It’s madness. School’s out and the kids are hanging around the house. You can’t afford a proper holiday, but you can’t handle another day of couch potatoes laying in front of the telly.
So, where can you go for a day out where you can relax while the rug rats run riot and breathe in some fresh air?
Gauteng
Maropeng – the Cradle of Humankind – is a great day out, starting off with a tour of the Sterkfontein Caves, where Dr Robert Broom discovered Mrs Ples. One hour guided tours take place on the half hour from Tuesday to Sunday. For more information visit www.sterfontein-caves.co.za or Tel 011 956 6342 to make a booking.
From the caves it is a short drive to the Maropeng Tumulus, designed like an ancient burial mound, where you can learn all about the ascent of man, from the earliest hominid fossils to the present day. This amazing museum includes an underground boat ride and fascinating interactive exhibits. Visit www.maropeng.co.za.
If you have time, take a drive through the Magalies Meander, a picturesque route through the village of Magaliesburg and its surroundings, including Hartbeespoort. It features restaurants, coffee shops, curio stalls and art galleries.
The Pilanesberg Game Reserve is worth a visit, too. A two-hour drive from Jo’burg and 90 minutes from Pretoria, this Big Five reserve is a great way to escape the concrete jungle. For more information visit www.pilansberggamereserve.com
Western Cape
You truly are spoilt for choice with the endless beaches, that rather imposing mountain and museums for Africa. But why not go a little further afield – the Robertson wine route (Route 62) is a lovely day out for the family.
You can take in the historic town of Swellendam, with lunch at the Old Gaol, call in at the numerous vineyards and visit some fabulous antique stores en route in the villages of Robertson, Ashton, Bonnievale and McGregor. Or try your hand at getting lost in the mazes of the Soekershof Walkabout. For more information on Route 62 visit www. robertsonwinevalley.com or call 023 626 3167.
To see Cape Town in an entirely different light I recommend a day at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on the Cape Flats. Visitors can opt for guided tours, fishing, hiking trails, boat cruises and bird-watching, with more than 232 species logged in the reserve. Rondevlei is also home to the area’s only pod of hippo and has a fantastic stretch of coastline fringed by towering dunes, as well as look-out points complete with telescopes. Visit www.rondevlei.co.za
KwaZulu-Natal
For Durbanites, days out usually revolve around the city’s beaches. But, if the sand gets too much, why not hit the short stretch of highway to the Valley of 1 000 Hills?
This tourism route (www.1000hills.kzn.org.za) is jam-packed with things to do. At the Mahlabathini Park inside the Inanda Reserve you can fish, canoe, hike and watch birds to your heart’s content. Lovers of fauna and flora can also take in Shongweni Resources Reserve, one of 15 conservancies in this area. Culture vultures may find PheZulu Safari Park a little on the touristy side, but it is great value for money with traditional Zulu dancing, a 4×4 mountain adventure as well as a reptile park and restaurant. There are curio shops, cafes, restaurants and arty nooks and crannies aplenty. For something off the beaten track, a trip on the Inchanga Choo Choo – a steam train operated by Umgeni Steam Railways – offers a novel way to experience the scenic beauty of the valley.
No matter where you live there is bound to be something interesting nearby to do for the day. Your local tourism authority will be glad to help out with day-trip ideas and information on attractions in your area.