Don’t limit your domestic travel options this festive season. There is so much to explore and celebrate in SA.
Lonely Planet recently announced its top 30 destinations to visit in 2023, and SA features in the top five as a destination to experience memorable and diverse cuisine. And the publication has a lot to say about KwaZulu-Natal.
According to the publication, if you want a bunny chow it’s best to visit Curry Os at Point Waterfront or Cane Cutters in Umhlanga. But if you’re looking for Zulu culinary influence route, try Afro’s Chicken Shop or The Joint Jazz Cafe in Durban.
From small town magic to scenic natural trails there’s more to the province than its coastline. Most beaches in Durban were closed due to a high level of e-coli in the water as a result of extensive damages to sewerage infrastructure caused by floods earlier this year.
The eThekwini municipality has opened 11 beaches and 22 public swimming pools. However, if you’re left wondering what to do this festive season in KZN, here are some destinations that are not the beach.
Valley of a Thousand Hills
For a dose of history, culture and adventure you could visit the Valley of a Thousand Hills, just 20 minutes west of the city of Durban. There are countless options for accommodation from BnB’s, guesthouses and backpackers hostels.
Once you have sorted out where you’ll stay you can experience Indlondlo Zulu Cultural Experience where you’ll get a guided tour and learn about Zulu culture, enjoy scenic views, art, traditional dance among many activities.
You can also visit the Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market, take the little ones to the Inchanga Railway Museum, enjoy some eats and a beer from the 1000 Hills Brewery and Yes Chef! Deli. You can contact 1000 Hills Tourism via their website to see what else they have to offer.
Howick Falls
This natural attraction is one of the beautiful attractions to KZN. Just outside of Pietermaritzburg, you enjoy the Howick Falls Gorge Walk. And also go see the Midmar Dam, which often hosts water sport tournament as the town of Howick and the falls are close to each other. Another landmark in close proximity to the falls is the Nelson Mandela Capture Sight, there you will see the monument dedicated to Nelson Mandela.
Oribi Gorge
Oribi Gorge, a canyon near Port Shepstone, 120km south of Durban, is linked to the Lake Eland Game Reserve, where they have self-catering chalets that start from a two-sleeper to six and also two family homes that sleeps groups of six and eight. There are also caravan and camping facilities around the fishing lake.
The reserve has a suspension bridge, which shows you beautiful views of the natural surroundings. They also offer self-driving and guided game drives, an extensive zipline experience, picnic and braai facilities, a restaurant and tea garden, scooter tours, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, walking, paintball shooting and 4X4 and quad biking trails.
You can come for the day or stay at the reserve. There is also The Gorge Private Game Lodge & Spa which promises a luxurious experience for the glamourous traveller. There are renowned hiking or mountain biking trails through the indigenous forests and grasslands on the property. This destination is also ideal for birdwatchers with over 255 different bird species, including several resident fish eagles, the endangered ground hornbills and the Cape vulture.
Umtamvuna reserve and quad biking tour
You can reach the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, also 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.
You can also experience some on land adventure in the form of a quad bike tour at the same resort. One one of the tours you’ll travel over rocky terrain to the swing Umzamba Bridge where the movie Blood Diamonds was made.
You climb off your quad bike to cross the 140m long bridge to a commemorative plaque at the other end and your guide will provide other interesting facts – like 15m pylons and 133m of steel rope were used in its construction. Segway Guiding Tours is situated at the Wild Waves Water Park. For quad bike bookings, 24-hours in advance, please contact 083 456 8507 ormms@segwaytourskzn.co.za.
Tours are weather dependent and costs vary according to the type of experience and drivers need to be over 16 years old. For children younger than 16, who want to take the reins, there is an obstacle course at R150 for five laps. Children as young as four can Segway, height dependent.
The Drakensberg
There are many things to experience in the Drakensberg you could stay overnight in a secluded luxury cave with a Jacuzzi spa bath and open fireplace. This experience you can find at Antbear Eco Lodge and Farm.
The farm provides the food for the restaurant and you can be assured of an authentic farm to table experience. There is also the Mountain View Suites, which are suitable for two or more people and The Garden View Suite.
Here you can take part in the Stargazing Hammock Camp where a local villager will regal you with African folktales while you’re stargazing in a hammock. Another lodge to visit is Ardemore Guest Farm in the Champagne Valley, where you can stay in beautiful farm cottages. You can dine in their restaurant or choose the self-catering option, they offer bed and breakfast, dinner, bed-and-breakfast or self-catering options. The Drakensberg has many attractions from river rafting, hiking and horse trails to guided tours that showcase the rock paintings of the Khoi and San people.
dlomol@sowetan.co.za
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