Grandparents came along and managed the pace fine since the drives are broken up nicely between Cape Town, Knysna and Johannesburg. Soweto visit moved all of us more than we expected, especially my father who remembered the news coverage from decades ago. Boulders Beach was pure joy for the grandchildren. Booking a premium package for a three generation trip turned out to be the right call.

Tsitsikamma suspension bridge walk was a highlight for the whole family, my father included at seventy two. Just wish the itinerary had one more free beach day near Knysna instead of moving on so quickly.

Three generations travelled together on this one, my parents, my husband and our two children, and South Africa somehow worked for every age group. Tsitsikamma's suspension bridge had my ten year old squealing at the ocean spray while my mother in law happily waited at the viewpoint with a cup of tea. Soweto's streets gave the older kids a real history lesson that no textbook could match. Mandela House left all of us quiet for a moment we did not expect.

Wildlife encounters were the stars of this trip for our kids, especially the penguins. Fourteen nights is a lot for young children though, ours got restless by the Johannesburg leg.

Kids screamed with joy the moment they spotted the penguins waddling at Boulders Beach, worth the whole flight just for that reaction.

The Knysna Lagoon cruise gave us a proper breather, gliding out towards the Heads while the kids finally sat still for a while.