Grandparents Fly Free This Grandparents' Day

Grandparents' Day in South Africa falls on the first Sunday of October — this year, Sunday 4 October 2026. Bring your grandparent ziplining with us that day and they fly free.

Most Grandparents' Day plans involve a lunch and a photograph. We thought we'd offer something they'll be telling people about at Christmas instead.

Yes, really — grandparents can do this

This is the question we're asked most, so let's answer it properly. There is no upper age limit on our tour. Our oldest guest so far was 93.

The reasons it works are practical ones. A safari-style 4x4 does the climbing, carrying you high into the Hottentots Holland mountains — nobody hikes up. Two guides handle every piece of technical equipment, every clip and every check, so there's nothing to learn and nothing to operate. And ziplining itself is far gentler than it looks from the ground: you sit in a harness and glide. It's the anticipation that's the hard part, not the flying.

Across 13 platforms you'll cross a suspension bridge over a double waterfall and ride slides up to 320 metres. The whole thing takes about 4½ hours.

We'd love a photograph

On the day we'd like to photograph each grandparent and grandchild together, up on the mountain, to share on our social media for Grandparents' Day. Only if you're happy for us to — just tell your guides on the day either way, and it's no trouble at all if you'd rather not. You'll get the photo regardless.

How to book

One phone call, in advance:

• Ring +27 21 300 0501 and say you're booking for Grandparents' Day.
• Tell us how many are coming, and which of them are the grandparents.
• We'll check availability for 4 October and apply the discount to the booking.

Please don't book this one online — the discount can't be attached to an online booking, and we can't add it retrospectively or refund the difference. And please don't arrive on the day hoping to sort it out at reception; if it isn't booked in advance, we can't honour it. One call now saves a difficult conversation later.

Planning the day

• We're in the Elgin Valley near Grabouw, about an hour's drive from Cape Town over Sir Lowry's Pass.
• If nobody wants to drive, we run transfers from a central Cape Town pickup point (minimum two guests) — worth asking about when you phone.
• Bring warm layers. Mountain weather changes quickly, whatever it's doing in the city.
• Closed, comfortable shoes with a bit of grip — for the walk out.
• Minimum age is 5, so the grandchildren can be small ones too. Children aged 5 to 9 ride tandem with a guide.

Questions

When is Grandparents' Day in South Africa?

The first Sunday of October. In 2026 that's Sunday 4 October.

What do the grandparents actually pay?

R100 each — the conservation levy. It's ring-fenced for conservation work in the reserve and never discounted, which is why it stays. The R1,175 tour fare is waived.

Can both my grandparents come?

Yes — it's one free grandparent per paying grandchild, so bring a second paying grandchild and both grandparents fly free. Subject to availability.

What if we can't make the 4th?

The offer is that day only. But if you've flown with us on a paid tour before, keep your certificate: you get a free tour on your own birthday, or within three days of it, when you bring a paying friend. And gift vouchers are available year-round.

Grandparents have generally spent a good few decades being the sensible one. Sunday 4 October seems a reasonable day to let them off.