MOTHER EARTH’S HOT TUBS

ZAMANDOSI CELE

Beat the winter chill and explore some of Mzansi’s beautiful and rejuvenating hot springs.

WINTER is here and keeping warm is at the top of everyone’s to-do list. One of the best ways to achieve this is to take a trip and dip in a hot spring.

According to SCL Health, soaking in hot springs can be a great way to naturally detox your skin because the water contains a high amount of silica, and it can also soften rough or dry skin. The mineral content of sulphur springs has been shown to help persistent skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.

Visiting a hot spring for health reasons is one of the oldest forms of tourism in the world. In ancient times, thermal springs were believed to have healing powers.

Back to the topic at hand, South Africa has 87 documented natural hot springs around the country, so if you’re keen on getting a full body detox and a break from the city, here are some adventure-filled hot spring resorts to check out.

ATKV Klein-Kariba

This ATKV resort lies nestled in a kloof in the Waterberg, just north of Bela-Bela, along the Bushveld tourist route. At its heart are two warm mineral baths and a heated indoor pool as well as cold-water outdoor swimming and splash pools, a water slide, a nine-hole miniature golf course, horse riding, hiking trails and other family activities. The resort offers a range of accommodation options and amenities such as a restaurant, fastfood outlet and a shop.

Klein-Kariba Resort. | Instagram

Forever Resort Warmbaths

A visit to Forever Resorts Warmbaths means you are about to have as much fun as you can have in warm water. A trip to Bela-Bela is not complete without soaking your weary body in the restorative waters of the hot spring, which is great for your skin and well-being. It is not only relaxing, it is also rich in limestone minerals, including calcium carbonate, sodium chloride and other salts. At its source, the spring gushes out 22 000 litres of water an hour at 52°C.

Forever Resorts also has indoor hydro pools, a main pool and jacuzzis, as well as a foefie slide, mini quads, go-karts, cable waterskiing, target shooting, monster web climbing, putt-putt, a kids play park, a speed slide and a wave pool, so if you’re planning a weekend away, this place has plenty to keep you occupied.

THE heated pool at Forever Resort Warmbaths lets off some steam. | Instagram

The Baths, Citrusdal

The Baths is a hot spring resort on a citrus farm near Citrusdal, Western Cape. There are cold and hot pools, with the waters reaching 43˚C at the source. Other features include mountain rock pools, spa baths, a tennis court, a trampoline, a pool table and a kids’ playground.

The MacGregor’s Restaurant has an à la carte menu, and the shop sells all the basics for self-catering. Accommodation is available in chalets, flats and at caravan and camping sites.

A GUEST enjoys a warm bath at The Baths in Citrusdal. | Instagram

Warmwaterberg Spa

Warmwaterberg Spa is a mineral hot spring between Barrydale and Ladismith on Route 62 from Montagu to Oudtshoorn.

It is run by the LeGrange family. The main house and bath houses were built in 1908 as a sanatorium, and the wooden chalets and caravan sites were added in the 1980s and 1990s.

Set on a 600-hectare property, the resort also has a licensed restaurant and bar and a kiosk supplying basic necessities, including braai wood and ice.

There are three soaking pools (two warm, one cool). The water is high in iron so don’t let the rusty colour of the water put you off. Between soaks you can go hiking, watch the wandering peacocks and take in the views over the Langeberg.

THE mineral pools at Warmwaterberg Spa. | Instagram

Gooderson Natal Spa

Set in 550ha of KZN bushveld among giant Cambrian granite boulders, the Gooderson Natal Spa Hot Springs & Leisure Resort has beautiful views over the Bivane River and abundant bird life.

On the road between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg on the Battlefields Route, the resort is famous for its serene location and the healing properties of the hot pools. At a source temperature of 37°C, the pools, discovered in 1880, are well-known for their antioxidant properties.

The Natal Spa also has a Wellness Centre and Beauty Spa that offers guests pampering massages and treatments.

For the active traveller there are quad-bike trails, squash, tennis, hiking, birding trails, mountain bike trails and fishing. Other activities include a BMX track, adventure golf, volleyball, a supertube, a paintball arena and an obstacle course.

Badplaas, A Forever Resort

This hot spring resort is 2½ hours from Gauteng in the Emanzana Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga.

Famous for its hot mineral springs, the resort also boasts a variety of leisure and entertainment facilities. Guests can take a dip in therapeutic mineral pools, have a hydro treatment or explore the reserve, which is home to antelope, giraffes and 300 bird species.

Other activities include eco quad-bike trails, fishing, game drives, hiking and mountain bike trails, horse trails, pony rides, foefie slides, go-karting, mini golf, paintball, tube rapids, speed slides, a supertube and tennis.

NATURE and beauty collide at eManzana. | Instagram