Great family getaways

1) Umngazi River Bungalows, Eastern Cape
Family holidays are all about juggling activities with relaxation. Umngazi, near Port St John's, manages this with consummate ease and it's the reason we have chosen it as our top family destination. Its location on the beach at the mouth of the Umngazi means there are a multitude of sand-based adventures to be had by children and for the grown-ups there's plenty of good food (or self-catering) and plenty of R&R. There's also fly-fishing, hiking and, if you bring your own bikes, mountain biking across the trails leading away from the resort.

But the real reason Umngazi is special is because it's just that — real in a plastic world. It's a no-nonsense, down-to-earth holiday destination at an affordable price. What more could you want? From R350 a person a night sharing, full board. Tel (047) 564 1115.

2) Wavecrest, KwaZulu-Natal
It's small, it's unpretentious but it has a big heart. Wavecrest, near Amanzimtoti, is tucked away in the tropical foliage close to the beach. There is self-catering accommodation, but it's the caravan park and camping sites that really stand out and make Wavecrest something special. Like our entire top 15, it's care that sets it apart. The sites are neatly mown, the ablution blocks are immaculately maintained and the services are comprehensive. There are washing machines, ironing facilities, a children's playground, a great pool and they're even dog friendly. From R220 a unit self-catering. Tel (031) 916 1617.

3) The Cavern, KwaZulu-Natal
What makes the Carte family's Cavern resort so special is the attention to detail. There's always someone running round making sure everything is on track. It has been in the family for over 60 years and, as you'd expect with all that time to get it right, the set-up is impressive. Classic thatch accommodation, wonderful grassed courtyards where lunches and potjies are served, nestle in one of the world's most beautiful locations.

The Cavern is a child's paradise. Pools are man-made or in the mountain streams; the backyard just happens to be the Drakensberg's Amphitheatre. Volleyball, guided hikes, horse-riding, fly-fishing, tennis and jeep trips on private mountain wilderness are part of the bargain. There's even a party on Saturday nights for the older children (and younger adults). From R400 a person a night sharing, full board. Tel (036) 438 6270.

4) Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge, Mpumalanga
Not one but four swimming pools are what people often remember about Crystal Springs. That and the floodlit tennis courts. And the spa bath. And the beauty salon. The fact is that Crystal Springs is one of those rare village-like holiday resorts, where activities on site are the name of the game. It's luxurious and run with Swiss precision. The bungalows are beautifully located in the gardens.

Pilgrim's Rest with its nine-hole golf course is below, down Robber's Pass, and if you really can't find anything to do on site, the whole of the Lowveld is yours for the taking. From R176 a person a night sharing, self-catering. Tel (013) 768 5000.

5) Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa, North West
The much-loved Magaliesberg resort near Rustenburg with the floodlit action cricket pitch now has a spa. It boasts a huge indoor heated pool, two spa baths, a steam bath, hydrotherapy, gym and a stand-up sunbed, the first of its kind in South Africa. The spa will add another feather to the resort's cap. The clever use of trees and lawn keeps it intimate, despite the fact that the resort is on a sizeable chunk of Magaliesberg land. Children love the paintball war games, held beside the Krom River in the bamboo grove, as well as the mini golf. Clay-pigeon shooting gets dads going and the pool is popular with everyone. From R265 a person a night sharing on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Tel (014) 535 0000.

6) Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga
Getaway Magazine rates Berg-en-Dal as Kruger's most child-friendly rest camp. At first glance the modern face brick may not seem that inviting, but get into its swing and the camp is great. The pool is huge and the water hole is right there, so you can sit and watch nature's bounty glide past from the comfort of the camp.

There's a good nature walk, the gardens are beautiful and the camp shows movies for all during season. Bungalows from R410 a night. Tel (013) 735 -6106.

7) Pumula Beach Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal
The joke at Pumula goes that if the sardines which crowd past there knew how wonderful it was, they'd stay. It is wonderful. And easy. It's literally on the beach, 100 kilometres south of Durban near Hibberdene. The accent is on carefree olidays. Service is a strong point for such a good-value hotel. The food and the fishing are both excellent too. Down by the beach the tidal pool is great for younger children who don't want to go into the sea. From R425 a person a night, full board. Tel (039) 684 6717.

