5 KZN Family Resorts Where Kids Won’t Get Bored

If your family prefers mountains to the coast, Drakensberg Sun Resort is an easy one to put on the list.

Set in the Central Drakensberg, the resort has a private lake where guests can use canoes and rowing boats, plus four on-site hiking trails ranging from gentle walks around the lake to longer routes.

For younger guests, there's a dedicated play area and a regular kids' programme. Families can also book horse riding, go trout fishing or spend some time around the resort's other sports and leisure facilities.

The setting does plenty of the entertaining too. With the Drakensberg peaks as the backdrop, even a relatively quiet afternoon outdoors feels like part of the holiday.

Best for: Mountain views, outdoor families and kids who need to burn off some energy.

Kids can: Join the kids' programme, play, hike, canoe, row, ride horses and fish.

Where: Central Drakensberg, near Winterton.

This one is practically designed around the idea of keeping the whole family occupied.

aha Alpine Health Resort in the Northern Drakensberg has a WOW Kids Zone, with a seven-day-a-week entertainment programme that includes arts and crafts, ping pong and PlayStation gaming. The Little VIP Club adds activities such as bug hunting, biscuit decorating, bush collage-making and treasure hunts.

There’s plenty outside the kids' zone too. Families can play miniature golf, swim, use the trampoline area, fish, hike or head out on horseback. Pony rides are available for younger children during scheduled periods.

Older children and teenagers have plenty to choose from as well, including mountain biking and outdoor adventure activities.

The resort currently lists 150km of marked mountain-bike trails, with a kiddies/runners permit available, while guided quad biking is also offered.

Best for: Families with children of different ages who want a resort with a packed activity programme.

Kids can: Hunt for bugs, make crafts, play games, ride ponies, swim, play mini golf and explore the mountains.

Where: Northern Drakensberg, near Jagersrust.

For a holiday where parents don't have to keep reaching for their wallets every time the kids want to do something, Blue Marlin in Scottburgh is worth a look.

The all-inclusive resort has dedicated programmes for different age groups. Mini Marlins caters for toddlers up to four, while Beach Bums is aimed at children aged five to 12. Teenagers have their own Surf Vibes space.

The activity list is extensive. Kids can get involved in arts and crafts, nature walks, fossil hunts, eco activities, treasure-hunt style challenges and games. There is also putt-putt, a swimming pool area with slides, a jungle gym, trampolines and a multi-purpose sports court.

For families wanting something more adventurous, Blue Ocean Adventures offers activities including snorkelling and family diving, while surfing lessons and other water-based experiences are also available.

And when everyone needs a break, there’s a cinema room.

Best for: Families who want an all-inclusive holiday with activities for toddlers, children and teenagers.

Kids can: Join age-specific clubs, swim, play putt-putt, watch movies, make crafts, snorkel, surf and take part in daily activities.

Where: Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

The name might suggest that this is somewhere for adults to sit quietly in warm water, but Natal Spa has plenty going on for younger guests too.

Set across 550 hectares of KZN bushveld, the Paulpietersburg resort has natural hot springs, swimming pools and a waterpark. The current resort information lists a 65m heated supertube, with the supertube and Boulders slides operating from 9 am to 4 pm.

There’s also an 18-hole putt-putt course, games room, tennis, volleyball, soccer, archery, fishing, mountain biking and paintball. Younger children have their own play area with swings, a slide, jungle gym and two trampolines.

Horse riding is also available, although the resort specifies that riders must be 12 or older.

It’s a particularly good option for families who want plenty of activities without spending the entire holiday driving from one attraction to another.

Best for: Active families and kids who would happily spend all day around pools and outdoor activities.

Kids can: Use the slides, play putt-putt, bounce on trampolines, swim, play games and try activities including archery and paintball.

Where: Paulpietersburg, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

For families looking for something a little more peaceful, The Cavern offers a different kind of school-holiday escape.

Set in the Northern Drakensberg, the resort is surrounded by mountains and offers access to hiking and outdoor activities. It is particularly suited to families who would rather spend their holiday outdoors than beside a swimming pool.

The surrounding landscape is the star here, with guided and self-guided walks providing an opportunity for families to explore the Drakensberg together. The resort also offers activities and facilities designed to keep younger guests entertained.

It’s the option on this list for families who want their children to spend less time on screens and more time outside.

Best for: Families who enjoy hiking, nature and a slower-paced mountain holiday.

Kids can: Explore the outdoors, go walking and spend time discovering the Drakensberg landscape.

Where: Northern Drakensberg, near Bergville.

Which KZN resort is right for your family?

If your children need constant entertainment, Blue Marlin and Alpine Heath are probably the strongest bets.

For outdoor adventure, Drakensberg Sun and The Cavern put the mountains at the centre of the holiday.

And if water slides, pools and lots of activities are likely to keep everyone happy, Natal Spa is worth considering.

Whichever you choose, the biggest win is arriving somewhere where “I'm bored” doesn't have to be the first sentence of the morning.