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<\/p>\nFor those looking to escape the city for a few days and soak up some countryside, the marvellous Magalies Meander is worth the drive. About a five-hour trip from Durban, this scenic route treats visitors to sweeping views of the beautiful Magaliesberg mountains. There\u2019s so much to see and do \u2026 we\u2019ve highlighted six of our favourite stops.<\/p>\n
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If you ever need a day out that just fills your cup, you have to pop into The Donkey Dairy<\/strong>. It\u2019s honestly the ultimate farm experience. The moment you arrive, you\u2019re greeted by the cutest crew; donkeys (of course), llamas, alpacas, guanacos, dwarf goats\u2026 and that\u2019s only the start. And go hungry, because their farm-style dining is ridiculously good. Think famous Wagyu boerie rolls and burgers, or even a veggie braai-style boerie, all sizzling away with a proper Magalies view. Then wander over to the farm shop … it\u2019s packed with handmade jams, rusks, sweet treats and their iconic Donkey Milk skincare range (the perfect spoil-yourself moment). You can do gentle donkey or horse rides, sip on a donkey milk tasting (yes, it\u2019s nature\u2019s liquid gold), nibble a donkey-milk brownie, bottle-feed baby goats, and head out on one of their scenic trails, Jack\u2019s Trek or Brayer\u2019s Eye. Trust us \u2026 it\u2019s pure countryside joy. Oh, and if you\u2019re not ready to leave? They\u2019ve got lovely accommodation options too. Booking is essential. Details: thedonkeydairy.com<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pour yourself a little happiness<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for the kind of place where you can really slow down, Black Horse Brewery is a gem. Picture yourself settling in with a cold craft beer or a smooth gin, sunlight on your face, mountain views stretching out in every direction, and that easy, open-air feeling that makes you just \u2026 breathe. The brewery has a relaxed, welcoming vibe with long tables, tasty bites to match your drink, and a way of making even a quiet afternoon feel special. If you\u2019re curious, you can also pop into their tasting room or take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the beers and spirits are made, but honestly, just soaking up the scenery with a drink in hand is enough to make the day unforgettable. Take friends, take family, or enjoy a peaceful solo sip \u2013 either way, it\u2019s a proper escape from the city. Details: blackhorsedistillery.co.za<\/p>\n Up, up and away<\/p>\n If you\u2019re after a larger-than-life moment, the kind you\u2019ll talk about for years, then<\/p>\n Bill Harrop\u2019s Original Balloon Safaris should be on your Magalies must-do list. Tucked in the heart of the valley, this is where adventure meets absolute tranquillity. Picture it. It\u2019s sunrise, the world is still waking up, and you\u2019re floating effortlessly above the treetops. The only sounds? The whoosh of the burners and the distant call of a bird somewhere far below. It\u2019s peaceful, surreal \u2026 a little bit magical. One minute you\u2019re skimming the Magalies River Valley, the next you\u2019re drifting high above the mountain range as the sun spills gold over the horizon. It\u2019s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences you have to try. And once you\u2019re back on solid ground, a delish breakfast awaits at the Clubhouse Pavilion patio, the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure. Details: balloon.co.za<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elephants, bush and bliss<\/p>\n African Hills Safari Lodge & Spa situated on the Plumari Private Reserve has a gentle, easy charm, wide open bushveld, gorgeous silence, and little moments that just settle your soul. The elephant experience alone is worth the drive. Damara and Nzewe are absolute sweethearts, and standing that close to them \u2026 it\u2019s something you don\u2019t forget. Then there are the game drives, the spa treatments that make you want to cancel the rest of your day, and the guided walks where you stumble on ancient rock art like it\u2019s the most normal thing in the world. And the lodge? Lovely rooms, proper good food, beautiful views … the whole package. It\u2019s only an hour from Joburg or Pretoria, but it feels like you slipped away to somewhere special.<\/p>\n Details: africanhillslodge.co.za<\/p>\n Nature, thrills and views<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the mood for something a little wild and wonderfully out of the ordinary, the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is such a rush. Imagine this … eleven platforms tucked high into the kloof\u2019s rock faces, ten ziplines stretching up to 140 metres, and you, soaring 30 metres above streams, waterfalls, and lush forest canopies. The air is fresh, the trees are calling, and the views across the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve are just wow. Trained guides keep you safe while sharing fascinating snippets about the mountains, wildlife, and the area\u2019s 2 500-million-year-old history. It\u2019s fun, it\u2019s family-friendly, and it\u2019s one of those \u201cwhy didn\u2019t we do this sooner?\u201d experiences. Details: canopytour.co.za\/locations\/magaliesberg\/<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the love of cheese \u2026<\/p>\n This may sound cheesy (we had to!), but a trip to Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij is truly something special. Start with a tour of the cheese farm, a relaxed, behind-the-scenes look at how their famous cheeses are made, complete with a tasting that\u2019ll have you saying \u2018just one more bite\u2019 more than once. Prefer to linger? Grab a spot under the trees at the Terrace Restaurant, where those gorgeous Magaliesberg views pair perfectly with gooey, creamy, crumbly cheeses and beautifully cured meats. Sip on a glass of wine, slow down, and just enjoy the farm atmosphere. They also offer so much more than cheese \u2026Think tractor rides, hiking trails, farm animals, and a jungle gym to keep the little ones happy. Picnic hampers are available too. And before you head home, pop into the Farm Shop for a lineup of Dutch favourites.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Details: vangaalen.co.za<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For those looking to escape the city for a few days and soak up some countryside, the marvellous Magalies Meander is worth the drive. About a five-hour trip from Durban, this scenic route treats visitors to sweeping views of the beautiful Magaliesberg mountains. There\u2019s so much to see and do \u2026 we\u2019ve highlighted six of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":47589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[12501],"class_list":{"0":"post-47587","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"tag-magalies-meander"},"yoast_head":"\n