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10 Theme Parks in South Africa That You Need to Visit ASAP
Did you know that South Africa has the largest marine theme park on the continent? Got you excited, didn’t we?
South Africa has many more theme parks that will delight you with their diverse offerings, from adrenaline-pumping rides to cultural performances. Read on for our list of top theme parks in the country!
Splash Waterworld
Website: https://splashwaterworld.co.za/
Address: Butlins Minehead Resort, Minehead TA24 5BZ, United Kingdom
Phone: 031 903 3034
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 10 AM to 5 PM
Splash Waterworld sits on a lush space at Kings Beach, offering enjoyable and clean entertainment for all ages. The park boasts super-tubes, speed slides, a Lazy River Ride, and attractions like kiddies super-tube, kiddies Stuka, and kiddies speed slide.
It’s also a hit with youth groups who book the park for Friday night adventures, sliding down the attractions under the floodlights. Hungry? There’s a takeaway kiosk with cold drinks, sweets, crisps, ice cream, and a range of hot fast food.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a refreshing drink after enjoying the slides and pools at Splash Waterworld, head over to Thirsty Whale. This cosy pub offers a variety of beverages and snacks, as well as live entertainment and karaoke. |
Gold Reef City
Website: https://www.goldreefcity.co.za/theme-park/
Address: Corner of Northern Parkway & Data Crescent, Ormonde, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Phone: +27 11 248 5000
Operating Hours:
- Thursday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Gold Reef City is a blast with 30 rides for everyone, from thrill-seekers to families. You can check out cool stuff like an opera house, movie theatres, and wild roller coasters, including the Tower of Terror’s insane 90-degree drop.
You can also explore a gold rush museum, take an underground mine tour, shop, eat, and don’t forget the Giant Wheel for awesome views of Johannesburg – don’t leave your camera behind!
| Pro Tip: If you need a place to stay, check out the Gold Reef City Hotel, which offers comfortable rooms, a pool, a casino and easy access to the park. |
Wild Waves Waterpark
Website: https://www.suninternational.com/wild-coast-sun/activities/wild-waves-water-park/
Address: Wild Coast Sun Main, Bizana Road, Bizana, Port Edward, 4295, South Africa
Phone: 039 305 2701
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Wild Waves Water Park at the Wild Coast Sun is a total blast for a KZN South Coast getaway. They’ve got cool rides like the Aqua Loop and SuperBowl that cater to all ages.
Thrill-seekers shouldn’t pass up the Boomeranga, offering high-banking turns and heart-pounding plunges. It’s a summer escape for all ages, where excitement and fun collide.
| Pro Tip: After your water adventure, you can grab a bite at Spur on the Go or Surf Shack Bar, or treat yourself to a massage at Mangwanani Africa Kids Spa. |
Big Rush
Address: Masabalala Yengwa Ave Shop No. 15, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban 4001 South Africa
Big Rush is the go-to spot for thrill-seekers craving an adrenaline kick, specially designed for grown-ups chasing that heart-pounding thrill. This place even scored a Guinness World Record for its swing!
Just a heads up, though – the risks on this ride are a notch above what you’d find at other theme parks we talked about earlier.
| Pro Tip: If you prefer a more relaxing ride, you can take the SkyCar to the top of the arch and enjoy the panoramic views of Durban. |
uShaka Marine World
Website: https://ushakamarine.com/
Address: 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban
Phone: 031 328 8000
Operating Hours:
- Open Daily – 9 AM to 5 PM
uShaka Marine World is a cool and unique marine theme park in South Africa that many people love. It’s big, with its own beach and even a chimp zoo!
