Starting to feel stir-crazy? As SA has entered the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic, it’s more important than ever that we practise social distancing and avoid large public gatherings.
Unfortunately, for some of us, this also means staying close to home this December.
But don’t despair! SA is such a rich, diverse playground for local holidaymakers and you can have an amazing vacation without spending a lot of time travelling or money, all while keeping your family – and fellow South Africans – safe in the process.
Here are some of our top cross-country travel destinations.
Gauteng: Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site
If ancient animals, plants, and hominids tickle your fancy, then you would be well advised to book a trip to The Cradle of Humankind, which offers visitors a holistic glimpse into the famous limestone caves, as well as a world-class exhibition that showcases the human journey through time.
The Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves will be open from December 11- January 27. Children under the age of six do not pay for admission, while all visitors aged six and over can enjoy the full experience for a R160 ticket.
If you want to stay overnight, there is a range of accommodation available in the area, which you can review at https://www.sa-venues.com/accommodation/cradle-of-humankind.php. Overnight stays generally go for about R800-R1,000 upwards.
KwaZulu-Natal: Isimangaliso Wetland Park
Situated on an edge of the Elephant Coast in KZN, the Isimangaliso Wetland Park is a highly biodiverse area of lakes, swamps, coral reefs, coastal forests and beaches which will be closed on certain dates to curb the spread of the virus, a great proportion of which converges around the Lake St Lucia estuary.
Visitors to the park can hike, fish, dive, horse-ride and go on game, whale and bird viewing tours. You can book boat rides and snorkelling experiences online here: https://www.getyourguide.co.uk, or on other sites like it – just search for Isimangaliso Wetland Park activities online and you will find that there are any number of expert tour facilitators you can choose to curate your experience.
The Wetland Park is about a two-and-a-half-hour-long car drive outside of Durban via the N2, so it might be worthwhile to stay overnight for a day or two. You could stay at the Igwalagwala Guest House, which retails for about R1,125 per night at the moment; or you can explore alternatives at https://www.sa-venues.com/accommodation/stlucia.php.
Northern Cape: Khomani Cultural Landscape
This shrinking site in the southern Kalahari is home to the Khomani San, a dwindling society of hunter-gatherers who keep ancient local traditions and practices alive. Officially recognised as a World Heritage Site, the Khomani Cultural Landscape encompasses the whole of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, and, if you stay at the !Xaus Lodge, the community-owned accommodation-HQ in the Kgalagadi Park, you can actually experience wildlife tracking under the expert tutelage of the self-described Bushmen.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn more about one of SA’s most venerable indigenous cultures, and to hear about life in the desert firsthand. If you would prefer something slightly less expensive than the flagship lodge (R9,950 per night), then you can book at the Loch Maree Guest Farm overnight for about R900 per person, and perhaps organise to meet the Khomani San independently.
Western Cape: Cape Winelands
Collectively, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Tulbagh, Wellington and Paarl comprise the Cape Winelands, a stretch of verdant vinelands open for visitors to come and sample their wares and dine at some of their incredible on-site eateries.
Once you’ve booked your accommodation, you can put together a personalised itinerary detailing which wineries you’d like to visit on which day – most hotels will be able to book in advance for you and help you to manage your transportation to and from the wine farms. Check out accommodation options here, at https://www.sa-venues.com/accommodation/cape-winelands.php.
Free State: Vredefort Dome
What we refer to as the Vredefort Dome is actually the oldest and largest meteoric impact site in the world. Situated near Parys and Vredefort in the Free State, this astronomical site is about 120km southwest of Joburg, and is well worth a visit with your family.
About 2,000m years ago, the impact of a meteor that struck the earth around Vredefort formed an enormous crater, which is about 40km in diameter alone. The surrounding geological formations are fascinating and beautiful, and tour guides can be arranged to explain the origins and the significance of the natural phenomena you will see.
You can contact the organisers at 018-297-7618, or visit http://www.vredefortdome.co.za to find out more about the wide array of activities on offer, including quad biking, paintball, and, of course, tours. Find overnight accommodation in Parys here: https://www.sa-venues.com/accommodation/parys.php.
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