Who’s who at the zoo? What to do this holiday.

Johannesburg

Visit the Joburg Zoo (day or night)

During the day, go see the more than 320 different animal species that the world-famous Joburg Zoo has to offer. At night, head over to the Festival of Lights, where you can see illuminated life-size animals, see nocturnal animals in action, and enjoy live entertainment, food, and the craft night market. Contact: jhbcityparksandzoo.com or joburg.co.za/event

Go ice-skating

It might be summer outside, but the ice rink at Festival Mall in Kempton Park is frozen solid. Contact: 011 394 6702 or visit theicerink.co.za

Artjamming

Release your inner Picasso, and create a truly memorable piece of art. Great family fun to be had in the heart of Melrose Arch Shopping Centre. Contact: 011 684 1608 or visit artjamming.co.za

Rosebank Rooftop Market

From food, art, crafts, and antiques to live music, entertainment, and activities for children, there’s something for everyone at The Rosebank Rooftop Market. Open on Sundays. Contact: 072 243 8582 or visit rosebanksundaymarket.co.za

Acrobranch Huddle Park

If you’re a fan of Tarzan, you’ll love this outdoor tree-hopping and zip lining adventure. Nestled in the trees at Huddle Park in Linksfield, there’s plenty of fun to be had by the whole family. Contact: 086 999 0369 or acrobranch.co.za

The Upside Down House

Get your camera ready and drive through to Broederstroom by Hartbeespoort Dam and experience something truly unique, a house that was built upside down. Contact: 063 100 9858 or visit upsidedownhouse.co.za

Chanukah Candle Lighting

Chabad House will light Chanukah candles at the Giant Menorah in Sandton City (outside the Rivonia Road entrance) each night of Chanukah from Sunday, 18 December, to Sunday, 25 December. Time: 18:30 (Friday, 23 December, at 17:30, and Saturday, 24 December, at 20:00). Contact: 079 434 1293 or rak@chabad.org.za

Cape Town

Tobogganing in Durbanville

Cool Runnings Toboggan Park in Durbanville has the first downhill tobogganing track in Africa. Enjoy some outdoor fun at this family park where you can bobsled down their 1.25km steel-pipe track. Contact: 021 949 4439 or visit coolrunnings.capetown

Create Your Own Crockery

With studios in Bree Street in Cape Town’s CBD and Hout Bay, The Clay Café is a great place to get your creative juices flowing. Contact: 076 810 5120/062 455 6578 or visit claycafe.co.za

Cycle along the Sea Point promenade

Rent a bicycle, and go on an adventure along the Sea Point promenade. Up Cycles also have bikes for children and child friendly seats and carriages so that the whole family can come along. Contact: 074 100 9161 or visit upcycles.co.za

The Two Oceans Aquarium

Get up close and personal with best under-water wildlife. Great educational indoor fun will be had by the whole family. Contact: 021 418 3823 or visit aquarium.co.za

Have a picnic

Pack your cooler bag, and head out to some of the best parks and beaches that South Africa has to offer. If it’s grass you prefer, make sure to visit the Company’s Garden in the city centre, where the squirrels will greet you on arrival, or visit the Green Point Urban Park and make sure to take your bicycles along.

If the beach is more your vibe, head down to Camps Bay or Clifton or take a drive through to Muizenberg, where the water is slightly warmer. The penguins at Boulders Beach will also greet you on arrival.

Go on a bus tour

The Red City Sightseeing Bus will show you the best that Cape Town has to offer. There are three different routes to choose from, with convenient hop-on, hop-off access. Fun, educational, and a great way to explore Cape Town. Contact: 021 511 6000 or visit citysightseeing.co.za/en/cape-town

I Am Here film release

The award-winning documentary I Am Here, featuring Ella Blumenthal, will be shown at the Labia Cinema from Friday, 23 December. Time: 18:00. Bookings: https://bit.ly/3u6V0hA

KwaZulu-Natal

Big Rush Big Swing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium

If you’re an adrenaline junkie and are brave enough to free fall 80m into the stadium bowl, then this is for you. Get a bird’s eye view of the world-renowned Moses Mabhida Stadium, and see Durban like you’ve never seen it before. Contact: 031 322 9955 or visit mmstadium.com

Visit Mini Town

See Durban’s iconic landmarks in miniature form, and explore the city in a unique way. Contact: 031 337 7892 or visit minitowndbn.co.za

The Durban Botanical Gardens

Visit Africa’s oldest surviving botanical gardens, and see some of the rarest plants in the world. Contact: 031 322 4021 or visit durbanbotanicgardens.org.za

Catch the Umgeni Steam Train

Depart from the Inchanga Railway Station and take a train ride through the rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal along one of the oldest operating tunnels in South Africa. Contact: 082 353 6003 or visit umgenisteamrailway.com/

Visit the Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre

An educational and meaningful experience that highlights some of the darkest events in human history. There’s also a kosher restaurant on site. Contact: 031 368 6833 or visit dbnholocaust.co.za

Visit Umhlanga Pier

You haven’t officially been to Umhlanga if you haven’t taken a picture on this iconic pier and uploaded it to Instagram. Make sure to visit, and take in the breathtaking views of Umhlanga.