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KIDS OF NATURE DIRECTORY OF USEFUL CONTACTS   

The idea behind the directory is to list places where children can connect with nature.  Campings, cottages or guesthouses must be located in settings with a good degree of wilderness, where immediate interaction with nature happens as you step out of your tent or room.

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LEISURE & TRAVEL

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

AIR SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

SOUTH AFRICA

• Airborne Adventures Africa, Nottingham Road (KwaZulu Natal)
  In the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains under a Zulu sky. Fly over the Midlands Meander. Daily flights for up to 8 passengers. Early morning high adventure.
  


• Airventures Hot-Air Ballooning, Randburg (Gauteng)
  Game-viewing safari flights. Classic flights over The Cradle of Humankind and Magaliesberg.
  


• Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safaris, Magaliesberg (Gauteng)
  Game-viewing safari flights in Limpopo Province and Northern Province's World Heritage Waterburg Biosphere.
  


• Mpumalanga Helicopter Company, Hazyview (Mpumalanga)
  Sweep over deep gorges, linger above roaring rivers and cascading waterfalls. Panoramic view of the bushveld and dramatic rock formations of the Blyde River Canyon. Spectacular photographic opportunities.
  


• Otters Den Hot Air Balloons , Hoedspruit
  Enjoy a hot air balloon flight over the private game reserves in the Blyde River area. Breakfast is provided after the flight.
  


• Oudtshoorn Ballooning, Oudtshoorn (Little Karoo)
  Hot-air ballooning with fantastic views of early morning sunrise and beautiful mountains. Fly 1000 ft or more above ground level for approx. 60 minutes.
  


• Parapax Tandem Paragliding Flights, Lion's Head, Franschoek, Hermanus (Western Cape)
  Paragliding. No experience necessary. Weight up to 135kg. Ages 3 to 83. Wheelchair friendly.
  


• Xplorer Ultraflight, Table Bay (Western Cape)
  Powered Paragliding. On offer: equipment, training, aerial tours, expeditions, flight displays, promotions and aerial photography.
  

LAND SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

BOTSWANA

• Tuli Wilderness Routes, Tuli Block
  Professionally guided hiking trails.
  

SOUTH AFRICA

• Baviaans Tours, Baviaanskloof Willowmore (Garden Route)
  A thrilling four-day mountain bike tour through the majestic Baviaanskloof. The average distance 55km per day. The scenery and landscapes makes this a mountain biking must. All fitness levels accommodated.
  


• Beach Horse Rides - Papiesfontein, Jeffreys Bay (Eastern Cape)
  Feel the freedom and beauty of miles of isolated unspoilt coastline on horseback. 15km trail over dunes to the river mouth from there the 6km coastline is yours to take your horse on a gallop.
  


• Bhangazi Horse Safari, St Lucia - iSimangaliso Wetland Park (KwaZulu Natal)
  Explore the wilderness on horseback. Beach, bush and game in one day. Tented safaris in the bush, privately guided. Novice and experienced riders.
  


• Cape Nature Whale Trial, Bredasdorp (Overberg)
  50km east of Bredasdorp. 56km - 5 day hiking trail. Overnight cottages. Portage service available. View dolphins and Southern Right Whales (in season) guaranteed.
  


• Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk, Eshowe (KwaZulu Natal)
  Experience a magical tree top walk. 10m-high, through indigenous forest canopy among amazing birdlife, to a 20m-high observation tower with spectacular views. Refreshments, crafts, picnic sites, walking trails. Wheelchair friendly.
  


• Drakensberg Excursions, Midlands Meander - Kamberg Valley (KwaZulu Natal)
  Appaloosa horses will take you into the mountains.
  


• Drifters Wild Coast Hiking/Cycling Trail, Port St Johns (Wild Coast)
  A 6 day trail package, 5 camps, 9 to 16km apart. Tented, twin, en suite accommodation. Hiking and cycling for all levels. Self-catered, but all necessary equipment supplied. Porters and guides available.
  


• Equitrailing, Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route)
  Trail by horse along a conservationist's paradise of forest and fynbos with 360 degree views. Beautifully schooled horses. The total beginner will be gladly taught en route. Many different trails available.
  


• Fynbos Horse Trails, Wellington (Western Cape)
  Guided winetasting or horse trails through the fynbos, olive groves,herb plantations and vineyards beneath the Hawequa Mountains.
  


