Explore Buffelsfontein and the West Coast with kids
The N7 lifted me out of the general commute and nudged me onto the West Coast Highway. The hustle and bustle stayed behind as I left Cape Town. My wife and kids were waiting at the Buffelsfontein entrance. They were hungry, so I'm not sure if they were extremely happy to see me, or the droewors I picked up in Melkbosstrand on the way. I was happy to see them, so I guess it was the former.
This time around we booked a cottage overlooking a waterhole. Since I was the late arrival I got the full benefit of the surprise. From the outside, the cottage looks like many other cottages. Local rocks held together by industrial cement, covered with a thatch roof. The "cottage chic" with its tastefully rough finishes is a staple for these kinds of reserves. Buffelsfontein took the road less traveled, and it made all the difference. The interior had the feel of a luxury hotel room. Heavy curtains opened up to a view of the water hole from the main bedroom. Both bathrooms were well equipped, the main bedroom had a bath if you need to bathe younger children or babies. We lit a fire at sunset and watched night fall on the reserve.
Game Drives
Twice a day you have the opportunity to go on a guided game drive in the reserve. On the drive, you can expect to see various antelope species, buffalo, and the rhino couple, so you can see four of the big five here.
The rhinos' horns get cut every year or two to make sure that there is no reason for poachers to kill them.
The full guided game drive and safari lasts for 3 hours, and for younger children, this may get too long. Luckily the morning drive has two parts, allowing you to opt for a half guided game drive. You still get to go into the cheetah enclosure, visit the black leopard, and pop in later for the lion's dinner. This option lasts for 1 hour 30 minutes, which is short enough for the little ones to remain engaged.
Other entertainment on the game farm - Restaurant, Pool, Sport
Game drives depart from the restaurant and return there once done. Here you can enjoy a hearty meal, amazing burgers, or have the kids grab an ice cream, no matter what the weather. This has become a little ritual for us after each outing.
During the warmer months, you can make use of the pool, or have the kids play on the grass.
If you are into sports and there is a big game on while you are at Buffelsfontein, you need not worry, they have DSTV both in the rooms and in the bar. Whatever your idea of the perfect wildlife reserve experience, be sure to visit Buffelsfontein.
Make the most of your road trip to the Cape West Coast
The Cape West Coast is close enough to Cape Town to be a viable weekend getaway or even a quick Saturday trip.
Depending on when you are in the area, you can find a number of interesting things to do with your kids.
5 things to see and do on the Cape West Coast
1. If you have a taste for craft beer, you should definitely drop by Darling Brew, you enjoy a gourmet burger and sample some beer while the children can play on the jungle gym and enjoy their non alcoholic beverages.
2. Grote Post farm not only have some really unique wine but once a month, from August to April, they have a country market.
3. The Cape West Coast has the added wonder of a special flower season. Which means you have a number of activities scheduled to co-inside with that time of year. These include the family-friendly Darling Wild Flower Show and two Mountain Bike events at !Khwa ttu, the kid's event and the 24-hour enduro for the brave.
4. The Postberg Flower Reserve also opens during this time (it is closed the rest of the year) to reveal a spectacular display of floral beauty. Also keep an eye out for zebra, wildebeest, antelope, ostrich, mongoose, Rock hyrax, snakes, birds, and tortoises. Postberg is part of the West Coast National Park. One of the most visited flower hotspots in the Cape West Coast.
5. Go on a safari.
It might be the cold water, but the West Coast has character, the kind of character that is good for the soul. It is the ideal breakaway if you wan to return with a new found zest for life.
Wessel
