Fun family activities on the KZN South Coast

 

Holidays on the KZN South Coast offer so much more than just the beach…

The South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal boasts some of the most beautiful swimming beaches in the country, but there’s so much more on offer for families who love to holiday in this part of the world.

When the kids have had too much sun, or it’s too windy for the beach, you can take them to watch the crocs and snakes being fed at Croc World or re-enact a scene from Jurassic Park at Dino Park, check out the biggest reptile farm in Africa at Pure Venom, visit the butterflies at Butterfly Valley or take a trip to Mac Banana for a day of adventure and a legendary pancake!

Dino Park, Melville

 

If your children are crazy about dinosaurs (or even if you have an adult dino fan in the family), then a trip to Dino Park in Melville on the KZN South Coast is a must on your holiday activity list.

Just 8km from Umthunzi Hotel and Conference, and sandwiched between the popular Pumula and Banana Beach, is this picturesque, themed adventure park.

Dino Rangers are ready to meet you and send you on a mission! Meander through a mini jungle and encounter life-size versions of the most famous prehistoric dinosaurs to have ever roamed the earth!

For the future paleontologist, there is a fossil pit area to look for Dino bones.

The park is great for families with small children as the trail is short, but there’s lots of space and a jungle gym too.

info@dinoparksa.co.za

 

Crocworld, Scottburgh

 

Set on 24ha of beautifully landscaped indigenous gardens with stunning sea views, Crocworld is home to four different crocodilian species, a bird section, and a snake tunnel housing species from every continent except Antarctica.

Crocodile feeds take place from Tuesday to Sunday at 11 am and 3 pm.

Crocworld is also home to the popular Fish Eagle Café. With its newly-revamped wraparound deck, you can enjoy magnificent sea views while feasting on meals prepared by renowned chef and Fish Eagle Café manager, Morne van Zyl, including a Gourmet Burger Menu.

There is also a fun animal farm and a play area that caters to disabled children.

 

Contact 039 976 1103 or visit www.crocworld.co.za

 

Pure Venom, Shelly Beach

 

 

The biggest reptile farm in Africa, Pure Venom is home to several reptile species, exotic birds and a petting zoo with farm animals.

 

Guided tours and daily demonstrations give fascinating insights into a wide variety of indigenous and exotic reptiles, and you can have your photo taken with one of the resident reptiles… if you’re brave enough!

 

 

Contact: 082 492 8256 or info@purevenom.com

Website: www.purevenom.com

 

Butterfly Valley Farm, Ramsgate  

 

This farm specializes in indigenous butterflies and is also home to a range of other interesting creatures.

Unlike most other butterfly farms which import pupae, Butterfly Valley breeds most of their own butterflies and are therefore able to present the entire life-cycle of these amazing creatures to the public.

Spend a memorable hour surrounded by butterflies in the flight dome: butterflies are quick to sense the security that the enclosed area provides for them and are generally far more calm and relaxed than wild butterflies

If you are very lucky, you could witness a butterfly emerging from its pupa and pumping fluid through its wings to expand them. The process takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and then the butterfly will hang upside down for an hour or two for its wings to dry. Truly a remarkable sight!

 

 

Contact: 073 422 5357 or 072 235 3688 or butterflyvalley@ymail.com  

Website: www.butterflyfarm.co.za

 

Mac Banana Estate & Adventures, between Palm Beach and Port Edward

 

 

 

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 to entertain the kids including an animal farm tour, banana tour, pony trampoline, Mac Venture Golf 18-hole adventure and 9-hole mini putt-putt, Mac Chimp and Zee zipline and obstacle course, quad biking, archery, and paintball.

 

Contact: 039 319 1033 or macbanana22@gmail.com

Website: www.macbanana.com/activities

 

Sasha is a freelance journalist and has a passion for writing, reading, good food and wine. She’s obsessed with the IDEA of healthy eating (as well as chocolate – dark of course) and is always experimenting with alternative health therapies and trying to get the family to eat less sugar. Her best reward at the end of a busy week: a good book or time to sit on the beach and stare at the sea: whichever option is available.