The Easter holidays in South Africa are a busy travelling period for family and friends. While this holiday is derived from religious traditions, many seize the moment during this time to visit family, go hiking with friends, go enjoy a refreshing breeze at the beach, visit a park and just enjoy some relaxed downtime.
Which Easter destinations are worth considering this year?
Lourensford Market – Somerset West, Western Cape.
For an Easter family getaway, Lourensford Market in Somerset West is the place to be. With about 60 permanent stalls on a scenic wine estate, you can enjoy some relaxed and fun time with a variety  homemade arts, crafts, organic goods, and other creative products available to purchase. The lush garden lawns and interactive fountain provide the perfect setting for relaxation as you listen to live music while eating some irresistibly delicious food also sold at the market. The market has sufficient safe space for children to play and it’s open to dogs on leashes. Lourensford is ideal for locals as well as travellers from other parts of the country looking for some easy relaxed time away from the stressful city life.
Garden Route
The Garden Route is a tourism haven visited by local and international tourists. With a coastline stretching about 300 kms including a breath-taking mountain backdrop close to a the shoreline, Garden Route is a spectacular destination. The beaches and bays, coloured wildflowers, lakes and rivers, a wide range of leisure options and a mild climate guarantee   an ideal place to enjoy your Easter holidays. When it comes to activities, you can opt for swimming, scuba diving, boating, fishing, have a sweet berry experience at Redberry Farm in George, visit Timberlake Village, located halfway between Wilderness and Sedgefield, visit the Fairy Garden which is a sanctuary endowed with fairies, gnomes, dwarves and dragons, hike at the Outeniqua Mountains, enrich your geological knowledge at the Cango Caves, etc. You can bet on the fact that  any time spent here will be too short to enjoy all that the Garden Route offers.
Langebaan Easter Weekend – West coast, Western Cape
Located about 120 km north of Cape Town, the natural beauty of this location may be just what you’re looking for. The white sand beaches and clear water of the Langebaan Lagoon is a the perfect setting for water sports such as sailing, kayaking, kitesurfing and fishing. With excellent and affordable accommodation nearby, you can enjoy long walks along the long stretching beaches while catching a glimpse of seabirds roosting on sheltered islands. The Langebaan Easter Market, open from 3 April 2021, promises to offer numerous fun activities and plenty of homemade and handmade products  for sale.
KCC – La Vie en Rose – Easter Egg Hunting
Children can be  challenging to entertain during holidays. The good news is an Easter egg hunting is happening in Johannesburg at Killarney Country Club on Sunday the 4th of April. Pegged at only R60 per child, this event involves chocolate treats being hidden throughout the complex with little hunters tasked with finding them. You can also look forward to the make-your-own-pizza stations, DIY Easter egg cookie decorating and a prize for the kiddo who collects the most Easter eggs! While this event may be held under strict covid guidelines, this is a memorable family event you should consider.
The Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Wildlife and game lovers can look forward to spending Easter at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Located about 2 hours from Johannesburg and Pretoria in what can best be described as the transition zone between the Kalahari Desert and the lush Lowveld. This park boasts of must-see bird species and game animals which include the iconic Big Five. This game reserve also has five braai spots where you can add  meat to the grill, enjoy snacks on camp chairs and chat the evening away.
The destinations listed above are just some of the amazing places offering the change to get away this Easter holiday and are worth considering for a relaxed and memorable time with family and friends.
