South Africa for a short break - am I mad??

[ChineAndWheeseParty]

I've got the opportunity to visit a distant family member (though I'm quite close to them) who lives in SA.

I would LOVE to go, but I'm a softy and don't want to leave the DC for too long (they'll be grand with DH, I'll just unashamedly miss them!).

What's the minimum amount of time you need there to make the trip and flight worthwhile in MN's opinion? TIA

Oh just saw your kids are a bit older so I'd like to revise my previous 'minimum time' answer.

Go for at least a week OP. Cape Town, the Winelands and if it's any time between now and November, down to Hermanus for some whale watching.

Thank you all!

I'm going to get planning

Brilliant. It will be amazing. If you go for about a week or so, plan to spend the first day with your relative just chilling out and taking it easy. I find that I'm always exhausted on arrival but don't want to sleep as that will mess me up - so we usually just chill out, have lunch with my family etc etc. If I'm alone without the DS I'd probably go out for lunch or something but nothing too crazy.

It's perfectly possible to go to a wine farm or two on a single day trip or, if your relative is up for it, go for an overnighter. It's only about an hour's drive from cape town (depending where they are).

Cape Town is a very beautiful city so the reality is that if your main goal is to spend time with family, you can do lots of amazing things while just "hanging out". A few I'd recommend include:

• A day at the Waterfront - shopping, lunch etc.


• Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.


• A walk up table mountain


• A trip to Boulders Beach to see the penguins/hang out etc


• Splash out on lunch somewhere on the Atlantic Side (Camps Bay etc) - lots of posh restaurants with beautiful views and you can go to the beach if you want .


• Kalk Bay for Fish and Chips - go "native" with a trip to Kalky's or eat at one of the pubs on the beach. You can also go for a walk etc.


• Take a walk along seapoint promenade (There's a swimming pool that's tidal there too I think - not sure if it's still open - really lovely).

These are the sorts of things I do while also catching up with friends and family.

Oh, and if you go in October -consider a trip to Hermanus to see the Whales. Hermanus is a lovely little town for a day trip either way (and there's an amazing spa hotel out there - Arabella - worth a visit for the spa alone! Or at least, assume so - I admit I haven't been for a few years!)

I once went for 2 weeks and wished I'd gone for longer

I love South Africa!

Been solo twice. Never had a problem.

The hop-on hop-off bus in Cape Town is great. Takes you everywhere. Cable car for Table Mountain, down to the Waterfront (Robben Island really is worth it, you can only do a guided tour there), Hout Bay and the wine country where you can stop off for lunch - and wine! 😀

4/5 days

All this plus Robben Island. Cape Town is beautiful.

If you stay longer, definitely visit some vineyards.