Mac Banana, near Munster
On those days when it’s too windy to be at the beach or you simply need a change of scene, head to Mac Banana, aka heaven for kids. This adventure centre has more than 20 activities, from a zipline and an obstacle course, quad bikes and paint ball to adventure putt-putt, a small farmyard and butterfly dome. Don’t worry about planning anything for lunch or dinner – there are four restaurants here, and an extensive farm stall, too.
Open daily, 8am to 5pm
039 319 1033, macbanana.com
Wild Waves Water Park, near Port Edward
Strictly speaking, the Wild Coast Sun is not on KZN’s South Coast… but as it’s less than a kilometre from the KZN/Eastern Cape border we’ve bent the rules because the resort’s Wild Waves Water Park is so high on the fun-scale, it would be a shame to not tell you about it. There’s a kids’ zone for the littles, ridiculously steep slides and chutes for the insane and “The Lazy River” for those who prefer to take life a little slower.
Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am to 4pm
Adults from R115, children from R60
039 305 2701, suninternational.com/wild-coast-sun
Leisure Bay Firefly Sanctuary
If you’re near Leisure Bay on a warm, dark and windless night, pop down to the main beach parking lot, turn your lights off and put your phone away, then wait for the magic to happen. Thousands of fireflies live in the marshy area between the beach and the road – you’ll see the information boards in daylight hours – and watching them twinkle through the night sky is mesmerising.
Granny’s Pool, Southbroom
Granny’s is a tidal pool that’s particularly convenient for families with young children. From the parking lot a wooden ramp – handy for parents juggling umbrella, snacks, inflatable unicorn, pram and laaitie – leads straight down to the pool. There’s a well-tended “Grannies” and “Grandpas” bathroom, too.
On land: Of course you could stand anywhere along the coast and look out to sea to spot the bottlenose dolphins and (during winter) humpback whales that frequent this stretch of South Africa’s coastline but there are also viewing decks in Pennington (directly in front of the lovely Beach Cafe @ Impithi – which serves outstanding chicken mayo toasties), Ramsgate, Umdoni Golf Club and Port Shepstone’s Umtentweni Conservancy.
In the water: Blue Wilderness (booking@bluewilderness.co.za) the chance to snorkel among black-tip reef sharks at Landers Reef, off the coast of Scottburgh. Keen to go deeper? Aqua Planet (aquaplanet.co.za) does shark dives on Protea Banks off Shelley Beach, where you could encounter tiger, bull, ragged-tooth, hammerhead and oceanic blacktip sharks.
Tweni Pottery, Port Shepstone
If too many lazy beach days prompt a need to “achieve something” then book a session at Tweni Pottery, where you can paint ceramics or learn to work with clay. Resident potter Frazer Smith will guide you through the process of making a pinch pot, a mug or creating something on the pottery wheel.
Contact Frazer on 0712007327 (Alternative 0646138256)
twenipottery.weebly.com
Skhumba Crafts, Ramsgate
Tucked deep into the coastal forest, just off the R103 near Ramsgate, is the leatherware store where Brian and Karen Bernstein have been crafting high-quality shoes since the mid-1980s. The earthy gallery (accessed via an enchanting stream-side path) has a wonderful stock of boots, sandals, bags, belts and wallets made from vegetable-tanned cow hide.
Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9am to 4pm
039 316 8212, skhumbacrafts.co.za
Riverbend Art and Wine Gallery (between Ramsgate and Southbroom) showcases the work of some of South Africa’s emerging and established artists. Old Main Road, Southbroom Tel: 039 316 6204 Crocodilecrazy.co.za
At Craft and Gift Shop next to Ramsgate’s famous Waffle Hut you’ll find baskets, jewellery and shweshwe goodies – all made locally.
Baobab Galerie sells colourful baskets and other raffia crafts, all made in Madagascar. Shop 18, Shelly Centre, Shelly Beach, 082 440 7000
KwaXolo Cave, near Margate
KwaXolo Cave is carved into the side of a steep valley and brooded over by the Mangwenya waterfall. It’s a place steeped in Zulu mythology and is where San hunters used to take shelter – the 2 000-year-old paintings are evidence of this. To reach the cave you’ll need to climb into a harness, clip onto a cable and traverse the rocks, via ferrata style. It’s not as technical as you might initially think, and is a fun outing for an active family.
Tel: 076 185 3447, facebook.com/kxcadventures
Hohm Yoga, Umzumbe
Hohm Yoga and Wellness Sanctuary is a magical studio: the octagonal space is surrounded by glass walls and enveloped by tropical vegetation that makes this South Coast sanctuary feel just like a Balinese yoga retreat. The studio is run by founder Simmi Fink, who teaches Hatha flow, Chakra yoga, Yin, pre- and post-natal as well as aerial yoga classes.
Drop-in classes from R120; see the website for class times, workshops and retreats.
082 820 7505, hohm.yoga
Trails for mountain bikers and runners
The Clearwater (clearwatertrails.co.za) and Beaver Creek (beavercreek.co.za) trails near Port Edward will take you on jeep track, single track and farm roads through macadamia and banana plantations, and patches of forest and grasslands. All start at the Beaver Creek coffee shop (open daily 8am to 4pm),
Oribi Gorge Vultures
On cliffs way up above the Mzukulwana River, there lives a colony of more than 200 Cape vultures. This species is endangered – the estimated global population is between 8 000 and 10 000 – and a vulture feeding station near these cliffs is thought to support about 1 000 of the magnificent birds. The Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide offers the opportunity to watch these birds from close range; it is a profound experience to look down at the birds swooping to their nests, and soaring up above the cliffs.
Minimum donation of R100 per person; bookings (at least 48 hours in advance) essential
072 893 3794, vulturehide.blogspot.com
Leopard Rock Coffee Shop, near Oribi Gorge
Many come to this restaurant for the view of the Umzimkulu River Gorge (adjacent to Oribi Gorge), and birders in particular will delight in watching the crowned hornbills that gather in the trees beside the long deck at Leopard Rock Coffee Shop.
Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 9am to 4pm
074 124 0902, leopardrockc.co.za
Lake Eland
Ativities to choose from include a self-game drive, viewing the abundant wildlife and flora which can be seen from the comfort of your car. Guests can walk across our 80m suspension bridge and get their hearts racing on our fabulous Zipline Tour. Other activities include horse riding, hiking, single track mountain bike trails, paintball, fishing, picnic sites and 4x4 tracks. The fully licensed restaurant is close to a children’s playground as well.
Contact: 039 687 0395 or 083 257 9468
