TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH AFRICA THIS HOLIDAYS
By Nadira Adam
With the Festive Season upon us and let’s face it, with the year we’ve all had, we owe it to ourselves to have a break, right? But what to do and where to go while still trying to stay safe is a dilemma we all find ourselves facing.
So if you are thinking about travelling, South Africa is the perfect destination that has something to offer every taste. Here are the top ten things you can do on your travels to this incredibly beautiful and diverse country.
- Adventures in the Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape stretches from East London in the east all the way down to the KwaZulu-Natal border which was previously known as Transkei. It is famous for its incredible species of flora and fauna along the Garden Route, making it one of the most picturesque drives along the South African coastline. With its lush forests and pristine beaches, there are an abundance of activities that you can do from rafting and canoeing, to kayak and Lilo tours, bungee jumping for the adrenalin junkies, wildlife and ocean safaris or perhaps a game of golf or just soaking up the sun with a good book.
- Wild Coast
Along this same coastline, lies the Wild Coast, or also called the Bermuda Triangle of South Africa. Named so as its waters can sometimes get ferocious in bad weather with waves of up to 20m high. Enjoy whale and dolphin tours, bird watching, or hiking. Don’t forget to add The Hole in the Wall in Coffee Bay to your list. This natural rock formation makes for the ideal social media pictures ☺
- Hartbeespoort
If you’re staying in Johannesburg, head on out to the resort town of Hartbeespoort, some 60km north of Johannesburg. The town is built on the banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam and is nestled in a valley on the Crocodile River. Whether you’re passing through or planning on staying a day or two, you’ll find plenty to do. Apart from the many boutique hotels and guesthouses in the vicinity, you can enjoy many hiking trails and nature reserves. One of my favourite things to do is to ride the cable cars and enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the cableway. When it comes to food, there is no better than a little place called French Toast Coffee Café. It is named and modelled after the movie French Toast, a South African production which can be viewed on Netflix.
- Sun City
Conveniently, Sun City is on the same route as Hartbeespoort and about another forty minutes to an hour’s drive. This magical resort, whose design epitomises a lost city in a jungle, is simply just that. It is hidden within the valley of the Magaliesburg Mountains and surrounded by forests, a lake and waterfalls, albeit all man-made. Again, you will never run out of things to do or adventures to experience. The resort offers top luxury accommodation and food, to upmarket but reasonably priced units and including food courts thereby catering to everyone’s needs and tastes. You will have an array of swimming pools and activities to choose from including golfing on a world-class golf course, an impressive man-made wave pool, or relax in a floating tube along the Lazy River and soak up the sun and the views. There are also an abundance of activities for the kids.
- Wine Tastings in the Cape
If you’re flying into the Mother City, you may be aware that Cape Town is home to some of the best wines and wine estates in the world. The areas of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Somerset West and Constantia are all renowned for their wine estates where you can enjoy tastings, guided tours, and some even have award-winning restaurants and accommodation. These towns make for the perfect weekend getaway as well as a day’s outing.
- Safaris and Game Drives
As with the rest of Africa, South Africa, too, has its fair share of game reserves and safaris. The Kruger National Park is known to the world, but there are a few which stand out as equally impressive and the ultimate in luxury such as the Marataba Safari Lodge in Thabazimbi, the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in Mpumalanga, and the Thorny Bush Game Reserve which is adjacent to the Kruger National Park.
- Stargazing in the Karoo
The arid and sparsely populated landscape of the Northern Cape makes for ideal conditions for star and planet gazing. The town of Sutherland in the Karoo is home to the South African Large Telescope and Astronomical Observatory and because there is hardly any light pollution, the skies become a magnificent display of twinkling lights in itself.
- The Big Hole in Kimberley
Also in the Northern Cape, lies Kimberley, the town famous for its colossal Big Hole as a result from diamond mining since the 1870’s. In addition, Kimberley offers guided tours of the town which played an integral part of South Africa’s history.
- Drakensberg Mountains
Located midway between Johannesburg and Durban, are the majestic Drakensberg Mountain ranges. Here you will only find two major things to do – relaxing amid the peace and tranquillity of the surrounding nature, or enjoy the many outdoor activities that will allow you to unwind and immerse yourself in healing the body, mind and soul. From hiking trails to 4×4 drives, zip lining to horse riding or trout fishing and much, much more. It is the perfect escape from the city and from the daily throes of life consumed by technology.
- The Cradle of Human Kind
A little way outside of the Johannesburg city centre, lies the World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Human Kind as well as the Maropeng Museum and Sterkfontein Caves whose backdrop is the undulating curves of the Magaliesberg Mountains. The Cradle itself dates back to over seven million years and is speculated to be the birthplace of our human ancestors. The Sterkfontein Caves which form part of the Cradle still has ongoing excavations and is where the fossils of the famous “Mrs Ples and Little Foot” were found. There are guided tours into the caves as well as the museum. The Maropeng Boutique Hotel is my regular weekend getaway when I feel the need to escape the city. The unobstructive views of the surrounding mountains will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle the world once more.
Whatever it is that you decide to do this Festive Season, I wish you good health and good fortune. Stay safe.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!