holiday to South Africa - for only a week - what's the best to cram in?

[AnnaForbes]

Hoping to go to SA in Easter holidays next year - me, dh, and 3 dcs (9,11,15). I love SA, it's my favourite place on earth and I want to spend my 50th there.

We will have around a week only (not including travelling time). Can anyone suggest a suitable itinerary - definitely including some game drives.

I'd probably stick to the Garden Route if you haven't done it before. Cape Town and Mossel Bay are gorgeous and there are a number of great lodges along the way - Gondwana springs to mind.

Another alternative is up from Durban to Richard's Bay and St Lucia, finishing up at iSimangaliso.

I want to do the Mpumalanga Panorama Route, ending up at Kruger.

If you just want to do game drives, we often do Welgevonden and Pilanesberg. Pilanesberg in particular is good for kids as Sun City isn't too far away.