With rising costs putting strain on budgets across the country, planning family outings is becoming even more challenging. Fortunately, the KZN South Coast has a number of cost-effective excursions and adventures that will keep all members of the family entertained.
“Everyone deserves to create wonderful memories with their family, but it’s understandable that options are limited by financial constraints,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism (USCT). “That’s why, on the KZN South Coast, we ensure that there are really incredible tourism offerings suited to all budgets. We want to give families the chance to connect while enjoying an exciting adventure in the beautiful Paradise of the Zulu Kingdom. And to make planning these family outings even simpler, we’ve put together a list of our top 21 experience on the KZN South Coast for under R150.”
1. Lake Eland Game Reserve
There’s nothing quite like the African safari to set the backdrop for an exciting family adventure! Lake Eland Game Reserve in Oribi Gorge is the place to spot some iconic wildlife while taking a self-drive game drive or bike ride. There are also great 4×4 tracks, fishing spots, paintball, a restaurant, tea garden and picnic sites.
Cost: Mountain biking, fishing or walking (own equipment): R75 per adult, R45 per child under 8 years
4×4 tracks: R 150 per vehicle (own vehicle) or R60 per motorbike or quad bike (bring own)
Paintball: R150 per person (10 years and older) for 70 shots, minimum of four people)
Contact: 039 687 0395 or reception@lakeeland.co.za
Website: www.lakeelandgame reserve.co.za
2. Wild 5 Adventures
Families can enjoy a day of fun activities with the award-winning Wild 5 Adventures in Oribi Gorge. There are extreme (and milder) adventures including the 110m abseil, zipline, 85m suspension bridge, quad biking adventures, paintball, team building and guided hiking and birding trails.
Cost: Hiking trails and view site entrance: R30 per adult, R20 for pensioners and children (aged 6 to 12 years), free for under 5 years
Paintball: R150 per person including equipment, helmet and 100 rounds
Contact: 082 566 7424 or info@wild5adventures.co.za
Website: www.wild5adventures.co.za
3. Port Shepstone Museum
For a culturally enlightened experience, families can head to this wonderful museum that boasts a range of artefacts that tell the interesting history of this seaside town.
Cost: Free
Contact: 039 688 2195
4. Margate Museum
Those who enjoy perusing the best local artworks then it’s worth heading over to Margate Museum. The museum showcases artwork from around KwaZulu-Natal, reflecting the rich culture of this incredible region.
Cost: Free
Contact: 039 312 8392
5. BBS Farm
This women-owned agritourism initiative in Southport gives tours to give visitors a taste of the organically-grown produce like macadamia nuts. There are also some great fishing spots to be found here.
Cost: R50 per adult, R30 for children (aged 8 to 18 years).
Contact: 079 568 1815
6. Beaver Creek Coffee Estate
The world’s southernmost coffee plantation near Port Edward has a great Crop to Cup walkabout tour; the Beaver Creek Coffee Estate Café which serves breakfasts, snacks, cakes and baked goods; as well as biking along some of the best trails.
Cost: R75 per person
Contact: 039 311 2315 or info@beavercreek.co.za
Website: www.beavercreek.co.za
7. Ubumbano Homestead
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: R25 per person
Contact: 081 508 7672
8. Mac Banana Estate & Adventures
There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly estate including shopping, four restaurants (and the famous pancake house) and more than 20 adventurous activities.
Cost: R20 or free with any other activity
Animal farm tour adult/kids: R50/R40
Banana tour adult/kids: R55/R40
Pony rides: R25
Trampoline 10min: R15
Mac Venture Golf 18-hole adventure adults/kids: R59/ R40
9-hole mini putt putt: R35
Mac Butterflies adults/kids: R55/R40
Mac Paintball for adults: R95
Contact: 039 319 1033 or macbanana22@gmail.com
Website: www.macbanana.com/activities
9. Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide
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 of observing Cape Vultures in their natural habitat.
Cost: R100 per adult, free for children under 15 years
Contact: 072 893 3794
Website: www.vulturehide.blogspot.com
10. Butterfly Valley Farm
The family will be all a-flutter on an outing to this Ramsgate-based butterfly farm which specialises in indigenous butterflies, with many other interesting creatures also homed here.
