Lake Eland Game Reserve in Oribi Gorge is the ideal place to spot some iconic wildlife while going on your own game drive or bike ride. There are also great 4×4 tracks, fishing spots, paintball, a restaurant, tea garden and picnic sites. Costs for mountain biking, fishing or walking (using your own equipment) are R75 for adults and R45 for children under eight. 4×4 tracks are R150 entry per car or R60 for motorbikes or quad bikes. Paintball is R150 a person (10 years and older) for 70 shots – a minimum of four people is needed to play. Details: 039 687 0395, e-mail reception@lakeeland.co.za or visit www.lakeeland.co.za
Details: 039 688 2195 (Port Shepstone) and 039 312 8392 (Margate).
Southport’s women-owned agritourism initiative, BBS Farm, offers tours to give visitors a taste of the organically-grown produce like macadamia nuts. The farm also boasts some great fishing spots. Tickets are R50 an adult and R30 a child. Details: 079 568 1815.
Families can enjoy a day of fun activities at Wild 5 Adventures in Oribi Gorge. There are extreme (and milder) adventures including an 110m abseil, zipline, 85m suspension bridge, quad biking adventures, paintball, team building and guided hiking and birding trails. Hiking trails and view site entry is R30 an adult and R20 for pensioners and children (aged six to 12 years). Free for children under five. Paintball is R150 a person and includes equipment, a helmet and 100 rounds.
Details: 082 566 7424, e-mail info@wild5adventures.co.za or visit www.wild5adventures.co.za
Port Edward’s Beaver Creek Coffee Estate, the world’s southernmost coffee plantation has a great Crop to Cup walkabout tour; a café serving breakfasts, snacks, cakes and baked goods; and biking along some of the best trails. Cost is R75 a person. Details: 039 311 2315, e-mail info@beavercreek.co.za or visit www.beavercreek.co.za
For another agricultural excursion, families can head to Ubumbano for a farm tour and the chance to enjoy some home-made eats at the farm stall or a picnic under the trees. They specialise in freshly-made macadamia nut and rocket pesto, macadamia nut biscuits and brittle, baked mielie loaf and steamed mielie bread. Cost is R25 a person. Details: 081 508 7672
Near Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve just outside of Port Shepstone is this incredible vulture viewing hide where families can enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience watching Cape Vultures in their natural habitat. Tickets are R100 an adult and free for children under 15. Details: 072 893 3794 or e-mail www.vulturehide.blogspot.com
The family will be all a-flutter on an outing to this Ramsgate’s Butterfly Valley Farm which specialises in indigenous butterflies, with many other interesting creatures also homed there. Tickets are R80 an adult, R60 for scholars and R40 for children (aged three to 10) Details: 073 422 5357 or 072 235 3688, e-mail butterflyvalley@ymail.com or visit www.butterflyfarm.co.za
Those who enjoy biking mustn’t miss the opportunity to explore the purpose-built trail networks of Clearwater Trails in Port Edward, with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and Umtamvuna River Gorge. Cost for Mountain biking is R40 an adult and R20 for children under 12. Walking trails are R20 an adult and R10 a child. Details: 083 549 6710, e-mail info@clearwatertrail.co.za or visit www.clearwatertrails.co.za
KwaXolo Caves Adventures is a really unique family outing where visitors are taken on a guided hike along the mountainside using a rope-and-rung system affixed to a rock face, with great gorge and waterfall views. Once inside the caves, you get to experience centuries-old San artwork before enjoying a family picnic. Tickets are R150 an adult and R120 for children aged eight to 16. Details: 076 185 3447 or 074 887 3742.
The entire family will enjoy a trip to the biggest reptile farm in Africa, Pure Venom! This Shelly Beach animal centre is home to several reptile species, a petting zoo with farm animals and exotic birds. Entry is R140 an adult and R120 for children aged four to 12. Details: 082 492 8256, e-mail info@purevenom.com or visit www.purevenom.com
There’s so much to ‘sea’ and do on the KZN South Coast! To find out more about these and other KZN South Coast family outings you can download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores.