From rolling sugar cane fields and lush coastal forests to picture-perfect ocean vistas . . . this is why we choose to live, and holiday, on the KZN North Coast. Whether you’re an adrenalin junkie or simply enjoy relaxing while the kids are kept busy, there is something for everyone right here! We are also utterly spoilt for choice on the culinary front, with a huge variety of fantastic dining destinations for all – just take a look!
SAGE CENTRE
SUGAR RUSH PARK
Spend more time with the family. Adventure more. This is your happy place! A family destination that caters for everyone, from tiny tots to gran and gramps, Sugar Rush encourages a healthy lifestyle for the whole family by providing fun outdoor activities such as cycling and running – or just plain jungle gym climbing. Wide open spaces, secure parking, refreshment facilities and a host of activities ensure all family members are kept actively busy. For parties, book a tent in the playground and order delicious party platters, or book a guide and take a group of kids out on a mountain bike ride they’ll never forget. Details: [email protected] / www.sugarrush.co.za
SUGAR RUSH EXPRESS
One of the many special attractions at Sugar Rush Park is their Sugar Rush Express miniature train. Little passengers can hop aboard and take a fun-filled adventure around the park! Safe and specially designed for the entertainment of little ones, their friendly team are ready to book your ride and answer any queries you may have. Looking for party rides for kids? The Sugar Rush Express train is an exciting and memorable party activity. Advance booking is required for parties to ensure the Sugar Rush Express is ready for an exciting journey of fun! Details: [email protected]
HOLLA TRAILS
With over 340km of bike and running trails, the Holla Trails team are passionate about providing you with the tools to suit your adventure, from mountain bikers and trail runners to someone who simply just enjoys walking outdoors. Whether you are a hard-core racing snake looking for a tough six-hour ride, or just out for a walk in the country, Holla Trails has something for everyone.
Details: www.hollatrails.co.za, Trailmaster: 074 897 8559, Trailhead Shop /
082 899 3114 / [email protected]
SUGAR RUSH PUTT PUTT
Sugar Rush Putt Putt is a full 18-hole course with paddling pools, water fountains, waterfalls, beaches, island greens, ramps and tunnels. It’s a fun challenge for all ages and recreational needs. Little ones love to paddle in the pools after their ball and it’s a great way to spend time with the family or even a date night! It’s also a fantastic venue to host birthday parties, corporate team building events and school excursions. Looking for a fun year end activity to do with your team? Book your game today!
Details: 060 997 9996 / [email protected]
THE JUMP PARK
The Jump Park, is an all-weather, indoor trampoline park located in the family-friendly entertainment park, Sugar Rush. The Jump Park is great fun for the entire family (there are no age limits) or you can sit back and relax in the viewing lounge with free WIFI while the kids are entertained. There is no need to book – just arrive! Jump sessions start on the hour. Pay for one hour (R130) and get a second hour for Free. Kids aged 5 years and younger are only R90.
Details: 071 137 0285 / www.thejumppark.co.za
UNICORN SLIME BY SKYLER
Unicorn Slime by Skyler is the brainchild of Skyler Carmichael. Skyler was just 9 years old when she started her slime business at Sugar Rush Park. Since then Unicorn Slime by Skyler has become a household name, bringing hours of joy to thousands of children all over the country. Her SLIMEatory at Sugar Rush Park specialises in Slime workshops and Slime parties, and they have a wide variety of types and textures of slime and tailor made “Slime DIY kits”. The team at Unicorn Slime by Skyler want to share our ‘happy’ and ensure that every child has a magical experience making slime.
Details: 063 034 4831
BURNEDALE FARM
Burnedale Farm is a secret haven for kids and adults in the country village of Umhlali, 40 minutes North of Durban. Just minutes from the urban bustle of Ballito, they offer an eclectic mix of delights for even the most discerning customer, offering hand-picked products and services, with a hair salon, make-up studio and beauty spa, ensuring a very special experience. Burnedale Farm is a beautiful venue, a country haven of delights, where you can be inspired, get creative, shop for unique things and enjoy a meal while the children can have endless amounts of fun at the farm yard or on the jungle gyms! Eat, play, create and shop! Details: 032 947 0133 / www.burnedale.co.za
CLUBVENTURE
Are you looking for an exciting adventure to ensure memories are made during the holidays? Enjoy nature from a new perspective! Clubventure is a place of adventure and fun for the whole family. Clubventure offers a 1.5 km Zipline Tour with the first-in-the-world “Parazip”. Professional guides will strap you into your harness, provide a briefing and accompany your group, while you experience your adventure from a bird’s eye view. On this eco-adventure, you slide along steel zipline cables from platform to platform across the Sampoya River. Adventure awaits … all you need to do is book your spot!
