This time, I travelled with my husband, 2 older children plus girlfriend. So, four grown‑ups and one pseudo‑grown‑up, all with opinions, appetites and an eye for a good Instagram pic. South Africa delivered on all fronts. Here’s what we did:

LIVED LIKE LOCALS ON THE V&A WATERFRONT

We based ourselves in a luxury apartment on the V&A Waterfront for five nights. It was the perfect launchpad: secure, beautifully appointed and within easy reach of the restaurants, shops and harbour views that Cape Town is so famous for.

Morning coffee was taken on our balcony watching the boats come and go, then we would head out on foot to explore. The V&A is touristy, yes, but the buzz is infectious and the convenience can’t be beaten when you are trying to please five adults with varying levels of morning enthusiasm.

BEAT THE CROWDS UP TABLE MOUNTAIN

On one of our first mornings, we set an alarm for silly o’clock and headed to Table Mountain before the queues started. Even so, the cable car ride was an experience in itself, slowly rotating and revealing sweeping views of Cape Town, Lion’s Head and the Atlantic seaboard as we climbed.

At the top, the walking trails felt surprisingly peaceful. We wandered along the rocky paths, spotting dassies (improbably cute rock hyraxes) sunning themselves and taking in the full 360-degree panorama. It is one of those views that photos just do not do justice to.

EXPLORED BO-KAAP & LANGA

One of the most meaningful days of the trip was a private tour that took us from the colourful houses of Bo-Kaap into the township of Langa. Rather than peering in from the outside, we were welcomed by local guides who shared their own stories and perspectives.

We learned about the history of forced removals, resilience, and community initiatives that are changing lives today. It was eye‑opening, humbling and important, and it gave so much context to everything else we saw on the trip.

MET THE PENGUINS AT BOULDERS BEACH

Penguins, as it turns out, are the great leveller: no matter how grown‑up your children claim to be, everyone squeals when they see them.

At Boulder’s Beach we watched the famous colony shuffling about on the sand and launching themselves into the water with all the grace of someone who has overestimated their own athleticism. Later in the trip, we visited Betty’s Bay where the penguins felt wilder, clambering over the rocks and braving the crashing waves of the open sea. Both stops were absolute highlights.

DROVE THE CAPE PENINSULA

Armed with our van, we spent a full day circling the Cape Peninsular. We stopped at the Cape of Good Hope and climbed up to the Cape Point Lighthouse, where the wind did its best to rearrange our hairstyles while we gazed out at the meeting point of two oceans.

The drive along Chapman’s Peak is every bit as dramatic as the postcards suggest, hugging the cliffs with sheer drops to the ocean below. We threaded together beach stops, photo pauses and impromptu snack breaks, feeling like we were in a car advert for most of the day.

ATE OUR WAY AROUND CAPE TOWN

Cape Town’s food scene is, frankly, dangerous if you are even remotely greedy.

Two standout evenings were at Iron and Steak, where perfectly cooked meat and polished service kept everyone happy, and Reverie Social Table, a wonderfully unusual social dining concept. There, we joined one long communal table, shared beautifully prepared dishes, chatted to strangers and left feeling like we had been at a very stylish dinner party rather than a restaurant.

HOPPED BETWEEN WINE ESTATES

From Cape Town we drove inland to Franschhoek, where vineyard‑draped hills and crisp white gabled farmhouses signalled a definite change of pace.

We dedicated a day to the Wine Tram, a hop‑on, hop‑off system that trundles between the wine estates. It is an ingenious way of removing any arguments about who is driving. Tastings on shaded terraces, a leisurely lunch, and views over row upon row of vines made this one of the most relaxed and indulgent days of the trip. Even the non‑wine drinkers were happy soaking up the scenery.

WENT OFF‑GRID IN THE KAROO

Leaving the coast behind, we drove North into the Karoo, South Africa’s semi‑desert interior. The landscape slowly emptied until we found ourselves turning off onto a track that led 40 minutes up a deserted canyon to our lodge.

