For anyone wanting to enjoy year-round
sunshine,
beautiful beaches and multitudes of breath-taking adventures for the whole family, KwaZulu-Natal is the place to go.
There is no shortage of adrenaline inducing fun to be had all over the province and you may find
a new passion along the way.
“If it excites you and scares you at the same time, it probably means you should do it.”
Let’s start with Water... Experience Durban as you’ve never seen it before. Cruise the harbour or head out into the deep blue sea.
THE ISLE OF CAPRI CRUISES will show you enormous ships up close and ensure that you spend an informative hour on the boat. They also show visitors the different docking points, Cargo Loading Areas and Durban’s famous North Pier, where large cargo vessels exit the harbour through, what with respect to shipping, is a very narrow channel.
NO DOUBT, THE BEST WAY TO VIEW WHALES AND DOLPHINS UP CLOSE IS FROM A BOAT THE ISLE OF CAPRI CRUISES offers an exhilarating 2 hour cruise into the ocean on their boat “Bafana”, to view one of the world’s most magnificent mammals, the Humpback Whale! The trip takes you into the Indian Ocean and close to the Mozambican current to encounter them at close range. All trips have friendly and fully qualified whale tour guides on board, to share their vast knowledge of the ocean and its creatures with you. Every year, from June to November, whales can frequently be seen off the KwaZulu-Natal coast on their migratory route, from the Southern Oceans to the warmer tropical waters for mating and giving birth, and on their return, heading for the nutrient rich waters of Antarctica. By law, you are not allowed to approach within 300m from a whale, unless you are aboard a boat permitted by the Department of Marine and Coastal Management. Permit holders are all members of the South African Boat-Based Whale Watching Association and as such are required to adhere to a strict code of conduct and to undergo training. The Isle of Capri Cruises boasts one of two whale watching permits awarded in Durban.
We also offer: • Hourly Harbour Cruises from 10am - 4pm (conditions apply) • Sea Cruises at 12.30pm and 2.30pm • Educational School Trips • Boat Rides • Party Cruises • Fishing
FOR AN UNSURPASSED WHALE WATCHING OPPORTUNITY OR BOAT RIDE, MAKE YOUR BOOKING TODAY! 14 - 18 Boatman Road, Wilson’s Wharf Tel: 031 305 3099 | Cell: 082 851 4787 | info@isleofcapri.co.za | www.isleofcapri.co.za
SARIE MARAIS origin goes back to early 1900’s when all the boats were used for transport, ferries and fishing when it was still Springbok Boating Company and belonged to King & Sons. The Pleasure Cruises came in the early 1970’s and then named SARIE MARAIS PLEASURE CRUISES. It was a fleet of 4 wooden boats of which JOLLY ROGER is the only one left of many from the first fleet. Jolly Roger was first launched in 1965 and has been carrying people safely since. Jolly Roger was used as ferry boat to Salisbury Island. The Jolly Roger was used to ferry students and naval soldiers between the mainland and Salisbury Island which hosted a University and Naval base in the 1970’s.
SARIE MARAIS PLEASURE CRUISES cater for small and larger groups from 16 to 56 passengers. Book the boats for an educational, romantic or party cruise or join the public cruises around the harbour or out to sea. SARIE MARAIS PLEASURE CRUISES are located in the lively Durban Harbour which is the largest and busiest port in SubSaharan Africa.
In 1990, Danie and Riette Bennett moved from Gauteng to St Lucia, and since 1991 Danie started Deep-sea Fishing off St Lucia. In 1995 Danie was out on a Fishing charter, when he found a Humpback Whale desperately entangled in ropes which had seemingly come off a longliner, and he and his fishing crew swam out, and cut the ropes off the whale – after it was dis-tangled, the whale breached multiple times, as if to say THANK YOU. Danie’s passion for whales started here, and in 1997, when the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, then Marine and Coastal Management, gave out public tenders to enforce all vessels without legal permits to not close-by harass the migrating and breeding whales and dolphins; ADVANTAGE put in a tender, and was one of the 1st nine legal permit holders in South Africa – As from 1998, ADVANTAGE CRUISER CC, under management of Danie and Riette Bennett and BEE partner Lena Dladla, has been a legal BBWW operator in St Lucia and the neighbouring harbour city of Richards bay in KwaZulu Natal.
On Land...
