DISTRIKT : Beautiful places in South Africa

Cape Point lies at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, a nature reserve within the Table Mountain National Park. Originally named the Cape of Storms by the navigator Bartolomeu Dias, it features an 1859 lighthouse. Take the three minute Flying Dutchman funicular ride to it and let yourself be transported to 87 metres above sea level. This is truly a nature lover’s paradise, with its abundance of flora and fauna, including over 250 species of birds and buck and baboons a-plenty, not to mention, the view at the end of the Earth. There is also a world-class restaurant and a curio shop. An adult return ticket is R49, children aged 6 – 16 R21.

Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town in False Bay, is famed for its resident penguin colony and clean, white sand beach. It is home to at least 3000 African penguins, the Foxy Beach boardwalk being an excellent viewpoint. Your kids will enjoy getting up close and personal with the penguins (taking care not to disturb them unduly as they may bite). The park is also home to other birds and small mammals, while dolphins and whales swim off shore. Entrance fee: adults R55, children under the age of 12, R25 (which goes towards protecting these endangered penguins).

Named after Great Britain’s Queen Victoria and her youngest son Alfred, the V&A is a very popular destination for local families and tourists alike, offering an amazing choice of hundreds of shopping outlets, curio shops, fine dining, lots of (mostly free) live entertainment – including creative workshops, concerts and puppet shows. A choice of museums and markets, and a chance to learn all about the city harbour together with a visit to the popular and family-friendly Two Oceans Aquarium (prices: adults R112, kids under 4 free, children aged 4 – 13 R55, children aged 14 – 17 R87) makes for a great day out. There are many outdoor activities available from the V&A, including fun harbour cruises, helicopter flips and boat charters.

Table Mountain, standing at 3560ft high, is one of the world’s most recognisable natural icons, with its distinctive flat top (which gives it its name). Popular with tourists and locals alike, it offers a choice of either the five minute cable car ride or a day’s hike up to the top. Riding up, you can appreciate the spectacular views as the cableway has rotating floors and enormous windows. Enjoy the magnificent panorama from the top, where you will also find a self-service restaurant. Prices for a return ticket are as follows: R205 for adults and R100 for children aged 4 – 17 – under 4’s ride free.

If you enjoy going underground, a visit to the Cango Caves in the Swartberg Mountains, 30 kilometres north of Oudtshoorn, is the way to go. The 20 million year old caves consist of a progression of hidden chambers, cut deeply into the solid limestone rock layer. Have fun exploring some of the stalagmite formations on either the standard or adventure (for the fitter members of your party) subterranean tours! The Interpretive Centre will explain more about the caves history, and there is also a curio shop selling African collectables. Prices subject to change.

Designed to illustrate life under South Africa’s Apartheid regime from 1948 until 1990, within the Apartheid Museum there are photographs, film footage, text panels and 22 individual exhibitions which include visuals of life as it was then in the townships, including the forced removal of local residents. Many of the exhibitions are quite explicit and therefore children under 11 are not allowed to attend. This is well worth a visit for all those who wish to learn more about this challenging time in South African history.

This large amusement park, located around an old Johannesburg gold mine and themed on the famous Gold Rush of the 19th Century, consists of a museum exhibiting many gold mining techniques, including the chance to see how real gold is poured into casts by staff wearing period costumes. There is also a casino and, best of all for the kids, an exciting theme park with thrilling attractions, including roller coasters, water slides and the raging river rapids thrill ride! A perfect family day outing.

Within Nelson Mandela Square, at the core of Africa’s most influential economic district, stands a six metre tall statue of the eponymous beloved grandfather of South Africa. The square is situated in Johannesburg’s European-styled piazza of the same name, in lively Sandton, Gauteng Province. It is home to a variety of chic boutiques, upmarket shops, fashionable African, Italian, Greek and French restaurants and water fountains for the kids’ amusement, with the statue standing centre of it all. What a wonderful opportunity to have your photo taken side by side with a giant ode to the great man!

This stunning 95 metre waterfall is set in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, near the town of Howick, and is surrounded by scenic rivers, lakes, dams and luscious forest. A perfect spot for a picnic walk and shop around at the many arts and craft outlets, which include carpet weavers, leather works and many others. Entrance is free, and the falls are easily accessible from the N3 Highway near Midmar Dam.

Situated in the stylish seaside suburb of Umhlanga, 30 minutes from Durban, Gateway is a multi-level mega shopping and entertainment complex incorporating over 400 retail shops, more than 30 restaurants and coffee houses, a 10-pin bowling alley, a go-kart arena, a skate park with a near-vertical ramp, an indoor funfair, two individual movie houses and the Wavehouse – a surfing water park with a difference! It is the perfect Durban destination for the whole family because, whether you are interested in shopping, eating or just having fun, there is something here for everyone.

St Lucia Estuary is South Africa’s first World Heritage Site and home to approximately 800 hippopotami, 1200 Nile crocodiles and many other animals, including black rhinos, leopards, greater kudus and abundant invertebrates. Exciting attractions include kayaking on the estuary, a day self or night guided game drive and horse riding around the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and a walk on the iGwalagwala Trail to spot its variety of birds. This popular family campsite has a minimum charge of R180 for two, with additional charges of R90 per adult and R45 per child. Activity costs vary in price.

The effortless sandy coves, steep green hillsides, cliffs, wild aloes, thatch-roofed mud huts and the notable hole-in-the-wall are an unbeatable combination on the Wild Coast, between East London and Port Edward. Land of hippies, surfers, hikers and the Xhosa people, incredible beachside landscape does not come better than this.

The Cederberg may have earned its name from the Cedar tree, but it is the red sandstone rock formations that are its most distinguishing feature. Weathered over time into a series of surreal shapes and memorable natural features, they dominate over 250 km of hiking trails.

Experience the picturesque beauty of nature in and around Sabie – a small country town nestled in the majestic Drakensberg escarpment mountains of the Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Sabie is less than four hours drive from Gauteng and the OR Tambo International Airport, a relaxing hour’s drive to & from the Kruger National Park, and within minutes from a number of spectacular waterfalls in pristine mountain streams.