There was no passing traffic, no light pollution, no phone signal and no Wi-Fi beyond reception, just the sound of the wind and the odd inquisitive animal. We ate hearty, home‑cooked meals, watched the stars appear in layers and felt very small in a very good way.

STEPPED BACK IN TIME IN MOSSEL BAY

Returning to the coast, we stopped in historic Mossel Bay. It has a slightly old‑fashioned charm, with heritage buildings, maritime history and broad ocean views. It felt more like “old school seaside” than a polished resort, which we rather liked after the sleekness of Cape Town and the Winelands.

DISCOVERED PLETTENBERG BAY & ITS SEAL COLONY

Next up was Plettenberg Bay, one of the jewels of the Garden Route. Long beaches, crashing surf and a relaxed, holiday town feel set the scene.

From here we headed out on a Sea Safari to visit a nearby Seal Colony. Hundreds of seals bobbed, dived and lazed on the rocks The combination of ocean spray, playful wildlife and dramatic headlands made this another “pinch me” moment.

ADVENTURED IN TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

Tsitsikamma National Park was our playground for a full day. We went ziplining through the indigenous forest, then kayaked up the Storms River Gorge, paddling between towering cliffs and under suspension bridges.

The setting is lush and wild, with waves crashing at the river mouth and stillness further upstream. It is a place that makes you feel very grateful that national parks exist.

FOUND PEACE IN CAPE ST FRANCIS

If Mossel Bay was historic and Plettenberg Bay lively, then Cape St Francis was the sleepy little cousin. We spent the night in this very small coastal village and enjoyed a particularly memorable dinner at Mauro’s, a friendly Italian restaurant spot that felt like someone’s much‑loved local.

The next morning we took a long walk on the stunning beach, with barely another soul in sight. It was one of those simple, quietly beautiful moments that you only really appreciate once you are back at your desk.

WENT ON SAFARI

The grand finale of our trip was a 2‑night Safari at Hlosi Lodge on the Amakhala Game Reserve. From the moment we arrived, it felt special: warm welcomes, well appointed rooms and sweeping views over the reserve.

Our game drives delivered everything we had hoped for and more. We bumped along in the open vehicle at dawn and dusk, watching elephants browsing calmly, lions sprawled in the grass, giraffes gliding between acacia trees and plenty of plains game in between. Morning breaks with Amarula-spiked coffee and muffins, and sundowner stops with a gin and tonic in hand, the sky turning orange and pink, will stay with me for a very long time.

Our guide (Stan) was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, answering a million questions while somehow also positioning us perfectly as lions and cheetahs emerged out of the bush. It was the perfect ending to our South African adventure.

FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF:

We chose to self drive, hiring a vehicle near the V&A Waterfront and following a route from Cape Town through the Winelands, along the Whale Coast, into the Karoo, down to the Garden Route and finishing with a Malaria-free Safari in the Eastern Cape. This gave us maximum flexibility to stop where we liked and really get under the skin of each area.

A few things to note:

DISTANCES & ROADS: The roads are generally good and well signposted, but distances can be longer than they look on the map, especially when you factor in photo stops and coffee breaks.

COSTS: Eating out is excellent value compared to the UK, especially for the quality you get, although you will still want to budget sensibly for activities, wine tastings and guided tours.

SAFETY: We followed sensible advice from our local partners, stuck to recommended areas and driving routes, and felt comfortable throughout. As in any major city, a bit of common sense in Cape Town goes a long way.

BEST TIME TO GO: Our April trip gave us warm days, cooler nights and relatively quiet roads outside the main South African school holidays. Wildlife viewing on safari was excellent and the vineyards were turning lovely autumnal shades.

FAMILY‑FRIENDLY: Travelling with older teens and young adults worked brilliantly. There was enough adventure to keep everyone engaged, good Wi‑Fi in most places, and plenty of spots to linger over a long brunch.

South Africa is one of those rare destinations that combines world‑class city experiences, wine, coast, mountains and safari in a single trip, without it ever feeling rushed if you get the pacing right.

If you would like to plan your own South African adventure, with the right balance of luxury, authenticity and wow‑moments for your family, contact me and I will help you piece it all together.