Take A Long Weekend, Or Four! (Part 2)

Even though it’s home, there are parts of South Africa that can make you feel as if you have travelled to a different country. With four long weekends coming up, the travel possibilities are endless…

In Part 1, we gave you some coastal inspiration – let’s head inland and look at more ways to explore your own backyard!

MPUMALANGA

Boasting some of South Africa’s most incredible landscapes, from God’s Window to the Three Rondavels, there’s no shortage of wonder to be found in Mpumalanga.

• The Gateway to the Kruger National Park, this province offers many safaris and Big Five encounter options.
• Explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Panorama Route, which includes the Blyde River Canyon where you can get on a boat and get up close and personal with the hippo and crocodile population.
• Hikes and outdoor adventures abound! Explore the Drakensberg Mountains (yes, they stretch this far), explore Bourke’s Luck Potholes or try white-water
• Get lost in the past in the museum town of Pilgrim’s. Walk in the footsteps of “Wheelbarrow” Patterson, pan for gold, visit the Robber’s Grave or go on a ghost tour! You can also stay over in a historic hotel and have a drink in the legendary bar.
• If you love waterfalls, you’re in luck! Choose from the Mac Mac Falls, Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls and many You can take the Graskop Gorge Lift to a panoramic view and then take a big swing into the depth of the gorge. If you don’t feel that adventurous you could just take the lift back down again…
• The Sudwala Caves are known for their impressive rock formations and underground wonders. The tour guides are knowledgeable and very entertaining, to say the least.

GAUTENG

Although it’s the smallest province, Gauteng — home to the cosmopolitan Joburg and historical Pretoria — has no lack of things to do. From urban adventures and cultural experiences to historical outings and outdoor activities, you’ll battle to be bored.

• Tree-lined Jozi is sometimes called the “largest man-made forest in the world”, making it a beautiful city to explore:
  • There are museums, historical sites and attractions like the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill for the culture vultures.
  • For shopping and dining, there are malls galore, but you can find bargains, treats and unique arts & crafts at hotspots like Arts on Main in Maboneng Precinct, Parkhurst and 44 Stanley.
• An official township tour of Soweto is a must for any visitor keen to get a taste of its vibrant street life! Visit traditional eateries and museums like the Hector Pieterson Memorial and the famous Vilakazi The adventurous can get their adrenaline pumping with an urban bungee jump off the colourful Orlando Towers!
• Pretoria doesn’t disappoint either! Give these top attractions a try:
  • Rietvlei and Wolwespruit Bike & Trail Park
  • A tour of The Union Buildings and Voortrekker Monument
  • The National Zoological Gardens
  • Bustling flea markets like Busstop7, Market @ the Sheds and the Pretoria Farmers Market
• Get close to nature in one of the many green spaces like the Walter Sisulu and Pretoria National Botanical Gardens.
• Check the local calendar for outdoor festivals and live music
• Magaliesburg – on the border of the North West Province – offers hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, eco-friendly fly-fishing, zip-lining and hot-air ballooning!
• Maropeng is the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage The tour includes a guided museum tour, an underground boat ride and a vortex tunnel. There are also recreational facilities, three restaurants and a luxury hotel on site.

FREE STATE

The Free State is a big sky country! Home to farmland, small towns and even mountains, it’s a bit of a sleeper hit when it comes to places to visit in South Africa.

• The Golden Gate Highlands National Park should not be missed! This stunning 340 km2 park is known for its golden-hued sandstone cliffs, hiking trails, wildlife, cultural village and palaeontological finds.
• The arty, crafty Eastern Free State is a great place for shopping, dining, and exploring. Towns like Clarens, Fouriesburg and Ladybrand offer galleries, shops and true platteland hospitality.
• The Free State is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Try hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching and horse-riding. In winter, you can even go skiing and snowboarding at Afriski Mountain Resort in the Maluti (Don’t forget your passport, though.)
• And what about water sports? You can go waterskiing, fishing and boating on the Vaal Dam, one of South Africa’s largest dams.

Has the local travel bug bitten yet? We haven’t even touched on all nine provinces! Don’t ignore these three:

THE NORTHERN CAPE

You can go stargazing in Sutherland, spot lions, cheetahs, and other desert-adapted species at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, take a rafting trip down the Orange River and much more!

THE NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Why not take a boat cruise, visit the zoo and explore the quaint town of Hartbeespoort, enjoy the entertainment, water parks and a world-class golf course at Sun City, or go on a safari at Madikwe or Pilanesberg Game Reserves?

LIMPOPO

Try the wildlife adventures in the Kruger National Park or the many game reserves in the Greater Kruger area, learn more about the heritage of the Venda, Tsonga and Pedi people or get out onto the Limpopo River for water sports.

The country we are lucky enough to call home is one of the most beautiful in the world, with experiences to suit every kind of traveller. Remember to pack smart and light and don’t forget essentials like your ID, any special gear you might need and of course, your MYRKL* – no getaway is complete without it, especially if you want to feel refreshed at all times!

Important Notes:

*MYRKL is a supplement designed to support well-being while consuming alcohol and promote responsible alcohol consumption. It reduces alcohol absorption from your intestinal tract and reduces the absorption of alcohol in your body, giving you the opportunity to enjoy your social experiences regret-free. Do not take more than the recommended dose of 2 capsules in 24 hours.

Based on a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study, conducted with 24 healthy subjects. Subjects were randomised to take 2 capsules/day of AB001 or placebo for 1 week prior to experimental day, where they ingested a light breakfast and drank a moderate glass of spirit (0.3 g/kg body weight).

1. Pfützner A, Hanna M, Andor Y, Sachsenheimer D, Demircik F, Wittig T and de Faire J. Chronic Uptake of A Probiotic Nutritional Supplement (AB001) Inhibits Absorption of Ethylalcohol in the Intestine Tract – Results from a Randomized Double-blind Crossover Study. Nutr. Metab. Insights. 2022;15:1-5. 2. Professional CC medical. Probiotics: What is it, benefits, side effects, food & types [Internet]. [cited 2023 Sept 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14598-probiotics 3. Proposed Patient Information Leaflet. 4. Benefits of vitamin B12: Cardiovascular disease San Antonio [Internet]. [cited 2023 Sept 27]. Available from: https://www.texasneurospine.com/blog/the-benefits-of-vitamin-b12