5 KZN family destinations

While lockdown regulations are easing up, we can’t help but think of all the places we’ve visited with family and friends.

Here are our five top family spots in KwaZulu-Natal that you can look forward to visiting once lockdown has been lifted.

Botanical Gardens

A long-time family favourite, the Durban Botanic Gardens is currently Africa’s longest surviving botanical garden.

Situated in Berea, on the coast of KZN, the gardens boast major collections of cycads, palms, and orchids. Established in 1849, the 15-hectare garden provides families with a space for picnics, gatherings, and offers ample room for your kids to roam around and enjoy the outdoors.

Visit the Tea Garden for delicious scones or the Gourmet Cafe for speciality coffees. You'll also find free wifi at the Visitor's Centre and the Lake area.

Entrance is free, but you’re more than welcome to leave a donation in one of the donation boxes at the main entrance.

Cape Vidal

The stunning Cape Vidal lies inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, 30km north of St Lucia.

A visit to Cape Vidal offers you the beautiful Zululand Coast with its amazing marine life, including loggerhead and leatherback sea-turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, and sharks. There is also direct access to the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve, with its beautiful wildlife including elephants, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, and hippos.

There’s plenty on offer to families looking for some quality time together. From game viewing, bird watching, and turtle tours to crocodile feeding and ski boat fishing, there’s something to keep the whole family entertained.

If you’re planning to spend a few days there, you can choose from a myriad of accommodation options, including camping and cabins.

It’s important for day visitors to note that a maximum of 120 day visitor cars are allowed into the Cape Vidal area daily, and entrance times are strict: Summer (November - March) 05:00 - 19:00, Winter (April - October) 06:00 - 18:00. Visit http://www.kznwildlife.com/CapeVidal.html for more information.

Midlands Meander

One of the most loved family destinations in KZN is, of course, the Midlands Meander. It is a collection of arranged routes that offer restaurants, activities, adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation, arts and crafts, and various trading stores.

You will also find various events at a number of stops along the way, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead and see what’s on offer.

Choose one of the five routes on offer, just an hour from Durban, for a slow and relaxing family outing.

For more information, visit https://midlandsmeander.co.za/.

Ushaka Marine World

If it’s a day of unlimited family fun you’re after, then Ushaka Marine World is where you want to be. From dolphin and seal shows, to water slides, snorkelling, shark diving, ocean walking, and fish feeding, there are activities for every member of the family.

It’s the perfect family day out that will keep your teenager and your toddler happy. Situated on the Golden Mile, you can combine two family favourites into one day. Besides the great beaches, the Golden Mile offers visitors facilities and activities like Mini Town, Blue Lagoon, market vendors, a casino, a skate part, and a surfing museum.

There are also plenty of spots to fill hungry tummies and to enjoy a sundowner overlooking the sea. You’ll find many of Durban’s rickshaw operators in the area, and your visit wouldn’t be complete without a spicy pineapple treat.

Drakensberg

A World Heritage Site, the Drakensberg is divided into 5 regions with quite a few small towns. It's the perfect destination for that family retreat you've been meaning to book.

There's plenty of activities to keep the entire family entertained. Take in the breathtakingly beautiful mountains and views, follow one of the thousands of walking and hiking trails, try out some white water rafting, look out for antelope, eland and black eagles, go arts and crafts shopping, take a few pictures of the majestic waterfalls, give abseiling or rock climbing a try or sign up for San rock art tour.

Visit https://www.zulu.org.za/destinations/drakensberg for more information.

We can’t wait for KZN to come to life again and look forward to seeing you and your families back once lockdown is lifted. Until then, stay safe and keep remembering.

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Main image courtesy of iStock/jacobeukman