It seems like only yesterday you sent the kids back to school. Now the end of term is on the horison and you’re already trying to think of ways to keep the youngsters busy. Luckily, warmer weather has graced South Africa with its return and as the sun rises earlier with each passing day, there are more fun outdoor activities to add to your list.

I remember summer holidays with my family. My mother, an avid botanist, would drag her three very unwilling daughters on an excursion to some or other place of natural beauty. These trips would always start out feeling like a torture camp. We were handed a backpack, provisions, sensible shoes and water and then we were generally forced to march through bushes and forests and various bodies of water. These family hikes initially felt like the worst kind of punishment saved for truly terrible children, but when I look back, they are the highlights of my childhood.

Being out and about in nature is good for the soul and a hike is one of the best ways to keep your children entertained during the school holiday. Hikes are educational and enjoyable and not all of them are strenuous. South Africa, with its rich natural bounty, has a myriad easy hiking trails to enjoy with your children in tow.

That’s why we here at LekkeSlaap have decided to round up some of the best family-friendly hikes to try out during the warmer months. Pick one based on your children’s ages and fitness levels and go on a holiday that’s good for the body as well as the soul.

The Wathaba Trails are located in Mpumalanga in Machadodorp and there are two trails, the Bosbok Route and the Lynx Loop. You can opt for either depending on the age and fitness level of your children.

The Bosbok Route is only 4 km long and it’s an easy, well-marked route that winds all along the Schoonspruit River. Young children will love this one, because it’s easy to walk, you crisscross the river several times via little bridges, and there are several places to swim along the way, including the Wathaba Rainbow Falls and Bald Ibis Gorge.

Lynx Loop is the longer route and perhaps more suited to slightly older children. It is 10 km long and there bridges, steps and ladders to make things even more exciting. There are also 5 waterfalls along the way to cool off in.

The indigenous trees on both routes are clearly marked, so the hikes will be enjoyable and informative.

Machadodorp is a small town in Mpumalanga. The Elands River runs through it and there is a radioactive spring which is said to have great healing properties. On your way to the trails, you can lengthen your hiking holiday with a lovely stay at one of LekkeSlaap’s amazing accommodations in Machadodorp.

For accommodation in Machadodorp, click here.

For more information on the hiking trails, click here.

The Woodcutter Trail is a wonderful choice for a family hike in the Western Cape. It offers a choice of two routes, 3 km and 9 km, that both kick off in the Millwood Forest of Knysna at the Dalene Matthee memorial plaque. Both routes start off the same and split at the 2 km mark where the 3 km route loops back to a picnic site next to the starting point. The 9 km route is definitely worth the extra effort though! There are two idyllic swimming spots along the way and despite the steep climb at the end, the rest of the route isn’t very strenuous.

The Woodcutter Trail offers some exciting learning opportunities as well. Tell your children to look out for bush pig territorial markings on the trees, various interesting fungi and even elephant droppings on the last stretch of the 9 km route.

Knysna is a beautiful town on the Garden Route of South Africa. Extend your hiking holiday by spending a couple of days in this vibrant town that is so rich in natural beauty.

For accommodation in Knysna, click here.

For more information on the hiking trails, click here.

Castle Gorge is a well-kept secret in the Magaliesberg region of South Africa. It is only accessible on foot and is therefore a gem reserved for hikers with beautiful waterfalls, natural pools to swim in and weathered rock formations that will turn even the biggest amateur into a passionate photographer.

The walk to Castle Gorge is long but beautiful and even though it’s fairly steep in the beginning, it quickly levels out onto a sunny plateau and then drops down into the gorge. The path is in excellent condition, so it’s a good family hike that can be done in an hour (depending on your fitness levels and enthusiasm!). The final descent into the gorge can be tricky for some, so the necessary caution should be taken with little ones. You can even avoid the difficult part of this trail by staying above the gorge to enjoy the views, swim or have a picnic.

There is plenty of water available along the way and the views make this hike absolutely worth it. You are also welcome to set up camp if you want to stay and swim a while, just note that no fires are allowed.

The Magaliesberg region is a beautiful part of our country, so if you’d like to do this hike, we suggest you turn it into a holiday and book a few nights in Magaliesburg. This rustic little town has loads of countryside charm, yet it is no more than an hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria.

For accommodation in Magaliesburg, click here.

For more information on the hike, click here.

The Kosi Bay Hiking Trail offers an escape to one of the most inaccessible parts of South Africa. You won’t be able to truly experience it in a car and that’s why this hiking trail is perfect. The trail can be tailored to suit your needs, so there is no need to worry about fitness levels, just pick the trail that suits you best! There is also a slackpacking option where your luggage is transported for you.

Hikers can choose between a 4, 5 or 6 night slackpacking trail with overnight accommodation provided along the way in beach and bush camps. The hike is led by a knowledgeable guide who will provide interesting information and keep you from getting lost along the way.

The route winds along the coast and on the beach and the daily distances vary between 10 – 17 km. The trail doesn’t have steep inclines, scrambling or rock climbing. There is only one steep dune and the soft sand certainly makes for a good workout in places, but other than that the trail is relatively easy for all.

This trail offers a host of exciting things to do along the way. Hikers and their children can look forward to snorkelling, watching the local fishermen spear their catch, a boat excursion, whale and dolphin watching, a canoe safari and turtle tours where you can view the loggerhead turtles waddling ashore to lay their eggs. This is definitely a hike to bookmark!

Kosi Bay forms a part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, and consists of four interconnected lakes and an estuary. This world heritage site is definitely worth a visit!

For accommodation close to Kosi Bay, click here.

For more information on the slackpacking routes, click here.

The Skilpad Trail in Namaqualand is an easy 4 km trail that is suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels.

Flower season is reason enough for a holiday hike, but that’s not the only thing that makes this area worth a visit. The natural scenery is also complemented by quiver trees, birds, buck, reptiles and awe-inspiring views to make this hike exciting all year round. Namaqualand National Park is one of only two arid biodiversity hotspots and home to about 3500 succulents as well as other flora.

There are a few short trails that allow you to enjoy the floral display on foot. The Skilpad Trail takes you past some windmills (can anyone say great photo opportunities!) and right to the heart of the daisy plains. There is also a waterhole along the way and a vantage point where you are almost sure to see a gemsbok or other antelope.

Make a list of things the kids can look out for along the way. These could include all the aforementioned natural beauties, as well as quartz outcrops, tiny little vygies, baboons, butterflies and of course, the namesake of the trail, the tortoise!

During August and September, Namaqua National Park is an explosion of colour for the annual wildflower season. The plains and lower slopes of the area become a magnificent carpet of orange, yellow and purple and your children will delight in this natural wonder.

For accommodation in Namaqualand, click here.

For more information on the trail, click here.

A hiking holiday is an excellent way to keep your children busy when their teachers take a break. Choose a trail that suits their age and fitness level and take on an outdoor adventure this summer!

Feature Image: Overlooking Three Mile by Mark (Flickr)