For large portions of great seafood at reasonable prices, Sagres is definitely worth a visit. The cracked black pepper prawns are particularly good. The seafood salad has been my only disappointment (plasticky "crab" sticks). It's right next to the sea, which adds to the atmosphere, and there's a guarded parking area outside.

Av. Marginal 4272, Maputo, Mozambique
+258 21 395201

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Jardim dos Namorados is a small, colourful park perched on a hilltop overlooking the Bay of Maputo.

Its attractions include a children's play area, a wonderful view of the sea and a cluster of ice cream parlours and cafes.

One of the most popular cafes is "Surf" which sells an imaginative range of pastries and light meals - although the service is a bit hit and miss at weekends, when it gets very busy.

Jardim dos Namorados is THE place in Maputo for wedding photos so at weekends you will no doubt come across several wedding parties: processions of jubilant Mozambicans dressed in suits, silks and satins, all swaying, singing and posing for the camera.

Avenida Julius Nyere, Maputo

Google map: tinyurl.com/yc6wgg9

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The Mercure is not the cheapest hotel in Nelspruit but it is particularly good value for families: you can book a spacious two-bedroom apartment with kitchen area and living room. It's cheaper if you book (and pay) in advance. The Mercure has a beautiful swimming pool and the staff are welcoming. One drawback is that a shopping mall is being built next door, so our most recent stay (August 09) was not as peaceful as previous visits due to reversing trucks and the clang of scaffolding. Hopefully peace will return when the project is finished.

www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-2918-mercure-nelspruit/index.shtml

Corner of N4 & Graniet Street PO BOX 1556 1200 NELSPRUIT

Google map: tinyurl.com/yeaxx3w

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This drive takes you through pine forests and dramatic mountain scenery, via Sabie and Graskop. The old gold mining village of Pilgrim's Rest is also worth a visit. Along the way, there are many signposted waterfalls close to the road (admittedly not very big at times of low rainfall but still a good opportunity to have a short walk with gorgeous views). God's Window is a popular look-out place with spectacular views on a clear day. Along the way, there are many interesting rock formations (The Pinnacle, The Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck potholes).

You have to pay a small charge to visit some of the waterfalls and also at Bourke's Luck Potholes. There are plenty of picnic spots but the cafes and pancake houses of Graskop are a popular alternative.

www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/mpl_blyderiver.htm

Google map: tinyurl.com/yedp2ne

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Nelspruit has beautiful Botanical Gardens, set over a large rugged area, around a river gorge. It's a great place to stretch your legs and very family-friendly. There are boardwalks, bouncy footbridges, look-out points over waterfalls and adventure trails. Wildlife includes mongoose, stunning birds and vervet monkeys.

www.places.co.za/html/lowveld_botanical_garden.html
www.sanbi.org/frames/lowveldfram.htm

Off White River Road,(Value Mart Intersection)
PO Box 1024, Nelspruit, 1200
Tel : +27 13 752 5531

Google map: tinyurl.com/yjtu2et

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I have visited the Kruger park over 15 times with my family over recent years. Tom Kelly's overview of the Kruger gives the impression that it's hard to eat cheaply there - but the Kruger is a great pace for a budget family holiday. You can stay in cheap accommodation at most rest camps (usually fixed safari tents for two or four or budget huts for two-six which are spotlessly clean and have comfortable beds and a wash basin). In addition to more expensive restaurants, all the rest camps have cheap cafes and shops selling food so you can eat well indoors or have a BBQ (braai) under the stars for next to nothing. In general, most of the wildlife tends to congregate in the Southern area of the park (from Skukuza down to Crocodile Bridge and across to Malelane)so this is the area I would most recommend - but the Northern areas of the park have fewer tourists and thus are more peaceful.

www.krugerpark.co.za/

Google map: tinyurl.com/ybgk2ax

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