South Africa

[innorway]

Anyone had a holiday in Cape Town / Garden Route with kids recently?

Just about to go in 2 1/2 weeks time. (DH's family are from there so we usually visit every 2 years or so).

Excellent - can't chat too much right now, as baby has just woken up - but is it pretty safe there now? Especially Cape Town? Our kids are 8yrs, 2yrs and 9mths and we're there in 4 weeks time for 3 weeks (first 8 days in CT and Garden Route, last 2 week in Jeffreys Bay). Looking at booking B&B - which would you choose as best area to stay in in CT - Camps Bay is pretty well booked up and pricey - found somewhere decent in Houts Bay - and also in Kommetjie - DH keen on Blougbergstrand (sp?!) Also is sun very strong at this time of year. Would you bother with UV suits for the kids? If you can help, it would be very much appreciated!

Def. UV suits (buy them out there as they are cheaper). We are staying in Camp's Bay (It is lovely but pricey). We've found it pretty safe in Cape Town and surrounds (much better than J'burg), although I know some areas aren't great to be walking around at night, but (like us) with small kids you probably won't be doing that.
Hout Bay is also nice, nice fish restaurant.

Things to do
(1) trip to robbin island
(2) boulders beach to see the penguins
(3) Kids may like the scratch patch
(3) clifton beach is geourgeuos (sp?) in the evening with a picnic and bottle of wine to watch the sunset.

this may give some more ideas .

Also LLandudno beach is good as it had laggoons for the kids to play in (the sea is cold/strong waves and currents so not ideal for kids - a drive to Muizenberg will give you a better - but still cold - sea for swimming.

The waterfront is nice to wander around and shop. Better deals can be found at green point market (not sure which days that is on though).

Also drive down to cape point and take the venicular up to the light house.

And obviously you have to take the cable car up table mountain for the fabulous views.

Bet you can't tell how much I'm looking forward to this trip can you .

The aquarium there is fantastic. We stayed around the Alfred and Victoria Waterfront, and felt very safe. If you're after a bit of decadence (unlikely with 3 children), then afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson is heavenly.

There's a great place further inland (will ask DH for name as forgotten), where there's a leopard sanctuary and birds of prey centre, and a fantastic picnic place (you can make your own there). So

Thanks so much for the tips - where's best place to shop for things like UV suits? What's the scratch patch? Like you, I'm really looking forward to this . . . maybe I should try checking out Camps Bay places again!?
Have either of you tried the Garden Route Game Lodge in Albertinia? What about wine tasting ? (is this a hassle with kids in tow?)

innorway - I live in CT and can recommend loads and loads of things to do.

Places to stay are abundant - especially now that the kids have gone back to school.

Camps Bay beats Blouberg hands down as a location - it's absolutely stunningly beautiful even when the wind blows - which can't be said for Blouberg unfortunately.

These are my absolutely favourite things to do as a resident Capetonian:

Fish and Chips and an icy beer on hot day at the Quay Four restaurant in the V&A Waterfront.
A trip up the cable car to the top of Table Mountain for Sundowners and a meal (it's quite pricey but soooo worth it - you can book tickets at Vaughn Johnsons Wine shop in the V&A Waterfront).
The Sunday GreenPoint Market (lots of tacky souveneirs but the odd gem and loads of characters to watch).
MonkeyTown near Gordons Bay is a great day out for the kids.
The Scratch Patch is great a excursion - only for an hour or so - the one in the Watefront is good
The theatre is fantastic here - check out what's playing at the Artscape (google for the website).
If you can find a babysitter for the night, the restaurant La Quartier Francais in Franschoek is incredible - it's excessively pricey by SA Standards but listed as one of the top 50 restaurants in the World (expect to pay around £120 for two for five courses and wine).
Wine Farms abound - my favourite is Hartenburg for fantastic earthy, rich reds and a picnic lunch for less than a tenner (it's in all the local guide books). The other really fantastic wine farm is Spier - they have a leopard sanctuary on site which is interesting (the cages are a little small though).
Best beach is Clifton 4th beach (water is freezing but the sunsets are spectacular), Camps Bay Beach comes a close second but again the water is freezing as it's on the Atlantic Coast.
Towards Knysna and the garden route there is more to see than you can shake a stick at. There is a really amazing (but expensive) private game reserve near George - I can give you the details if you are interested.

I could go on and on.

If you want any more info about places to stay, email me thedejagers at yahoo dot com.

enjoy your trip
dejags
x

get your UV suits in the UK if you can - they are often difficult to get (especially the ones with proper UV ratings).

get your UV suits in the UK if you can - they are often difficult to get (especially the ones with proper UV ratings).

oh another thing - consider suburbs such as Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof as great locations to stay - they overlook the City and are overshadowed by Table Mountain. The views are breathtaking and the location is central.

Also - please do remember that crime does happen in Cape Town. Don't walk alone at night, don't wear ostentatious jewellery in market places and if you can help it don't go on Township Tours. Keep your money in safe place and ensure your valuables (especially passports) are kept in the hotel safe unless you are changing money.

Talking about money - don't change your money at your hotel, they are notorious for offering really bad exchange rates - the best is to use your UK credit/debit card and draw money from Cash Machines (they can be found on every corner).

Thank you all so much for your advice - and dejags, I will be in touch! We're now deciding between Kommetjie, Hout Bay and Clovelly . . .(and had you heard of the Garden Route Game Lodge in Albertinia? - they say they have the Big 5). We're also planning one night up N of CT at Kersefontein farm near Hopefield - do you know anything about this place? Can't wait for the trip - but I'm off to sleep now (and to dream of jackass penguins!). Goodnight!

