, as there’s never more than one small-sized group (maximum of eight) on the trail at a time. Though paddling may sound daunting, the conditions are ideal for amateurs; water is shallow, pace is gentle, and the Canadian tandem canoes are easily managed.

Activities

Animal spotting is the main activity. You’ll see exotic, brightly-plumaged birds and, if you’re lucky, elephants, stampeding buffalo, giraffe and impala. You’ll also learn about the environment as you explore with a programme of bush walks and snorkelling trips in the company of an expert guide.

Don’t miss: Pods of chubby, wallowing hippos. Your wildlife guide will help you to spot them.

Food: Delicious three-course feasts prepared by the camp chef will satisfy all appetites. And budding Mary Berrys can even try out bread-making.

The lowdown

Price: Rainbow Tours offer a four-day/three-night trip on the Selinda Canoe Trail with Wilderness Safaris from £1,150pp. This includes meals, drinks, bush walks and transfers to Selinda airstrip. Tents are spacious, with comfy bedrolls, as well as ‘proper’ showers and loos.

How long? A flight from London to Johannesburg is 11 hours, then it’s just 2 hours to Maun and a 45-minute small plane to Selinda.

How to get there? Fly with British Airways to Maun from £1,168. Note that flights stop in Johannesburg and connections are via Air Botswana or South African Airways. Then enjoy an epic small plane flight to Selinda.

Categories
Egypt

Cairo with Children

Cairo isn’t the obvious choice for a family break but is one that is not to be missed and an experience your teenagers won’t forget in a hurry.

Why go?

With almost 20 million locals, modern Cairo is a warren of luxury hotels, shops and restaurants, superimposed on layers of ancient history. It’s almost impossible to visit Cairo without learning something new.

Thanks to a recent round of revolutions and riots, parents may think twice before booking a trip to Cairo.

But despite the difficulties, there’s more to the city than crowds and chanting, and plenty for families to enjoy.

Who is it good for? Unless you’re prepared to haul a buggy through the busy streets and around the sites, this is a trip for older children (8+), who will get a buzz from the exciting history of ancient Egypt.

Activities

Honey gold and towering, the Pyramids can be seen rising up over Giza long before you reach them.

Getting in means running the gauntlet of a long line of stern-faced officials, but once in you won’t be short of friendly company and there will be plenty of time to explore the three huge structures, the Sphinx and the warren of tombs without hindrance.

Even more fun is to do it all on a camel – an experience that will delight most children and their parents to boot.

There’s more for families in Cairo than most realise and you could spend weeks there without getting bored.

To the north, there’s the wonderful citadel, built by Saladin and still looming over the city, and the family hotspot of Al Azar Park boasting the best city view in Cairo.

Then there’s the Nile Corniche and its flotilla of feluccas for hire, and the labyrinthine Cairo Museum – home of both Tutankhamun and his famous tomb.

Perfect for parents with teens is Khan-El-Khalili, Cairo’s most famous bazaar.

Expect a blizzard of noise and colour, with leather babouches to bizarre kitsch stacked in higgledy piggledy rows. Once out of the winding commercial lanes, the souk’s sunny squares are great for people watching.

Where to eat

The quiet plazas of Khan el-Khalili offer local food in the form of mezze type dishes (houmous, pitta, baba ghanouche) and flavoursome meat and vegetable stews.

Delicious though most is, some dishes include sneaky servings of offal, which won’t go down well with children.

What should do better are the local desserts, Umm Ali and Baklava, both of which involve plenty of honey, nuts and crumbly pastry, and can be snapped up for a pittance at the bakery on the corner of Roushdy Street.

CAIRO KITCHEN

If it’s traditional Egyptian food you’re after then head to Cairo Kitchen, a chain of restaurants that provides traditional Egyptian home-style meals and street food.  Even with its amazing history and culture – dishes have origins stretching back as far as Pharaonic times -, it has been overshadowed by the success of its neighbours, like Lebanese, Syrian and Turkish cuisine.

But this little delight of family-friendly restaurants – there are three main braches in different corners of the capital – has made the experience of local meals accessible to much of Cairo locals and tourists alike. Perfect for adding authentic and new food to the kids’ holiday.

Find your nearest branch at cairokitchen.com

The lowdown

Best time to go: Cairo is hot and dry most of the year, from May to August temperatures reach over 40°C, from September to March it is usually between 15 and 25°C, with February and March being the best months – bear in mind, this is also the busiest time to go.

Where to stay: The Kempinski Nile Hotel has rooms overlooking the river Nile in a central location just five minutes walk from Tahrir Square and the National Museum. Rates start at £150 per person per night.

Travel time: Flights from London to Cairo take 4 hours and 47 minutes.