8) Malealea Lodge, Lesotho
Family holidays don't necessarily have to be about the sea or the bush. Try pony trekking through Lesotho instead. Malealea, overall winner of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa award for responsible tourism, is right up in the mountains of Lesotho and offers a refreshing change for holidaying families. It's also wonderfully run. Mick and Di Jones were born in Lesotho and have put a lot of effort into making Malealea work. They've got an old farmhouse and trading store, 22 en-suite rondavels and rooms and 14 forest huts with communal bathrooms available. You can go pony trekking, hiking or river rafting. For dad there are 4x4 excursions. From R140 a person a night, bed and breakfast. Tel (051) 447 3200.

9) Guinjata Bay, Mozambique
Just south of Inhambane, right on the beach, Guinjata nestles in the great sweep of empty Jangamo Bay, ideal for launching boats, endless walks, scuba diving and fishing. The resort is popular with South African families because it's a leave-the-kids-to-their-own-devices kind of place. The chalets are reed and palm frond — nothing fancy — there's a shop and a very friendly bar and restaurant.

Scuba diving is especially good out of Guinjata, with rays, whale sharks and a plethora of smaller tenants to be seen in the tenements of Manta, Paindane and Island Rock reefs. From R850 a night for a four-person chalet, full board. Tel (013) 741 2795.

10) Klein Bolayi Lodge, Limpopo Province
The wild card in our pack. Bolayi is on a private nature reserve 15 minutes from the Zimbabwe border on the road to Pont Drif and has consistently proved itself over the last few years, receiving various hospitality awards. It's very affordable for a game holiday and the setting among bubble-like granite outcrops is magnificent. Eight comfortable thatched chalets, a swimming pool and a braai area hide among the rocks. Game drives, hides for game viewing and birdwatching, guided walks, and horse-rides are all available. From R160 a person a night. Tel (015) 534 0975.

11) Tiffindell, Eastern Cape
Tiffindell's come a long way since its early days as a fairly basic mountain ski lodge. Today it takes 140 people in comfortable chalets, lodge rooms and at the McDhui Lodge. Realising that South Africans generally know absolutely nothing about skiing and snow, the resort takes you by the hand through the whole process. The Snowscape Indoor Ski Slope is where you go to learn, you can hire skis, boots and clothing and of course there's the après ski drinks afterwards, most important of all. You can also grass ski in the summer. From R330 a person a night. Tel 0861 787 909 in winter (May to July), summer (045) 974 9004.

12) Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape
One of the hidden delights of the Eastern Cape, this park near Cradock is a great place for families escaping the noise of the city. It was set up in 1937 to ensure the survival of the Cape mountain zebra. Today you can see black rhino, buffalo, eland, red hartebeest and numerous birds including black eagles. The rest camp is simple but inviting, consisting of a Victorian farmhouse, a pool, a number of chalets and camping sites. From R335 a night for a family chalet. Tel (048) 881 2427.

13) River rafting, Northern Cape
Imagine it, the whole family out there for three days, negotiating down the Orange River in rubber crocs and kayaks, camping at night, enjoying each other (most of the time) and the bush. The trip from Klein Pella near Pofadder ending in Goudom is easy to do with even small children and the brownie points for dad are many. A great family getaway. Tel Ingwenya Tours (056) 212 3308.

14) Aventura Blydepoort, Mpumalanga
Big doesn't even begin to describe Aventura's playland tucked away in the folds of the Bylde River Canyon. It is enormous, with 98 stone chalets and a 44-stand caravan and camping park spread out in the hills. It even has its own petrol station, shop and marvellously located restaurant with views of the canyon. The resort is the ideal base from which to explore Mpumalanga's many sights. Pilgrim's Rest, Bourke's Luck Potholes, The Pinnacle, Mac Mac Falls and God's Window are all close by. From R340 a night for a chalet. Tel (013) 769 8005.

15) Umhlanga Sands, KwaZulu-Natal
Southern Sun's white monolith is regarded by some as ground zero for all things child-related in Umhlanga. During the season there is an extensive children's programme, managed by an entertainment director and his team of helpers. The activities range from clown shows to juggling lessons to mini-musicials. On a hectic Easter morning it can seem that the Sands doesn't have an adult in it. The accommodation is generic Southern Sun; 237 sea-facing rooms with balconies and kitchenettes. From R1420 a night for a four-sleeper room. Tel (031) 561 2323.

This feature originally appeared in Getaway Magazine. For more, visit getawaytoafrica.co.za