GETAWAYS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOU
FITNESS AND WELLNESS HOLIDAYS
IT’S THE START OF A NEW YEAR – MAKE THAT A NEW DECADE – AND FOR MANY, WITH THE EXCESSES OF DECEMBER STILL FRESH IN OUR MINDS, THOUGHTS OFTEN TURN TO RESOLUTIONS OF GETTING FIT AND HEALTHY. BUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CRAM EVEN MORE TRIPS TO THE GYM INTO YOUR ALREADY BUSY SCHEDULE, WHY NOT TRULY PUT YOUR WELLBEING FIRST AND START PLANNING SOME MINI-BREAKS FOR THE YEAR TO COME? BREAKS IN WHICH YOU CAN RELAX, RE-CENTRE, and GET SOME FITNESS BROWNIE POINTS IN AT THE SAME TIME.
SAFARI STROLLING
Nothing quite compares to the feeling of getting back to nature, to be surrounded by swathes of African bushveld, where (hopefully) you have no cell signal, and you can swap the sounds of traffic and depressing radio news reports for bird song and silence.
We are blessed in this country with some of the best game reserves in the world where close encounters with a host of indigenous animals – from tiny shrews all the way up to majestic elephants – are virtually guaranteed. In addition to the requisite game drive, many lodges now also offer an opportunity to walk in the bush and to truly feel immersed in the environment.
Irrespective of where you choose to head for your bush holiday, you are likely to find at least one or two lodges that offer this option. Some of our favourites include Rhino Walking Safaris in the south of the Kruger National Park and Pafuri Walking Trails in the far north, Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve in Zululand, and Samara Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape.
BE A WATER BABY
If you’re anything like me, true relaxation is only possible with water nearby – and preferably with me in it! Once I drop below the waves, the cares of the world magically evaporate as I float weightless in the big blue, with the rhythmic sound of my own breathing and the water around me, lulling me into a state of pure relaxation.The silence is punctuated only by exciting discoveries of beautiful coral, neon coloured fish, and fascinating little critters who make their homes on reefs and rocks.
Again, we are spoilt for choice with a host of worldclass scuba-diving sites in SA, from the spectral kelp forests of the Western Cape, to the adrenaline-pumping Sardine Run dives of the Eastern Cape, to world-renowned Aliwal Shoal near Durban and the tropical reefs of Sodwana Bay (though be sure to go out of season to the latter for proper relaxation).
For those keen to explore further afield, a liveaboard offers the ideal getaway – spending a week or more sailing from dive site to dive site. All you need to worry about is just how often you need to take your wetsuit on and off each day. Prodive Travel (prodivetravel.co.za) offers some great liveaboard options to Egypt, Indonesia, the Maldives and even the Galapagos Islands.
TAKE A HIKE
You no longer need to be hardcore hiker – carrying all of your supplies on your back, and set up your tent wherever your hiking boots take you – to enjoy some of the country’s best hiking destinations. “Slackpacking” is when your bag is transported for you from one accommodation option to the next, and those accommodation options often include gourmet meals and luxe furnishings. Slackpacking has made it possible for even those without camping stoves and superior upper-body strength to enjoy the big outdoors. And, let’s face it, the big outdoors – full of reviving fresh air, beautiful views and delicious stretches of pure isolation – is often just what we frazzled city dwellers need.
The Whale Trail,Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail, Oyster Catch Trail, and the Pondo Hopper are just a few of the many options on offer.
HIT THE SLOPES
Who said you had to spend oodles of cash on long-haul flights to be able to get your fill of fun in the snow? Our mountainous neighbour, Lesotho, boasts Afriski Mountain Resort (www.afriski.net), situated in the heart of the Drakensberg-Maluti mountains. Here you can spend your days trying your hand at snowboarding and skiing – or just playing in the snow – while the evenings can be spent snuggled in front of a roaring fire, hot chocolate in hand.
For those who aren’t keen on the snow, but would love to retreat to the mountains, the summer months offer excellent hiking, mountain biking, trail running and fly-fishing. So you really have no excuse not to get out, get moving and top up your office-depleted stores of vitamin D!
RUN FOR FUN
You don’t have to book a specifically fitness-focused holiday in order to still get some fun exercise in while you’re away. Parkrun South Africa has hundreds of clubs around the country offering a fun, social and free 5 km run every Saturday morning from 08h00.
Just be sure to pack your running kit and bring along your Parkrun barcode on your next trip. And if you don’t yet have a barcode, it’s easy enough to register on the Parkrun website.
As the name would suggest, almost all of the runs are in beautiful surroundings such as nature reserves, parks and beaches. Many offer an opportunity to socialise afterwards with a coffee or breakfast at recommended local coffee shops, so you may just make some new friends at the same time!
A RETREAT TREAT
When the stresses of modern life push you to breaking point, it may be time to sign up for a wellness retreat where you can pamper your mind and soul, as well as your body.
While most of us are lured by the enticements of spa treatments and hydro-therapy pools, many of these retreats offer so much more in terms of holistic care. This includes everything from healthy menus and detox options, to meditation, silent retreats, exercise classes, therapy sessions, and access to alternative healing practitioners.
Most are located in beautiful, tranquil surroundings where you are encouraged – in some places forced – to turn off your devices, and truly focus on yourself and your own wellbeing. Some of our favourites are Brookdale Health Hydro in the Natal Midlands, the Hydro in Stellenbosch, the St Francis Health Centre in the Eastern Cape, and the Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal.