BIRTHDAY GIFTS FOR MUMS GUIDE

Your mom's birthday is just around the corner, and the pressure to find an extraordinary gift is mounting.  Fret not, for Experience Days has come to your rescue! We've taken it upon ourselves to handpick 10 exceptional experiences that are guaranteed to bring an irresistible smile to your mom's face, right here in the enchanting land of South Africa. Every year it is the same hassle, trying to find the perfect gift for your mum. Luckily for you, this guide will provide a great variety of experiences, from adventurous to relaxing activities. Within this guide, you’ll find the perfect gift for her. Mum’s birthday is a great opportunity for her to take a break and enjoy an experience like no other.

Read on to find out our favourite experience gifts for Mum! 

FULL DAY STELLENBOSCH VINEYARD BIKE TOUR R2390

Celebrate your mum's special day with a memorable gift that combines relaxation, exploration, and the joy of wine. 

This delightful vineyard bike tour is in a centrally located wine estate in Stellenbosch. Setting off on the picturesque winding paths amidst the vineyards, you'll soak in the beauty of the surroundings while uncovering stories and the region's wineries and their distinctive wine production methods.

You'll pause your cycling adventure to appreciate the breath-taking mountain views and indulge in the exquisite flavours of crisp whites or hearty reds. If you desire, you can also take a well-deserved break for a delightful lunch, making the experience even more delightful.

Your mum will be eager to start her winery adventure after this vineyard bike tour!

BEGINNERS BEACH HORSE RIDING IN EAST LONDON R450

If your mum has never done horse riding before, this is the ideal experience for her. This Beginners Beach Horse Riding experience in Kei Mouth allows a great expedition to the best parts of the area on beautiful, well-trained horses.

The charming seaside village of Kei Mouth is an hour’s drive from East London in the scenic Eastern Cape Wild Coast region. It boasts several sandy beaches, ideal for riding. Once ready with the lovely companions and comfortable in the saddle, it is time for Mum to begin the extraordinary journey. Beginners are sure to feel comfortable on the well-schooled horses and even children on lead rein can be accommodated. Basic principles can be learned for horse riding, and Mum will feel herself growing in confidence with every step.

The Beginners Beach Horse Riding experience in Kei Mouth is a memorable experience for your mum and for the entire family. A voucher would make a wonderful gift for her!

FRANSCHHOEK HOP-ON HOP-OFF TRAM TOUR FOR TWO R 520

If your mum is a wine fan, this is the perfect experience for her. With the hop-on hop-off tram experience in Franschhoek, she will have the amazing opportunity to explore the region whilst tasting some delicious wines and foods. The Valley is rich with fascinating history, sprawling wine estates and unparalleled views, making a day trip is the ideal way to spend time with your mum.

The most difficult part of the day will be deciding which line to book onto, choosing from the Pink, Grey, Orange, Purple, Blue, Green, Red and Yellow routes. Each line takes you to a variety of estates. A ride on the Blue Line will take you to La Bourgogne where you can enjoy a unique wine and caramel pairing. The Green Line goes to La Bri, which has a special kiddie's pairing, so the kids can join in the fun! The Red Line features Grande Provence with its stunning sculpture garden and gallery, and you will have to click on the link to find out more. Many of the estates feature on multiple lines, but it's always worth checking the exact route before booking to ensure you have the perfect day. 

Whether Mum wants to simply enjoy the narrated journey or splurge on as many activities as possible, the Hop-On Hop-Off Tram Tour is suitable for all!

CELLARS HOHENORT HOTEL CLASSIC HIGH TEA FOR TWO R 530 

You can’t go wrong with a gourmet afternoon tea at the five-star Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia, admiring stunning Table Mountain views whilst nibbling on savoury delights and sweet treats.

High Tea is the epitome of dining sophistication that has been thoroughly, and rightfully, romanticised over the years. Imagine relaxing in 5-star surroundings with breath-taking mountain views, chef-prepared sweet and savoury treats, and fresh tea or coffee in elegant cups and saucers.

