The Snake and Animal Park is not big (you can walk through in less than two hours) but has more animals than you might think, including rare white lions, gray wolves, many primate species, and birds of prey. Its selection of reptiles is overwhelming. Snake cages line the walkways, containing anything from harmless little garden snakes to poisonous cobras and giant pythons. Keep an eye out for snake shows, especially on weekends. The park also runs a ferry restaurant on the dam and a tea garden. (1 Scott Street, Hartebeespoort, Telephone: 012 253-1162, Web address: www.hartbeespoortdam.com )

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens

An easy drive from Johannesburg, this well maintained nature reserve with over 600 species of flowering plants, 210 species of birds, as well as a number of reptiles and small mammals is a great venue for family outings.

Wonderboom Nature Reserve

Situated in the northern part of the city of Pretoria, and straddling the Magaliesberg Mountains, is the Wonderboom Nature Reserve, a 200 hectare reserve famous for its magnificent specimen of the Wonderboom. The Wonder tree is a wild fig (Ficus salicifolia) and one specimen at the reserve is more than 1 000-years-old. Legend has it that it grew this big because the chief of an indigenous tribe lies buried beneath its roots.

Northern Farm

On the edge of the dusty informal settlement of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, is one of the greenest areas to be seen in the pale wintery sunlight - Northern Farm, an eco-friendly pleasure offering recreational facilities for residents and visitors.

Owned and operated by Johannesburg Water, the farm gives visitors an opportunity to picnic on the nature reserve; bird watching, walk through the green belt or play some sport - there are facilities to play soccer, basketball, netball and a mountain biking trail.

Website: www.northernfarm.co.za
Tel: 011 464 1510.

Rietvlei Zoo Farm

Pack a picnic basket, take the children and spend the day at the Rietvlei Zoo Farm in the south-eastern end of the city.

The farm is a division of the Johannesburg Zoo and contains the zoo's breeding facilities - there are four breeding camps, which house the newborn animals.

Opened to the public in 1992, the farm was set up in the early 1960s specifically for the zoo's animal breeding programmes. It now houses more than 20 of the zoo's animals, including five white lions, sitatungas, antelope, deer, meerkats, a baby steenbok and an aviary with more than 100 species of birds.

Address: Swartkoppies Road, Brackendowns
Telephone: 011 867 0143

Johannesburg Zoo

The zoo is one of the treasures of Johannesburg, a source of enjoyment and relaxation for locals and foreign visitors alike.

It occupies sprawling grounds, with numerous trees, water features and beautiful walks around the various enclosures.

The stars of the show are, of course, the animals and the collection is impressive, including lions, tigers, elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, sable antelope, bat-eared foxes, polar bears and many other species.

Website: www.jhbzoo.org.za
Email: info@jhbzoo.org.za
Address: Cnr Jan Smuts Avenue and Upper Park Drive, Parkview. The main public entrance is on Upper Park Drive.
Tel: 011 646 2000

Sci-Bono Discovery Centre

Learning about science can be exciting - and the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown is out to prove it.
The centre, located in the old Electric Workshop building in the cultural precinct of Newtown, provides an accessible teaching and learning environment with 'hands-on' exhibits, science stage shows and innovative workshops that demonstrate a variety of scientific and mathematical concepts. The aim is to contribute to developing greater proficiency in science, engineering and technology by demystifying science and improving the public understanding of these subjects.

Address: Miriam Makeba Street (Between President and Jeppe Streets), Newtown
Telephone: 011 639 8400
Website: www.sci-bono.co.za