Attention, Durbanites and holiday-goers, don't let the holidays fly by without ticking these holiday activities off your summer bucket list:
1. Go on a scenic Harbor Ride
Be part of the KZN Sharks Board Maritime Centre of Excellence exciting early morning Boat Tour. A tour costs R350.00 per person (children under the age of 6 are not permitted). Booking is essential, call 082 403 9206.
2. Go on a Ricksha bus tour
Immerse yourself in Durban this summer with a Ricksha Bus ride. Meet at Ricksha Bus kiosk at 1 KE Masinga, Bay of Plenty, North Beach, Durban. The bus operates daily and prices are made available upon request, contact 031 322 4209 or 031 322 4173 for more information.
3. Visit a bird park
The Umgeni River Bird Park is open from 9am to 5pm every day (closed Christmas day). Entry Fees are R55 for Adults and R36 for Children (3-12 years) and R30 for Pensioners. One of the highlights of the park is the free-flight bird show. Email at education@urbp.co.za or call 031 579 4600 for more information.
4. Go for surfing lessons
Learn to surf with Aloha Surf Academy everyone from ages 5 and up are welcome. Lessons are held daily at Addington beach. Contact Alan Wallace at 076 877 5143 for bookings. Rates vary.
5. Take a segway tour
Why walk the tour when you can glide it? Explore everything Moses Mabhida stadium has to offer while you effortlessly and smoothly coast through its ins-and-outs. Tours start at 45 minutes long for R230, departure is from Shop16A, Moses Mabhida Stadium. Visit www.mmstadium.com to book.
6. Go to a carnival
Enjoy festive fairground fun with rides, games and food stalls overlooking the sea at Galleria Mall. The fair is open from Monday to Friday from 11am to 6pm. Visit www.galleria.co.za/carnival-kingdom/ for more information on rates.
7. Go on a trip with the Holiday express train
The Holiday Express has train trips planned throughout the festive season with visits to Shongweni Farmers and Craft Market, Scottburgh, North Coast and more. The trip takes off from Durban Station (Premier Lounge). Adults pay R28 and Children (3 to 12) and Pensioners pay R230 per person. Contact bookings@theholidayexpress.co.za for bookings.
8. Go for a foam party on ice
If you love skating, this event taking place at the Durban Ice Arena takes the experience to a whole new level by adding foam and music to the mix. Book your tickets for Saturday December 29 at 7pm for R60 through www.durbanicearena.co.za/purchase-tickets-online.
9. Go rock climbing
Enjoy Durban Ice Arena’s 7m high rock climbing wall for just R20 during any public ice skating session. It is located to the left of the big screen in the ice rink.
For further enquiries please email: info@durbanicearena.co.za or call 031 332 4597.
10. Jump on a jumping castle
Just in time for the school holidays, Ballito Junction mall has a jumping castle situated on the upper level astroturf from 10am until 7pm from December 26 to January 6.
11. Go litchi picking
December is litchi time and there’s no better place to get this summer-time favourite than direct from The Litchi Orchard (Salt Rock). For litchi availability and prices visit their website, http://www.litchiorchard.co.za.
12. Go to a night market
The Litchi Orchard’s night markets are held from 5pm to 9pm on Fridays (check their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/litchiorchard/). Offering unplugged music, quality food and drink tastings, it all comes together for a fun night. Kids under 12 enter for free, tickets ar R40 cash at the entrance.
13. Visit an escape room
Your detective expertise is needed Bring your family and friends to form your own team of adventurers; gather clues, solve puzzles, combine information, decipher secret meanings and trigger hidden mechanisms. There are three different games to choose from. Booking can be made at www.mindgame.co.za.
14. Make slime at a workshop
Attend a slime making class with Slime Workshop based in Durban North. Using only essential products, kids can learn how design their own slime. Prices start at R200 per person. Visit http://slimeworkshop.co.za to book.
15. Learn to cook
Tots ‘n Pots in La Lucia offers morning and afternoon cooking clubs with workshops divided by age group. Visit http://www.totsnpots.co.za/ for more on rates, times and bookings.