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“What do you MEAN, you haven’t been to Walkhaven?” a close friend of mine squealed over a cappuccino at the end of last year. “You’ve got dogs – you should be a REGULAR there.” To be fair, I could think of nothing worse than being around hundreds of dogs in a public place, but according to her, Walkhaven is a one-of-a-kind venue and one of those places that Joburgers (and their dogs) simply MUST go. Often.

And let me tell you: she was right!

In a nutshell, this Muldersdrift countryside venue is situated on 22 hectares of rolling grassland. There are two dams for the dogs to swim in, various hiking trails, braai and picnic facilities that have been spread out to avoid congestion and loads of beautifully maintained space in which to walk, picnic, play and enjoy a day out. The best part is that dogs are not required to be on a leash – in fact, the facility prefers them to run around and play. Just be sure to clean up after your dog (poo bags are available in the bar and on the deck area.) The restrooms are serviced regularly and remarkably clean!

If, like me, you are too lazy to pack a picnic lunch, The Dog Box Grill is a fabulous option. Renowned for their delicious breakfasts, the licensed venue also dishes up create-your-own pizzas, wraps, steak and ribs. Its position also makes it ideal for sundowners or those looking for a dining-spot-with-a-view.

I was also delighted to find out that Walkhaven also provides kennels from just R98 per dog per day (depending on size) and R88 per cat per day. All meals are served with fresh mince gravy and special diets can be accommodated.

All in all, this is one of the best local spots I have found that we can enjoy with our animals. My kids LOVED the freedom and space to run, play ball and enjoy massive amounts of time to play with our dogs, which means their parents were happy too! We will most certainly be back to take in more of the grounds.

Highly recommended!