Travel

FAVOURITE PICNIC SPOTS

No matter where you are in South Africa, you can have a picnic in your own backyard or drive less than an hour in yourarea for a hidden gem as the ideal picnic spot. A few suggestions in the different areas in South Africa include:

WESTERN CAPE AND THE WINELANDS

Oudekraal Beach, Cape Town Clifton Beach, Cape Town Llandudno Beach, Cape Town Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town (www.sanbi.org) – pack a picnic basket and walk leisurely around the Botanical Gardens Newlands Forest, Table Mountain National Park Kirstenbosch Tea Room, Newlands – pre–order a picnic basket to enjoy the views and sunshine on the lush lawns Twelve Apostles, Camps Bay – book a romantic picnic for two with breathtaking views of Table Mountain and panoramic views of the sea The Picnic Company & Mustard Catering, City Bowl and surrounds – order a variety of picnic baskets delivered to you Cape Point Vineyards, Noordhoek – picnics provided when pre–ordered with a panoramic view Cellars–Hohenhort, Constantia – have a choice of three different types of pre–booked picnics Simon’s at Groot Constantia, Constantia – pre–order a basket of delectable treats and take in this historical venue picnic basket to enjoy in the Rose Garden Mont Rochelle Hotel & Vineyard, Franschoek – order a picnic for two to enjoy by the dam Morgenhof Estate, Franschoek – pre–order from a variety of picnic baskets Tokai Forest, Table Mountain National Park Green Point Urban Park, Cape Town (www.gprra.co.za) – free entry close to the city and sea with Table Mountain as your backdrop Silvermine Nature Reserve, Cape Town (www.sanparks. org) – pair a hike among the fynbos with a family picnic

Boschendal, Franschoek (www.boschendal.com/ eat–and–drink/picnics) – pre–book a Rhone Rose near the Silvermine dam Hartenberg Wine Esteate, Franschoek – a picnic basket available with local produce to enjoy on the lawns of Hartenberg or on the estate’s wetland walk The Bakery at Jordan, Stellenbosch (www.thebakery.co.za) – order a picnic for two on the lawns overlooking the stunning Stellenbosch Kloof Valley Blaauwklippen Estate, Stellenbosch (www.blaauwklippen. com) – book a picnic basket or buy food supplies at their markets to eat at your leisure on the lawns Hazendal Wine Estate, Stellenbosch – pre–order a picnic basket with all your favourites Mooiplaas Wine Estate, Stellenbosch – pre–book a basket for two in the historic gardens at Mooiplaas Spier Farm Kitchen, Stellenbosch – pre–book a picnic with packaging that is 100% biodegradable and compostable Zorgvliet Wines, Stellenbosch – enjoy a picnic basket under the oak trees Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Paarl – for a picturesque picnic in the historic Paarl Valley Bistro Allee Bleue, Groot Drakenstein – enjoy mountain views when you pre–order a picnic basket Groote Post, Darling – escape the city for a packed R400 Groote Post picnic basket

DURBAN AND THE COAST

Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary, Amanzimtoti Chris Saunders Park, Umhlanga Ridge Umhlanga Beach and La Lucia Beach, Umhlanga Rain Farm Game Lodge, Ballito – a wildlife sanctuary offering picnics to day visitors, with the option of a game drive Jameson Park, Durban Durban Botanic Gardens, Musgrave Kloof Falls Picnic Site Inanda Dam & Resort, Hillcrest

Deli at Makaranga, Kloof

(www.makaranga.com) – a peaceful oasis where you can pre–order your own picnic with assistance of the staff at the deli

FREE STATE

Free State National Botanical Garden, Bloemfontein (www.sanbi.org ) – this picnic spot is described as “a wildlife haven on the edge of the city” between dolerite koppies Gariep Dam Nature Reserve, near Colesberg (www.forevergariep.co.za) Golden Gate Highlands National Park, near Clarens

Oliewenhuis, Bloemfontein (www.nasmus.co.za) – this neo–Cape Dutch–style mansion is regarded as the Free State’s top picnic spot, where you can enjoy a picnic and visit the art museum featuring some of South Africa’s top artists’ work

PIETERMARITZBURG AND THE MIDLANDS

KwaZulu–Natal Botanical Gardens, Pietermaritzburg Midmar Dam, Howick

Piggly Wiggly, Lions River (www.pigglywiggly.co.za) – pack your own picnic from The Pantry on 103 or order thin–crust pizzas to enjoy outdoors for the whole family The Lion’s River Brewery, Lions River – enjoy craft beer with a picnic and even get the chance to see the technique behind craft beer Swissland Cheese, Balgowan – a cheese farm in the Midlands with the option of enjoying a picnic and going back to the shop to stock up on more cheese Hartford House, Mooi River (www.hartford.co.za) – when doing the Midlands Meander you can pre–order gourmet picnics to enjoy with views of Giant’s Castle

LEGEND

GAUTENG AREA

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort (www.sanbi.org) – go on an educational walk after your picnic or look out for the famous waterfall here Florida Lake, Roodepoort Johannesburg Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg Emmarentia Dam, Randburg Modderfontein Nature Reserve Rietvlei Lifestyle Centre, Alberton Walkhaven Dog Park, Muldersdrift Zoo Lake, Saxonworld

Fat Olive, Lanseria (www.thefatolive.co.za) – pre–order a picnic by the water or under the trees Lethabo Estate, Lanseria (www.lethaboestate.com/ picnics) – choose from the picnics available inside the Crocodile River Reserve Greensleeves Deli Picnics, Sterkfontein (www.greensleeves.co.za) – design your own picnic basket at this medieval–themed spot in Gauteng Toadbury Hall, Elandsfontein (www.toadbury.co.za) – for a gourmet picnic at the heart of Muldersdrift in the Cradle of Humankind Stonehaven on Vaal, Vanderbijlpark (www.stonehaven. co.za) – have a picturesque picnic on the banks of the Vaal River with a pre–ordered picnic basket Van Gaalen Kaasmakerij, Magaliesberg (www.vangaalen.co.za) – at Skeerpoort, a village at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountains, it has long been a popular picnic spot for city slickers as a day out on the banks of the Skeerpoort river Afro–boer, Die Wilgers in Pretoria – start with a “wake up shake up” breakfast picnic or a keto or vegan option for later in the day The Blades, Roodeplaat – choose a picnic for up to 10 people overlooking the Roodeplaat Dam The Rose Kitchen at Ludwig’s Roses, Haakdoornlaagte – picnic among the beautiful Ludwig’s rose farm and even pre–order a take–home bouquet of roses for your picnic spot Rosemary Hill, Boschkop – three picnic offerings

ideal for couples, functions and small gatherings

Pack your own picnic basket.

Places to go for picnics without packing your own food.

Dial-A-Picnic can be used for various occasions in most bigger cities to pre-order a picnic basket, if you don’t want to pack your own. (www.dialapicnic.co.za/picnic-areas)