Cost: R80 per adult, R60 for scholars, R40 for children (3 to 10 years)
Contact: 073 422 5357 or 072 235 3688 or butterflyvalley@ymail.com
Website: www.butterflyfarm.co.za
11. Riverbend Crocodile Farm in Southbroom
Families will smile for a while when they visit the Southbroom-based Riverbend Crocodile Farm, home to more than 200 resident Nile crocodiles. There are scheduled crocodile feedings and the delicious Crocodile Café for meals and snacks.
Cost: R90 per adult; R70 scholars, students and pensioners; R45 pre-scholars, free for children under 3 years
Contact: 039 316 6204 or info@crocodilecrazy.co.za
Website: www.crocodilecrazy.co.za
12. Clearwater Trails
Families 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: Mountain biking: R40 per adult, R20 children (under 12 years)
Walking trails: R20 per adult, R10 per child
Contact: 083 549 6710 or info@clearwatertrail.co.za
Website: www.clearwatertrails.co.za
13. Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve in Scottburgh
Get immersed in nature with a visit to this Scottburgh-based indigenous coastal forest which has several hiking trails for viewing the local bird- and wildlife. There are also scenic picnic sites available.
Cost: R30 per adult, R15 for children U12
Contact: 039 974 2222 or 073 911 8200 or email zeph.dindikazi@kznwildlife.com
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
14. TC Robertson Nature Reserve
Families visiting Scottburgh can also head to this gorgeous local nature reserve. There are great hikes along various trails within the reserve, and the chance to picnic along the banks of the Mpambanyoni River.
Cost: R30 per vehicle with 5 passengers, R10 more for an added passenger
Contact: 082 406 9891 or info@tourismsouthcoast.co.za
15. River Valley Nature Reserve
Hiking trails cut across a variety of ecosystems in this Manaba-based nature reserve which is home to birdlife, antelope and smaller mammals. There are also fantastic picnic sites found here.
Cost: R30 per person
Contact: 083 263 5537
Website: www.rivervalleynaturereserve.co.za
16. Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
Just outside of Port Shepstone is the unmatched Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve which boasts memorable hiking trails along forests, rivers, rapids and ravines – as well as the Samango Waterfall.
Cost: R30 per adult, R15 for children aged 3 to 12 years
Contact: 039 679 1644 or info@tourismsouthcoast.co.za
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
17. Mpenjati Nature Reserve
Bird lovers should take the opportunity to visit to this indigenous coastal reserve in Trafalgar, which has two fantastic hiking trails and great views.
Cost: R15 per adult, R5 per child under 12 years
Contact: 0784756792
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
18. The Red Desert Nature Reserve
This pristine coastal reserve, located near Port Edward, is home to the world’s smallest desert – sitting at only 200m in diameter and 11ha in entirety. This is a must-see global phenomenon on the beautiful KZN South Coast.
Cost: R30 per adult, free for children under 12 years
Contact: 083 631 9331
Website: www.reddesertnaturereserve.co.za
19. Umtamvuna Nature Reserve in Port Edward
Port Edward is also home to the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve which has several marked trails for excellent wild- and birdlife viewing.
Cost: R20 per person
Contact: 039 311 2383
Website: www.kznwildlife.com
20. KwaXolo Caves Adventures
This 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 KwaXolo Caves, visitors get to experience centuries-old San artwork before enjoying a family picnic.
Cost: R150 per adult, R120 per child 8 to 16 years
Contact: 076 185 3447 or 074 887 3742
21. Pure Venom
The entire family will enjoy a trip to the biggest reptile farm in Africa! This Shelly Beach animal centre is home to several reptile species, a petting zoo with farm animals and exotic birds.
Cost: R140 per adult, R120 per child aged 4 to 12 years
Contact: 082 492 8256 or info@purevenom.com
Website: 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:
- Download the free ‘Explore KZN South Coast’ app from Google Play and Apple stores.
- Visit the ‘South Coast Tourism’ on Facebook or YouTube
- Visit @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram
- Visit ‘Info Ugu South Coast Tourism’ on LinkedIn
- Visit www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za to check out the Events Calendar, the KZN South Coast Meeting Planner Guide and more!
- To access previous USCT press releases, visit: https://www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za/category/press-release/
- Follow the hashtags #seaanddo #greatestshoalonearth #sardinerun #subtropicalparadise #kznsouthcoast