Through The Guides Eyes: Exploring Cape Town, with children.
I’m not a parent, but I’ve spent enough time with families on vacation to know that the primary concern of any parent on holiday is how to keep their kids engaged and having fun, whilst still learning about the culture of the location they’re visiting. It’s not an easy balance to find but after years of guiding multi generational families through Cape Town and surrounds I believe we at Saffa Tours, have become pretty darn good at it.
There are a number of activities and sights that are perfect for children throughout Cape Town and I’m going to share with you some of my favourites.
Muizenberg, aside from being historically rich with information, and along the typical peninsula route, is also one of the best waves in South Africa, in which to learn how to surf. With perfect, soft, rolling waves, with a sandbottom, it really is a great place to get kids comfortable in the waves. Getting them up and riding on their first wave, or watching them ride a wave from the back, to the beach, is one of the many joys associated with being in the water with younger guests. Muizenberg is a historically significant stop on the typical peninsula route, but it also boasts one of South Africa's premier spots for learning to surf. Its perfect, soft, rolling waves and sand bottom make it an excellent location for young guests to comfortably enter the water. Sharing the joy of surfing with kids, whether seeing them catch their very first wave or watching them ride a wave all the way to the beach, is one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience.
Exploring the Atlantic seaboard is best done on a scooter! Kids adore zipping along the coast on these fun rides, and we cover a lot of ground without them ever losing interest. We make fantastic stops along the way - some for a bit of history, others simply for an ice cream break. The real challenge is convincing the kids to get off the scooters when the fun is over!
Guiding children through the Two Oceans Aquarium is always a highlight. It’s naturally engaging, with everything from colourful fish to sharks capturing their attention instantly. Learning happens without effort, and kids are free to explore at their own pace - making it both fun and genuinely memorable.
Instead of snow-capped mountains, we offer massive, exhilarating sand dunes. Sandboarding is an utterly unique experience in an equally distinct environment.
The soft sand ensures a forgiving landing - meaning zero injuries and guaranteed smiles for everyone! Just a forty five minute drive from Cape Town and these sandy hills are ready to be bombed!
This is no secret, but it should not be overlooked. Getting up close and personal with the Penguins and boulders beach is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great chance for children to learn about these incredible while up close with them. Climbing through, and over rocks, and getting your feet sandy is always a fun adventure!
This is a particularly good way to coerce children into going to the winelands! There are such beautiful and fun routes to explore in the winelands and when the kids stop for a coke, the parents can taste some of our finest wines. A win win!
At the end of the day, travelling with children in Cape Town isn’t about doing more - it’s about experiencing things differently. It’s about slowing down, embracing the unexpected, and allowing space for moments of joy, curiosity, and connection. With the right balance of adventure and flexibility, what begins as a family holiday quickly becomes something far more meaningful - not just for the kids, but for the whole family.
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