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Make your special day even better with the best birthday freebies in South Africa

Make your special day even better with the best birthday freebies in South Africa

Tired of receiving the same old birthday presents? The good news is that here in South Africa, birthday celebrants can avail of amazing freebies! A lot of these even offer memorable experiences such as rides and attractions. 

Feel even more special on your birthday with these gifts!

1. Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Address: Tafelberg Rd, Gardens, Cape Town

Website: http://tablemountain.net/ 

Contact Number: +27214248181

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Sunday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

You haven’t experienced in full what South Africa has to offer if you haven’t been to Table Mountain. This is a fantastic spot in Cape Town that our family loves to visit.

The best way to experience the thrilling heights and scenic views around the mountain is through their Aerial Cableway. It’s a five-minute ride to the top.

The ride will cost around ZAR 400, but on your birthday, you can ride this attraction for free. You can avail of this if you’re a South African native or citizen by presenting your proof of citizenship (13-digit barcode identity number).

Pro Tip:
Their birthday offers can change depending on the cableway’s offer for birthday celebrants. You can check their website to stay updated on their promos and events.

2. Enjoy the views while on the Harties Cableway

Address: Plot 3, Melodie Melodie Agricultural Holdings, Hartbeespoort

Website: http://www.hartiescableway.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27122539910

Operating Hours:

  • Wednesday to Friday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Our family also loves visiting the Harties Cableway in Hartbeespoort. As a family of four, we usually take the 4-seater cable car. 

The ride to the top is exciting and spectacular, offering us an awesome view of the Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg Mountains.

I also saw couples taking the two-seater option, but I don’t think I’ll try that anytime soon, as the said option is an open-air chair that can be nerve-wracking for someone like me (I’m terrified of heights!).

For birthday celebrants, the cableway ride is free of charge. You simply need to bring an ID indicating your birthday on it and you’re good to go!

Pro Tip:
The Harties Cableway has other nearby attractions you might want to check out. Visit their webpage to learn more!

Address: Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Website: https://www.aquarium.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27214183823

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM

If you’re a big fan of marine life, then check out the birthday treat that Two Oceans Aquarium has in store for you. Simply visit the ticket office during your birth week and present valid identification as proof to get your free admission.

Even if you pay for the experience (which our family did), this Cape Town attraction is definitely one we recommend especially if you’re travelling with kids. Some of the highlights we witnessed during our visit were the intimidating sharks and manta rays.

We also saw some cute marine critters like turtles and penguins. The young ones, though, wanted to spend most of the time at the jellyfish aquarium while we adults preferred checking out the relaxing and colourful Kelp Forest.  

Pro Tip:
The Two Oceans Aquarium hosts different events that you might want to check out with your kids. Learn more about these events by visiting their website.

4. Go on an exciting day out at the Gold Reef City Theme Park

Address: Northern Pkwy & Data Cres, Johannesburg

Website: https://www.goldreefcity.co.za/theme-park/ 

Contact Number: +27112485000

Operating Hours:

  • Thursday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Gold Reef City Theme Park is one of the most visited theme parks in the country, and it’s not hard to see why. My family enjoyed its many activities and experiences.

Plus, we like that the park offers free admission to birthday celebrants. There’s no need to book your free ticket online if you’re the one celebrating (walk-in birthday celebrants are welcome), but your companions will have to reserve theirs online.

If you’re planning to visit this theme park, I recommend trying out our family’s favourite rides. They have the Anaconda—an open-seat roller coaster that zips through the air with your feet dangling out (I admit I screamed here!).

Pro Tip:
There are a ton of different rides at the park, so we recommend that you plan your visit here. Check out their website to learn more about these rides and strategize.

5. Reach for the sky at the Cape Wheel

Address: The Lawns, Breakwater Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Website: http://www.capewheel.co.za/ 

Contact Number: 0874700696

Operating Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Everyone deserves to have that birthday high during their special day and what better way to do it than with a visit to the Cape Wheel? It’s a giant Ferris wheel in Cape Town that offers birthday celebrants one free ride on their birthday or 30 days after.

As my family and I were ascending the highest point of the wheel, we were treated to some breathtaking views of Table Mountain, the Waterfront, and Cape Town’s city centre.

Pro Tip:
To avail of the freebie anytime within your birthday month, print out a voucher by visiting their website’s birthday deal page. However, you don’t have to print this if you visit on the actual date of your birthday.

6. Meet up with majestic beasts at the Bothongo Nature Reserve

Address: 520 Kromdraai Road, Kromdraai, Krugersdorp

Website: https://www.rhinolion.co.za/ 

Contact Number: +27119570349

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

I have always been a nature lover, and for me, the Bothongo Nature Reserve located in Krugersdorp is one of the best spots to enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. I decided to bring the family here last year, and we had a blast.

We got to see some of the most majestic beasts of South Africa—an unforgettable experience, especially for our young ones. They were especially impressed with the large and powerful rhinoceroses while I personally liked the white lion.

The reserve offers predator and guided drives that usually take around an hour. During your birthday, you can go on a free drive around the reserve!

Pro Tip:
Aside from guided drives around the reserve, Bothongo Nature Reserve also offers other exciting and educational activities that you may want to do during your birthday. Check out their website to learn more.

7. Watch a movie at the Ster-Kinekor Movie Theatre

From marvellous_mapfumo

Address: Rosebank Mall, 50 Bath Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg

Website: https://www.sterkinekor.com/nouveau 

Contact Number: +27861668437

Operating Hours:

  • Depends on the featured film

I’m a big fan of Hollywood movies, and while I usually stay at home to binge-watch on my streaming services, nothing beats watching an entire film on the big screen at the Ster-Kinekor Movie Theatre. 

We like that this chain of theatres offers tons of options like 3d and IMAX.

Plus, you can watch a free movie (in 2D or 3D) during your birthday if you’re an SK Club member (sign-up is also free). The best part about this is that you can claim this free movie ticket on your birthday or 7 days before or after your special day. 

Pro Tip:
To apply for your SK Club membership, simply visit their website and click on the tab for SK Subscription Club.

8. Feel the adrenaline rush at the Sky-Hi Ride

Address: 28th Floor, Hotel Sky, 9 Lower Long St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town

Website: http://www.sky-hiride.capetown/ 

Contact Number: +27218795040

Operating Hours:

  • Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 NN to 8:00 PM

You probably don’t want to go to heaven yet during your birthday, but this is exactly what you’ll do at the Sky-Hi Ride. Located on the 28th floor of Hotel Sky, this ride will lift you up before crashing down, making you feel the loss of gravity to the fullest.

Honestly, I don’t want to repeat riding this attraction, as I’m terrified of heights, but the one time I tried it, I survived the experience (hence, this article). 

Kidding aside though, this is one freebie on your birthday that you shouldn’t miss if you’re an adrenaline junkie. To register for a slot and claim your free birthday ride, visit their website.

Pro Tip:
You can visit Sky-Hi Ride either as an observer or as a rider. Observer tickets cost ZAR 50 each while rider tickets will cost around ZAR 200 (without the free birthday ride offer).
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