Finally, the festive season is upon us and this can only mean one thing, downtime. It also means your little angels are home from school, and as a parent, it can be tricky coming up with ideas to keep them off the screen and occupied with outdoor fun.
To make sure you get the timeout you deserve after a long year, here are some of the all-time fav hotspots around South African cities.
Durbs-by-the-sea
uShaka Marine World is a must-see tourist attraction in Durban. There are always a million and one things to do, and that makes it a top family attraction. From watching exotic underwater species at the shipwreck-themed Sea World Aquarium to the action-packed dolphin and seal shows, your kids are learning about the behaviours of these marine creatures, while having fun.
If you have adventurous children, Moses Mabhida Stadium is fab! The SkyCar ride to the top of the stadium is thrilling and stunning, thanks to the picture-perfect panoramic views. The stadium also offers Segway Gliding tours, and the best part about the gliders is that because they do not use fuel, so they are an eco-friendly way of exploring the surroundings.
George
If you are berry crazy, then the Redberry Farm in George is a box to tick this holiday. Their restaurant offers the most delicious strawberry waffles and the kids will enjoy the real strawberry milkshakes. To add to the attraction of the farm, children can play with the resident bunnies (gently of course), take a ride aboard a choo-choo train.
Victoria Bay, in George, is a great place for an ocean-view picnic. Some call it “a good hide-out” from the holidaymakers, while others enjoy the area to go on a long and casual stroll, while the little ones enjoy the serene beach.
Bloem
If you’re heading to Bloem, and your children like the outdoors, then you should take some time to visit the Free State Botanical Garden. It has six distinct gardens with over 400 different species of plants and 140 bird species. Take your binocs and have your youngsters compete for how many species they can spot.
For kids who enjoy fossils, visit the National Museum in Bloem. The museum will dazzle you with the vast collection of fossils, including the skulls of early hominids! These include humans and their fossil ancestors, as well as some of the great apes. Both young and old will marvel at the life-size fibreglass elephants and hippos, and for those who are not afraid of reptiles, live snakes are on display too.
The Mother City
If you’ve climbed the mountain, visited Robben Island, and done the beaches in Cape Town, then Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden should be next on your list. It is an amazing space for children to run around and explore. It is also a feast to the eyes with over 500 hectares of 2500 different species of plants and grasses. The kids will also enjoy the Boomslang Canopy Walkway, which is a 130m-long treetop canopy boardwalk that weaves its way between the branches of the garden’s Arboretum (a thick woodland just up from the concert lawn). The lush forest area where the suspended footpath has been set up will thrill and delight adventurous souls.
PE, our friendly city
The Addo Elephant National Park day tour is a great holiday adventure. Not only do you come right up close and personal with the Ellies, but the vast part also has Cape buffalos, leopards and black rhinos that you can spot from your car. You can either self-drive or go with one of the very well informed tour guides, whose bush-enthusiasm is very catchy.
Jozi
If you are having a stay-cation in Jozi, a few fab places will take you out of the city and make you feel like you are far from home. By travelling a mere 45 minutes from Joburg, you arrive almost two million years back in time! The Cradle of Humankind is the richest fossil hominin site in Africa. You get to explore the early days of humanity at the famous Sterkfontein Caves. Your children can take a tour through the earliest hominid fossils and scientific exhibition centre. A must-see is the new Homo Naledi that was discovered and unveiled at Maropeng just two years ago.
A visit to Soweto, Africa’s largest township, offers so much to do for young and old alike. The famous Vilakazi Street needs to be on your list – this is where Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived. If you’d like a guided tour your options are endless. Choose from a Kombi, a bicycle, ‘etuktuk’ or a walking tour. All children and teens should be exposed to the famous 1976 site that honours the brave youngster, Hector Pieterson, who lost his life in the struggle. Finally, if your kids are dare-devils sign them up for a bungee jump off the colourfully painted Orlando Towers.
Benediction Zubane, head of Marketing at Mango Airlines concludes: “We’ve given you some of our favourite things to do in all the South African cities we fly to – happy exploring! If you are flexible with your travel times and dates, you may still be in time to book one of our great deals. We look forward to having you on-board and from our team, we wish you a happy Festive Season.”