Top South African Lifestyle Blog
Child friendly travel in South Africa. From luxury five star to self-catering accommodation and travel suitable for the whole family.
It is officially family holiday time and we will be away for the next week, so no posts, no email, newsletters or social networking! Just a much-needed time out from routine and the daily grind! I cannot wait to spend this special time with my amazing family, a time to recharge and refresh us all.
So happy holidays to you all and I will be sure to share my photographs and stories when I return!
Images: Botlierskop {top}, Views Boutique Hotel & Spa {Bottom}
Africa is any traveller’s dream, but that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you are not adequately prepared for that special holiday, especially with little ones in tow. Travelling with children to Africa can place special demands on you as a parent! [Read more…]
The Majestic Garden Route and East Coast are one of our favourite local destinations in South Africa. The trip from Cape Town to Knysna is approximately six hours by road. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit, and you are in complete awe of the beauty that surrounds you. It also allows me to indulge my passion for photography!
The Milkwood tree, which is synonymous with the area, has a distinct smell. I associate this smell with that ‘holiday feeling’; it lets you know you are away from it all. The resort Under Milkwood, on Knysna Heads, takes its name from these majestic trees.
We have enjoyed many memorable holidays in Knysna and after a break of two years returned, this year, for our Easter break. Our choice of area to stay, in Knysna, is Leisure Isle. If you are lucky enough, you can rent a home directly on the Knysna Lagoon. It offers the tranquility of island style living, with the most fantastic views and the town is a mere 10 min car trip away. The area is ideal for families; children can happily bike ride around the island.
Walking across the Lagoon at low tide is something you have to do, it is a somewhat surreal experience.
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| Looking across the Lagoon towards the Heads |
The Knysna Heads is also a popular area, also with fantastic views from a slightly different perspective, looking down on to Knysna and the Lagoon. The area boasts a handful of restaurants, which as you can imagine, have the most spectacular views.
Thesen Island is a Martha’s Vineyard style development, is a more recent addition to the area and is a very popular choice for holiday rental. We have stayed there in the past but still, prefer the peace and tranquillity of Leisure Isle. The marina on Thesen Island sports many shops and restaurants and a boutique Hotel, catering to holiday makers every need.
Knysna is a skipper’s paradise, with all sorts of vessels on display and plenty of boating shops in the area. There are a variety of boat trips on offer, for those of us who do not own our own boat. These scenic adventures depart from the Knysna Waterfront and provide the seafaring traveller a variety of options; from simple sightseeing to a luxurious trip including a meal and drinks.
If it’s the outdoors that you enjoy, the walks and trails in the area are fantastic. The enchanting Knysna forest is wonderful for children of all ages. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa and was once home to vast herds of the Knysna elephant. If you would like to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures, then a visit to Knysna Elephant Park is a must.
Other interesting things to do with children while in the area, other than visiting the beautiful beaches; you can pay a visit to Monkeyland, a primate sanctuary or Birds of Eden, a bird sanctuary. They are both in the Plettenberg Bay direction, heading out of Knysna going East. Both of these venues will keep you and your family enthralled for hours.
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| Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay |
Although the weather was rather inclement during our trip, this Easter, we still managed to enjoy the sights and do all the touristy things. We were even treated to a trip across the Knysna Lagoon, on a beautiful catamaran, which was a definite highlight of the holiday. Knysna is a place for relaxing and getting away from city life, and we always enjoy it immensely. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful country!
One of the most awesome experiences that you can possibly have is spending time in the remote location of Jacobsbaai. For those of you not in the know it is up the West Coast of South Africa. I always feel a sense of peace and tranquillity when I am there, something which I can only hope to portray in the photographs I take. It is hardly believable that you are a mere hour and a half from Cape Town.
You are really brought back to the basics of existence, in this beautiful and somewhat luxurious surrounding. As far as the eye can see there is only sand, sea and fynbos, dotted with the odd dwelling. As I always find while I am there I become rather introspective questioning my existence on this earth. It is a good place to reflect on your life and make plans for the future, reunite with God and your inner-self.
It is the best destination to take long leisurely walks on the beach and take in the beautiful scenery. It is definitely a bird watchers paradise as well. If you are the adventurous sort then a boat trip or surfing is definitely in order. The rockpools and sand dunes are perfect playgrounds for children.
If you are fortunate you can witness the most exceptional sunsets that you will probably ever see. This is definitely one of my favourite subjects to photograph. No matter how many times I have taken photographs of the sunsets over the years, they always seem more beautiful and awe inspiring than before!
Images:©FAR Photography by Super Mom
