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Embarking on a family adventure is always an exhilarating experience, filled with anticipation and excitement. I would spend hours planning what we’d see, where we’ll stay… and take into account the kids’ possible limits.

This year I struck it lucky. I managed to secure unbelievably cheap FlySafair tickets and we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go to CAKE TOWN!

We got those cheap Flysafair tickets (now, that was a pleasant surprise)

As a mom always on the lookout for budget-friendly travel options, I couldn’t believe my luck when I scored cheap Flysafair tickets. It was like a gift from the travel gods! Needless to say, I wasted no time in booking our accommodation in Cape Town.

I had 2 screens open, one with Flysafair and another that I was busy working on. I don’t know what made me look to the side, but the screen had changed and I was no longer in the queue. I quickly ran through the booking process trying to find flights that works with school, but at that late stage of the sale I couldn’t be too picky. It’ll be a short visit, but the Kids will see CAKE TOWN.

We’re going to Cape Town with the kids

Traveling with children can be both challenging and rewarding. However, hubby and I firmly believe that exposing our little ones to new experiences is an essential part of their growth. Cape Town promises to be a perfect destination for us to explore together – and to prepare for what we will be doing later this year…

Travelling light, it will take some planning

We’re going to travel light with only 2 carry-on backpacks, because as soon as we step off the airplane, our itinerary starts. By doing so, we eliminate the hassle of checked luggage and have the freedom to start exploring Cape Town as soon as we land. It’s a practical choice that allows us to be more flexible and efficient throughout our trip.

Now, packing for four people in a couple of backpacks does require some careful planning. We have to consider our essentials, such as clothing, toiletries, and a few must-have items for the kids. We’ve compiled a detailed packing list, ensuring that we bring only the necessities while leaving enough room for any souvenirs the kids might pick up along the way.

A flight of firsts

This trip holds a special significance for our family as it marks my youngest daughter’s first flight experience. I can’t wait to witness her amazement as we take off and explore Cape Town together. Additionally, it will be my two little girls’ first adventure at the tip of Africa!

Let me know your sightseeing must-do’s

As we prepare for our Cape Town adventure, I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. Are there any must-see attractions or hidden gems that we absolutely shouldn’t miss? Feel free to share your sightseeing must-do’s in the comments section below. Your suggestions will undoubtedly help us shape our itinerary and ensure that we make the most of our time in this city.

Hold on tight, family travel adventurers! Now that we’ve scored those Flysafair tickets, we are preparing to go on our adventure soon. It will be our little one’s FIRST flight, and we’ll be using it to prepare our kids for an even bigger trip later this year! We are packing LIGHT because we are hitting Cape Town hard as soon as we land.

The one thing I learnt during lockdown is that in my house there is a real possibility of going insane with 2 toddlers. Right when the lockdown was downgraded to level 3 in South Africa, we were out exploring. We packed snack bags and blankets, changes of clothes plus toys for the kids – and off we went… We didn’t get out of the car or speak to anyone. We had 5 masks per person, liters of sanitiser.

There will never be a perfect time to travel with your children, so do it now, before the opportunity passes you by. You can’t turn back time.

AJ and Natasha, The 2 Idiots Travel Blog

We have seen so many rhinos, lions and bucks that’ve we lost track. The kids are even starting to know what they are too and Lexa is so happy when she sees Zebras! The kids have learnt to keep a little more quiet when we stop to look at animals and Lexa has even taken to snapping them with her tablet.

Having kids is reason to travel, never a reason to stop.

Unknown

So here I am at 41 with 2 kids under 4 and I’m putting mileage on my Kia Sportage – and I really don’t even mind. I do however mind when my husband wants to drive my car… He never stops when I spot something to look at and never gets the perfect angle for photos (I just don’t know how that is even possible.)

When you travel with children, you are giving away something that can never be taken away. Experience, exposure, and way of life.

