The final ring of the 2016 school bell is looming, and parents are starting to stress. What to do with the kids this holiday? Money, time and effort, and please… no TV’s, tablets and cosmopolitan fashion parades that end up burning holes in the credit card. Does ‘I want…‘and ‘I am bored…’sound all too familiar? So here we have some healthy and cost effective solutions for you of how to spend quality time together as a family without the societal and financial pressures that you chase all year long. Look for a holiday destination that offers value for money. Not all destinations push their prices through the roof during peak season. In fact, there are a trusty few, just like the stunning KwaZulu-Natal South Coast that is still a proudly South African destination – family friendly and budget friendly too, and voted by Safari Now in 2015 as the’ Most affordable, family friendly destination in South Africa’.
Just south of Durban, enter Umkomaas and the Scottburgh area, this is where paradise begins. Here you will find accommodation offerings ranging from camping and caravanning to B&B’s and hotel resorts. Plunge into the big blue with South Africa’s top shark cage diving operators in Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks (Shelly Beach) who are celebrating Shark Awareness month this December and January. Or if a cage is not for you, learn how to dive with the experts.
This is truly a family bonding experience, a real memory maker. Cruising further along the coast, you have 7 Blue Flag beaches to choose from, found along the stunning 120km coastline and hugged by the warm Indian Ocean waters. Stretching all the way down to Port Edward and the Wild Coast Sun, you will find dads and fishermen casting their rods and kids playing in rock pools, catching crabs and collecting sea shells.
Ah, the true meaning of entertainment Sound a bit too chilled? Then check out the event calendar for December and January – with everything from beach activations, volleyball, fun parade, beach dashes, surfing and SUP lessons, dancing, touch rugby, volleyball, competitions and giveaways. Plus of course, there are butterfly, crocodile, banana and coffee farms to explore. Go karts and ocean charters, horseriding and ziplining, mountain biking and trail running, gorge jumping and festive year end and New Year parties with some of South Africa’s top bands and DJ’s.
The South Coast is known as the Golf Coast – with 11 fantastic courses to choose from, and not forgetting what mom deserves for Christmas, why not pamper her by booking a day of luxury at one of the renowned spa’s? For some retail therapy, wander through the moonlight markets, or mainstream malls, visit antique shops, art galleries and indulge in the local is lekker craft. Eat your heart out with traditional fish and chips, Indian curries or find contemporary and unique flavours as you experience the South Coast’s fabulous restaurants. Once in paradise, everything is so accessible.
Even when venturing out into the breathtaking hinterland -where the mighty Oribi Gorge and Ingeli Forests greet you, easy driving through stunning scenery sees you enjoying a whole new aspect of the South Coast Make a day of it or make a few nights of it. It’s a matter of a hop, skip and a jump to get there – from Johannesburg, you can fly direct with CemAir between ORTambo and Margate or no matter where you are, you can simply hop in your family van and head for paradise. The KZN South Coast. The Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom.
