It’s time to plan your annual family vacation, but this year, you’re looking to do something new and exciting. You want to visit a place that rewards your family with cultural enlightenment, historical insight, and precious family bonding time.

As a culturally and historically enriched region, Cape Town and its surrounding areas are prime destinations for those looking to broaden their horizons of worldly experiences and knowledge. Although the most popular tours and historic landmarks include Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and Dies Bo Kaap, every family’s itinerary differs depending on their personal preferences and needs. No two itineraries are alike.

Below is a 7-day sample itinerary that is designed to give you a better idea for what you and your family could expect on an African family vacation to the Cape Town region:

Day 1: The Mother City Tour: This tour celebrates the best of what Cape Town has to offer. After your first, peaceful night in Cape Town’s luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel, you will awake to a nourishing, traditional English breakfast in one of the hotel’s fine dining areas. After your meal, you will embark on a journey through historic Cape Town.

First, you will enjoy a tour up Table Mountain via rotating cable car, and then a tour of The Castle of Good Hope. Continuing on your exploration, you’ll visit gardens, the Green Point Light House, The Cape Town Stadium, V & A Waterfront, Die Bo Kaap, District Six, and the Kirstenbosch Gardens. Once you arrive at the Gardens, you will enjoy a delightful lunch, where you can reminisce about the morning’s adventures.

Day 2: The Peninsula Tour: After a rejuvenating last night at the Mount Nelson Hotel, you will embark on your next journey to Hout Bay. Here, you will take a boat to the beautiful Seal Island where you can relax and enjoy the African ocean breeze. After a day in the sun, you will head over to your next accommodation, The Last Word Long Beach Guest House.

Once you have freshened up at the hotel, you’ll be escorted to Boulders Beach where you will visit an African penguin colony and observe the penguins in their natural environment. Cape of Good Hope will be your final destination for the day.

Day 3: Wine Tastings and Butterfly Sightings: Today, you will relish in some of the Cape’s most exceptional wines when you visit Ernie Els’ wine estate for delightful wine tastings and a cellar tour. And depending on your preference of wine (red or white), you will be escorted to another wine estate where you will enjoy additional wine tastings.

For lunch, you will be brought to the award-winning Overture restaurant where you will delight in the eclectic variety of Chef Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack’s contemporary, Mediterranean, and South African culinary fusions. And don’t forget to follow the Chefs’ wine pairing suggestions!

After a spectacular lunch, you’ll visit the Butterfly World, where you and the whole family can witness a variety of butterflies, birds, reptiles, and peculiar insects.

Day 4: Taking the Scenic Route: Today, you will begin your journey from the Long Beach Guest House to the renowned Birkenhead Villa in Hermanus. During your trip, you’ll stop at various points of interest along the way as you soak in your picturesque surroundings. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic on the way, visit the penguins at Stony Point, or browse some local shops, your trip to Hermanus will, no doubt, be a memorable one.

Once you arrive at the seaside Birkenhead House, you’ll be escorted to your villa where you can lounge by the pool or sit on your private balcony as you look for whales in Walker Bay.

Day 5: The Possibilities Are Endless: Whether your family is comprised of walkers and hikers, beach lovers, ocean enthusiasts, horse lovers, or a mix of all four, Hermanus has it all. Choose from a whale watching cruise, a hike through Hermanus’ Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a relaxing day on world-renowned Grotto Beach,  a Dyer Island cruise, deep sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach, or a rejuvenating day in the spa. Your every need and desire is met at Hermanus.

Is a African family vacation in the future for you? Let us know in our comments section.

Hermanus from Birkenhead HouseA favorite among wine lovers, nature enthusiasts, and passionate beach goers, Hermanus in the Garden Route, South Africa is praised for its exceptional ability to accommodate for a variety of interests. Some of the region’s most famed characteristics include its wildlife-abundant hiking trails, exceptional whale watching, and stunning beachscape. Whether you love to sunbathe, relax by the ocean, walk, or hike, Hermanus has some of the best mountain trails and beaches in South Africa to satisfy any passion.

For the ultimate experience in Hermanus, the Birkenhead House and Villa is the premier accommodation for superior ocean and mountain views, exceptional activities, delectable international cuisine, and the finest interior décor and linens. Known for its remarkable ability to exceed the highest of expectations, the Birkenhead House and Villa is the absolute embodiment of luxury. Its location overlooking the ocean is the perfect place for you to observe southern right whales during your stay, relax by the infinity pool, or enjoy a blissful massage outdoors with the soothing sound of waves crashing in the background.

