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TThe benefits of travel for adults has been well-documented, but why is travel so good for children? In South Africa children travel long distances just to get to school, but this study shows it would be beneficial to put more effort into getting kids to travel beyond their town or city.

The Student and Youth Travel Association in the US conducted a survey with teachers to find out what benefits there are for travelling with their students as another tool for teaching.

They found that 79% of the teachers "consider it a priority to increase the cultural awareness of students", while 74% believe it has a positive impact on the personal development of the child in their growing phases. Just more than half of the respondents also saw travel as making an impact on students' education and career - a trip could expose them to new possibilities they previously would never have thought of.

Almost 70% of teachers also found the use of travel as an educational tool extremely effective compared to computer-based learning, and other positive impacts include increased willingness to learn and explore, a desire to travel more, an increase in independence, self-esteem and confidence, more intellectual curiosity and increased tolerance of other cultures and ethnicities.

And this doesn't have to be international travel - teachers felt the same positive impacts were noticeable in students with domestic travel which also garners a sense of pride in students. 

However, as it would be in South Africa as well, the biggest challenge to kids' travel is the lack of financial resources to incorporate travel into a school's curriculum, thus the onus would be on parents to try and make up for that gap.

Here are some great SA spots that you should introduce your kids to and get them excited about travel.

Kruger National Park
In many ways, Kruger is South Africa’s quintessential nature reserve – not only is it one of the largest in Africa at 19 633 square kilometres and home to the Big 5, it also has a special sort of atmosphere you will be hard-pressed to experience elsewhere.  

Whether you stay over at one of the 24 rest camps or just enter as a day visitor, much self-drive fun can be had!

Be sure to: Make a list of your sightings – have a vote and present the best one with an award. A brunch cook-up at one of the many picnic spots is also an absolute must!  

Cape Point, Cape Town
While it’s not actually true that the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet here, as is often cited by travel agents and tourism bodies, it offers an unprecedented view from the very tip of the Cape Peninsula. 

Apart from this, the reserve also offers an array of unique wildlife sighting opportunities – think eland and ostriches on the beach – as well as a superb selection of walking trails and secluded beaches.  

Be sure to: Snap a family shot at the old lighthouse. Actually make it two – one with the spectacular view in the background and the other at the famous directional signpost. Remember to take your SA ID to get the discount entry fee.

Did You Know?
TThe 3 major international airports in South Africa are: OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport (Durban) as well as 90 regional airports.

HHole-in-the-wall, Coffee Bay
Okay, let’s just be frank – getting to this incredible geological sight is not easy. Hole-in-the-Wall is located about 8km south of the tiny Wild Coast village of Coffee Bay and about 86km from the city of Mthatha on mostly gravel roads with loads of potholes.

However, you will be rewarded grandly for braving the discomfort.  Apart from the actual Hole-in-the-Wall formation, the surrounding area is spectacularly beautiful – wild waves, rough sand beaches and rolling green hills dotted with traditional huts.  

Be sure to: Capture your kids’ imaginations by telling them a few fascinating historical tales about the Wild Coast – read up about its various shipwrecks and the story about Nongqawuse, the young Xhosa prophetess whose prophecies led to a rebel movement that culminated in the Xhosa cattle-killing crisis of 1856–1857. 

PPanorama Route, Mpumalanga
For many people Mpumalanga is synonymous with wildlife experiences - however there’s a lot more to the province than you might think. Incredible vistas, spectacular waterfalls, intriguing villages and rushing rivers. The Panorama Route basically takes you right along all Mpumalanga’s most spectacular spots - God's Window, Wonder View, the Pinnacle, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Three Rondawels. You will also be able to see an array of waterfalls, including Lisbon Falls, Berlin Falls and Mac Mac Falls, as well as the gold-rush town of Pilgrim's Rest.  

Be sure to: Have an old-fashioned family shot taken at Pilgrim’s Rest and have a copy made for each of you to cherish as memories.

The Amphitheatre, Drakensberg
The Amphitheatre is one of the geographical features of the Northern Drakensberg and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive cliff-faces on earth. If you think your kids need a bit of perspective about their place in the world, this is one of the best spots to take them… and they’ll remember it forever. 

Be sure to: Do the hiking trail to the foot of the magnificent Tugela Falls. The easy seven-kilometre hike will take you right to the base of the world's second tallest falls, which plunge over 948 metres.

Augrabies Falls, Northern Cape
While it may not be one of the highest waterfalls in the world, like the Tugela, the Augrabies Waterfalls provide something of a contrast to its arid Northern Cape surrounds.