Hi. I'm also a Capetonian. Kommetjie has a lovely long beach, but it's quite out of the way and quite a drag into Cape Town. If you're staying in Clovelly, you'll find the lovely Fish Hoek beach on your doorstep. ( I spent my childhood on that beach) Very nice for children and the water is not as cold as Hout Bay or Kommetjie. (Water very cold even in midsummer). Hout Bay has a nice setting but to my mind the beach is overrated and often not up to scratch in the cleanliness stakes.
I have stayed at Kersefontein although long ago before they opened it up as a place for visitors. Very interesting old farm with a beautiful Cape Dutch homestead. Pretty much in the boondocks though.
February is our hottest month. Definitely maximum protection for the kids.
The scratch patch is a big it filled with tons of semi-precious stones. The kids love picking out the beautiful coloured stones. I think you pay by the kilo.
The place with the leopard sanctuary etc is called Spier. Off the N2 on the road to Stellenbosch. It's an old wine farm that's got lots of great restaurants. ( Buy picnic goodies from the deli and have a picnic around the lake). There are the leopards which you can almost touch and there is a fantastic childrens play area that I'm sure they'll love. Definitely worth a trip. They have a website. Think it's www.spier.co.za. You can also stay there.
Anything else you need just shout.

meant a big pit!

tip for the aquarium - it cost I think around £5 for 1 visit, but £10 for annual membership allowing as many visits as you want. We were stayign on the V&A waterfront, and dd loved it, so ended up popping in most days. As it felt "free", it didn't matter how long we spent there.
It will depend whether you are staying somewhere nearby as to whether you are likely to visit it more than once.

I take it you are hiring a car? (if not, I would seriously recommend you do because it's incredibly difficult without one).

I love Hout Bay, Kommetjie and Clovelly but I must agree with jambot, Fish Hoek is the most fantastic beach on the warm side for the sea and has a small playground on the beach (you will certainly be able to swim there). There are some fantastic pubs/bars close to Fish Hoek - one who's name escapes me but its patio is separated from the sea by a wall (the Brass Bell?). Kommetjie has quite a lot of surfers, Hout Bay has a harbour and a fish market place which should entertain the kids but the water is much colder.

I'm very jealous - I think February is one of the nicest months to visit. Also, sundowners up Lion's Head and a trip to Kirtenbosch (manicured gardens with a nice tea room) are lovely things to do. Jeffrey's Bay is fantastic. I agree with everyone and would definitely get their sun suits in advance and also one of those UV sun protecting caps/hats.

who's = whose! aarrgghh

Spier - that's the one I was talking about!

I always take visitors to the National Botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch. The setting is stunning and you can get a very nice meal there as well as tea and scones. If you're in Cape Town on a Sunday check out the concert they have on a Sunday evening. If the weather is good you can't get a more beautiful setting to listen to some good music. Starts quite early so you may take the kids along if you want. The older ones can run around on the huge lawns.

How old are your kids?

the thing we found was how child firendly the place is - even though you might have difficulty finding high chairs if you still need them - so take "handbag" high chairs with you)

When ds was 13 months old, we were havinh lunhc at Delaire ( Stellenbosch winery with fantastic views and food) and ds wasn't seetling. They scooped him up and he disappeared off for a tour of the kitchen then of the grounds, before holding court sitting on the bar with about 5 waiteers (white and black) playing with him.

Some people might have had kittens at him disppearing out of sight, but we're pretty laid back parents!

Personnaly have never felt threatened in the Cape but take "sensible" precautions.

Jambot - where do you live?

I can't believe another mumsnetter lives in CT - ooh I may know you?

Agree that Fish Hoek is a lovely, lovely beach. My kids adore it - there is a playground and little restaurant within a stones throw too.

Oh - bring your own carseat with, the ones we have got with hire cars have been really awful.

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Dejags - I'm in Bergvliet. I've got a little girl who is a year in March. We were actually at Fish Hoek on Sunday. Wind was blowing a bit but my dd enjoyed eating the sand and paddling in the waves in the sheltered bit next to the Catwalk.
I'm an Mumsnet fan and always tell all my SA mums about it.
Prettybird, you are right. You will find that most South Africans are crazy about kids. Especially any black and coloured people you may encounter. We are doing house renovations and my little one is often scooped up by the labourers and carried around. They are her biggest fans. Just don't be surprised if they don't even ask your permission - they won't think anything of just picking the little ones up and walking around with them.
One point for anyone coming over soon. We haven't had the hottest summer on record, so don't forget to pack one or two cardigans or track tops for the evenings and when the wind gets up. The days in Feb are normally lovely, but it can get cool, especially when the wind blows.

That's really kind of you all - so much wonderful advice - and to think there are all these mumsnetters in SA!! - (I wonder if there are some in Norway??! - new chat for me at some point I guess!)

Our kids are 9mths, 2yrs and 8yrs old

Anyway sounds like Clovelly might then be our best bet - I guess the drive into Cape Town and all that is not much different than if driving from Hout Bay - is it? Yes we are hiring a car (although was only planning to bring a carseat for the baby - and get one from the car hire place for our 2 yr old boy - they're so bulky to fly with). We've got a whole trip planned starting with 3 nights in CT (no doubt not enough!) - then a detour via this farm just to get a change of scenary - then Franschhoek, then this Game Lodge in Albertinia - then 1 night in George followed by 1 night in Kynsna before spending the last 2 weeks in JBay (DH very keen surfer) - and flying back to PE.

Wondering whether to buy a double stroller . Or just slings and carry?

Where is this scratch patch? - my daughter loves stones! - or is it a sort of chain?

Are White Sharks an issue? (or do I just sound like a dumb foreigner asking that?) - I guess you all swim in the sea ? .. do you . . ??!