Property
Five hundred olive trees surround this guest farm and organic garden. Situated on the Goukou River in the Western Cape, Wild Olive offers secluded self-catering accommodation, charismatic farm animals and enough beautiful green space to relax and enthrall the entire family. Chalets and cottages are fully equipped with dishes, linens and an outdoor “braai” (wood-fired BBQ).

Location
About 3.5 hours drive east of Cape Town near the seaside town of Still Bay. To reach the farm you must backtrack on a gravel road along the river. Nearby, the town of Still Bay offers swimming in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean as well as fishing, golf and craft shopping. The Garden Route, South Africa’s tourist mecca, is a short drive up the coast.

Sleeps
Open-plan chalets sleep 2 children (in bunks) and 2 adults. Cottages comfortably sleep 4-8 people.

Highlights
A natural playground for kids of all ages. The salt-water river is perfect for swimming and canoing (no creepy crawlies, says Hazel, the owner). You may find chickens or rabbits on your door step and you’ll definitely hear the donkey braying his hello. Don’t forget to admire the brilliant Southern sky at night.

Good to know
Wild Olive offers training in the techniques of permaculture farming – and after a tour through Hazel’s garden, you’ll be inspired to start your own. The farm is a bit off the beaten track so bring food and drink but also stop to sample delicious meals from the farm kitchen and fresh veggies from the garden. The farm is busy throughout December holidays.

Contact
http://www.wildolivefarm.co.za

Written by Katherine Barrett

Property
As family friendly a place as you’ll ever come across. It has everything from ponies to playgrounds to penguins – all on your doorstep!

Location
Noordhoeks’ leafy lanes, mountains and white sandy beaches make this the perfect ‘playground’ for the whole family.  The hotel is based in the well-known Noordhoek Farm Village, and surrounded by: a playground for the kids, a choice of family friendly restaurants and a range of gorgeous little shops.  And that’s before you’ve left the property!

Sleeps
De Noordhoek has 20 double or twin en-suite rooms.

Highlights
They have connecting rooms available, which are perfect for traveling with children.  We found plenty of swimming beaches (some with child friendly tidal pools).  We all enjoyed: 1. Pizza at the Toad in the Village restaurant, 2. Boulders Beach penguin colony (also the beach is great for kids because there weren’t waves and was very sheltered) 3. The horses at nearby Sleepy Hollow, where the kids got to go on pony rides (if your children are older than 14, there’s the option of a beach ride).

Good to know
The hotel is environmentally responsible – ultimately very important for our children’s future!  It was the first hotel in Cape Town we found with solar heating, low energy lighting, water saving showers, an extensive recycling program and an indigenous water wise garden.  It had an incredibly homely feel to it with a local style. So you actually feel like you’re somewhere new and interesting. And it was reasonably priced.

Contact
http://www.denoordhoek.co.za

Written by Shayle Havemann

Property
“Ellie! Ellie!” A toddler spots an elephant from his perch in the Land Rover while an older child identifies springbok, giraffe and… there! A rhinoceros! African safaris are famous but perhaps a bit too wild for families with small children. The Garden Route Game Lodge makes it happen, perfectly combining rustic luxury, parenting and spectacular wildlife.

Location
Just east of Albertinia, about four hours drive from Cape Town, the game lodge is surrounded by misty mountains and the unique plants of the fynbos ecosystem. One to two hours further east are the popular tourist towns of the Garden Route with stretching beaches, craft markets, game parks and an authentic steam train journey.

Sleeps
Families stay in hotel rooms at the lodge. Up to three children under 12 years old can fit into one room (with their parents) using roll-away beds. For a more romantic getaway, book a secluded chalet.

Highlights
This resort really caters to children, from thoughtful small details to big adventure. Rooms are equipped with kiddie toilet seats and a box of toys. The restaurant has plenty of highchairs and plastic dishes. There are two playgrounds and a reptile center with snakes, alligators and touchable tortoises. Best of all, Africa’s storybook animals are roaming free – and there’s no malaria.

Good to know
Game drives are two hours long, leaving in early morning and early evening. Buffet meals are served after the drives. If this doesn’t suit your family, shorter game drives and other kid’s activities begin mid-afternoon, and child-friendly meals can be arranged in advance.

Contact
www.grgamelodge.co.za

Written by Katherine Barrett

Property
Ulusaba has a Safari Lodge (children 12 and up only) and a Rock Lodge (children of all ages welcome). The former has a swimming pool, children’s club, and endless views; the latter has treehouse-style rooms, swimming pool, and watering hole. All accommodations have air conditioning, fans, tea and coffee making facilities, and a fully stocked complimentary minibar (champagne included). Prices are steep, but all inclusive at this extremely private and luxurious resort.

Location
The Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is set in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve that borders the sprawling Kruger National Park in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. Ulusaba is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Johannesburg by air, and has a private airstrip (of course).

Sleeps
2 adults and 2 children (12 and under) in the 2-bedroom Rock Suite.

Highlights
In addition to operating a kids’ program, the lodge offers bedtime story hours, treasure hunts, a Cub Club goodie backpack on check-in, and free babysitting. The program is very flexible (i.e., no set schedule), with all services available on request.

Good to know
If your kids are under 13 (but over 6), they can still go out on game drives. You’ll have to hire a private tour though. This is a malaria area (and spending a boatload of money won’t protect you), so check with your doctor about appropriate precautions.

Contact
www.ulusaba.com

Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
One of the best safari values out there, the Elephant Plains Game Lodge accommodates just 22 guests in its standard rooms and luxury suites. All are air conditioned, and suites have lounges and decks with views of the riverbed. Luxury suites are best for families, with a king bed and room for two singles.

Location
Elephant Plains Game Lodge is situated on the banks of the Manyeleti River in South Africa near the Sabi Sands Game Reserve-one of the largest remaining true wilderness areas.

Sleeps
2-4.

Highlights
Two swimming pools. Twice daily game drives with flexible minimum ages by prior arrangment. Evening meals served fireside in the boma (an enclosure made of reeds). Evening and early morning babysitting by prior arrangement.

Good to know
Rates are inclusive of everything except drinks, gratuities, and transfers to the lodge. There are no televisions, but the lounge has ping pong, pool table, and a television (with a few children’s DVDs).

Contact
www.wild-wings.co.za/

Written by Jamie Pearson