Pamela T. Chandler

I was probably raised a little more nomadic than most people, so the lockdown was exceptionally hard. Who knows what will happen next year. All I know is that if we don’t keep on roadtripping now, I might swim to China and Hulk out.

Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best.

Bob Talbert

One thing I have learnt during a pandemic and having toddlers is that no matter how big your house, it is not big enough for a threenager diva and one that has her mother’s temper plus just entered the terrible twos.

Life is an adventure; we get out of it what we put into it.

Richard Daly, God’s Little Book of Hope

We have visited many little nature reserves here in Gauteng and it was lovely. We saw the usual and got a little too close to rhinos – you know, the normal stuff. (Just kidding, it was spectacularly unforgettable!) We were however also limited to Gauteng…

I’ve had my eye on visiting the Upside Down House near Harties (Broederstroom) for a while. It didn’t take much to convince hubby to get in my car with the 2 hooligans with snacks…

It was fun! Lexa was in awe of the Upside Down House and Lily slapped her hands over her mouth. Hubby was impressed with my activity pick of the day.

Once inside the Upside Down House all the furniture is hanging from the floor above you. The “ceiling” you walk on is slanted… so we felt a little woozy after a few minutes. Don’t even get me started about walking upstairs – or is it downstairs up???

Entrance at the Upside Down House in South Africa is a bit steep for adults, but once you’ve seen it you probably won’t go back unless you have kids that nag you to go back. That said, I had fun and the kids had fun – it was worth it for the almost 30 minutes we were there on our very own.

Upside Down House South Africa Details

What to do with Kids in Gauteng (& North West)

Our Reunion Island holiday wasn’t without its snags or moments of meltdown (mostly me) or times we felt the roads were just too unsafe. Unfortunately, once you are on a route you can’t just turn around… plus at the end of every terrifying drive there was something new to discover.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch

From the suspension bridge we decided to take a secondary road that would shave quite a bit of distance off the route, but since it had a lot of “squiggles” it might add some time. What we didn’t realise was that it would be a beautiful road, but that the view would also be terrifying as f***.

Reunion Island sReunion Island sellf-drive holiday Susann Deyselellf-drive holiday Susann Deysel

There were times I wanted to get out of the car and just lay down in the road. The turn on turn on turn was just horrific… and then Lexa got sick and threw up all over herself (while strapped into her chair).

Reunion Island sellf-drive holiday Susann Deysel - Turns to make your stomach turn
Turns to make your stomach turn

This is my husband… I’m so glad he has nerves of steel. Yes he is sitting on the “wrong side of the car” it is not your eyes playing tricks.

Self-Drive Holiday on Reunion Island

It took like what felt like forever to get to La Plaine des Cafres, the town closest to the volcano. When we got there our AirBnb host didn’t respond to messages and couldn’t speak English so phoning was a big waste of time. Eventually she and her husband arrived… but he strongly smelled like alcohol and by that time my fuse was lit.

La Plaines des Cafres Reunion Island Travel

The AirBnb we rented was a dump

The horror of what was inside the highly rated traditional gite… I have many not so beautiful words to describe this place. The wi-fi password was incorrect and she claimed the internet was down (unfortunately she had 2 tech savvy guests who knew she was lying); the floors were dirty as f***; the kitchen sink was blocked and the tap was leaking at an alarming rate. We had to switch off the water so as not to flood the place ; and oh there were 3 forks for 5 people…

The only good thing about the AirBnb… it was almost right next to the Volcano Museum (coming in another post) and you could walk to a small shop just down the road.

The next morning we got the hell out of that dump and left at 6am to drive to the volcano. Nobody even bothered to shower.

On our way to the volcano, in the rain

We wanted to go up this volcano come rain or sunshine. Google Maps said it would take 46 minutes for 16 kilometers.

To the volcano Reunion Island Susann Deysel Blogger

You will just have to follow my series of articles about Reunion Island to see the photos from our very scary drive to the volcano.

If you haven’t read the first 4 posts about our Reunion Island family holiday, here are the article links: