New Year’s Travel Resolutions in South Africa

With every New Year comes new prospects, new adventures, and New Year’s resolutions. This year, make sure to take full advantage of the notion, especially when it comes to travelling. After all, travelling, whether it be local, national or international, is a whole lot more fun and exciting than say, dieting…

Image Credit - Darren Smith

Here are some definite musts for any traveller seeking to centre their New Year’s resolutions around travelling in South Africa in 2016, whether it be a single trip or a multitude of excursions.

Wild Card – SAN Parks

Anyone travelling within Southern Africa should invest in a Wild Card. This will not only provide added incentive to accomplish the New Year resolution of travelling and spending quality time with friends and family, but it will save you money. Instead of paying a daily rate to enter the parks, you can use your Wild Card. With a variety of options to suit your needs, and with 365 unlimited access to the wild spaces of Southern Africa’s best parks and reserves, the wild card is a definite must. Image Credit - Allan Watt

Prices vary between R300-R945 as a once off payment and depend upon which cluster of Wild Card you purchase, and which package. Please visit the San Parks website for further information.

Excursions Bucket List

Create a list of tourist attractions within your local area and throughout Southern Africa that you have always wanted to visit, that you tell your foreign friends about, but haven’t actually experienced. Image Credit - miquitos

These things can range from well-known tourist attractions such as taking the cable car up Table Mountain in Cape Town, or visiting the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. Additionally, other attractions that make a statement include the Big Pineapple in Bathurst, and Bungee Jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge.

Take the Road (Or Routes) Less Travelled

With a similar mind-set to creating a bucket list, exploring the various routes throughout Southern Africa is also a great way to keep your travelling-related New Year’s resolutions intact. Choosing a route to drive, instead of flying to a destination, could prove to be life-changing. Image Credit - Malcolm Manners

Along some of South Africa’s most famous routes such as the Garden Route, Route 62 and Namaqualand Flower Route, you find some hidden treasures that make South Africa stunningly unique. What’s more, the drive itself becomes part of the adventure – lending itself to bonding time with friends and family and appreciation of the country.

Don’t forget to check out Venues4Africa when you book accommodation for your travelling New Year’s resolutions!

New Years Eve Events in South Africa

The end of 2015 is almost upon us. It is a time ripe with change, where energies and hopes are high. Where optimism, positivity and forgiveness are unavoidable and where future prospects for the coming year appear clearer than ever.

Ballito

What do you have planned in celebration of another year gone by and the start of a new one? We all celebrate New Year’s Eve in different ways, but for the most part we like to make this a gathering of some sort – what would a celebration be without the people you care most about? Without good food, drink and music to get the heart racing?

Here are but a few events taking place around South Africa this New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve events in the Eastern Cape:

Billy’s Beach NYE in St. Francis

Billy’s Beach hosts a series of events during the last week of the year. The New Year’s Eve party this year is a compulsory dress-up party with the theme being Boho Surf Disco. With such a theme, on white sand with great music and Sexy Groovy Disco appearing, there is an endless supply of fun to be had.

Tickets are being sold at selected Billabong stores – Port Elizabeth’s Boardwalk, Walmer Park, BayWest Mall, J-Bay Concept Store and St Francis Store, as well as online via Nutickets.

Billy's Beach

Niew Bethesda Festival of Lights:

A joyful, family-friendly event, the Niew Bethesda Festival of Lights is the perfect outing for families seeking a fun, alcohol-free celebration. Held at the Bethesda Arts Centre, attendees can be expected to be a part of the celebration, not only mere spectators. This event takes place throughout the local township, Hightown, where everyone carries their lanterns and sings songs, celebrating the arrival of the New Year. The walk ends back at the centre where a massive braai is held and where you can literally dance into the New Year.

Tickets are R150. To book your ticket you can call on 049 841 1731 or email .

New Year’s Eve Events in Gauteng:

  1. Revolution New Year Open Air Music Festival

This two-day open air music festival takes place in Magaliesberg, where thousands of Johannesburg’s dance fanatics gather to celebrate the New Year. Expect to be electrified at this event, that features international acts and over 40 of South Africa’s psy trance, techno and drum & bass DJ’s sharing their magic on two stages.

Tickets are being sold online via Webtickets at R300. Visit the event’s Facebook page for further details.

Revolution

Masquerade Ball at Chicago Piano Bar

For something a little more elegant, why not try a Masquerade Ball? Taking place in Randpark Ridge at the Chicago Piano Bar, with an interior of chic and sophisticated 1920’s decor. Get your fancy gown and tuxedo out for a night of dining and dancing and welcome in the New Year dressed to the Nines – don’t forget your mask!

Tickets are from R190 at Chicago Piano Bar. Hurry, tickets are limited. For further information, visit their Facebook page.

Chicagos

New Years Eve Events in Kwazulu Natal

Ballito New Year’s Eve Street Party

Ballito’s famous street party is living up to its reputation this year, with four dance floors and cutting-edge design and production. Leading acts include Goldfish and Das Kapital among many others. Durban’s North Coast is frothing in anticipation of the explosion of beats, stomping, lighting and firework displays.

Tickets cost R350 and doors open at 18h00. You can purchase your ticket here.

Ballito

Hunter’s New Year’s Ever Beach Party

Taking place on Southbroom Main Beach, Kwazulu-Natal’s largest and loudest New Year’s Eve beach party brings you South Africa’s very best in electro, progressive, minimal, techno and deep house. The line-up includes Royal K from Johannesburg, Chris Taylor and Jak Skandi from Cape Town among other DJ’s such as Veranda Panda, Hart and Ryan Stylz and more.

Tickets cost R220 and are available on Computicket. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Hunters

New Year’s Eve Events in the Western Cape

Kirstenbosch New Year’s Eve Concert

For a lovely family friendly New Year’s Eve event, the Kirstenbosch New Year’s Eve Concert is perfect. This year, two of South Africa’s well-known performers – Grassy Spark and Jeremy Loops will be performing. Folk, rock and reggae music are also on the cards. Enjoy your picnic with views of the beautiful national garden and mountains, family and friends – what better way to end off the year? Relaxed, at ease and with loved ones.

Tickets for this concert cost R330 and can be purchase online via Webtickets. For further information, click here.

Kirstenbosch

Kinky Summer New Year’s Eve Party

Franschhoek will be hosting this year’s Kinky Summer New Year’s Eve Party. Two of Cape Town’s top outdoor day-party events, Kinky Disco and We Love Summer, will be hosting this party together. Situated on a lush estate, something of a paradise for nature lovers and festival goers. Featuring five international artists with an extra stage that is a surprise for all who attend and food stalls a plenty to avoid the hunger taking over, Kinky Summer have a fun-filled party planned.

Tickets cost R550 and can be purchased online here.

Kinky Summer

Don’t forget to book your accommodation for this New Year’s Eve on www.Venues4Africa.com once you have decided where you wish to go.