Durban’s iconic BEACHFRONT AMUSEMENT PARK has tons of fun to offer! Like their Facebook page and stay updated on specials... a great way to entertain the whole family! The beachfront Amusement Park provides safe and secure entertainment for the whole family, park on the Marine Parade and spend time enjoying all the fun of the Amusement Park. The Cable Car provides a scenic view of the Durban beachfront while the older kids have fun on the Breakdance and Swingboat. The little ones can enjoy themselves on the Elephant Ride or Carousal, just to mention a few.
MINDGAME ESCAPE is suitable for various audiences! Are you looking for something fun for your friends and family? This experience is an excellent way to spend some amazing time together, our games break barriers and lets you bond without outside distractions. You will have to work together to solve the mysteries of the room. Three rooms to choose from: THE ORDER OF THE 9 The order of the 9 refers to the 9 deadliest assassins that has walked this earth. Can you get out before you are discovered and end up as another unsolved and rather bizarre death? BUNKER 51 In 1948 a mysterious Unidentified Flying Object was spotted flying low over Umhlanga. Can you and your gang solve the mystery and enter the bunker before getting caught? FORGOTTEN TEMPLE A new, unexplored ancient Mayan Temple was discovered just 3 weeks ago! Do you have what it takes to escape before falling victim to the dreaded curse?
THE PUZZLE PLACE started in 1991 as a family business with Ian Courtney at the helm. After eighteen years in the corporate market, Ian Courtney started making kiddies toys in his garage, with his two year old daughter as inspiration. These toys were marketed via flea markets and a reputation for quality was achieved. Numerous pensioners and hobbyists supply The Puzzle Place with their wood crafts ranging from candle stands and key rings to picture frames and clocks. They still have the “KRAFTY KIDS” section to cater for the children. There is also a large selection of “brain teasers” that make ideal small gifts that can also be personalized with logos. When you need something special, visit us at The Puzzle Place.
KARKLOOF CANOPY TOUR and DRAKENSBERG CANOPY TOUR JOIN FORCES An exciting milestone was reached at the end of last year when Karkloof Canopy Tour and Drakensberg Canopy Tour amalgamated under one ownership and became true sister companies. Karkloof’s managers of four years, Caldon King and Charmaine Strydom, moved over to manage Drakensberg Canopy Tour, to grow the company and ensure our guests there are provided with the same awesome experience as at Karkloof. New managers, Keith and Rose-Lynn Paine, are leading the Karkloof team and through their knowledge and experience, will continue to ensure that our guests have a memorable time zipping through the tree tops.
The staff at both Karkloof Canopy Tour and Drakensberg Canopy Tour have been with us for many years. They are enthusiastic about guiding our guests on thrilling eco-tourism adventures, as well as trained to uphold strict safety procedures and protocols. Despite being two zipline companies, our venues offer unique experiences for our guests: Experience the second largest indigenous forest in Southern Africa at Karkloof, while Drakensberg provides ziplining near the majestic Cathkin Peak and through the Blue Grotto Forest! To commemorate and celebrate the amalgamation of the two Canopy Tours, we have a special offer for you: book
our combo deal for a Canopy Tour at both Karkloof and Drakensberg, and save R390 per person! Ts & Cs Apply. Contact us or check out our websites: Karkloof Canopy Tour 033 330 3415 info@karkloofcanopytour.co.za www.karkloofcanopytour.co.za Drakensberg Canopy Tour 036 468 1981 info@drakensbergcanopytour.co.za www.drakensbergcanopytour.co.za We look forward to the years ahead, as Karkloof and Drakensberg Canopy Tours grow to form one of KwaZuluNatal’s greatest attractions!
GALLERIA MALL revamped their synthetic Skating Rink with a fully-fledged, state of the art, REAL ICE, Ice Rink in December 2010. Ice Skating at Galleria Mall is now even better than before, and the real ice proves very popular with young and old alike. Enjoy hours of fun with family or friends at Galleria Ice Rink, or let your children enjoy themselves while you indulge in our many shops and restaurants. MONKEYLAND-KZN, the 23-hectare free-roaming sanctuary located near Shakaskraal, which opened in April 2019 has closed its doors to the public in an effort to protect staff and visitors from potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus and in line with the new government regulations. There are now just two staff members working on-site and another two working remotely to keep things going during the lockdown. These staff will ensure that enquiries are replied to and, most importantly, that the exotic primates in their care continue to receive the world-class care that they are accustomed to and that have been the reason for the sanctuary, and its sister sanctuaries in the Western Cape, winning so many international awards. We urge our readers to support MonkeylandKZN both now and when they are in a position to re-open. If you haven’t yet visited, please do, it really is an experience like no other. Follow Monkeyland-KZN on Facebook to find out when they are reopening and also share their posts widely so that everyone can experience their stunning forest, virtually doing the lockdown and then for real when this has passed.
and in the Air...
