Have the holidays left you strapped for cash? Here are some exciting budget-friendly activities to explore, while giving your bank account a chance to recover:
After the spending spree that is the festive season finding cost-effective ways to entertain you and the family in Janu-worry can be a challenge.
Here are our top pocket-friendly activities around South Africa to try this month.
- Take in the view at Hazelmere Dam:
Why not pack a picnic basket and spend the day with your loved ones at the Hazelmere Dam? Located on the banks of the Mdloti River, this scenic area is worth exploring.
Here, you can enjoy bird-watching, fishing, boating, watersports and admire the unique trees that exist in this enchanting area.
Cost: Adult - R40.00 | Child - R30.00 | Pensioners R20.00
Location: Hazelmere Dam, Verulam.
For more info: www.msinsi.co.za/hazelmere/
- Get fit on the Golden Mile:
If you're like most people, then fitness is probably at the top of your list of priorities for the new year.
If joining the gym is out of your budget for now, don’t panic. There are alternative ways to help shed those extra kilos gained over the festive season – just head to the Golden Mile.
This beautiful stretch of sand is a safe, simple and ideal fitness zone for you and your loved ones to frequent.
Here you can enjoy a daily jog or cycle along the promenade, an intense cardio workout with friends or even skate up a storm at the beachfront’s skate park.
Cost: It’s free - All you have to do is take along your training gear and maybe a workout partner or two.
Location: Lower Marine Parade St, Durban, 4001.
- Experience the thrill of Giba Gorge Mountain Bike and Adventure Park:
There’s no better way to enjoy the new year than to spend some quality time outdoors.
Visiting the Giba Gorge Mountain Bike and Adventure Park is an ideal way to do so.
Nestled in a lush green valley just outside Pinetown, this hidden gem offers a fun time for all to enjoy.
The bike & lifestyle park boasts everything from cool forest cruising for the entire family to challenging single track paths for the everyday biking enthusiast.
Here, you can enjoy the wind in your hair and the sun on your back while taking advantage of their beautiful picnic gardens and manicured lawns, coffee shop and restaurants, camping facilities and various BMX routes that offer a revitalizing outdoor experience.
Cost: R50.00 per adult, R20.00 per child under 12, R10.00 per non-rider
Location: 110 Stockville Road, Pinetown.
For more info: www.gibagorge.co.za/
Cape Town:
- Enjoy a movie night under the stars with Galileo Open Air Cinema:
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a magical movie night, accompanied by a variety of tantalizing treats and breath-taking scenery under a canopy of stars.
The Galileo Open Air Cinema offers a glittering line-up of romantic comedies, cult classics, musicals, adventure sports and documentaries to enjoy under the night’s skies.
Experience the Galileo Open Air Cinema at the following venues:
- Tuesdays: Hillcrest Quarry
- Wednesdays: Kirstenbosch Gardens
- Thursdays: V&A Waterfront
- Fridays: Rotating venues in Cape Town - visit their website to see where the event will be taking place this week.
The doors to this enchanted affair opens at 6pm on weekdays, 5pm on Saturdays and 4pm on Sundays.
Cost: Starts from R79.00 a ticket.
Location: View www.thegalileo.co.za for more information
For more info: www.thegalileo.co.za/
- Spend the afternoon wine tasting in Steenberg:
Fancy a wine tasting experience in a luxurious surrounding?
The Steenberg Estate offers a wide range of wine tasting packages, accompanied by a wine tasting bar, a tasting lounge and an outdoor terrace for you to enjoy.
Here, you can escape the busy city life and soak up some of the most remarkable scenery Cape Town has to offer, while tasting some of the finest wines on the market.
Visit the Steenberg Estate for wine tasting every day between 10am to 6pm.
Cost: Starts from R50.00 per a person.
Location: Steenberg Estate, Steenberg Road, Tokai, 7945, Cape Town.
For more info: www.steenbergfarm.com/wine/wine-tasting
- Head to penguin world at Stony Point Nature Reserve:
Located in the quaint coastal town of Betty’s Bay in the Overberg, the Stony Point Nature Reserve is home to one of the largest successful breeding colonies of African Penguin in the world.
Stony Point offers you the chance to marvel over these wonderful flightless birds up close as they go about their daily activities in their natural habitat.
Alongside that, you can also spend the day fishing in the kelp-filled water or simply enjoy the summer sun out on the rocks, with your loved ones.
Cost: R20.00 for adults, R10.00 for kids.
Location: Kleimond, Betty's Bay, 7141.
For more info: www.capenature.co.za/reserves/stony-point-nature-reserve/
Johannesburg:
- Laugh up a storm at Kitchners:
Fancy a good giggle or two? Every Tuesday night at Kitchners Carvery Bar you can treat yourself to a night filled with laughter.
Kitchners Comedy Nights host some of best local comedians at their restaurant and promise a good laugh in exchange for a good joke.
Kitcheners restaurant also prides itself with its progressive choice of music.
This contemporary restaurant promises an exciting evening out on the town, accompanied by a variety of indie gigs and afro-beats, good food, a barrel of laughs and everything in between.
Cost: R20.00 per a person
Location: 5 De Beer Street, Braamfontein.
For more info: www.facebook.com/BarKitcheners
- Go peach picking at Camdeboo Peach Farm:
Looking to indulge in some fresh, juicy fruit this summer? Why not handpick them yourself at the Camdeboo Peach Farm?
Situated just 10 minutes from the Fourways Mall, Camdeboo Farm offers a farm experience right in the heart of the city.
The peach orchid and vegetable greenhouse is open to the public for picking and boxes are supplied on arrival, which can be filled up for only R20 a kilo.
You can also enjoy a peach smoothie or a wood fired pizza at The Peach Café, or laze on a blanket beneath the trees and enjoy your own picnic.
Cost: R20.00 a kg of peaches
Location: 83 Selbourne Road, Johannesburg North.
For more info: email: camdeboofarm@me.com
- Visit the Neighbourgoods Market:
The Neighbourgoods Rooftop Market is more than just a source for farm fresh foods and speciality goods.
This colourful market in Braamfontein is also the ideal setting to spend some quality family time whilst enjoying the breathtaking city views the rooftop market has to offer.
Spend your Saturday morning browsing their wide variety of clothing, jewellery and vintage stalls, or indulge in their eclectic range of food stalls, ranging from fresh home-baked goods, farm produce, home-brewed beer and loads of decadent sweets and desserts to feast on.
For your entertainment, the market also offers a fully stocked bar and hosts occasional live music, with a Chill Out Zone for those that want to relax and enjoy the ambience.
The Neighbourgoods Market is open every Saturday from 9am to 3pm.
Cost: It’s free.
Location: 73 Juta Street Braamfontein Johannesburg.
For more info: www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za/johannesburg
