The Best Water & Theme Parks in South Africa
- By Karim Hassan
- Reviewed by Sophia Rose
- April 15, 2024
- Travel
In a place with great beaches, tasty wine, and pretty sunsets like South Africa, it shouldn’t be hard to find some of the most exciting water and theme parks.
You might be asking yourself, “Which park has the best rides? Which one is the most family-friendly? How do I even begin to choose?” These are common concerns, and it’s easy to feel lost in the sea of information out there.
But don’t worry, in this blog article, we’ll explore the best water and theme parks in South Africa, providing you with all the information you need for an unforgettable visit. So, come along with the family, and let’s ride into the unique features of these parks.
Table Of Content
Water Parks in South Africa
1. uShaka Wet ‘n Wild in Durban
Placed in the exciting city of Durban, uShaka Wet ‘n Wild is a water park that promises a day filled with splashes and laughter. This park is a part of the larger uShaka Marine World, which is one of the most visited destinations in Durban.
One of the standout attractions at uShaka Wet ‘n Wild is the Body Tornado slide. This slide is not for the faint-hearted, It sends riders speeding through a tunnel before spiraling down into a pool below. It’s one of the park’s newest and fastest slides, providing an adrenaline rush like no other.
With a 4-star review from Chene Fourie, she wrote ”By far the best fun I’ve had in many years. The park awoken my inner child. It was clean, neat and extremely friendly staff. Food is a tad pricey however taste is worth it. We went on every slide and it was extremely fun!”
2. Waterworld Strand
Waterworld Strand is a family-friendly water park that offers a unique blend of fun and relaxation. Located right next to the beach in Strand, in the Cape Helderberg region of South Africa, it’s the perfect place to cool off and have some fun in the sun.
Waterworld Strand offers a variety of water slides and attractions catered to both children and adults. The park also features grassy areas for picnicking and relaxing, jungle gyms, a climbing wall, and an adventure play area, making it a perfect destination for a family day out.
Local Guide, kedilatile senago was impressed and gave a 5-star review ”Great experience for the kids to go play with water and the food is reasonable as well”
3. Mafunyane Riverside Water Park
Mafunyane Riverside Water Park is a popular destination found at the Riverside Mall in Nelspruit, in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. It’s a place where fun and excitement meet, offering a variety of water-based attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.
Mafunyane Riverside Water Park is known for its thrilling water slides and relaxing swimming pools. The park is designed with a tropical theme, providing a refreshing and exciting environment for visitors.
CASA BAKALI, whose a local guide, wrote ”A great place for families, kids, from dawn to dusk, and even bring your own cues and do-it-yourself stuff” and gave a 5-star review
4. Valley of Waves
Valley of Waves is the crown jewel of the Sun City resort in South Africa. Situated near the Pilanesberg National Park, it’s a water park that offers a unique and thrilling experience for all visitors.
The centerpiece of the Valley of Waves is the Roaring Lagoon, a massive 6,500 square meter wave pool that generates waves up to 2 meters high every 90 seconds.
This is one of the largest wave pools in the world, providing an authentic beach experience right in the heart of the resort. You could be a seasoned surfer or a first-time wave rider, the Roaring Lagoon offers a fun and exciting challenge.
Randolph Magerman, was satisfied and wrote ” You will have your best family experience here. A full day of fun, affordable refreshments and lots of space. Staff and life guards are friendly and overall feeling of safety whilst enjoying one self” after giving a 5-star review.
Theme Parks in South Africa
1. Gold Reef City
Gold Reef City is a premier entertainment destination and one of the largest theme parks in South Africa . Located in the south of Johannesburg, it offers a unique blend of fun, history, and culture.
One of the standout features of Gold Reef City is its authentic mining town design. The park is built around a 19th-century gold mine, and many of the buildings in the park are replicas of structures from Johannesburg’s gold rush era.
Local Guide, Afia Addo was overwhelmed and wrote ”I mean where do I start from???? There is so much to do in this space, from rides to tours to food to play areas…..the list goes on and on and on… ” and gave a solid 5-star review.
2. Sun City
Sun City is a world-renowned resort complex that offers a unique blend of entertainment, relaxation, and adventure. It’s not just a theme park, but a whole world of fun and excitement waiting to be explored.
The Kamp Kwena is one of the most exciting attractions at Sun City. It has a dedicated children’s activity park that offers a variety of fun and educational activities for kids. It features mini-cars, trampolines, adventure golf, and a petting zoo, making it a perfect destination for a family day out.
Msizi Mkhize gave a 4-star rating and wrote ”I enjoyed it there. The environment was so relaxing and had a lot of good vibes. It’s a great place for family outings”
3. Adventure Land
Adventure Land is a family-friendly water park and adventure park located between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna on the Garden Route. It’s a place where fun and adventure go hand in hand, offering a unique experience for visitors of all ages.
Situated on a 24-hectare estate, Adventure Land offers a variety of water-based attractions and activities. From thrilling water slides to relaxing swimming pools, there’s something for everyone.
The park also features grassy areas for picnicking and relaxing, wooden decks, a take-away kiosk, and a playground, making it a perfect destination for a family day out.
Local Guide, Lucy Lavender gave a 5-star review and wrote ”Amazing place and great fun for the whole family! We loved it so much we went two days in a row! I would HIGHLY recommend spending the day here! don’t forget to bring sunblock and a picnic!”
4. Bugz Playpark
Bugz Family Playpark is the largest kids’ playpark in the Western Cape region. It’s a place where kids can let their imaginations run wild and enjoy a day filled with fun and adventure.
Bugz Playpark is specially designed to provide a fun, imaginative, and engaging play experience for children. The park features an extensive indoor area filled with various obstacles, challenges, and activities that encourage creativity and physical play for kids aged 2-10 years old.
In addition to the indoor play area, Bugz Playpark also has outdoor spaces with additional play equipment and activities. The entire park is set in a family-friendly environment with amenities like a take-away kiosk.
John Mafiki gave a 4-star review and wrote ” Incredible place, the kids loved it and the family had a great time”
In this guide, we visited some top water and theme parks in South Africa. We saw the thrilling slides at uShaka Wet ‘n Wild in Durban and Adventure Land on the Garden Route.
We also experienced the mining town-like Gold Reef City in Johannesburg . We had fun at the beach at Waterworld Strand, rode the waves at Valley of Waves in Sun City, and enjoyed kid-friendly activities at Bugz Playpark in the Western Cape.
Plus, Sun City has a variety of attractions, including a water park and activities for kids. Each park has continuous fun, exciting rides, and top-notch shows that your whole family will find enjoyable.
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