Towns

Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal south coast

Port Shepstone is a bustling South Coast town where tourism and business thrive together in one of the sunniest beachside settings in South Africa. more
Hotazel, Northern Cape

Travellers make eccentric pilgrimages to a small village deep in the Kalahari semi-desert, just to be able to say they’ve been to Hotazel. more
Hondeklip Bay, Northern Cape

If you prefer splendid isolation to the bright city lights, then head for Hondeklip Bay, a tiny little seaport in the Northern Cape. more
Historical Plettenberg Bay

The lush forests and almost endless beaches of Plettenberg Bay have been enjoyed by Middle Stone Age people, early explorers and modern holidaymakers alike. more

More about Towns

Port Nolloth

From its days as a copper port to its current life as a diamond-and-fishing centre, Port Nolloth has always projected an image of romance and adventure. more

In 1896 German missionaries and farmers built the Kroondal Mission Station on Jan Michiel van Helsdingen’s farm Kroenendal. Today the church is used as a library, while a new church, built in 1962, serves the population. more

Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal

Kosi Bay, on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, is not a bay at all but 4 interconnected lakes which feed into the sea at Kosi Mouth. more

Picnic spots

1Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Indigenous flora and immaculate lawns plus delicious people watching potential because numerous Cape Malay couples come to take wedding photos in the park. Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town. Tel: +27 (0)21 799 8783

2Sandy Bay Beach

This nudist beach is not a family picnic spot but naked grown-ups like to picnic too. Beautiful beach completely free from whining whipper-snappers. South of Llandudno Beach, Cape Town, Western Cape

3Melkbosstrand

West Coast wonderful at its most pristine. Sit under the milkwood trees watching whales or bring a bucket and spade for the white sandy beach. 20 minutes from Cape Town, N7 West Coast Road, Western Cape.

4Mbashe River

Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo. There are aloes as far as the eye can see. Picnic by the the river and take in the magic that made Madiba’s greatness. Mvezo District, Eastern Cape

5Union Buildings gardens

Beautiful Herbert Baker buildings set in landscaped gardens. Acres of lawn to spread out your tasty treats. Nice nooks for romantic moments. Government Avenue, Pretoria, Gauteng

6Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

Witpoortjie waterfall, indigenous vegetation and endangered eagle's nest. Acres of shady lawns ensure that you can feast in grand style. Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodeport, Johannesburg, Gauteng Tel: +27 (0)11 958 1750

7Modjadji Cycad Forest Reserve at Ga-Modjadji

Well laid out picnic spots amidst spectacular cycads in a hillside reserve. Also a museum dedicated to the Modjadji, the Rain Queen. Follow R36 to Tzaneen, 35km north of Tzaneen, 28km north of Duiwelskloof in Limpopo.

8Vredefort Dome

This meteorite impact spot is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Iron Age archaeological remains and barbeque and picnicking spots galore. Outside Parys, Free State. 120km South West of Johannesburg, just off N1. Parys Information Centre: +27 (0)56 811 4000.

9Harold Johnson Nature Reserve

Picnic site and braai area for day visitors has the best views of the Thukela River. Work up an appetite walking the nature trails whist spying abundant wildlife and birds. 25kms away from Stanger/Kwadukuza. Tel: +27 (0)32 4861574.

10Happy Valley

Situated on Port Elizabeth's main beachfront. Lush tropical gardens, lily ponds and storybook characters impart a fairytale quality. In summer, at night time, there are coloured lights. Across the road from Humewood Beach, Beach Road, Port Elizabeth.