:: Sample Holidays - suggestions to whet your appetite

WHERE CHILDREN RECEIVE A WARM WELCOME, self-driving between friendly accommodation in malaria-free areas, combining the excitement of Cape Town, the beauty of the Garden Route beaches and some great game-viewing in the Eastern Cape

	Fly overnight from London to Cape Town. By road to Welgelegen for 4 nights. Drive yourselves to Palms Wilderness for 2 nights. Drive to Hog Hollow for 3 nights. Drive to Lalibela Mark’s Camp for 4 nights. Drive to Port Elizabeth to drop off the hire car. Fly via Johannesburg overnight to London. From £2,996.00 per person sharing with discounts for children for 15 nights
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Having described this as self-drive, you will actually be met at the airport in CAPE TOWN and driven to Welgelegen, charming and small, on the slopes of Table Mountain in the leafy old-established area of Gardens, close to the Mount Nelson Hotel.

The hotel is surrounded by a fragrant garden and was created by converting two Victorian houses joined by a delightful cobbled patio where you can enjoy breakfast and, perhaps, a glass of wine at the end of the day after the children have gone to bed. The rooms are all individually designed and evening meals can be arranged to suit you.

Your car will be delivered to you so you can explore locally – Cape Town has plenty to keep all ages busy!

Overlooking the ocean, the scenic village of WILDERNESS is the ideal location in which to break the journey along the Garden Route.

We have chosen Palms Wilderness, a pretty guest house with only 12 rooms all of which have private entrances to the tranquil gardens. The beach is an easy five minute walk away and there are many activities in the area including taking a trip on a steam train, canoeing up the Touw River and hiking to a waterfall or through breathtaking indigenous forests, a birder’s paradise. There is a small delicatessen on the property selling local produce – ideal for making up a picnic basket to take with you.

Driving further along the coast you will pass through Knysna and, just beyond PLETTENBERG BAY with beautiful beaches for bathing, is Hog Hollow Country Lodge, a welcoming family-run lodge set in a private nature reserve. Organised babysitting, special turn downs with a glass of fresh milk and a Gingerbread Man, children's stories and CDs, buckets and spades and boogie boards along with an earlier dining time with special menus are all part of the service.

Each suite has a bedroom, separate living room with a sofa that can convert into a comfortable bed and a private deck overlooking the forest beyond. In the main house the dining room has a sociable large table, and there are several congenial relaxing areas as well as a bar and pool.

While in the area, spend a day at Monkeyland, a sanctuary not just for African species but also for lemurs and primates from around the world who live free in the forest with birds and a variety of other creatures. Nearby is another sanctuary where you can choose to ride or just walk with the resident elephants.

Having had your appetites whetted, head off to the Eastern Cape where the private reserve of LALIBELA, with a dense population of wildlife, offers an excellent safari experience. Big Five sightings occur regularly and other game including zebra, giraffe, antelope, hippo, cheetah, hyena and wild dog are all abundant. Of the three camps at Lalibela, Mark’s Camp is ideal for families with a comprehensive Kiddy Programme that includes special game drives, arts and crafts activities and child minders.

The stone and thatch family chalets are comfortable and, between game drives, you will be able to spend time around the swimming pool, relax in the large lounge and perhaps bird watch from the viewing decks which over look a waterhole. The outdoor dining “boma” for fireside dinners will certainly make for memorable evenings and complete an unforgettable holiday for the whole family.

and what about?
	Grootbos Private Nature Reserve also makes families very welcome. It is close to Hermanus, perfectly situated for land-based whale watching as mothers, calves and energetic bulls come to within 30 meters of the rocky shoreline, breaching, tail-slapping and lob-tailing. Specialized guides accompany the children on exciting treasure hunts, excursions to the beach and rock pools, abseiling and trips through the reserve. Children can also help feed the farm animals and enjoy horse riding lessons and hack through the fynbos.

:: Sample Holidays

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Highlights of Southern Africa

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Southern African Safaris & Sunsets

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A Short Break to Namibia and Cape Town

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