Where the wild things are. (Part II - Kirkman's Kamp)

OK I did cry when we left Ngala. I was worried that Kirkman's Kamp couldn't possibly live up to our first family safari experience.

I needn't have worried.

Kirkman's is completely different in style - think old colonial, rolling grass lawns and sandy river beds. What everyone will tell you though, is that it doesn't matter where you stay, the quality of the safari is only as good as the quality of the guides and trackers. At Kirkman's Kamp we struck gold.

The boys had an absolute blast - learning to fish in the river (before being chased out by a herd of elephants), drive the jeeps in the sand beds and air rifle shooting with the other guides and trackers. Definitely a 'Boys Own' adventure.

Kirkman's Kamp

All Photos Copyright Jane Burton

So elegant.

Too much beautiful food.

I want one. The cutest cat EVER.

Say Cheese.

All this sitting is making me thirsty. Its a tough life.

I swear that's what my rear end looked like at the end of the safari.

Photographer: Jane (and David) Burton

I highly recommend &beyond and we loved both Ngala and Kirkman's. I was hesitant that they may be too stuffy for the kids, but all the staff went out of their way to make this the most amazing holiday for all of us. Take me back please.

Where the wild things are. (Part I - Ngala)

You can't go to Africa and not see the animals. There are SO many different ways to do a safari to suit all kinds of budgets and travellers.

For our last visit to South Africa, the boys were only 8 and 10 and I was after an easy life. Holidays with kids is never truly a 'holiday'. Unless of course you do it the soft way (and the hard way on the budget).

We stayed at two &Beyond camps in South Africa - Ngala and Kirkman's Kamp. I'm pretty sure I cried  each time we checked out.

Ngala

All Photos Copyright Jane Burton

Bush lessons. The best kind.

Pussy cat. First night, first predator, happy boys.

You ARE kidding aren't you? Did you both not just see the lion? I'm holding on.

The model.

So sweet. Look at those eyelashes!

Gorgeous Ngala lounging.

Tracker in training.

Nothing quite like an African sunset.

Impala poo spitting competition. Not many entrants. Plenty of laughing spectators though.

Learning to track with dung and prints. Learned more in 3 days than 3 weeks at school.

Magic flying sticks.

Photographer: Jane Burton

Cape Town teaser

We are off to Cape Town again in October 2014 and my heart does a little skip every time I think about it.

We last visited Cape Town in 2011 as I was desperate to show my family where I grew up and to share with them the amazing places I still remembered.

The Castle of Good Hope - fascinating architecture and history of the settlement by the Dutch East India Company.

Aah Table Mountain. The views. The wind. Be warned...

Cape Point. Yes still windy...

What parent doesn't love a playground with dinner?

Delicious, simple and fun food at The Dunes, Hout Bay.

 

Boulders Beach. I used to swim here as a kid. Now its a penguin paradise. Not happy...

Fresh fish.

The waterfront

 

OMG. The Biscuit Mill in Woodstock has produce to die for.

St James Beach. I also used to swim here - Cape Town has plenty of mountains and beaches!

Dornier. More amazing food and yes, more mountains.

 

Too much good food is never enough. Lucky there is another playground here too.

Kirstenbosch gardens

Says it all really.

The  colours of Bo-Kaap

Betty's Bay on the way to Hermanus. More bloody penguins and some cormorants for good measure.

Looks like a good place for lunch. In a cave and on the rocks. Would never be allowed anywhere else in the world!

That WAS the table we wanted to sit at. Lunch at your own risk apparently.

Not the best photo but I'm pretty sure the only 'whale crier' in the world...

The gang looking for yet more whales.

Beautiful Hermanus. Whales and more good food.

 

Steenberg. More food, wine and mountains...

Did we really eat this much food. Apparently so...

Signal point.

The city. Can't wait to go back. SO much more to explore.

 
All photos copyright of Jane Burton.

If you've ever considered visiting Cape Town - just go. It is a truly unique melting pot of landscapes, food, people and fun all packaged into an extremely small geographical area. Yes I know - I should write an in-depth post about all the places we visited, stayed, ate and laughed. Someday…

Have you been? Is there somewhere amazing I'm missing and must see with the tribe when we go again?