Reasons to Keep those New Years’ Resolutions

There is no doubt that South Africa is an excellent family travel destination. There is a host of villas and family accommodation available in South Africa. Here are some of the newest options we came across.

Le Grand Jardin Villa

Wander off to a hidden world – Le Grand Jardin Villa located in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch offers the ultimate, family focused villa stay. Offering exclusive accommodation in a 3 bedroom Manor House or 3 bedroom Pool Pavilion, both can be combined to offer accommodation for up to 15 guests. Private use of the 700sqm of living space in 5 acres of garden, including the solar- heated pool and adjacent summer house, Victorian-style Looking Glasshouse, natural dam with eco-pool and zipline, carousel and showman’s caravan in the wild meadow.

Elephant Point, Kruger National Park

Elephant Point is situated in a region renowned for its natural diversity and concentration of big game, and is undoubtedly one of the best game viewing areas in the Kruger National Park. The estate takes its name from the elephants that can frequently be seen drinking and grazing on the banks of the mighty Sabie River. Elephant Point provides 16 unique and exclusive lodges, ranging from 2 – 5 bedrooms, with breathtaking views of the African Bushveld.

South Africa is all about Sunshine and outdoors and what better place to keep up with your resolution to improve your physique. South Africa offers some excellent outdoor activities to get the heart pumping.

Jonkershoek Nature Reserve – The Waterfall Guided hike

The area in and around Stellenbosch offers a variety of guided hikes. The Jonkershoek hike is a short (6.5km) but adventurous hiking trail involving some climbing and scrambling, however, don’t be deterred if you have limited climbing experience – the tricky sections are optional and there is plenty to see without doing those. The guided hike option includes the guided hike; permit for Jonkershoek Nature Reserve; a snack pack as well as transport to and from the nature reserve.

Hatha Yoga Session at Santorini, Mozambique

Strengthen your body and bring tranquility to your mind and spirit with a Hatha Yoga Session led by a qualified yoga teacher. Hatha Yoga includes asanas (poses), mediation and breath work. Vinyasa Yoga can also be arranged for those that prefer a more flowing movement between poses. Enjoy a feeling of lightness with the hues of the sea and sky during your Yoga session. The venues may vary between the Sala Bar, spa courtyard and the beach. Your host will be waiting with some aromatic herbal tea and fruit infused iced water once you have finished your session.

Fairest Cape Peninsula Cycle Day Tour

This activity offers you the chance to trade the traditional tour-bus-only experience for a bicycle-shuttle combination and explore the best of the Cape Peninsula from the saddle! Quality bikes and all equipment, including helmets are provided.

Make your own gin experience

Cape Saint Blaize Artisanal Distillery is a new brand of the popular Café Gannet Restaurant located in Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. Cape Saint Blaize Gin is their thrilling new range of gin. A gin that captures the true spirit of Eden, through rare botanical selection and artful distillation. Learn more about the whole process by attending one of a gin masterclasses. There are 3 daily classes of around 90 minutes during which you will make your own gin and then bottle and lable it too.

Kayamandi Home Dining

“Eat with Locals” experiences are unique ways to broaden your knowledge about people and cultures. The Kayamandi Home Dining in the Stellenbosch area of the Cape Winelands will give you the opportunity to explore and experience the richness of the Xhosa culture, and emerge yourself in the warm hospitality offered Nocawe Piedt and her family. This multi-facetted dining experience includes traditional food, dancing, drumming, storytelling and much more. Arrive a visitor and leave as part of the warm family culture of this unique community.

The Leonardo Art Tour

Legacy Hotels new addition, The Leonardo, is the tallest building in South Africa with magnificent 360 views of Johannesburg, also offers a journey through a series of artwork experiences of the four elements (earth, fire, wind and water) at the basis of human curiosity inspired by the famous artist and inventor, Leonardo Da Vinci. Enjoy an exclusive one hour tour of the Leonardo art pieces on Wednesdays and Fridays evenings. The tour will end in AURUM Restaurant where you can enjoy a unique culinary experience (all food and drinks will be charged additionally on consumption for dinner at the restaurant).

South Africa has many projects that focus on upliftment throughout the whole year – whether it is nature or people based. Here are some opportunities where you can also help a bit in making the country better.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve 

Get your hands dirty. Plant a tree. Taste honey from the hive. Meet new people. Make a difference.
This special 3-night package embodies the very essence of what sets Grootbos apart. Collect fresh eggs from the organic farm, meet entrepreneurs Grootbos helped get started and students who are carving out a horticulture career for themselves. You can also meet and chat to young people whose lives have been altered by the power of sport. Connect with the various communities that benefit from tourism in this area and the various initiatives Grootbos has put in place.

• Grootbos Private Villas
• Grootbos Forest Lodge
• Grootbos Garden Lodge

Singita Lebombo Cooking Classes

The Singita Community Culinary School is a unique program that serves to fulfill a real need in the community, as well as for the South African hospitality industry as a whole. Graduates of this school emerge with highly sought-after skills and strong employment prospects, while kitchens at Singita lodges and those further afield benefit from a pool of expertly-trained young chefs. The School is a significant step towards achieving Singita’s long-term, broad community development goal, which is to assist the people that live in and around the reserves to thrive, both economically and socially. The school’s demonstration studio offers a unique experience for guests to participate in a cooking class led by an expertly trained chef, whilst supporting this important community development project at the same time. Whether it is mastering a particular dish enjoyed from the day’s menu, learning a traditional South African recipe or helping to prepare an element of the lodge’s signature tapas-style lunch, time spent in the demonstration kitchen is a wonderfully enriching experience.

Uthando (Love) South Africa

This unique and innovative Non Profit and Fair Trade in Tourism accredited organisation is based in Cape Town. The aim of Uthando is to raise funds and other forms of assistance for community development projects in South Africa. Uthando also offers authentic, uplifting, fun, inspirational, interactive and meaningful experiences. The tours are catered to suite particular interests, whether it be urban agriculture; animal welfare; youth development through the medium of art, dance, choir singing, classical music, drumming or sport; special needs education; assistance to refugees; the environment; economic empowerment through skills development; arts and crafts; township theatre or care and protection for children, women and the elderly.