Details: 032 942 8014 or 082 414 2448 / www.clubventure.co.za
LITCHI FESTIVAL
MONKEYLAND-KZN
The award-winning South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance has opened its first sanctuary in KwaZulu-Natal. Monkeyland-KZN is home to eight species of exotic primate who roam freely through a 23-hectare indigenous forest. A tour of this stunning forest is a unique experience. A guide helps you to find as many of the different species as possible whilst pointing out interesting indigenous flora and their traditional uses in Zulu culture. You may also spot other wildlife in the forest such as Natal Duiker and various bird species. Whether you’re here on holiday or KZN is your home, Monkeyland-KZN is not to be missed.
Details: 032 004 0178 / 066 479 6138 / [email protected] /
www.monkeylandkzn.co.za
RAIN FARM GAME LODGE
Experience a touch of Africa just 15 minutes inland from Ballito. With its 300-hectare wildlife sanctuary, Rain Farm has an informal restaurant, situated alongside the rock pool, with a variety of mouth-watering dishes to choose from. Enjoy the views while you eat or try your hand at a game of pool in the fully stocked bar while the little ones are kept busy on the jungle gym or playing mini golf. There are game drives and trail walks and you can book into a self-catering cabin or tree top tent for a wildlife getaway. Enquire about private bush dinners and kids’ party packages!
Details: 032 815 1050 / 083 352 6830 / [email protected] / www.rainfarm.co.za
SIMBITHI COUNTRY CLUB
Simbithi Country Club boasts South Africa’s first, and only, executive 18-hole golf course. Designed by Peter Matkovich, the course allows you to use every club in your bag with an enticing challenge at every hole. The full course can be played in three hours, leaving you plenty of time for a meeting beforehand, or a relaxing dinner at The Fig Tree afterwards – or, wind down your evening with drinks at the Drop Zone Bar. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the team at Simbithi Country Club can’t wait to see you!
Details: [email protected] / 032-946 5407 / www.simbithi.com
SNAKES OF THE NORTH COAST
The warm, balmy weather and stunning natural environment on the North Coast means it is also home to a number of beautiful, but sometimes very dangerous, snakes. We asked resident snake guru, Neville Wolmarans of Ndlondlo Reptile Park, for a few tips on what snakes to look out for when we’re out and about on the North Coast. . .
Love them or hate them, snakes are a very real part of our eco-system, and coming face-to-face with one is almost inevitable when exploring the outdoors. A little encounter with the odd Natal green snake is harmless of course, but when it comes to the more dangerous variety, Neville tells us which certain few to keep a look out for. “The coastal region from Durban to Richards Bay can be split into two different systems when it comes to different snake species: the Eastern section (between the N2 and the beach) and the Western section (from the N2 inland).”
What to look out for between the N2 and the beach:
• Green Mamba
• Forest Cobra
• Mozambique Spitting Cobra (not common on the East of the N2)
• Boomslang
• Vine snake
• Night Adder
• Stiletto
What to look out for West of the N2 (inland)
• Black Mamba
• Mozambique Spitting Cobra
• Boomslang
• Vine snake
• Night adder
• Stiletto
So, what exactly should you do if you spot one of these snakes? “Stop, pause, slowly back away and maintain visual contact. Do not interact with snakes and, if possible, take a photo and send it to me via Whatsapp (number below) for identification. The best way to avoid possible harm is just to let professionals deal with the snakes. Be aware of strange animal behaviour (birds mobbing and making a racket, monkeys sounding alarm calls and pets behaving strangely) and, when moving around at night, make sure you wear closed shoes and use a flashlight in poorly lit areas. Don’t step where you can’t see where you are putting your feet.”
Who you gonna call?
If you’re in the Ballito/Umhlanga area and need urgent emergency services, Neville suggests calling one of the local hospitals (Alberlito, Victoria or Umhlanga). For reptile rescue (to remove the snake) you can call one of the following people: Between Durban and Mdloti: Jason Arnold (082 745 6375), Mdloti river to Tugela river: Neville Wolmarans (082 561 4969) or Helen Wolmarans (079 453 3557), or Samantha Cumming (072 316 8178) after hours only.
About Ndlondlo Reptile Park:
Ndloddlo Reptile Park is situated at Sugar Rush Park. They offer guided tours that are structured to be age-appropriate and hands-on demonstrations give kids the chance to interact with the reptiles. Neville and his team are passionate about educating people about both the dangers and the beauty of these creatures.
Details: 082 561 4969 / [email protected] /
