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Karkloof Canopy Tour: Slide away the stress in Zip-line Style…

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The ‘New Year’ buzz with all its big smiles and invigorating spirits’ dissolves a little after getting back into the day to day things of life. The stressful knots that reside in my shoulders who I’ve reluctantly named ‘cranky’ and ‘more cranky’ somehow announce their presence more often than I prefer. With all that being said, I was delighted to hear that the team and I (The D Team) would be visiting the very popular Karkloof Canopy Tour situated in Karkloof near Howick, in the Midlands.
The drive from Durban was just right with the jovial conversation of our fellow Durbanites and the scenery that makes you feel like a tourist in your own province. As we took the turn onto the gravel road, the excitement spilled over and we were surprised to meet many families arriving from their tours. We were welcomed by the team and introduced to our tour leader “Shade” (we thought his name was quite befitting as the sun started peaking through). Shade informed us that we would be watching a safety/information video and thereafter we could gear up for the action. The video revealed that zip-lining originated in Costa Rica where bird academics wanted to find a convenient way to watch and study their flight-worthy and friendly subjects. This later became a tourist activity and in 2003 the canopy tour came to reside in Karkloof forest with its pristine environment and home to several mammals and abundant bird life.

“Karkloof Canopy Tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the fauna and flora of this paradise from a different perspective.” This got us holding onto our seats (literally) as we headed off on the back of the tour van (bumps and all) seeking out our first of the nine zip-lines. As we trekked off with our hard hats and harnesses we looked like professional climbers all togged up for the adventurous lines of freedom that awaited our screams and thrills of joy. It was at this point that we arrived at our first platform and I felt abnormally calm (in case I wasn’t clear I am a tad bit dramatic when it comes to adrenaline pumping, height related activities). This was the shortest of the zip-lines with a total length of 40m and was regarded as a warm up (aka The Rabbit Hole) to the lengthier zip-lines that would definitely test our courage – it’s good to mention that this sporting activity is best suited for the adventurous types (check) with an overflowing love of nature (check). After accomplishing the first 3 zip-lines (the second of which was named: “Last Chance” – yes, this daunted me too but was so worth it), I was completely at awe with the view and the technique involved in zip-lining (I really felt like a pro). Of course this was all because of Shade and Siyabonga and our third guide (who remained unnamed) and was sort of like our guardian angel, with his secret snacks and juice boxes in his backpack and his explanations at all the platforms, he certainly made us feel comfortable throughout our tour. The fourth zip-line named: Waterfall was indeed majestic; to be able to stand on a platform with some of the coolest Durbanites I know just left me all gooey-ed up inside (in case you didn’t you know that’s a good thing).
After about 2 hours, as that saying goes, all good things come to an end and so I had to say farewell to my beloved new favorite thing to do in KZN. As we rounded up and walked through the woods, we passed through two rocky streams and the magnificent scenery truly governed me with a sense of calm. It was at this point that I really felt at ease, the experience was one that had gotten rid of ‘cranky’ and ‘more cranky’ and superbly left me completely relaxed. So I would like to formally say thank you to the Karkloof forest and all the wonderful people who made our slide away the stress in zip-line style absolutely remarkable!

 

Durbanite
Author: Durbanite

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Attractions

Splashy Fen 2025: An Inspiring Long Weekend of Music, Magic, and Memories in the Drakensberg

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Splashy Fen Music Festival has officially wrapped, and by all accounts, the 2025 edition was the most magical one yet. From the moment the gates opened on Thursday, 17 April to the last note played on Sunday night, 8,000 festival-goers soaked up four glorious days of sunshine, music, and connection in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg.

After a few days of pre-festival rain, the weather turned just in time to welcome fans to South Africa’s friendliest music festival. The sunshine held strong throughout the weekend, setting the tone for what would become an unforgettable Easter celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and community.

