While the backyard is a great place to hide the eggs again this year, you might want to consider posing the children a bit more of a challenge by taking them to a local park for a morning of hunting and picnicking. Here’s where to go Easter egg hunting in South Africa (18 – 21 April) this year.
20 spots to go Easter egg hunting in South Africa
Cape Town
Photo by Gray Imaging
1. Spier
Spier Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch is planning to host the Western Cape’s largest Easter egg hunt this year. Children will have fun following the yarn along the river to find their eggs. A giant chicken jumping castle, face painting and egg painting will entertain them even further. While all this is happening, parents can relax with a chocolate and wine tasting and lunch is served to the whole family on the lawns afterward. The fun takes place on 20 April and costs R100 a person. www.spier.co.za
2. Green Point Urban Park
This classy park has many different landscaped sections to hide those eggs. Just be mindful of the special biodiversity garden’s indigenous plants (you wouldn’t want Easter egg hunting South Africa to ruin its plants!) Spend the rest of the morning enjoying a picnic on the benches and letting the kids burn all their energy on the grass while the smaller ones play in the areas specially designed for different age groups.
The park has an entrance close to Mouille Point and another two off Helen Suzman drive (the former Western Boulevard).
Click here for more information about the Green Point Urban Park.
3. Newlands Forest
You don’t have to worry about the kids getting lost in the forest, as there is a designated braai area under the pine trees where you can relax and let them hunt their hearts out. If you’re still worried, mark off your own little area where you hide the eggs.
Just off the M3 freeway between Rondebosch and Claremont
Click here for information about Newlands Forest Read more about the forest
4. Warwick Wine Estate
This wine estate is a great place for the kids to do their hunt, as you’ll find different picnic locations around the farm, like the lawns and the more private picnic pods. Book a picnic basket (vegetarian and kids option available) and spend the afternoon relaxing under the trees.
R44 between Stellenbosch and Klapmuts
www.warwickwine.co.za
5. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
You’re sure to find a quiet, yet bushy, spot for an epic Easter egg hunt in Cape Town’s favourite gardens. Make it fun by marking the searchable area off with bright balloons for a festive atmosphere.
Rhodes Drive, Newlands
Visit SANBI’s website for more information
Johannesburg
Photo by Frank
6. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
Just 6km outside Johannesburg, you’ll find these wide-spread gardens beside the Emmarentia Dam. There are actually three dams on the 81ha park, which dates back to 1866, so your hunt will be both fun and scenic.
Thomas Bowler Street, Johannesburg
Click here for more information about Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
7. Zoo Lake
If you’re looking to make a day out of your Easter egg hunt, then you can visit Zoo Lake in the Hermann Eckstein Park. It is literally across the road from the Johannesburg Zoo, so you’ll have lots to keep the kids busy. Just don’t feed Easter eggs to the monkeys!
Corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and West World Street
Get more information on Johannesburg City Parks
8. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
Feel like getting out of town? Follow the 10km to this beautiful nature reserve and take the kids on a nature trail before enjoying their hunt around the picnic area afterward. They won’t only learn about Easter, but also the many different animals and plants found here.
Frandaph Drive, Johannesburg
www.knra.co.za
9. Rhodes Park
A smaller park, Rhodes won’t leave you scared that the kids will get lost somewhere. Find a spot between the thickets for your Easter egg hunt, go exploring the different pools and ponds and enjoy the kids play area before heading home.
Corner of Cumberland and Ocean Streets, Kensington
Read more on Johannesburg City Parks
10. Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
This vast expanse of nature is sure to hold a secluded spot where you can have your hunting fun. The great thing about them is that you can choose your own spot anywhere in the gardens to enjoy a picnic of sweet Easter eggs afterward.
End of Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort
Read more on SANBI’s website
Pretoria
Photo by Praktyczny Przewodnik
11. Venning Park
Let the kids loose themselves between the age-old trees or organise a hunt in the landscaped section of the park. Take a stroll beside the ponds or through the many roses before heading back.
Corner of Schoeman and Eastwood Streets, Pretoria
Click here for more information
12. Jan Cilliers Park
Go on an adventure just finding this tree-dense park in the Groenkloof suburb. You’ll be happy you came to this peaceful sanctuary with its many shaded spots for a great hunting expedition.
Broderick Street, Pretoria
Click here for more information
13. Irene Village
If you’re afraid to let the kids loose in a forested environment, then Irene Village Mall’s courtyards might be the perfect place for a smaller Easter egg hunt that the younger children will enjoy. You’re in the perfect place for a great lunch afterward.
Corner of Nellmapius Drive and Van Ryneveld Avenue, Irene
www.irenevillagemall.co.za
14. Magnolia Dell
A well-known classic, Magnolia holds many greats spots for picnicking while the kids hunt for the eggs that you hid while they were playing tag on the lawns. A spot beside the stream under the beautiful willow trees comes highly recommended.
125 Queen Wilhelmina Drive, Groenkloof
Click here for more information.
Durban
Photo by J Heffner
Photo: J Heffner
15. Mitchell’s Park Zoo
Let the kids admire the zoo animals while you hide the eggs in the beautifully landscaped gardens. The children might also enjoy digging for eggs in the sandy playground in between the swings and slides. Enjoy a picnic on the lawns afterward so you can regroup and they can burn their sugar rush on the grass.
Corner of Innes and Ferndale Roads, Morningside
Click here for more information
16. Palmiet Nature Reserve
Don’t be afraid that a nature reserve is too large to have a successful hunt, because there’s a great picnic area here to enjoy a more controlled Easter egg hunt. You’ll also find braai areas where dad can turn the chops while the kids enjoy their chocolate.
Old New Germany Road, Durban
www.palmiet.za.net
17. Durban Botanical Gardens
The many trees, shrubs and bushes in these expansive gardens are sure to hold the perfect venue for your hunt this year. Let the children feed the ducks some bread while you hide the eggs.
John Zikhale Road, Berea, Durban
www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za
Port Elizabeth
Photo by Willow Gardeners
18. Settlers Park
There are many nature trails and interesting bird species to keep the children occupied while you find a bushy section to hide the eggs. They’ll have so much fun hunting for them in a new and exciting place. Again, you can mark off an area with ribbons or balloons so that they know where to look.
Three entrances: How Avenue, just off Park Drive; Chelmsford Avenue, just off Target Kloof and Third Avenue, Walmer
Click here for more information
19. Homeleigh Farmyard
Let the kids pet the farm animals to keep them busy while you find a quiet spot to hide a few Easter eggs. Once the hunt is over, let them enjoy a tractor ride, pony ride or play on the jumping castle until all the energy is spent and they’re ready to go back home.
Kragga Kamma Road, Port Elizabeth
Click here for more information
20. Floradale
It might be a nursery, but between the tea garden and the play area you’re sure to find a great spot to enjoy a fun Easter egg hunt. If the grandparents are keen to join the expedition, they’ll love the fresh scones served with tea at the Rose Tea Garden from where they can watch the kids having their fun.
Corner of the William Moffett Expressway and Pine Road, Overbaakens
www.floradale.co.za/portelizabeth-nursery