This is exactly what your mum will experience during the Classic High Tea at Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia, a culinary sensation fit for royalty.

PERFUME MAKING WORKSHOP CAPE TOWN - PLATINUM PACKAGE R650

Take Mum to this unforgettable Cape Town experience With this perfume making workshop in Cape Town, Mum will spend three hours crafting her very own fragrance over a glass of Champagne, then enjoy a tour of Africa's first perfume museum! Discover the complex art of the perfumer, during this fabulous introductory workshop in Cape Town. Enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne as you learn to blend your own fragrance, before taking home the bottled concentrate and a scented body cream.

The three-hour session will be led by one of the venue’s experienced perfume experts. They’ll be on hand throughout to offer guidance as you explore a stunning range of scents imported from Grasse, France – the world’s perfume capital. You’ll learn which fragrances complement one another, and marvel at their ability to evoke memories of people, places and experiences. Complimentary Champagne, juices and hot drinks are available, and your voucher includes entry to the exclusive perfume museum – the first of its kind in South Africa. 

Finally, you and Mum will each leave with a concentrated bottle of a signature oil, plus a luxurious scented body cream. If Mum is a fan of fragrance and pampering, she’ll love this experience gift. 

MAKEOVER AND PHOTOSHOOT WITH 10 IMAGES IN JOHANNESBURG R 699

This makeover and photoshoot experience in Gauteng makes a great gift for mums in need of some pampering. She can bring the whole family or her friends along to help create memories!

The photography studio is located in the Randburg municipality of Johannesburg, conveniently close to several bus stops and just round the corner from Randburg Square shopping mall. On arrival, the friendly staff will welcome Mum to the studio and get her seated at the make-up station, ready for the big transformation. 

With up to two outfits permitted during the shoot, Mum can create two unique looks that represent her personality - perfect for if she can't decide on just one outfit to model! At the end of the experience she can flick through the images and choose ten of her favourites, ready for the photographer to edit and send on a compact disc.

BODY REVIVAL SPA DAY IN FOURWAYS GAUTENG R 1550

Has your mum talked about wanting a massage or just a relaxing day at the spa? Bring her to a Middle Eastern mud ritual, back massage and facial during this 'Body Revival' spa day in Fourways!

This deluxe spa day in Fourways is an ideal escape for overworked individuals. Enjoy full access to the award-winning spa's leisure facilities, with lunch, and receive three quality treatments - guaranteed to leave you feeling revitalised.

Your experience takes place in one of Gauteng's most distinguished spas, where facilities include a heated indoor pool, Swiss shower, steam room, and Himalayan salt room. Guests are free to swim a few gentle lengths, or detoxify in the salt room, both before and after treatments. During your visit, you’ll enjoy a rejuvenating Middle Eastern mud ritual - complete with tropical rain shower - and a tension-relieving back, neck and shoulder massage, designed to ease the stresses of a demanding day-to-day. 

Your skin will be left looking and feeling great after a classic, sixty-minute facial. The spa takes pride in the quality of its customer care, and all treatments are delivered by qualified professionals, using carefully selected beauty products. When the time comes, you and Mum be sorry to leave - but ready for whatever tomorrow brings!

CAPE TOWN HELICOPTER BUZZ FLIGHT R 1550 

If Mum is an adventurer, take her to the skies with this Cape Town helicopter buzz flight. Take off from the V&A Waterfront and experience unparalleled views of Table Mountain, Lions Head, Signal Hill, Camps Bay and more! Experience Cape Town from the air during this thrilling, purse-friendly helicopter sightseeing tour, taking off from the world famous V&A Waterfront. 

Meeting at the Helipad at the Waterfront, your experience will begin with some paperwork and a quick briefing on what to expect from the flight, before passengers are helped aboard and strapped in securely. The take-off of a helicopter is nothing like that of an airplane... Prepare to be dumbstruck as the ground drops swiftly beneath you and you rise high above the Cape Wheel, the luxury yachts in the Harbour, and the 5-Star Hotels lining the waterfront. 

