7 Day Cape Coast Family Beach & Safari

Guests are met and welcomed at a Cape Town International Airport by their African Sky guide. After completing a few formalities, we travel east through the Overberg to Swellendam at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. De Hoop Nature Reserve protects about 34,000 hectares of coastal fynbos and dune landscapes, with a marine protected area extending three nautical miles offshore that is renowned for shore-based southern right whale watching in season. Optional activities are available at guests’ own expense, allowing the family to choose between guided experiences and relaxed downtime.

Over the next two full days, you can explore walking trails that wind through rich Cape Floral Region vegetation, take leisurely cycles on quiet reserve roads, or join guided marine walks to rock pools at low tide. Birders will appreciate the prolific birdlife around the De Hoop Vlei, a Ramsar-listed wetland that attracts pelicans, flamingos, and numerous waterbirds. In season, keep an eye on the ocean for whales breaching just offshore, while kids enjoy sandy beaches and safe, shallow tidal pools. Evenings are spent back at Opstal Manor House, where the family can share the day’s highlights under clear southern skies.

After a last relaxed morning at De Hoop, we head inland through farmlands and small Overberg towns before turning north via Barrydale. The road climbs through scenic Tradouw Pass into the Little Karoo, revealing wide valleys and rugged ridgelines typical of this semi-arid region. A short stretch on the famous Route 62 and gravel tracks leads to Sanbona’s welcome lounge, where you transfer to Gondwana Family Lodge. After check-in and time to settle into your family suite, the kids can explore the lodge’s child-friendly facilities while adults enjoy views over the surrounding plains.

In the late afternoon, you join your first guided activity in this malaria-free Big Five reserve. Sanbona protects roughly 54,000–62,000 hectares of rolling hills and Karoo scrub, with resident elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and a variety of antelope and smaller mammals. Your ranger will introduce the family to the area’s geology and flora as you search for wildlife in golden late-afternoon light. As the sun sets, there is usually a stop for refreshments and photos before returning to Gondwana for dinner, where children can enjoy an early meal and parents can linger over a relaxed, family-focused evening.

Sanbona conserves a vast Karoo ecosystem and offers a full Big Five experience in dramatic mountain and plain scenery. Morning and afternoon game drives depart at times chosen to maximize wildlife activity, with your ranger and tracker using their knowledge of the reserve to find elephant herds, grazing antelope, and predators such as lion. Sanbona is also known for its conservation of rarer species like the riverine rabbit and, historically, white lions, which make sightings especially memorable. Between drives, you can relax at the lodge pool, enjoy views over the plains, or join guided nature walks where age-appropriate and weather permitting.

Children are well catered for at Gondwana Family Lodge, with dedicated indoor and outdoor play areas, a shallow pool section, and activities ranging from bug and spoor tracking to creative crafts. Families may be introduced to San rock art sites or learn about the area’s geology and pioneering rewilding efforts. After dark, clear Karoo skies often allow for stargazing, which can be a highlight for younger guests. Evenings end with shared stories around the fire or in the lounge, cementing Sanbona as a comfortable, engaging base for both first-time and repeat safari travelers.

After a final early morning activity, the family has one last chance to enjoy the wildlife and landscapes of Sanbona. Depending on your schedule, you might set out on a shorter game drive to bid farewell to favorite species or simply soak up the peaceful Karoo scenery from the lodge. Breakfast is served back at Gondwana Family Lodge, and there is time to pack at a relaxed pace while younger travelers enjoy the last moments in the kids’ areas or by the pool.

Late in the morning, your transfer departs Sanbona and returns to Cape Town, tracing mountain passes and farmlands that highlight the Western Cape’s variety of landscapes. On arrival in the city or at Cape Town International Airport, your family beach and safari holiday officially comes to an end, with options to connect to onward flights or add extra time in Cape Town. The combination of De Hoop’s coastal reserve and Sanbona’s malaria-free wildlife makes this a balanced introduction to the region’s nature for families of different ages.