Explore Together

Discover these places scattered throughout town this holiday season!

The much awaited December holidays have finally arrived, the kids are at home and are enjoying every free minute they have, free from school’s obligations. Now, the challenge is on the parents to keep them occupied and keep up with the short attention span. Fortunately, Ballito has more than a few spots that offer both parents and children a break from each other.

We begin atThe Hidden Forest Wildlife Sanctuary, located just 20 km inland from Ballito, far enough to get out of town, but close enough to deter “Are we there yet?” questions. This stunning 23-hectare forest provides a safe home for naturally occurring indigenous wildlife, rescued lemurs and exotic monkeys. Here, you can explore the forest with your family, and learn about the wildlife with a knowledgeable guide. All the animals in the sanctuary roam around freely, not confined to any cages or enclosures. As you explore, you may encounter capuchin and squirrel monkeys foraging for insects and ring-tailed lemurs soaking up the KZN sunshine. They also have a gift shop, a pizza restaurant, a prayer room, a jungle gym, and toilet facilities. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day, including weekends and public holidays.

Open every weekend and public holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the family can venture out to theBallito Farmer’s Market. With choo choo trains, vintage cars, pony rides, bunny petting, bubble house, face painting, friendly beach soccer, and pétanque, there’s plenty of activities for everyone to do and enjoy. Don’t miss the iconic “ECR Here With You” mural for a perfect family photo op! You can also enjoy live entertainment with local musicians, delicious food, unique shopping perfect for last-minute Christmas shopping, health and wellness products, artisanal traders, and bring your furry family members to experience the pet-friendly atmosphere. Entry is free with safe parking.

Time spent atBurnedale Farm is always time well spent. It is a tranquil paradise-like place full of attractions and shops for both children and adults. Set on a working farm with a rich family history, the farm offers an escape away from the hustle of everyday life set in lush and peaceful gardens. The centre has an animal farm as well as jungle gyms where children can play freely and safely. The Burnedale Bistro, one of the key features of the centre, caters to both adults and children and is the perfect venue for kiddies parties. The centre also hosts various kids’ creative activities such as Lil’ Diggers Scratch Patch, pottery painting, face painting, T-shirt painting, and creative workshops.

Heading into the epicentre of Ballito,La Piazza in The Well Centre is a beloved family-friendly restaurant that brings people together over delicious Italian-inspired dishes in a warm, welcoming setting. Open Monday to Sunday, it’s the perfect spot for families to enjoy a memorable dining experience, featuring everything from wood-fired pizzas and freshly made pasta to refreshing salads and satisfying mains. Kids will love the dedicated play area, offering a safe and fun environment where they can have fun while their parents unwind and savour their meal. For a sweet treat, their homemade gelato is a crowd favourite, offering creamy, delightful flavours for all ages. And, just in time for the festive season, they are working on the arrival of an exciting new kiddies’ section, designed to add even more fun for the youngest guests. Make sure you look out for it!

Lastly, we stop atThe Duck Pond. It offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush greenery, chirping birds, and a picturesque pond where ducks gracefully swim. It’s an ideal spot for families and nature lovers to relax and kick back. It has a range of family-friendly amenities, including The Sitting Duck restaurant perfect for family meals, a car wash to keep your vehicle fresh, and a lively Shisanyama for those who enjoy a traditional outdoor barbecue experience. For the little ones, there’s a spacious indoor kids’ play area equipped with wall climbing, a jumping castle, jungle gym, and trampolines. For outdoor fun, children can enjoy the mini zip line, an outdoor trampoline, and an additional jungle gym. They have some exciting events planned for the holiday season you won’t want to miss.

There you have it! A fun family guide for the holidays. Make sure to check out each establishment’s social media for updates on what they have planned for the festive season.

Here are some other family-friendly places to check out:

  • Simbithi Country Club
  • Sugar Rush Park
  • Donna’s Modern Italian
  • Sage Centre
  • Karibu
  • Rain Farm Game Lodge
  • Adventure Valley
  • Flag Animal Farm
  • Beachwood Hotel
  • Mozambik

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