The falls form part of the Orange River and provide an impressive example of granite erosion, as it has cut a gorge of 240m deep and 18km long over time.

Be sure to: Go after a good batch of rain or when SANParks lights them up at night. Also remember to tell your kids that the name Augrabies was derived from the Khoikhoi word Ankoerebis, which can roughly be translated as "place of big noises."  

Hector Pieterson Memorial, Soweto
Chances are good that your kid would visit the museum at some point as part of an educational trip, especially if you live in Gauteng.

However, sharing your personal experiences of our country’s tumultuous history and the atrocities of Apartheid will add value to the experience. 

Be sure to: Point out the fact that Pieterson and those involved in the 1976 Soweto uprising were school kids and that no one is too young to stand up for their rights.  

Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn
Fuel your youngsters’ imaginations by taking them to one of South Africa’s most fantastical sights – the Cango Caves. Located in the foothills of the Swartberg near the town of Oudtshoorn, this extensive system of tunnels and chambers goes on for over four kilometres, of which only a quarter are open to visitors.   

Tours are conducted at regular intervals on most days - there is a 'Standard Tour' which takes an hour and an 'Adventure Tour' which takes an hour and a half.  

Be sure to: Look out for the fascinating nativity scene formation known as Madonna and Child. Mary cradles the baby Jesus in her arms. The Three Wise Men stand alongside her and, with a little more imagination, two shepherds kneel in silent adoration to her right. 

JJacaranda trees and the Union Buildings in October, Pretoria
As far as tourism goes, Pretoria hardly has the magnetic attraction that Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg have. However, visiting the city at the height of Jacaranda season (October and November) is an absolute MUST! 

It is estimated that there are between 40 000 and 70 000 Jacaranda trees in Pretoria, which provide a breathtaking purple display over roughly an eight-week period in late spring each year. There are also almost 100 rare white Jacarandas that can be found in Herbert Baker Street in Groenkloof. 

Be sure to: Start off your Jacaranda tour by walking the streets and showing the trees and their delicate flowers off to your kid’s close-up, then take them up to the Union Buildings to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view. It’s also worth mentioning that Jacarandas are considered an exotic species, and while the existing trees have been allowed to flourish, no new trees may be planted.

Victoria Street Market, Durban
A colourful and spicy splash of India in South Africa – that’s Durban’s Victoria Street Market for you! However modern it might appear, the 'Vic' houses the beating heart of traditional Indian culture in Durban. Men in their traditional kurtas and women in their saris sell their wares to local and foreign visitors alike at this extensive bazaar. 

While the downstairs section is mainly focused on foodstuffs – fish, spices, meat and veggies, the top floor is filled with pretty trinkets, crafts and fabrics, and right next door is the city's famous Muti Market. 

Be sure to: Tell your children that Durban is home to the largest population of Indians outside Asia and is even known as ‘the most Indian city outside of India.’ Also see if you can wangle a delicious curry recipe out of a vendor, buy the suitable spices and make an event of preparing it.  

Namaqualand in Spring
Probably one of the most magical natural events to take place on an annual basis, seeing the usually arid Northern Cape region of Namaqualand covered in a lush carpet of colourful flowers is something each South African should experience at least once in their lives.  

Depending on a variety of factors, Namaqualand flower season normally reaches its peak sometime during the months of August or September. Towns notable for flower viewing include Garies, Kamieskroon, Springbok, West Coast National Park and Port Nolloth, all located about five hours’ drive from Cape Town. 

Be sure to: Simply frolic in the magnificent beauty… also snap a shot or two for posterity

Tsitsikamma National Park, Garden Route
Spending time in the Tsitsikamma National Park will give your kids an excellent overview of the lush, green Garden Route Experience, covering sea and forest.  

Do the 5.5km Blue Duiker trail which will take you through scrub forest, alongside the ocean (where you may even spot a whale or some dolphins), through fynbos and finally into the magical forests where elephants once dwelt… and may even still roam.

Be sure to: Visit the famous Tsitsikamma suspension bridge which stretches across the Storms River mouth – it’s the park’s key feature and will get the adrenaline pumping!

Robben Island, Cape Town
The island where the late Nelson Mandela and many other struggle stalwarts spent more than two decades of their lives is a must-visit for all South Africans.

Your island visit could be the starting point of a host of other Madiba-inspired travel moments around Cape Town.

Be sure to: Print the kids a copy of William Ernest Henley's Invictus, which Mandela made his own personal mantra, and recite it with them as you stand in the tiny confines of his cell, but also remember to tell them about the other ex-prisoners of Robben Island that helped shape our country.

Best time to visit?

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