If you’re thinking of surprising your kid with a top-notch theme park, put uShaka on the list. They’ve got sections like Wet ‘n Wild and Village Walk that’ll keep the little ones excited.
| Pro Tip: Explore the nearby Golden Mile, offering cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues. You can also enjoy the thrilling slides and pools at Wet ‘n Wild, or get up close with sharks and other marine life at Sea World. |
Snow Wonderland
Website: https://snowwonderland.co.za/
Address: 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Ridge, uMhlanga, 4319, South Africa
Phone: 031 566 2010
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 7 PM
- Friday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday & Holidays – 9 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 8 PM
Snow Wonderland is a unique theme park in South Africa where you can experience the thrill of snow and ice in a tropical climate. You can enjoy lots of attractions, such as the ice slide, the snow tubing, the snowman building, and the ice skating rink.
You can also relax in the cosy igloo lounge, where you can sip hot chocolate and admire the winter scenery. Snow Wonderland is the perfect place to have fun with your family and friends, no matter what season it is.
| Pro Tip: After exploring the winter wonderland, warm up at the on-site Café. They have hot/cold drinks and a s’mores kit for a cosy treat with loved ones. |
Sun City Theme Park
Website: https://www.suninternational.com/sun-city/activities/valley-of-waves/
Address: Sun City Resort, Sun City, 0316, South Africa
Phone: +27 14 557 3434
Operating Hours:
- September to April – 9 AM to 6 PM
- May to August – 10 AM to 5 PM
Sun City Theme Park, in the Sun City resort complex, is more like a mini-city. With two themed parks, Valley of the Waves and Kamp Kwena, it offers a variety of entertainment for the whole family.
For water enthusiasts, Valley of the Waves is a hit, boasting a massive wave pool and rides like the Temple of Courage. Meanwhile, Kamp Kwena is perfect for kids, offering a range of activities like a children’s park, trampolines, mini-cars, and more.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a thrill, don’t miss the Temple of Courage at the Valley of Waves. This slide will send you plunging 17 metres at a steep angle, then under a bridge and into a splash pool. |
Toboggan Family Park
Website: https://coolrunnings.capetown/
Address: Off Carl Cronje Dr, Tygervalley, Cape Town, 7530, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 949 4439
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays – 9 AM to 6 PM
Toboggan Family Park by Cool Runnings is the only place in Africa where you can try tobogganing, but there’s no snow – just a cool stainless steel track. The toboggans fit one or two people and start by getting pulled up a steep grassy slope.
You control your speed with a brake as you zoom down 17 corners and even a tunnel, reaching speeds up to 40km/h. Located in Durbanville, it’s a great spot for work events, family outings, and kids’ parties, with food and drinks available.
| Pro Tip: Enjoy a drink from the BAR with ciders, beers and wines, or a snack from the gourmet kitchen with ice cream, slush puppies, hot dogs, burgers, french fries, pizzas, and more. |
Adventure Land
Website: https://www.adventurelandplett.co.za/
Address: N2 Harkerville, Plettenberg Bay, 6600, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)44 532 7869
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 10 AM to 5 PM
Adventure Land, sitting on a beautiful 24-hectare property, guarantees a super fun family day out. It’s open all week during the summer, and there are awesome slides like the 75m super-tube and the Kamikaze for thrill-seekers.
Little ones have their own kiddies’ slides and a special pool. You can chill on the lawns, grab a picnic or braai, and watch your family have a blast with water activities and the playground.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a cosy and comfortable place to stay nearby, check out Coral Tree Cottages. They offer spacious thatched cottages with one or two bedrooms and a sleeper couch, perfect for couples or families. |
Plett Puzzle Park
Website: https://puzzlepark.co.za/
Address: The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, 6602, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0)44 534 8853
Operating Hours:
- Open daily – 9 AM to 3 PM
Plett Puzzle Park is a family-friendly spot offering fun activities for all ages that are both entertaining and educational. There are attractions like a life-sized 3D maze, a kid’s rope maze, a jungle gym, and children’s play area waiting for you to explore
The Forest Puzzle Walk awaits, where parents and kids can tackle word, shape, and general knowledge challenges together. After all the excitement, you can chill at the Coffee and Puzzle Gift Shop in a serene garden with oversized games.
| Pro Tip: Pack some essentials for your visit. You will need a sun hat or cap, a camera, some suntan lotion, comfortable shoes, and a windproof or warm jacket. |
