Take a Sho’t Left with your family or friends to explore the beauty of South Africa. With many long weekends throughout the year, take the opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones. And, you don’t have to look beyond the country’s borders – South Africa has many beautiful places!
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1. North West
If you don’t feel like a long drive, you can spend some time at Hartbeespoort Dam located about one and half hours from Johannesburg. Activities include the Aerial Cableway, which will take you to the top of the mountain. There, you can enjoy lunch with a phenomenal view of Magaliesburg and surrounding areas. Your kids can also learn from the educational placards that describe points of interest seen from the mountaintop. For the adventurous, the Elephant Sanctuary offers a chance to learn about elephant behaviour while feeding and walking with them.
2. Eastern Cape
Looking for fun ways to spend with your family? Then head to Bathurst where you will find the largest artificial pineapple building in the world. Standing at 16.7m, it is 70cm taller than the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. Inside the pineapple, building is an auditorium where you can watch a short film on pineapple production as well as an exhibition on local agriculture.
4. Mpumalanga
Revisit your childhood memories and make the nursery rhymes come alive at The Shoe situated on the Panorama Route. A little museum showcasing wood carvings, The Shoe is part of a complex that includes an eight-chalet guest house, campsite, restaurant and pool. To experience everything the place has to offer, you must make arrangements in advance.
5. Northern Cape
The Big Post Box in Calvinia is a must-see. The gigantic water tank that was revamped into a post box, stands at 6.17m. It will make you fall in love with snail mail as letters posted there are hand stamped with a flower emblem.
While travelling, it is important to ensure that your family is protected. Tarryn Hood from Budget Rent a Car gives tips on what to consider before travelling:
- A well-maintained car is less likely to break down and leave you stuck in the middle of nowhere. So, make sure you service yours setting off. If you are unable to do this, it is advisable to rent a car.
- Check that safety belts are working properly and that everyone is secured before you leave.
- Because toys can be a hazard, especially in an accident, choose ones that are soft to avoid injuries
