The summer holidays are finally here and it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a well deserved break after a long year of hard work. It’s also the opportune time for you to explore all that is on offer in the Helderberg.
For locals and visitors, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette has drawn up a list of 10 fun activities to tackle and places to visit, which young and old will enjoy.
1. Visit historic Vergelegen
If you’re in search of delectable food and wine for all tastes and budgets, this easy-to-reach destination is the place for you. The 322-year-old award-winning estate is set in a lush, biodiverse landscape, and offers variety and quality produce with hyper-seasonal menus complemented by award-winning estate wines. Visitors can choose between the floral-inspired Café Fleur Restaurant, the Camphor forest picnics and the family-friendly, bistro-styled Stables Restaurant. You can also explore the bountiful gardens on the estate. Visit vergelegen.co.za for more information or to book your place.
2. Get wet at Water World Strand
The family friendly fun park in Beach Road offers something for young and old. The water park is home to a super tube, speed slide, mini slide, kiddies’ double slide, double kiddies’ pool, kiddies’ adventure dry play area, swimming pool, large adventure dry play area, mini action sports area, food court, and grassy areas for relaxing, benches with umbrellas for picnics. The venue, which is located alongside the beach, also offers great party options, as well as a host of entry options. It is operational Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 18:00, but closed on Christmas Day.
3. Become one with nature
Pack a picnic basket or stock up on walking supplies and spend a day outdoors at the Helderberg Nature Reserve in Somerset West. The municipal facility reaches up as far as the cliff faces and the peaks above the reserve are managed by CapeNature. There are boardwalks through the gardens, a host of hiking trails, a gift shop and visitor centre. The rich natural environment of the Helderberg Nature Reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including the King Protea, common duikers and more. The facility operates from 07:30 to 20:00 daily.
4. Traverse hiking routes
Lace up your walking shoes and tackle one of the many walking trailings on offer in the Helderberg basin. Apart from the nine trails on offer at the Helderberg Nature Reserve, there are also other popular routes available. These include trails at Helderberg Farm, Helderberg West Peak, Helderberg Disa Kloof, The Pipe in Strand, Danie Miller Hiking Trail, Steenbras River Gorge, Steenbras Dam Mountain Pass and the several trails in the Kogel Bay Biosphere Reserve from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond. If you do decide to tackle the Steenbras River Gorge, be sure to pop by the popular Crystal Pools, made up of two pools of refreshing mountain water. The first pool is about 45 minutes from the start, the second pool is another 10 to 15 minutes up. Here you will find a waterfall and rocks from which to jump, but you need to book your permits ahead of time.
5. Saddle up and don’t horse around
Andara Horse Interactive in Sir Lowry’s Pass is offering pony camps for children aged five to 12 in January, as well as riding lessons throughout the holidays. The pony camps will be held on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 January from 09:00 to 17:00. The cost is R300 per child per day, and includes a fun-filled horse day with riding, grooming, feedings, painting, games and more, but excludes lunch. The cost of the discounted holiday riding lessons is R140 per hour. To book or for more information, send a WhatsApp message to Tahila on 083 227 1887.
6. Walk on the wild side
Monkey Town Primate Centre, which is located along the N2 in Somerset West, is a wildlife centre for monkeys, apes and a large variety of other species. It is home to more than 700 animals, with visitors having the chance to observe the monkeys from caged walkways as they to roam freely on the outside. There is a guided tour, a Reptile Garden, interactive sessions, play, swim and supertube area, and braai and picnic combinations available. It is open Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00. Admission costs vary depending on the activities guests choose to participate in. Visit www.monkeys.co.za for further details.
7. Spier Summer Sundowners
You won’t want to miss an evening of chilled-out, laid-back sounds while the sun sets over Spier Werf as Congolese muso Mapumba Cilombo entertains the crowd between 18:00 and 20:00. While you’re enjoying the music, you can indulge in award-winning wine and plenty of delicious food like the Wine Tasting Station, a pre-booked Spier Summer Picnic, al fresco feast from the Farm Café, a pizza from Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery, or visit Bubbles & Braai for a Farmer Angus burger fresh off the fire. The sundowners will be held until Saturday 7 January, with performances on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 December; and Thursday 5 January to Saturday 7 January. Admission is free; see www.spier.co.za for more details.
8. Zip along mountains and more
Imagine exploring the essence of nature on a zipline canopy tour in the company of soaring eagles, surrounded by breath-taking Cape fynbos panoramas and mountain scapes. That is exactly what’s on at Cape Canopy Tour, which is located in the Elgin Valley near Grabouw. The zipline is situated in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and, thanks to a partnership with CapeNature, it takes you into a previously inaccessible and pristine part of the amazing World Heritage Site. The fully guided adventure activity for nature enthusiasts is on offer to people aged five to 75. The cost is R995 per person and booking is essential on 021 300 0501 or zipline@capecanopytour.co.za. Visit www.canopytour.co.za for more information.
9. On target with a splatter
Keep the young ones – and even the dads – occupied and focused these holidays when you take them on a paintballing experience at X Paintball outside Somerset West. The venue offers a range of options, including X Combat, X Lasertag, X Paintball and X Airsoft. There are small and large arenas that groups will use for their different games, which are scenario-based in a bid to make things more interactive, strategic and life-like. There is also braai facilities and a tuckshop. For more information, contact Alistair Hill between 09:00 and 17:00 on 073 217 5972 or info@paintball.co.za.
10. Take fun to another level
Let the children let their hair loose at the Jump4Fun Entertainment Centre in Gants Centre, Strand. The venue has an indoor trampoline park, glopark glow in the dark indoor golf course, clamber climb wall, games arcade and Pizamo Eatery & Cafe, offering exhilarating entertainment for families, schools, corporates, the young and the young-at-heart! There’s also an open jump area, an airbag drop zone, dodgeball and basketball area.
