The beauty of SA is unparalled and the rejuvenative powers of a weekend away are undisputed. After a stressful month or so, work took me to Sun City over the weekend.
The primary reason for the trip was the South African Music Awards which were happening at the resort.
I was immediately enarmoured of the place as I hadn’t ever stayed there before. If you’re a fan you’ll be happy to know that Sun City's casino complex has been named as one of the most Instagrammable casinos in the world according to website www.bestcasinosites.net that judges such things.
The casino is not the only things that makes Sun City a sought-after resort; it’s the fact that when you’re there you’re transported to an entirely different state of being due to the impressive natural surroundings. I found being still and just basking in the atmosphere did wonders for my stress levels, that was right before having to fight among jostling media for my spot on the red carpet, but that’s a story for another day.
Once again our country is beautiful; as South Africans we need to experience our country more and as we this week enter September, SA's tourism month, perhaps make plans to see more of our beautiful country. Check out this list of nine destinations as recommended by global travel search engine Cheapflights.co.za and see if it’s something you like:
Sun City
Sun City is often a popular destination for both domestic and international travellers, many of whom include the destination in their itineraries because of its collection of water parks such as the Valley Of The Waves, and other forms of relentless entertainment offerings like cabaret, music and sport. On September 3 Sun City hosts Joyous Celebration 26 concert, KykNet Sommerjol music festival on September 16-18 and Heritage Golf Championships finals on September 21-22. For those who prefer recreation of the quieter side, Sun City is surrounded by beautiful nature reserves including Kwena Gardens Crocodile Sanctuary, Madikwe Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park.
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
Beyond Durban, KwaZulu-Natal as a province is a magnet for tourism and there are plenty of unfamiliar destinations worth checking out. You can reach the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve on KZN's south coast in style by booking a boat cruise on the Mtamvuna River. The cruise is between 45 minutes and an hour, and holidaymakers can choose between a public or private cruise. These are booked via Riverside Aqua Sports Beach Bar or Wild Coast Sun Resort.
Kruger Park
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is another visitor hotspot, inviting travellers to sink into the wildlife experiences of SA’s Big Five, as well as explore its vast birdlife of more than 500 species. The 360km-long park is the third-largest national park in the world, has five vegetation zones, and is regarded as the best place in the world to spot the hugely secretive leopards.
East London
Eastern Cape's second city is usually overlooked in favour of Ggeberha. However, East London hold its own with interesting attractions which include the East London Museum, the East London Aquarium as well as the Friesland Milk Bar which was established in 1924! Stepping more into the eclectic, visitors can enjoy Tea In The Trees or see the excavation site of the oldest human fossil footprints (124,000 years old!) in the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve.
George
The Western Cape town is the gateway to the beautiful Garden Route with incredible destinations for tourists to experience the history and visual beauty of the city and its surrounds. The Outeniqua Transport Museum is a converted railway station where visitors can see Paul Kruger’s coach and a coach from the Royal Train of 1947. There are also scenic drives that visitors can take such as Montagu Pass, The Seven Passes Drive and Outeniqua Pass.
Saint Lucia
An intriguing destination in far north cost of KZN, Saint Lucia is a world heritage site and has the largest population of free-roaming hippos in SA. In addition to that, Saint Lucia is also known for the leatherback and loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches in the summer months, as well as its breathtaking humpback whale and whale shark sightings.
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is often referred to as the City Of Roses for its abundance of roses and the annual rose festival. It is also located close to the beautiful Free State National Botanical Garden, a 70-hectare garden with over 400 different species of plants and an ancient settler’s cottage. Flora fans can also visit Orchid House at the foot of Naval Hill, where they can see hundreds of these exotic flowers.
Hoedspruit
Hoedspruit is situated between the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon, so is a perfect stop on a travel itinerary between the two. From horseback safaris and interactive elephant experiences, visitors can also enjoy hot air balloon safaris and some R&R (rest and relaxation) at a wellness spa.
Tanda Tulu
Tanda Tulu is a camp and nature reserve in the Timbavati Nature Reserve on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park. The reserve is known for its white lions, which were historically worshipped by the Shangaan tribe who believed they were sent from God. Today, visitors to Tanda Tulu can learn more about the Elephant Protection Project and stargaze across the crystal-clear night sky. There are also horse and balloon safaris, as well as micro lighting over Klaserie Game Reserve.
Mtunzini
The little known coastal town of Mtunzini in KZN boasts a quiet but expansive beach behind a mangrove forest with its own unique ecosystem. Visitors here can enjoy fishing expeditions, explorations of Tembe Elephant Park and Umlalazi Nature Reserve and a unique experience at The Zululand Brewery – known as the smallest family-owned brewery on the KZN Brew Route (the route being an experience of its own). The flagship Zulu Blonde was voted No 1 ale at an international ale festival in 2010 and has been stocked across UK pubs ever since.
dlomol@sowetan.co.za
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