Adventures in Winter

South Africa doesn’t stop being fascinating just because it’s winter. Indeed, activities that we couldn’t do because of the incredible heat now are accessible or are more inviting, as the colder days come in. But because we think winter means staying in-doors, we think that there are no activities for us.

Let’s stay in-doors for the time being. You can easily stay active and have fun, new experiences with indoor rock-climbing. CityROCK, for example, in Cape Town, lets you experience the joys of mountain climbing, with the safety, security and cover of in-door use. As they say “each climb is different and will challenge you every time both physically and mentally”.

By being unique each time, it’s stops the monotony we associate with many indoor activities – such as using treadmills or rowing machines, where we are static and unable to move or have a change of environment.

Another popular family activity is whale watching in Hermanus. As the site indicates, Hermanus is recognised as “one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world”. The whole family can enjoy the outdoor, sea air and witness the majestic beasts of the deep, as they come within sight-seeing distance of those of us on land.

The reason winter is the best time is due to their mating habits. As the site says:
“Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, is the mating and breeding grounds of the Southern Right Whale during the winter and spring months (from June to November). Southern Right Whales migrate from the Antarctic around June to calve and mate. Calving takes place in August and September and the males arrive for mating in October when the whale population peaks.”

The view path stretches for 19km – here you can make a trip of it. Perhaps the best way to travel, to maximise visibility, is to use a bakkie, like a Ford Bantam. (Because it’s winter, you may want to add a Bantam canopy.)

Staying with outdoor winter activities, consider camping in the snow. The Golden Gate Highlands National Park notes that “winter temperatures in Golden Gate can plummet to a mere -9 to -15 degrees C and that snow is a regular occurrence in the park”. Camping in cold conditions requires specific setup, but it’s possible – it just requires preparation.