Parks to visit this vacation
There are plenty of parks all across South Africa to keep you active, no matter where you go. Here are a few picks.
The Christmas holidays are getting closer, and you might already be planning some fun activities for you, your friends and family. Here’s a list of a few amusement- and themed parks you might want to add to your what-to-do list.
Happy Island:
Located on the West Rand, in Muldersdrift, this water park is filled with fun activities for the entire family. Happy Island is considered to be the biggest water park in South Africa, with rides which include the biggest wave pool in Africa, a gravity water loop, a lazy river, high speed slide, the behemoth bowl tube ride, the master blaster super tubes, typhoon slide and massage pools.
uShaka Marine World:
This water-themed park in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal is home to the uShaka Sea World, the Wet ‘n Wild Park, Sea Animal Encounters Island, Village Walk, Kids World, Dangerous Creatures, Chimp and Zee, and an enclosed beach area.
uShaka has regular animal and other water shows throughout the day, along with plenty of rides, shops and restaurants to keep everyone in the family busy.
https://ushakamarineworld.co.za/
Gold Reef City:
Located in the heart of Gauteng, this amusement park and casino is fun for kids and adults of all ages, with a wide range of rides, from small and calm to adrenaline-pumping high speed roller coasters.
https://www.tsogosun.com/gold-reef-city-casino
Sun City Theme Park:
Home to the best known, and only beach in the middle of South Africa, it’s the best place to go when the summer heat is getting to be too much and you can’t make it down to the coast soon enough. Sun City also has a few fun roller coaster rides, the casino, shops and restaurants.
https://www.suninternational.com/sun-city/activities/valley-of-waves/
Wild Waves Waterpark:
Situated in Port Edward, Kwa Zulu-Natal, this water-themed park is home to the Aqualoop, Superbowl, Boomerango and a couple of steep body slides. The children’s area also houses safe and supervised rides like the Lazy River.
https://www.suninternational.com/wild-coast-sun/activities/wild-waves-water-park/
Adventure Land:
Between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, in the Western Cape, lies a lesser known water park worth checking out on your vacation. The park currently has a 75m long Supertube, 25m long Mini-supertube, the ‘Kamakazi Slide’, and a 12m high free-fall slide, as well as plenty for smaller children and toddlers to do.
https://www.adventurelandplett.co.za/
Plett Puzzle Park:
This park, situated at Plettenberg Bay, in the Western Cape, is made up of a wide range of puzzle games and brainteasers for kids to enjoy and learn from.
https://www.plettpuzzlepark.co.za/
Splash Waterworld (KZN):
Found right on the beach in Amanzimtoti, this smaller but densely packed water park has plenty of slides to keep the kids busy, while the nearby Thirsty Whale or Spur will keep everyone fed and watered.
https://www.splashwaterworld.co.za/
Splash Waterworld (PE):
Port Elizabeth’s water park holds fun rides for all, including a Supertube, Speedslide, Lazy River, kids’ Supertube, kids’ Speedslide and more.
https://splashwaterworldpe.co.za/
Bugz Family Play Park:
The biggest physical activity play park in the Western Cape, this Cape Town venue has a wide array of climbing, jumping, running and exploration activities and rides.
https://www.bugzplaypark.co.za/
Cool Runnings:
The 1,25km toboggan track is a downhill pipe course with many twists and turns to take on a toboggan board with wheels. Cool Runnings is located 25km outside of Cape Town.
https://coolrunnings.capetown/
Big Rush:
Described as an urban adrenaline jump above the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, this ride of a lifetime is considered to be the Guinness Word Recordholder for tallest swing. Feel like you’re flying this vacation by doing a harnessed pendulum swing from the rooftop of the stadium.
Cape Wheel:
This massive observation Ferris wheel offers an amazing panoramic view of much of Cape Town and the Waterfront area.