Hot to get there: British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Cairo; from £407 return. Egyptair flies from London Heathrow to Cairo daily; from £380 return.

Categories
Mauritius

The Residence, Mauritius

You won’t have to lift a finger with a butler to unpack your bags on arrival!

Activities

If you don’t want to stray too far from the resort, the concierge will arrange a private tour (car seat provided) to visit Grand Bassin, a sacred Hindu temple, the Trou aux Cerfs volcano, Flacq market or take a ride on the resort’s glass bottom boat.

Food: The food is influenced by Creole cuisine and there’s lots of fresh seafood as well as sumptuous evening buffets. There is a children’s menu and the chefs are happy to cook simple dishes, such as pasta, rice and omelettes for the young untrained palette.

A child-friendly tropical retreat

Why go? As new parents, a holiday in a tropical destination is just the ticket, and if you can face the 12-hour long flight with the kids to get there, The Residence luxury hotel in Mauritius is the perfect place to relax, be pampered, and catch up on some sleep!

Located in Belle Mare on the eastern coast of the island, this contemporary, colonial style hotel offers a slice of child-friendly paradise. With nearly a mile of powder soft sand and shallow turquoise waters, wobbly first steps will become confident strides as your little one discovers shimmering shells, birds and crabs. Chose from Colonial Suites or interconnecting rooms for families. A cot, baby bath and all the usual amenities, including a kettle for warming bottles can be provided.

Who is it good for? The Plantation Kids Club, for kids aged 3-12 years, provides a tropical indoor and outdoor play area as well as crafts, cookery, activities and evening entertainment. Babysitting and nanny services are also available for younger children (at an extra cost) should you fancy a romantic dinner, spa treatment or even need an extra pair of hands during the day.

The lowdown

Price: Turquoise Holidays (01494 678400) offers seven nights for two adults, two children (aged 3-11) from £4,599, including flights, interconnecting rooms and complimentary half board for children.

How to get there: Direct flights are available with British Airways and Air Mauritius from London Heathrow to Port Louis.

Travel time: 11 hours and 55 minutes.

Categories
Seychelles

The Seychelles with Children

Exotic, exclusive, expensive – the Seychelles may be heaven for honeymooners, but what if you want to take the kids there on holiday? William Gray and family pack their bags for a tropical island adventure.

Why go?

The beaches in the Seychelles are some of the finest in the world. Any seven-year-old sandcastle connoisseur will tell you that. But what really amazed us during our two-week stint in paradise was that a family trip to the Seychelles doesn’t have to be just a beach holiday.

As ‘beach days’ go, though, we had a pretty special one when we had a close and fascinating encounter with a turtle. I’d always considered them rather nervous, flighty creatures – quick to turn with a flick of a flipper and vanish into the deep blue. But this one was doing the complete opposite. Later, our seven-year-old twins, Joe and Ellie, admitted that they thought we were in for ‘a good pecking’ when this particularly curious individual swam to within a few feet of our goggled faces. It was so close we could have reached out and touched it. For a minute or two we trod water, the coral lagoon reverberating with our excited ‘snorkel talk’, while the hawksbill turtle fixed us with a quizzical stare.

That day, we had also cycled across La Digue to Grande Anse, a dazzling white scimitar of sand, bookended by tumbled boulders of pink granite. The sea was the kind of turquoise you squirt from tubes of toothpaste, there were pools brimming with mudskippers, and the powder-fine sand was, according to Ellie, the perfect consistency for dribble castles.

The Seychelles: not just a beach holiday…

Activities

ISLAND HOPPING

For starters, there was the island hopping. We flitted between the archipelago’s three main ones – Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. You can fly, but to save money we took the ferry. It was a great opportunity to mingle with quirky islanders (like the large lady carrying a crystal vase full of roses), but also a chance to spot wildlife. The twins became obsessed with timing the airborne efforts of the flying fish scattered from our wake like silver skimming stones.

JURASSIC PARK

Then there was Jurassic Park. Or the Vallée de Mai, as locals like to call it. Located on Praslin, this remnant of the prehistoric forests that grew here at the time of the dinosaurs is home to the indigenous coco de mer. Famous for its suggestive bi-lobed nut and metre-long stamen, the sexual connotations of this ancient species of palm are lost on children. Ours were far more interested in exploring the forest trails, spotting geckos (the nearest thing you’ll find to dinosaurs in the Vallée de Mai) and arguing over whether a 20kg coco de mer nut could knock out a T Rex.

HIKING

Despite the heat and humidity, we also hiked on Mahé. Reaching 905m, the island’s rugged backbone has a tendency to snag clouds, but it was still clear when we drove our rental car up to the 500m Sans Souci pass deep within the Morne Seychellois National Park. We stopped at the Capucin Mission Ruins where a school was built for freed slave children during Britain’s anti-slavery campaign in the 19th century. Walking along a shady avenue of sandragon trees, we found traces of the school – now little more than a moss-strewn memory – before reaching a lookout with panoramic views across the island. White-tailed tropicbirds twisted like paper darts over the mountain forest rucked up along Mahé’s reef-fringed coast.

