Summer Staycation Essentials
Summer Staycation Essentials
Staycations – holidays spent in or near one’s home – are a pocket-friendly option for unwinding this summer. Fortunately, we South Africans are lucky to have such incredible vacation destinations within our borders. Cape Union Mart weighs in on the essentials for exploring locally.
Gauteng: Meander through the Melville Koppies
A nature reserve and heritage site, the Melville Koppies boast archaeological remains of Stone Age and Iron Age settlements, along with great views of the City of Johannesburg. With guided hikes every Sunday, you’ll want to have a roomy backpack like the K-Way Commute 28L Daypack (R699, available for purchase in-store and online) for stowing all your essentials It features three compartments – a smaller one perfect for storing your keys and wallet, a spacious main compartment for larger items like a jersey, and one at the bottom for easy general access. Plus, it has a padded back system for all day shoulder and back comfort along with a hip belt for extra support.
Kwa-Zulu Natal: Explore Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
Only a 2.5 hour drive from Durban is Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park – the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. Home to 96,000 hectares of wilderness, rolling hills and magnificent wildlife, an overnight stay is a must – particularly when combined with a stop at the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. To ensure you pack all you need, the K-Way Large Evo Gearbag (R650, available for purchase in-store and online) offers 85 litres of space – big enough for a four-day excursion – and is made from tough PU ripstop outer material, and lockable YKK zips.
Western Cape: Barbeque Oudekraal
Nestled between Llandudno and Bakoven, Oudekraal, with its stunning sea and mountain views, tiny beach tucked away in a cove for swimming and big boulders for sunbathing, is ideal for braais with friends and family. Make sure you bring along the Tonglite Braai Tongs (R299, available for purchase in all stores and online) because there’s nothing worse than not being able to see if your meat is ready or not. Equipped with a warm white LED torch that allows you to braai at night with ease, these tongs also feature an ergonomically designed, elongated handle that enables you to manoeuvre the meat without competing with the heat.
North West: Picnic at Blue Pools
Situated in the Buxton Quarry at the Taung Heritage Site, Blue Pools offers a serene picnic setting thanks to its beautiful collection of natural basins, streams and caves carved out of ancient rock and set against the backdrop of a limestone waterfall. Keep your picnic goodies cool for longer while you explore the area with the high density thermal insulation of the Cape Union 20L Tote Cooler (R299, available for purchase in-store only.
Mpumalanga: Camping along the Blyde River Canyon
With activities like hiking, horse riding, white water rafting, kloofing, hot-air ballooning, fly-fishing, biking, and boat trips on the Blyde Dam, a trip to the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve will be anything but boring. To make the most of your expedition, why not spend a night or two at one of the many camping sites along the Canyon? The lightweight K-Way Solitude 2 Person Tent (R1,399, available for purchase in-store and online) is ideally sized for a backpacking trip and features reflective guy ropes and mosquito netting – two assets that make for a safer camping experience.
Eastern Cape: Attempt The Otter Trail
One of the most popular hiking trails in South Africa, the 42km long Otter Trail traverses the shorelines, lush forests, streams, and waterfalls of the stunningly beautiful Tsitsikamma. To ensure that you can keep track of everyone in your group or get hold of someone in case of emergency while exploring this exquisite stretch of the Eastern Cape, take along the Midland XT10 Walkie Talkie (R999, available for purchase in-store and online). With a range of up to 12km, a Micro USB charger, 500 mW speaker and 16 channels (8 pre-programmed in case of danger), it is a must for anyone serious about adventure.
Be DARE’ing this summer by exploring the beauty in your own backyard.
For more information, visit https://www.capeunionmart.co.za.