How are you going to welcome in Spring?

Spring Day is just around the corner!
In South Africa, we recognise the 1^st  of September as the first day of spring, though climatologically the actual start of spring is only on the 23rd of September. Spring is a most beloved time of year, with it’s blooming flowers, warmer sunny days and a festive cheer in the air as we all pack away our winter woollies.

Since the 1^st of September falls on a Monday this year, Sunday the 31^st of August will stand in for many of us.  Here are some ideas on how to best spend your 2014 Spring day!

If you’re in Joburg,  head over to the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens in Roodepoort. It offers large open lawns and the Witpoortjie waterfall as background. Perfect for a family picnic!

If you have a furry friend or two in the family, check out Walkhaven in Muldersdrift, as its name suggests, it’s a veritable heaven for dogs and dog lovers. Dogs roam freely, bounding around the park and swimming in the lake and there is a bar, picnic areas and braai facilities to keep the humans happy too.

Budmarsh Country Lodge in the Magaliesburg area is a great place to go and get away from the city altogether. Spend a peaceful afternoon sitting under the trees and spotting the resident birdlife. Budmarsh also provides picnic baskets full of yummy eats for those who do not want the hassle of making their own picnics.

If you’re in the Cape, Eagles Nest Winery in Constantia is an ideal spot for family picnics, complete with shady trees and a picturesque stream. Picnic baskets are available throughout the summer with a choice of meat or vegetarian selections and it includes a bottle of wine.

The Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek provides an amazing setting, with it’s beautiful vineyards overlooking the ocean. Deli-style picnics are available on weekends throughout spring and summer.

It’s wild flower season all over the Cape region at the moment, if you’d like to make an excursion out to some of the best areas to experience it, check out this guide to viewing South Africa’s wild flowers. Alternatively, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is the best place in the city itself  to see the various spring flowers,  with its brightly coloured daisy fields, vygies, watsonias, strelitzias and arum lilies.

If you’re in the Durban area, the Durban Botanic Gardens is a great place to while away a sunny day. It is the oldest surviving botanical garden in Africa and boasts indigenous exotic plants like cycads, orchids, and palms. Feast your eyes!

The Japanese Gardens in Durban North is a fantastic homage to the unique perfection of the tradition of the Japanese Garden. Experience the valley of lakes, waterfalls, and rustic bridges.

If you are near Port Elizabeth, make your way to the Addo Elephant National Park. In addition to the actual game park, there is a picnic and braai area overlooking the waterhole at the rest camp, where day visitors are welcome.

Hope you have a stupendous Spring Day!