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The end of the year is upon us and with it comes the summer holidays. Many of us will be entertaining guests from other countries or provinces, while parents scramble to find fun ways to keep their children entertained. To help you with fun activities to do for the young and young-at-heart, we’ve put together five museum tours that the whole family will enjoy.
- Shimansky Diamond Museum
Cape Town
This informative tour is for those who enjoy the finer things in life and who want to learn more about its origins. This diamond experience is situated in the Clock Tower Precinct in the ever-popular V&A Waterfront with Table Mountain as the backdrop. During this museum experience, guests are able to get a closer look at a variety of certified loose diamonds in different cuts and sizes, and see replicas of the most famous (and infamous) diamonds in the world, while also learning how the stunning diamonds are set into jewellery creations. Of course, the tour is filled with history lessons on diamonds, when the first diamond was discovered in South Africa, the Kimberley Diamond Rush and all about the big names in the diamond industry. As part of this museum visit, guests are able to browse the Shimansky Showroom and are made to feel as though they are receiving an exclusive look behind the scenes at how a diamond company works. And for those who would like to immerse themselves on another level, there are mining suits that guests can make use of during their tour.
For more information or to book a tour: enquiries@shimansky.co.za
- Constitution Hill
Johannesburg
Constitution Hill is steeped in history. As a refurbished prison, this historical site holds much significance to South Africa and its Apartheid history. Historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Gandhi have all been imprisoned here. Guests are able to visit the museum to do daily tours. These tours will visit the current Constitutional Court and either the Women’s Jail, Number Four or the Old Fort – all areas of significance on this site. Guests are also encouraged to experience Constitution Hill on their own by walking around the precinct and reading the various pieces of information dotted around. This tour is for guests of all ages and is also accessible to those who are differently abled.
For more information or to book a tour: https://www.webticket.co.za/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1465748877
- KwaMuhle Museum
Durban
The KwaMuhle Museum is the old site of what was known as the native administration Department – a much-despised part of the old Apartheid system. Today, however, the museum is a symbol of the people, how they fought against discrimination and it honours a man who helped many escape the then-Transvaal area during the Anglo-Boer War. “Kwa muhle” means “the place of the good one” in Zulu. It was named to honour its first manager, Mr Marwick. Those visiting the museum will be able to see displays that have been reconstructed to show the oppressive environments that many South Africans had to endure during Apartheid. This particular museum features exceptionally heavy content and is therefore best for adults and supervised young ones.
For more information or to book a tour: thevan.harry@durban.gov.za or call +27 (0)31 311 2237
- Underground Mine Tour – Gold Reef City
Johannesburg
For those families who intend on visiting Gold Reef City, this tour is for you. The Underground Mind Tour allows you to travel below the surface in a mine cage. Guests are able to go 75 meters underground while learning all about the history of gold in South Africa. Guests on this tour will be able to see a live gold pour and look for pieces of “gold” by sieving through the water and pebbles on the gold-panning part of the tour. Gold Reef City itself sits on an area that surrounds the old number 14 gold mine shaft at Crown Mine, so this tour is an authentic representation of what it is like to go beneath the surface to mine for this precious metal.
For more information or to book a tour: https://www.goldreefcity.co.za/offers/underground-mine-tour-experience/
- The Franschhoek Motor Museum
Franschhoek
For the petrolheads and car lovers in the family, the Franschhoek Motor Museum in the winelands of the Western Cape is a must-visit. Situated on L’Ormarins Estate, this museum has an impressive collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles and more. This is a showcase of over a century of vehicle history. Guests will be able to see well over 200 vehicles including a Ford Model T, a Bugatti Type 23, a Rolls-Royce Phantom 1, a Jaguar E-Type, an Austin Healey 100/6, a Porsche 912 Coupe and so much more – all spread across the four halls of the museum. The museum classifies its vehicles by categories that include Antique, Veteran, Vintage, Post-vintage, Post 1945 and Post 1960. Entry into the museum costs R80 (R60 for pensioners). A classic car ride can also be booked for an additional R80.
For more information or to book a tour: https://franschhoekmotormuseum.activitar.com/products
Museums are excellent places to take the whole family if you are looking for a day of both fun and learning. Start with these five and soon you will find yourself on the hunt for more.