South Africa is an idyllic family holiday destination and one that you will never ever forget visiting. With mountainous landscapes just waiting to be hiked, exquisite coastlines complete with sandy white beaches, and more safari game reserves than you could visit in one trip to the country, South Africa is a once in a lifetime place to go and one that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

For the family looking for that memorable getaway that will have them making memories and bonding through the experience, South Africa is full of exceptional places to visit. As a mostly outdoor destination, South Africa is the perfect place to go if you are looking for a holiday that will take you well away from technology and screens. With the clear skies and the near perfect all year round weather, it doesn’t really matter when you choose to travel to the country, as you are sure to have the best kind of family holiday.

If you are planning your trip to the country, and you want to make sure that you visit the right places during your stay, here’s a couple of the best family friendly places to go and what you can do while you are here.

  1. Simon’s Town

Close to Cape Town, which is one of South Africa’s most popular attractions and a city that is beloved by locals and international travellers alike, Simon’s Town has a lot to offer and it is a rather perfect place for a family holiday, because it has the famous Penguin Colony. This is one of the only places in the world where you can see penguins out in the wild.

  1. Cape Town

If you are planning on going to the Simon’s Town area, you might as well consider a trip to Cape Town too. The city has a variety of family friendly things to do, including sightseeing trips to places like the local museums, and a ride on the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain is a must.

  1. Durban (and surrounds)

Kwa-Zulu Natal is an absolutely stunning province full of incredible things to see and do. You can go for hikes in the Drakensburg or you can stay closer to the beach where you can explore the Ushaka Marine World Aquarium in Durban or explore Durban’s famous Mini Town. The city and the surrounds are also home to fabulous markets and wonderful places to eat.

  1. The Kruger National Park

You might have seen wildlife on TV or in a magazine, but there is nothing quite like seeing a wild animal in person. They are huge and so much more magical than you could ever imagine, and if you are travelling with children, they are going to be blown away by the animals that they encounter.

  1. Johannesburg

Should you want a more urban holiday, you can head to Johannesburg, where you will be treated to a myriad of exciting places to see and experience. Some of the things you should put on your Johannesburg family holiday bucket list include Gold Reef City, the Bunny Park, the Lion Park, and the Kolonnade Ice Arena.