Your ultimate guide to exploring Mzansi with friends
With the temperature warming up, it’s time to get out there and travel with your besties.
In your quest to get to know Mzansi, you’ll soon discover that each city or place has an attribute that makes it unique. Travelling with friends is fun and allows you to experience it safely.
It strengthens your bonds while encouraging the personal development of individuals. An added bonus to travelling with your ride or dies, is the benefit of being able to share the costs making journeys much cheaper than they would’ve been if travelling alone.
If you’re looking to travel with friends before its starts getting busy, here is your ultimate guide on where to go and what to do.
A classic getaway in Durban’s Umhlanga
For many travellers, Durban remains a popular and classic destination. However, your friends and you can experience a whole different side of Durban when visiting Umhlanga.
The Durban suburb isn't just your ordinary destination; it's a slice of paradise right in your own backyard. Think trading in your daily grind for sandy toes, sun-kissed skin, and cocktails with tiny umbrellas.
Umhlanga's beaches are like your personal and affordable stress relief therapists. The place is also a shopper’s haven with some fabulous retail therapy opportunities, from boutique stores to high-end malls.
Night owls can also be reassured with a good time as Umhlanga comes alive after dark as you dance the night away, mingle with the locals and create unforgettable memories.
Consider a stay at Holiday Inn Express Durban - Umhlanga, an IHG Hotel starting from R1 297 a night for 2.
Dare to be a kid again
A trip to Sun City is perfect any time of the year and the beauty of this destination is that you can never be too young or old.
Friends looking to unleash their inner child can enjoy a getaway surrounded by mountains and the beautiful African landscape. The resort is an all-in-one destination with plenty of activities to guarantee a good time.
You can visit the Valley of the Waves, have a putt on the golf green or relax by the shaded poolside with a cocktail.
You can also try your hand at responsible gambling, enjoy jet skiing or parasailing or even go out on a safari game drive at Pilanesberg National Park.
Consider a stay at Sun City Cabanas Hotel Sun City Resort starting from R2 905 a night for 2.
Safari adventure
There’s no place like the Kruger National Park making it the ultimate destination for friends looking for a safari trip.
Think morning and evening safari drives tracking leopards and lions.
Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga and parts of Limpopo is a safari lover’s dream as it is home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo.
Whether you're exploring in a 4x4 or taking a guided walking tour, the park’s sprawling savannah’s and lush woodlands are full of surprises.
As a group, you can also immerse yourselves in the rich culture of South Africa by visiting local villages or exploring ancient archaeological sites.
With an impressive variety of lodges and camps, there’s an accommodation option for every type of traveller, from budget adventurers to luxury seekers.
Consider a stay at Radisson Safari Hotel Hoedspruit starting from R2 500 a night for 2.
Hiking in the Free State
If you and your friends are seeking an adventure where you can hike and enjoy the beauty of nature, then the Free State beckons.
Enjoy one of South Africa and Lesotho’s most iconic landmarks nestled among the clouds. The Drakensberg or Maluti Mountains are a picture-perfect landscape where the whispering wind serenades the towering peaks.
In summer the mountains are painted with hues of emerald green and sapphire blue, forming the backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.
You can embark on a journey seeking out hidden waterfalls cascading down moss-covered cliffs or embark on a leisurely horseback ride through lush valleys adorned with wildflowers.
In the evenings, indulge in sumptuous candlelit dinners beneath a star-studded sky, with the majestic mountains as your witness.
It’s the perfect destination for friends looking to reconnect in nature. Consider a stay at Clarens Retreat starting R1 550 a night for 2.
Beach living in Knysna
Magnificent ocean views and relaxed coastal living are the order of the day on a trip to Knysna with friends.
The town also makes the perfect base to explore South Africa’s most scenic region: the Garden Route.
You can visit the Knysna Heads and the Featherbed Nature Reserve or enjoy a swim out in Buffelsbaai just 20km from Knysna.
Consider a stay at Protea Hotel Knysna Quays in the heart of Knysna. This elegant hotel offers luxurious accommodations with stunning views of the lagoon and surrounding scenery the hotel's prime location makes it convenient to explore nearby attractions like Knysna Heads and the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
A stay at Protea Hotel Knysna Quays provides the perfect blend of comfort and convenience and starts from R1 938 for a night for 2.
Wine tasting in Cape Town
Enjoy the luxury of the Cape Winelands and here’s how. Stellenbosch has a network of over 150 wineries to explore making it the perfect destination for oenophiles and foodies.
The town is beautifully surrounded by vineyards and mountains making it the place perfect to escape. You can visit Waterford Estate, Spier Wine Farm and Jordan Wine Estate for wine-tasting experiences.
There is also a variety of restaurants to enjoy gourmet meals at including Helena’s Restaurant, Fat Butcher and Tokara Restaurant.
Consider a stay at Val de Vine between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Val de Vine offers luxurious accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool starting from R1 210 a night for 2.