SNORKELLING

If there was one activity, however, that dominated our family holiday in the Seychelles it was snorkelling. The gently shelving beaches proved to be perfect training grounds for our mini Cousteaus. Within a day or two, Joe and Ellie were happy to float over waist-deep lagoons, hovering above branching coral fussed over by shoals of electric blue damselfish.

EXCURSIONS

During our stay on Praslin, we ventured hand in hand around a small offshore island. As the water deepened – and handholds tightened – the sea began to chatter with the clicking sounds of myriad fish nibbling away at the reef. It was like floating in a giant bowl of Rice Krispies. Halfway around the island, we clambered onto a boulder for a rest, only to find ourselves equally mesmerised by fruit bats circling overhead.

The following day, we joined a boat trip to St Pierre Marine Park where the twins registered the sudden appearance of an eagle-spotted ray and a reef shark with shrill squeaks through their snorkels. By the time we arrived on La Digue for our final few days in the Indian Ocean, expectations were running high for our next snorkelling expedition. Hiring bikes for a few rupees each, we cycled to Anse Source d’Argent. Gilded by late-afternoon sun, the sea looked irresistible. We grabbed our masks and snorkels and waded into the warm, languid waters. We’d seen sharks, rays and flying fish. But we hadn’t yet spotted a turtle…

Where to eat

Beyond the ruins, the road unravelled through tea plantations to the island’s narrow coastal plain. French settlers began growing spices on Mahé in the late 1700s. At Jardin du Roi, in the south of the island, we sampled cinnamon-flavoured ice-cream before heading back to the capital, Victoria, to try some traditional Creole cuisine. The menu at Marie Antoinette has remained unchanged since the restaurant opened in 1972 – a child-friendly buffet of chicken curry, grilled snapper, battered parrotfish, tuna steak, fish stew, aubergine fritters and rice.

We also got to try Creole cooking ourselves. In contrast to our hotel accommodation on Mahé, we opted for self-catering bungalows on Praslin and La Digue, another ruse to save money, but also a chance to get a feel for everyday island life. We found Creole staples – tomatoes, onions, spices, rice and fish – in local markets, and supplemented our culinary efforts with pizza and ice-cream at the beach café.

The lowdown

How to get there: Emirates flies to the Seychelles via Dubai.

Travel time: A flight from London to the Seychelles, via Dubai, takes around 12 hours and 30 minutes.

Price: Four nights in a deluxe ocean-view suite at the Coral Strand Hotel on Mahé, four nights in a two-bedroom villa at Les Villa D’Or on Praslin and three nights in a two-bedroom bungalow at Casa de Leela on La Digue cost from £7,925 for a family of four, including breakfast, flights, road and ferry transfers with Bushbaby Travel.

Book: Visit bushbaby.travel or call 0845 124 4455.

Categories
South Africa

Escape to Cape Town, South Africa

Crispin Futrille and family head to South Africa for a glorious city and safari adventure in picturesque Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Why go?

‘I bless the rains down in Africa…’ Listening to Toto, I couldn’t help but think what strange subject matter for a band of American session musicians. Only Toto could get away with rhyming ‘company’ with ‘Serengeti’. We had set off on our South African adventure: me, my wife Victoria, and our children, Beatrix, six, and Max, four.

As a family, we wanted to see the beautiful scenery around Cape Town, not to mention all the activities in the city itself. The safari was always going to be a huge draw, my children having reached an age where they could tell the difference between a couple of blasé giraffes at London Zoo and the deadly lions that would stalk past just metres from our jeep in the wild. 

Watch now: The Futrille family on their safari adventure

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Activities

CAPE TOWN

The Victoria & Albert Waterfront is a short walk from the Cape Grace Hotel and a real treat for children. Ours spent hours on the outdoor playground, and there’s an aquarium, harbour cruises, a ferris wheel and a host of other attractions to keep them entertained.

We took the cable car up Table Mountain. It was a cloudless day and we could see for miles. You can hike to the top of Table Mountain (it takes a few hours), but the cable car will speed you to the summit in five minutes.

Attraction prices:

Aquarium – Adults £7, Children £5

Pirate Boat Cruise – Adults £8, Children £4

Ferris Wheel – Adults £5.50, Children £3

Cable Car – Adults £12, Children (4-17) £6

GONDWANA GAME RESERVE

Upon arrival at Gondwana Gane Reserve were introduced to our ranger, who introduced himself as ‘Forget’. It was exhilarating, and within 15 minutes, Forget had spotted two cheetahs in the tall grass.