• Hiker's Paradise, Centurion
  Provides goods, advice and services to experienced hikers, climbers, mountaineers as well as the inexperienced person who wants to brave the outdoors. To enjoy nature.
  


• Horseplay, Midlands Meander (KwaZulu Natal)
  Ever wanted to have contact with horses? Ever wanted to know what it would be like to connect with a horse? Spend a morning playing with Freisian horses and learn more than just horse sense. Tel Nr : 033-2344327
  


• Klein Parady Equestrian Centre, Bot River (Overberg)
  Scenic trail rides 1hr to 4 days - incl beach rides, mountain trails, vineyard trails - tailor made to suit you. Weekend packages, children's riding camps and teambuilding.
  


• Le Petit Karoo Ranch, Oudtshoorn (Little Karoo)
  Caves Road, Schoemanshoek near Oudtshoorn. Offers from one to three hours horse riding trails, as well as game viewing in the game reserve. Accommodation is available in bushtents, each with their own jacuzzi.
  


• Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve, Ficksburg (Free State)
  Go on a relaxing ride by horse cart or on horseback - putting you in the middle of the game. SA's Boerperd and Endurance Arab horses are born and bred in the valley and over 300 make Moolmanshoek their home. Accommodation available.
  


• Mount Ceder, Koue Bokkeveld (Cederberg)
  Experience the tranquility of Cederberg mountains on horseback. All levels of experience welcome. Accomodation available.
  


• Noodhoek Beach Rides, Kommetjie (Western Cape)
  On offer is 2-hour guided beach rides on Noordhoek Beach. Ride on lovely scenic beach. Open seven days a week.
  


• Ocean Trails Equestrian Centre, Wild Coast Sun (KwaZulu Natal)
  Beach rides. The waves washing up onto the soft sand. Feel the warm sun on your face.
  


• Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route)
  Enjoy a 2-hour horse safari with an experienced and knowledgeable ranger. Horse safaris are open to the public and conducted twice daily.
  


• River Horse Out-rides, Hoedspruit (Mpumalanga)
  Game-viewing from horseback in a private game reserve on the Timbavati Road, Greater Kruger Park.
  


• SA Adventure Trails, Drakensberg (KwaZulu Natal)
  Slackpacking routes in the Amphitheatre and Giants Cup regions of the Drakensberg mountains. 3 to 4-day hikes along non-technical trails with a guide, luggage transfers, etc. Overnight at country lodges with full catering.
  


• Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail, Lottering Forest Station - Tsitsikamma (Garden Route)
  Rustic overnight accommodation with comfortable amenities. Spectacular mountain scenery, lush forest and colourful fynbos. The rivers and streams provide great swimming opportunities. Optional equipment porterage possible.
  


• Zarivonco Riding Stables, Hartbeespoortdam (Gauteng)
  An outdoor experience on horseback under the supervision and guidance of qualified horsemen with tame, yet well trained horses... an intimate relationship with the outdoor life during children's camps! Cell Nr : 82-4946228
  

WATER SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

MOZAMBIQUE

• Indigo Bay Resort, Bazaruto-Island
  Enjoy the beach and marine life! Holiday atmosphere!
  

SOUTH AFRICA

• Aliwal Dive Centre, Umkomaas (KwaZulu Natal)
  Dive with Tiger sharks on Aliwal Shoal, up close and personal. The real thing. Experience the sharks and other marine life on their terms.
  


• Aqua Planet Dive Centre, Shelley Beach (KwaZulu Natal)
  Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks offer the scuba diver plenty of opportunities to view coastal marine life unique to KZN shores. Aliwal's reef is world famous and offers diving for beginners to experienced divers.
  


• Calypso Diving & Adventure Centre, Durban (KwaZulu Natal)
  Diving at uShaka Aquarium from age 8, also for people with certain disabilities, under supervision of a PADI instructor. Fun, family experience for qualified or unqualified divers. Boat launches daily for sea dives. Wheelchair-friendly retail area.
  


• Cape Sports Centre, Langebaan (West Coast)
  Sea Kayaking. Sit-on type extremely stable. Can be used by anyone regardless experience. Explore West Coast.
  


• Dyer Island Cruises, Gansbaai (Overberg)
  5 star boat-based whale watching. Specialist whale guides.Whale sightings guaranteed (July to mid December).
  


• Eco Adventures Gansbaai, Gansbaai (Overberg)
  Boat rides. Whale watching and resident seal colony. Take a break halfway to swim in famous miracle pools in private cave.
  