To the other side of the exquisite Birkenhead House and Villa lies spectacular mountains, interlaced with hiking and walking trails, that are perfect for observing Hermanus’ exceptional wildlife.

The walker and hiker: With indescribable birds-eye-views of Walker Bay and its surrounding mountainous coastline, hikers to Hermanus’ Fernkloof Nature Reserve are rewarded with the experience of a lifetime. If you’re a hiking enthusiast, than you will undoubtedly fall in love with not only the view at the top of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, but also the hike to the top. During your hike, you will see a wealth of indigenous birds, small game, exotic plant species, and fascinating wildlife. If you prefer a less physically challenging experience, one of the many walking trails along the mountains in Hermanus is the perfect way to view nature and the gorgeous Fynbos without the rapid heart rate and huffing and puffing.

gardenroutebeach2The beach lover: Hermanus is just one of the many places in Garden Route that offers exquisite beaches. As a matter of fact, Hermanus’ Grotto beach is so beautiful that it was awarded the Blue Flag Status. Other beaches within walking distance of Birkenhead House include Voëlklip, and Kamma Bay. Whether you’re looking to soak in the sun, whale watch from the shore, enjoy a picnic, or play some paddle ball, Birkenhead House is dedicated to fulfilling your every need and desire—down to the very last detail.

The ocean enthusiast: If you simply cannot get enough of the ocean, than you’re in for a real treat at Birkenhead House. The terrace that juts out from the plateau that Birkenhead House sits atop has an infinity pool and luxurious white wicker chairs that melt into the ocean for a seamless view. As you relax on the terrace, you can easily view whales across the long coastline, which are prominent during the months of May to December—August being the birthing month. If you want to get up-close to these magnificent creatures, than an intimate voyage around Dyer Island is the perfect activity for you. Deep-sea fishing, whale tours, and shark cage diving are also activities offered by Birkenhead House and are absolutely splendid to take part in.

The complete relaxer: If you love to escape from the hustle and bustle of life, relax, soak in the beautiful scenery, and enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment, than the Birkenhead House Spa is your ultimate escape. Featuring two rooms, the Lavender Room and the Cinnamon Room, you’re sure to find complete peace and serenity at the spa. The Lavender Room is designed to restore the balance of the senses with its soothing music, subtle scents of lavender, and trickling water in the background. The Cinnamon Room was also created to inspire complete relaxation and is filled with the sweet aroma of warming cinnamon. Spa treatments include aromatherapy, Swedish massages, hot-stone massages, reflexology, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and facial treatments—to name a very few.

Whether you’re a hiker, walker, beach lover, ocean enthusiast, a complete relaxer, or anything in between, Hermanus’ Birkenhead House and Villa is a must-visit destination.

Day 3 of Hills of Africa Travel FAM in South Africa



This morning, we had to tear ourselves away from La Residence. Again, it was difficult.

We enjoyed 2 more wine tastings today ….. before lunch!!!! The first was at a place called Bouchard Finnlayson. The winemaker himself conducted the tasting. Our guide Pam, told us he is one of the most highly revered winemakers in all of Southern Africa, so it was a real treat to have the wine tasting conducted by him. He took us on a little tour of the operation and then proceeded to offer a taste of 6 or 7 wines. My favorite was Crocodile’s Lair.

Then on to another wine tasting, right up the road. When we got out of the van in the parking lot, I had to stop for a moment because our views were so incredible. This was the first time I had been in a place in the winelands where I could see the beautiful rolling hills, the vineyards AND the sea all in one. It was gorgeous and I felt like i could build a little house here and never leave.

The biggest treat with this winetasting was that we went right down to the cellar and he siphoned the wine straight from the barrel. None of us had ever done that before and we had some pretty experienced people on board. When we finished, we rolled ourselves upstairs for a lunch. Then it was off to Hermanus. We got to Birkenhead House and we could feel the low key, beach vibe as soon as we arrived. We all saw whales pretty quickly. In fact, we even saw one giving us a show with the tail flapping on the water surface. Excellent indeed.

Another beautiful dinner that evening and quick to bed for another big day coming up.

Book your travel through Hills of Africa Travel and we will make sure that you have a trip of a lifetime.

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