A SOLD-OUT FESTIVAL FROM DAY ONE

By Thursday evening, over 5,500 happy campers had already made their way into the scenic Splashy Fen farm, with the festival officially reaching full capacity the day before the gates even opened. The 2025 edition was officially opened by Cllr. T.N. Jojozi, Deputy Mayor of the Harry Gwala District Municipality, who welcomed guests on behalf of the Harry Gwala Development Agency.

Thursday night kicked off with the first wave of live performances and set the tone for the weekend.

From there, the lineup only got hotter.

DAYS OF MUSIC AND MAGIC

Friday and Saturday were packed with showstopping performances across the multiple stages. Local heroes like Ard Matthews, Hot Water, Veranda Panda, and Prime Circle brought the heat, while the Main Stage turned electric with international artists including the UK’s Youngr, a surprise performance from Casey Lowery, Ireland’s Darren Kiely, and Canada’s Neon Dreams.

Mafikizolo delivered a legendary Saturday night set that brought thousands to their feet, and GoodLuck closed out the evening with a high-energy performance that had the whole crowd bouncing.

Away from the stages, festival-goers enjoyed the full Splashy experience: sunrise yoga, trail runs, live art, craft workshops, and plenty of family-friendly fun. The popular Kids Zone was buzzing with activity, and the Saturday afternoon Splashy Parade was a visual feast of stilt-walkers, dragons, fire breathers, and whimsical characters.

At the Corona River Stage, guests kicked back in the sun to chilled tunes by the water, while a bustling craft market and food court offered up everything from gourmet bites to handmade treasures.

A SUNDAY TO REMEMBER

Easter Sunday was pure joy. The day began with a peaceful morning service hosted by Red Frogs SA at the tranquil Treehouse Stage, followed by a fun-filled Easter egg hunt for the little ones—complete with games, giggles, and surprise eggs from the Easter Bunny herself.

Music lovers made their way to the Acoustic Stage for the much-loved Legends of the Fen showcase. Featuring iconic acts like Cinema, Perez, and more, the session reminded everyone why Splashy Fen holds such a special place in South Africa’s music history.

As the sun dipped behind the Drakensberg mountains, the Main Stage roared to life for one final night of performances, closing out the weekend with soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and thunderous applause.

“Our legs are sore, our voices are gone, but our hearts? FULL,” read a Monday morning post from Splashy Fen’s official social media page. “Shoutout to every artist who brought the fire at Main Stage last night, and every fan who screamed every word. What a way to end #Splashy2025!”

THE BEST ONE YET

With four full days of world-class music, family-friendly fun, and community connection in one of the most beautiful festival locations in the world, Splashy Fen 2025 has earned its title as the best one yet.

For more information and to stay up to date on 2026 tickets and artist announcements, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or follow @splashyfenfest on Instagram and Facebook.

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show 2025

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It’s fresh, bright and chockfull of surprises! It’s the 2025 East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, and we’re talking fresh spaces. bright living! A giant breath of fresh air will sweep through the Durban Exhibition Centre when the Show rolls out from Friday 28 June to Sunday 6 July.

fresh spaces. bright living is all about how to tweak or transform your home into one which brings you joy, and allows you to be you! Whether it’s little touches of stylish decor or large sweeps of bold colour and pattern, you’ll leave the Show bursting with new skills from the experts, bright ideas from different brands… and loads of goodies and parcels. Jump on board, the 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show promises to fill your head with creativity to create your own fresh spaces. bright living.

Calling all cooks and homemakers!

This year’s Test Kitchen is the kitchen of the future! Hirsch is at the helm and The Kitchen Studio is creating a space that’ll knock your socks off. Top celebrity chefs (surprises up our sleeve), fabulous personalities (guess who?), crazy cooks (laughter is the best medicine)… the line-up is as long as it is sensational! If cooking’s your happy place, the Hirsch kitchen is the only place to be.

The 2025 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is going to be child’s play!