Do you dream of taking to the skies, but want to try it in a unique way? WESTLINE AVIATION caters for tourists, conferences, photo shoots and more.
Helicopter flights and charters around the Drakensberg Mountains
Why fly? Nothing can match the totally exhilarating experience of flying in a helicopter. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of vertical flight, you will experience a real adrenaline rush. Your heart will race as the blades begin to spin and you are lifted gracefully into the air, before cutting through the clouds at close to 200kph. Westline Aviation offers a number of helicopter flights. Usually reserved for the rich and famous, you can become a high flyer for the day. Whether you decided to hover over the magnificent countryside of Northern KZN or soar above the Drakensberg peaks, you will get the opportunity to view truly breath-taking sights from a unique perspective. Excursions 1. Game reserves: Fly to one of a number of local game parks, then join a professional ranger for a game drive or a horseback ride. 2. BattleFields: fly to any number of battle fields in Northern KZN where you will be met by a guide that will give you a recount of the historic battle. Tell us what you want to see and we will arrange it. 3. Golf Tours: get flown to any number of golf courses along the berg.
We cater for tourist, engagements, weddings, conferences, photo shoots & more.
Cell: +27 (0) 83 652 7493 E-mail: info@bergflying.co.za
Taking your memories to new heights As one of the leading aviation event and helicopter hire businesses in South Africa, SKY SAFARIS are fully qualified professionals, proficient in controlling, organising and managing events at all levels, with a keen eye for detail, safety and enjoyment at the forefront of your and our clients’ expectations. Sky Safaris are passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences for you and your loved ones. They are committed to providing unrivalled world class service and aircraft flights that are professional and reliable. “We endeavour to meet the requirements and exceed the expectations of our clients and their guests at every stage from inception to delivery. This level of commitment is delivered with professionalism and enthusiasm for each and every one of our flights” Our Values Reliability - On time; dependable; safe; consistent Passion - Committed; enthusiastic; celebrating life Our Vision - A Vision driven by people passionate about Aviation.
DRAKENSBERG BALLOONING offers scenic hot air balloon flights over KwaZulu-Natal with panoramic views stretching from the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg to Giants Castle in the Southern Drakensberg. Frequently Asked Questions How safe is it? Hot air ballooning is the safest way of travel, the unsafest was you getting into your vehicle and driving to our launch site. Where do you land? We try to land at the easiest accessible spot for the retrieve vehicle, but landing can only be determined 5 min before the end of the flight. How high do you go? We travel about 2km above the ground depending on the wind speed and outside air temperature. What to wear? In Winter months it can get quite cold but the flame of the burner keeps you warm, dress up in layers and always wear closed comfortable shoes
Experience exceptional hot air balloon rides from the finest venues in South Africa with HOT AIR BALLOONING KWAZULU-NATAL. Chosen for their exquisite scenery, fine ballooning weather, accommodation options, tourism and interest value. They have been flying safely for more than 15 years. Their balloons, professional experience and hospitality will assure you of an exceptional experience.
SKYDIVE DURBAN Open 7 days a week, jumps are every hour from 9:00 - 15:00. Situated between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, take the Camperdown off-ramp off the N3. They are in the Eston area, 2km from Tala Game reserve. After the briefing you board the aircraft for a 20 minute ride to altitude. You are harnessed to the tandem instructor, we exit the aircraft and freefall for +/- 35 seconds, the parachute is opened at 4500ft, during the parachute ride you get the opportunity to steer. The instructor will take over for the landing. They provide you with a jumpsuit, you just need to bring closed-in footwear. Maximum weight limit is 110kg’s. They don’t recommend the tandem skydive for children younger than 12 years of age. Braai facilities, swimming pool, kids play area and skateboard ramp available for you and your friends and family to use. They have a shop offering light meals and refreshments.
WILD SKY PARAGLIDING school and lodge are in Bulwer, KwaZulu-Natal. They offer paragliding courses, paragliding tandem flights, and paragliding guiding. Bulwer is one of the best places to learn to paraglide! There are ten different paragliding sites in the area that face various wind directions. They have both thermic and ridge soaring flying conditions. The school and backpackers lodge is run by Hans and Ria Fokkens. Hans has been paragliding since 1989 and a paragliding instructor since 1993. Ria started flying in 1998 and has been an instructor since 2010. With their vast experience and good safety record you will be in great hands learning to fly here. They are serious about safety and school equipment is all rated and suitable for beginners.