This private game reserve has the Big Five – the African Elephant, Black rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, African Lion and African Leopard – roaming freely around, as well as many endangered species. These are all set to delight children of all ages and fascinate them as they take strolls as you’re eating breakfast in your lodge. The reserve will also take your breath away for its outstanding beauty of endless mountain views and rolling shrubland. A big plus point: it’s malaria-free, making it safe for the kids all year round.

Our ranger’s enthusiasm for what he does was matched by the speed at which he drove.We skidded down valleys, bounced out of our seatbelts and streaked through mud in pursuit of a dot on the horizon. The land was thick with pine bushes, like huge oversized brittle dandelions on scorched red soil.

Forget took us on a private excursion, which meant we could shorten the time a little and head to Bea’s favourite animals: the snorting hippos on the lake.

Apart from the wonderful safari adventures here, there’s also golf courses, great swimming and surfing beaches, as well as coastal towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

Accommodation

CAPE GRACE HOTEL

The Cape Grace is in a great location, right by the historic harbour, and with views of Table Mountain. Our suite was vast. Sitting room, big balcony and two huge bedrooms. The hotel isn’t what I would call a family hotel (no kids’ clubs or playgrounds), but it is very child-friendly: staff would call out, ‘Hi Bea, hi Max!’ as our kids chased each other through the reception. 

KWENA LODGE

The Lodge’s accommodation is dotted around and I loved the layout. The huts felt part of the beautiful scenery, just a few minutes from the main reception but with a marvellously secluded ambiance. All the rooms, whether the large central sitting room, open-plan kitchen, or wraparound balcony, had incredible views across miles of wilderness. 

The lowdown

How to get there: Premier Holidays offers a South African adventure from £1,949 per adult and £1,695 per child. Includes return flights to Cape Town, four nights at the Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town, bed and breakfast, and three nights at Kwena Lodge, half-board, plus all transfers.

Offer is based on a family of four (two adults and two children up to 11 years old), and is valid for travel from May-July 2015. For more information visit Premier Holidays.

When to go: From November to March, the Cape is hot and dry. The autumn months of April and May have crisp, clear days (ideal for hiking on Table Mountain). Temperatures peak between December and February.

Flight time: 11 hours and 15 minutes.

For more information: Visit southafrica.net

DISCOVER MORE EXCITING EXCURSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER FAMILY-FRIENDLY SAFARI ADVENTURES AROUND THE WORLD.

 

Categories
Morocco

Morocco: Family Adventure Holiday

Jam-packed with history and culture – and less than a four hour flight – Morocco is fast becoming the number one choice for families.

Why go?

Less than a four-hour flight from the UK, Morocco is fast becoming the number one choice for families wanting an active alternative to the ‘flop and drop’ beach holiday. Jam-packed with history and culture, and boasting landscapes of sprawling deserts, palm-fringed oases, rugged mountains and even pirate hang-outs, boredom just doesn’t get a look in.

While the country has an enviable climate, the peak summer months of July and August can be uncomfortably hot, so with children travel outside of these periods. Spring and autumn, though, are ideal.

Activities

Whether you want to hone your haggling skills in the souqs of Marrakech, explore the port and one-time pirate hang-out of Essaouira or live like a local in the deserts and mountains, Morocco boasts a wealth of activities and accommodation to suit every budget.

Many tour operators offer camel trips out in the Sahara desert, where you can embrace your inner Lawrence of Arabia and overnight in a Bedouin tent.

Also visit Ait Ben Haddou, one of the best-preserved fortified Kasbah’s in the country and backdrop to films such as Gladiator, Alexander and Game of Thrones.

It’s also possible to live like a local in a traditional Berber village homestay.Here you’ll be surrounded by the High Atlas Mountain, you’ll enjoy panoramic views and get an insider’s view of a way of life that has gone unchanged for centuries.

Top tip: Casablanca is perhaps one place your kids will thank you to avoid. As a busy metropol, it’s lacking the romantic, character-filled, easy-going charm that you can find in somewhere like Fes. 

The lowdown

How to get there: easyJet flies from Stansted to Marrakech; from £129 return. 

Travel time: Less than four hours flying time from London airports.

Where to stay:  Centrally located, Marrakech is probably the best place to stay and from where other attractions can be visited most easily.

£££: Jnane Tamsna is an exquisite, private 24-room villa complete with spa and restaurant, set in a 15-acre walled garden estate, 15-minutes from Marrakech; from £100-£240 per night.

££: A good mid-range place to stay is Riad Kheirredine; from £150 per night.

£: The budget Aqua Fun Club Marrakech has a spa, tennis courts and fitness centre; from £35 per night.