South Africa: your next family holiday destination
Inspired by Harry and Meghan’s recent visit? Here’s 8 reasons why we’re thinking of swapping our sofa for South Africa over the next few months – and your own EXCLUSIVE MUDDY discount!
Dreaming of your next family holiday as the nights close in and the temperatures drop? Yup, us too.
South Africa is becoming one of *the* top family holiday destinations – not just because of the stunning safari trips, but also the long list of fun activities on offer. Made even more popular by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent visit (in the company of baby Archie obvs)…
Here’s 8 more reasons why we’re thinking of swapping our sofa for South Africa over the next few months – AND AN EXCLUSIVE MUDDY DISCOUNT just for you (if you book before end of November).
1. Firstly – you are looking at a destination which has many holidays all rolled into one: be it beach, historic, cultural, city, mountains, vineyards, marine life – as well as its famous safari – so you will be able to accommodate everyone’s holiday demands.
2. South Africa is mostly malaria-free, so the risk of catching the disease is minimal. On Meghan and Harry’s recent trip, while Prince Harry travelled to Botswana, Angola and Malawi, Meghan and Archie are stayed in South Africa, a wise move with a baby in tow.
3. Always dreamt of seeing the Big Five? (I’m talking lion, rhinos, leopoards, elephants and buffalos, not my swollen toes after the flight.) The safari peak for viewing the Big Five is May to September – this is dry season, when the vegetation dies back, making spotting easier, and the wildlife concentrates at the ever-shrinking water sources. It also co-incides rather conveniently with school holidays.
However there’s still fun to be had in Rainy Season (a spot of rain won’t keep the leopards away) so if you want to save on money by going in Low Season look at October or February Half Term travel.
4. Got kids 8 years or older? Perfect. Some camps still maintain a lower age-limit of 12, but eight years old is a good age says Ash founder of Best of South Africa Travel. ‘By this age, the children can engage with the guide or someone from a local village, and a trip such as this can really have a lasting impression from these kinds of interactions.’ Also, kids eight and older tend to behave better out on game drives and back at the lodge.
5. When travelling to South Africa you’re heading virtually straight south, so there’s very little time difference – which means no jet lag. Making it all the more feasible to fit into a Half Term holiday or even Easter.
6. Now we know that money matters when it comes to booking a trip abroad and you will be happy to know that the South African Rand represents incredible value for money, currently at 18/1 and the average bottle of wine costs £3 (need I go on…?)
7. Local food and wine is always an important factor when considering a holiday abroad and you will not be disappointed with what South Africa has to offer with world-class food and wine, in stunning locations, plus very family friendly. With that competitive exchange rate too, you really can eat like a king (or queen) when you are out there.
8. Lastly, let’s not forget that South Africa has no less than 8 World Heritage Sites to tick off, with everything from Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was famously held prisoner for nearly 17 years) to iSimangaliso Wetland Park (stunning natural wetland and coastal site).
If that hasn’t got you frantically searching for flights online, then let us help you on your way by telling you about an offer exclusively for Muddy Stilettos readers brought to you by Best of South Africa Travel, a UK based boutique travel operator specializing in tailor made (mid to high-end), travel itineraries and experiences in South Africa. They also very experienced in family travel as Zimbabwean born founder, Ash Jarvis, has two children so knows exactly what motivates and inspires kids (and the bigger kids in us) when it comes to South Africa plus she, and her team, can open up their little black books to recommend the best local experiences to ensure you really get to know the beating heart of the country.
- 5 nights Cape Town in a stylish modern 2 Bedroom Luxury Apartment in the bustling V&A Waterfront
- 3 nights in a traditional 2 Bedroom Cottage on a working farm in Franschhoek B&B
- 4 nights in Plettenberg Bay in a 2 Bedroom Suite at a family run Country Estate B&B
- 3 nights on a malaria free family friendly safari on full board with all game activities included.
- 5 nights Cape Town Camps Bay in a 2 Bedroom Ocean View Penthouse on B&B
- 3 nights in a 2 Bedroom Villa in Franschhoek B&B
- 4 nights right on the beach in a Family Suite in Plettenberg Bay B&B
- 3 nights on a malaria free family friendly safari on full board with all game activities included.