This is Durban’s true family show, and we’ve got you well covered for the first week of the school holidays! From littlelies to larger, this year’s kids zone has mushroomed into its own dedicated hall, and has way, way more of what they love! And parents, this one’s for you. Drop and shop – there’s now a super-safe, well supervised drop-off zone, so you can do your thing, while they do theirs. A dedicated Kids Zone in the Coast of Dreams, with a whacky wonderland of activities. Packed with fun, yet competitive, activities and challenges, teens can put their skills to the test! From the incredible Monster Manor to fairytale characters to face-painting, wrestling and bowling, the kids just won’t want to go home.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is always full of winners

And why shouldn’t it be you? With competitions big and small, you could carry home anything from the coolest kitchen appliance to the hottest sound system, a tantalising voucher to something or somewhere sensational or bags full of your favourite products.

This season, the Show is shining a full spotlight on fresh spaces, bright living, both outdoors and in! Plants, landscaping and new tricks and tools for garden lovers; boys’ toys and bits and bobs for outdoor lovers; and goodies and gadgets for those who live to braai! Renovating, restoring or dreaming of adventure, the Show will take you where you want to go.

We can’t wait to see you there!
www.housegardenshow.co.za

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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Get Ready for the Supertech Torque Motoring Festival

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The Supertech Torque Motoring Festival is set to return to Dezzi Raceway on April 19th and 20th, 2025.
This annual event, organized by the Supertech Group, promises a weekend filled with high-speed action, family-friendly activities, and entertainment.


Event Highlights:

  • Hot Laps & Drifting: Experience the thrill of high-speed laps and drifting exhibitions.
  • Custom Dip Experience: Showcases of vehicle customization and styling.
  • BMW M Driving Experience Show: A display of BMW’s performance vehicles in action.
  • Spin Show Extravaganza: Professional drivers performing precision stunts.
  • Official BMW Merchandise Pop-Up Store: Exclusive merchandise available for purchase.
  • Circuit Racing Action: Competitive racing events featuring various classes.
  • Stunt Shows & Historic Feats: Daring performances and record attempts.
  • Helicopter Flips: Aerial tours offering a unique perspective of the event.
  • Torque Fashion Show & Concours: A blend of automotive excellence and fashion.
  • Miniature Radio-Control Car Track: Interactive activities for all ages.
  • M Lounge: An exclusive area for Supertech M & M Performance customers.
  • VIP Hospitality Lounge: Premium services and amenities for VIP guests.
  • Family Fun Time: Activities and entertainment suitable for families.

Ticket Information:

  • General Access: R200 (Available Online)

  • Kids (Under 10 Years): Free (Available Online)

  • VIP Access: R1500 (Includes private viewing deck, seating, complimentary snacks, and beverages)

  • Hot Laps: R300 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)

  • Drift Rides: R350 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)

  • Helicopter Flips: R750 (Available exclusively on the MySupertechWorld App)

Daily Schedule:

Saturday, April 19th:

  • 09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1

  • 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps

  • 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show

  • 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides

  • 01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show

  • 02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt

  • 03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2

  • 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Auction

  • 04:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Fashion Show

  • 04:45 PM – 05:00 PM: M Car Convoy Parade Lap

Sunday, April 20th:

  • 09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Circuit Racing – Session 1

  • 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Hot Laps

  • 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Drifting Show

  • 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Drift Rides

  • 01:00 PM – 01:45 PM: Spinning Show

  • 02:00 PM – 02:45 PM: Stunt Show – SA Record Attempt

  • 03:00 PM – 03:45 PM: Circuit Racing – Session 2

  • 03:00 PM – 04:00 PM: Fashion Show

Additional Information:

To enhance the festival experience, attendees are encouraged to download the MySupertechWorld App, which offers exclusive access to certain tickets and up-to-date event information. The festival is designed to cater to all ages, making it an ideal outing for families, car enthusiasts, and those seeking a weekend of excitement.

For more details and ticket purchases, visit the official Supertech Group website or follow their social media channels for the latest updates.

Don’t miss out on this premier motoring event that brings together speed, style, and entertainment in one exhilarating festival.

 

Shelley
Author: Shelley

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