The flight path takes you south past Cape Town Stadium and Green Point Parkland many more. Here you and Mum will have time to admire epic views of the Twelve Apostles before circling back to the V&A, not forgetting the iconic Table Mountain standing tall in the distance.

Mum won’t be forgetting this birthday gift in a hurry!

HALF DAY PERSONAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IN GAUTENG R 1600

If your mum is looking to shake up her style, find a killer new outfit for a party, or just never has time to shop, this Gauteng personal shopping experience is for her.

With this luxurious experience, Mum will spend half a day with a personal shopper and uncover a new look! With four hours of dedicated styling advice, Mum will learn how to shop smart and discover what suits her body and budget, hopefully coming away with a new wardrobe that does wonders for her confidence. Whether she has a big event coming up, wants to completely overhaul her look, or is looking for some advice on styling, this personal shopping experience is sure to help her get the results she wants. 

Joining a professional stylist in Johannesburg, she’ll journey round Sandton City Shopping Centre visiting various boutiques and retail stores, picking outfits that represent her unique personality. She can even invite a couple of friends along to get a second opinion! Her personal shopper will give her suggestions and guidance, but ultimately she can choose whatever she feels comfortable (and fabulous) in. 

WATERFRONT PURE BLISS SPA DAY IN CAPE TOWN R 1800

If your mum is looking for a glamorous day out, she needs to head to the V&A Waterfront for an indulgent Swedish massage, manicure, pedicure and classic facial using Optiphi products! What a mouthful; so much to try!

This deluxe spa day in Cape Town is her chance to unwind and forget the stresses of a demanding day-to-day. She can make use of the spa's exceptional leisure facilities and receive four quality treatments – guaranteed to leave her feeling rejuvenated.

Mum’s experience takes place in an award-winning Waterfront spa. Facilities include a steam room, heated indoor pool, outdoor relaxation area, and mosaic-tiled tropical rain shower. All guests are free to swim a few gentle lengths, or simply gaze out to sea from the enclosed deck. What's more, she’ll also enjoy a stress-relieving Swedish body massage, luxury hot stone manicure and pedicure, and indulgent Optiphi facial – sure to leave her looking and feeling great. Customer care is paramount, and all treatments are administered by highly qualified, professional therapists, using top-of-the-range products. 

The Waterfront Pure Bliss Spa Day in Cape Town is a real treat for anyone overdue a day's pampering – so surprise your lovely mum with an Experience Days gift voucher, today!

MAGALIES RIVER VALLEY SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT             R 2895 

Mum will experience the awe of hot air balloon flying with this one hour Magalies River Valley sunrise flight.

Magalies River Valley borders the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. A flight over this incredible example of natural beauty is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion and create memories to last a lifetime. This unique flying experience takes place at sunrise and is run by a specialist organisation with years in the industry, Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safaris.

The experience starts with tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival at the clubhouse pavilion, before passengers are helped into the basket and the one hour flight begins. There will be plenty of opportunities to take photos as the balloon glides smoothly high above the ground - if Mum can drag her eyes away from the incredible Magalies River Valley skyline! Once back on solid ground the experience concludes with a refreshing glass of sparkling wine, and guests are invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast from the clubhouse restaurant. To top off a fantastic morning, everyone will receive a commemorative certificate!

South Africa has some of the best hot air balloon flying in the world, making it the perfect place to tick off that once-in-a-lifetime experience from the bucket list. Balloon flights make wonderful experience gifts, so treat Mum to a day she’ll never forget!

Thanks for reading! 

Thanks so much for reading our top 10 birthday gifts for mums! We hope you have found something for your beautiful mum, but if you are still looking for the perfect match, browse our full range of experience gifts here in South Africa. Got a question, or an experience you think we’ve missed? Feel free to leave a comment we would love to hear from all of you!