Family-friendly picnics and spring activities in Cape Town
Gorgeous and green, spring in the Mother City is a treat for the senses. Cape Town has a unique, almost effervescent vibrancy as the weather warms. Spring is the perfect season for a fantastic family break, delivering long, warm days to explore the city and create enduring family memories. Long famed for her natural splendour, Cape Town was this year named as “the Best City in the World” by the Telegraph Travel Awards.
A luxurious green oasis in the heart of Constantia’s wine region, the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel welcomes families with open arms. As one of only three South African “Small Luxury Hotels of the World,” the Cellars-Hohenort offers families a true experience beyond expectation. This five-star hotel has a range of interconnecting suites for families as well as a two-bedroom apartment (the Liz McGrath Villa) boasting breathtaking views of Table Mountain and the property’s award-winning gardens. Spacious lawns, blooming rose beds, heated swimming pools and a tennis court give younger guests ample space to explore. Families seeking privacy and seclusion can book the exclusive Madiba Villa. This two-story residence has a private courtyard and heated swimming pool. Their luxury amenities extend to junior guests, with child-sized fluffy robes, kiddies bath amenities and bubbles, and plush toys as welcome gifts.
Garden Wanders
The hotel’s splendid, historic gardens always get the biggest stamp of approval from younger guests. Muscovy ducks waddle across the manicured lawns, cheeky squirrels scurry across sun dappled pathways and ancient, gnarled Camphor trees provide refuge for chameleons and birdlife. The nine-acre estate includes an enchanted forest, a celebrated vineyard, fragrant herb and vegetable gardens, an award-winning rose garden, cooling water features and glittering ponds.
Spring is the perfect season to catch sight of the pink blossoms of the estate’s Magnolia trees or see the lemon and lime trees, laden with ripe fruit. Kids will love to ramble in the rustic garden, where nature has been left to her own devices. Wildflowers provide sustenance for bees and butterflies and porcupines hide in the leaf litter. Late spring sees the estates rose gardens burst into bloom. Currently there are more than 2 500 roses in the garden, including the Liz McGrath Rose, which was hybridised in 2003 to commemorate Mrs McGrath’s 80th birthday.
Garden tours and lawn picnics can be arranged with the hotel staff.
Pedal Together
The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel is situated at the epicentre of the oldest wine producing region in the Southern Hemisphere. Constantia’s wine history stretches back over 300 years, to the establishment of the Constantia estate by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. The Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate offers a range of fantastic family-friendly experiences. Little daredevils will love the Bike Park, which offers cyclists of all ages and skill levels laps and laps of fun. The pump tracks feature ramps, tunnels, and dirt paths for little bikers, as well as expert drop-offs, rock gardens, rollers and a suspension sky bridge ending in a corkscrew exit for the daring. Bikes and safety gear can be hired, and brave Dads can learn to unicycle. Finish with an all-American, slow churned, marshmallow-topped ice-cream from the Heritage Market.
Send Them Soaring
Young adrenaline seekers can get their fix with SA Forest Adventures. An exhilarating zip-lining canopy adventure traverses the basin of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve. One of the longest zip-line tours in Africa, the route boasts twelve platforms over its 2,3-kilometre course. Zoom over the fynbos-covered canyons and take in magnificent views of the Cape Peninsula. Children over six are accommodated on the two-hour adventure.
A Canopy Playground
Thrill seeking tree huggers will love the aerial Acrobranch course, in the leafy Constantia Nek Forest. This treetop playground has four obstacle courses, two of which are ideal for young children, while the other two are geared towards teenagers and adults. The canopy adventure course has fun ziplines, challenging cargo nets, creative obstacles, and elevated platforms for budding acrobats. Safety equipment is provided, and assistants are available in case any of the kids need a helping hand.
Family Forever
After a fun filled day, retreat to the elegant Cellars-Hohenort Hotel to take in a movie on Netflix, savour a rejuvenating spa treatment at the Fresh Wellness Spa or let the kids make a splash in the heated pools. The Conservatory Restaurant is the perfect setting for refined family dining. Relive the holiday memories over a sumptuous a la carte dinner and a glass of local Sauvignon Blanc.