• experiencethis.co.za, Morningside (KwaZulu Natal)
  Durban-based canoeing paddling classes. Boats kayaking jackets and paddles provided.
  


• Gravity Adventures, West Coast National Park (West Coast)
  Sea Kayaking and accomodation at Flaming Joe's Beach Camp. Secluded tent camp on private beach.
  


• Hermanus Whale Cruises, Hawston (Overberg)
  Boat-based whale watching, eco-marine and cultural tours- interact with marine mammals and seabirds. Meet local people - learn more about environment, history and culture.
  


• J Bay Wind, Jeffreys Bay (Wild Coast)
  Kite-surfing lessons. Custom board manufacturing and equipment sales and repairs.
  


• Jamin Adventures, Plettenberg Bay (Garden Route)
  Surf lessons for absolute beginners up to advanced riders of all ages six and older. Specialising in small groups and individual lessons.
  


• Jeffreys Bay Surf School, Jeffreys Bay (Wild Coast)
  Enjoy the thrill that surfing gives you on the world-famous waves of Jeffreys Bay. On offer is daily beginner and advanced surf lessons with SSA-qualified surf instructors, all equipment provided.
  


• Lambertsbaai Boat Trips, Lambert's Bay (West Coast)
  Boat trips. To be seen : Whales - Southern right and humpback, Heavyside dolphins. Pelagic bird trips arranged. Cell Nr : 082-4570402
  


• Lightleys Holiday Houseboats - Vaal, Vaal River (Gauteng)
  Take the helm of a houseboat and navigate the Vaal Barrage. Cruise the 55km navigable inland waterway. Chart your course and become a skipper of your river adventure.
  


• Miracle Waters Scuba Resort, Brits (North-West)
  Experience scuba diving with indigenous freshwater fish, and the comfort of huts, camp sites, and restaurant, nestled below the magnificent Magaliesberg mountains. Ideal for beginners and advanced recreational divers.
  


• Mossel Bay Deep Sea Adventures, Mossel Bay (Little Karoo)
  A fun-filled adventure for the whole family. The tackle and assistance enable even young children to land big fish, as there is an abundance of bottom species.
  


• Shayamanzi Houseboat, Pongola (KwaZulu Natal)
  Superb wildlife to be seen on the shores of Jozini Lake. A 30m houseboat with comfortable furnishing with a lounge, dining area, bar, jacuzzi and sundeck. DSTV, surround sound music system and games. Fully serviced with crew. Tiger fishing and game viewing.
  


• Simon's Town Sea Kayaking, Simon's Town (Western Cape)
  Sea kayaking. Easy to adventurous. No experience necessary.
  


• Southern Right Charters, Hermanus (Overberg)
  The Whale Shark. Boat-based whale watching. Specialist whale guide. Informative and educational. Daily trips, weather permitting. Sundowner and eco-marine cruises.
  


• Surfers Ballito Bay, Ballito (KwaZulu Natal)
  Kiteboarding training centre and multi branded surf clothing store. Learn to kitesurf in a safe and controlled environment with IKO qualified instructors, dedicate to provide an exciting experience. From beginners to advanced levels.
  


• Trouthaven, Dwarsberg (Du Toit's Kloof)
  Deep in the Stettynskloof Valley other side of Rawsonville next to the Holslootriver. Ideal for fly-fishing.
  


• Ultimate Watersport, Mossel Bay (Garden Route)
  Activities include Scuba-diving and Deep-sea fishing charters, Whale watching cruises as well as for the more adventurous waverider, jet-boat rides, parasailing, tubing.
  


• uShaka Marine World, Durban (KwaZulu Natal)
  The Oceanwalker Experience: the only place in SA where you can walk among the sea's creatures using an innovative device such as the Oxygen Oceanwalker. Open sea tank has marine life such as rays, sand sharks, tuna and pomppano, etc. You don't need any qualifications. Age 12 and above are welcome.
  


• Vis Agie Fishing & Diving Resort, Sodwana (KwaZulu Natal)
  Diving courses and swimming pool training. Deep sea fishing, diving and whale adventures.
  


• Walker Bay Adventures, Hermanus (Overberg)
  Sea-kayaking experience. Stable kayaks. 2hr trip into Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary. See whales, seals, dolphins, penguins and sea birds. Novices welcome.
  


• West Coast Kayak Trials, Cape Columbine Nature Reserve (West Coast)
  Guided sea kayak trials. Enjoy seals, whales, birdlife and scenery. Relax at The Beach Camp near Paternoster.
  

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