A family of four wanted to spend Christmas and New Year somewhere unforgettable, combining a South Africa safari with time on the Cape and the Garden Route, without anything feeling too formal or rushed.

I designed a tailor‑made family holiday to South Africa that began with flights from London to Johannesburg, then a short hop and transfer out to Madikwe Game Reserve. Here they checked into a family‑friendly lodge in a suite on a full board plus basis, with morning and afternoon game drives included. Madikwe is malaria‑free, which made it an excellent choice for a family safari: big‑five game viewing without the added worry of anti‑malarials, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere back at the lodge.

After three nights on safari, they flew down to Cape Town, picked up a hire car and began a self‑drive Cape Town and Garden Route itinerary. First was a few nights in a heritage cottage in Cape Town, giving them space to spread out as a family and the freedom to explore Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Peninsula at their own pace.

From Cape Town, they drove into the Winelands for a stay in Franschhoek, in a villa‑style suite that felt more like a small private retreat than a hotel room. Long lunches, wine tastings and wandering through the village made this a gentle contrast to the safari days, while still feeling special enough for a festive break.

Next, they continued along the coast to Hermanus for a couple of nights by the ocean, staying at The Marine, an elegant clifftop hotel and a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Perched above the water with sweeping sea views, it was a beautiful base for coastal walks and relaxed evenings listening to the waves, even outside peak whale‑watching season.

The final leg took them along the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay, where they stayed in suites at Hog Hollow Country Lodge. Set in lush countryside just outside “Plett”, it offered a warm, laid‑back feel with easy access to beaches, nature reserves and activities that worked well for both adults and older teens. It was an ideal place to round off the Christmas holiday before they dropped the car at Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and flew back to Johannesburg to connect with their overnight flight home to London.

With international and domestic flights, a malaria‑free safari in Madikwe, car hire from Cape Town, handpicked stops in the Winelands, on the Whale Coast and along the Garden Route all tied together, this South Africa family itinerary brought the classic “safari plus coast” combination to life over Christmas, tailored to how this family like to travel.