Keeping busy doesn’t have to be expensive, in fact we’ve found 101 things to do across South Africa that won’t cost a cent. Like the saying goes, the best things in life are free!
6 free things to do in Mpumalanga
19 free things to do in Gauteng
18 free things to do in the Western Cape
16 free things to do in the Eastern Cape
20 Things to do in Hoedspruit
40 Things to do in Pretoria
50 Things to do in Cape Town
50 Best Things to do in Johannesburg
8 free things to anywhere in South Africa
1. Lose yourself in a book
When last did you visit your local library? Many hold readings of storybooks for kids, free workshops and holiday activities.
2. Volunteer your time
Volunteer at a rescue centre. It could be more fun than you think and the reward is a feeling of doing something good. – suggested by one of our readers, Marianne Gouws-Meyer.
3. Host a junk swap
Host a trash-to-treasure junk swap. Get your friends and family to bring a plate of eats and any unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, books and household goods. What is one person’s trash is another’s treasure.
4. Donate blood and save a life
The Easter holiday is a busy time on South Africa’s dangerous roads. Donate blood. It won’t cost you a cent, but could save a life. www.sanbs.org.za.
5. View the nightlife in your garden
Run around in your garden at night with a headlamp. You’ll be amazed at the awesome variety of insects, geckos, frogs and other species you find. – suggested by one of readers, Allison Sharp.
6. Go wild about wildlife
If you have a Wild Card, you’re entitled to free access to more than 80 of the country’s parks and reserves (depending on the cluster you choose). Admire rock formations at Cederberg, see elephants in Addo, be amazed by the Augrabies waterfalls, go game-viewing in Kgalagadi, take a day trip into Kruger Park or walk through the Richtersveld and so much more. For more info, go to www.wildcard.co.za.
7. Go green with Botanical Card
A National Botanical Card gets you free entry into South Africa’s botanical gardens, including Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, Lowveld Botanical Gardens in Mbombela and Walter Sisulu Gardens, Johannesburg. www.botanicalsociety.org.za.
8. Go tubing
Get a rubber truck tyre inner and set yourself off down a river. (Tubing is not without dangers. Make sure the tyre is correctly inflated and that the river you choose is safe for tubing – ed.) – suggested by one of our readers, Janine Mare
Know of any other cool free things to do in South Africa? Tell us in the comment box below.
