With just a week to go before Heritage/National Braai Day takes place on the well-known South African holiday on September 24, have you gotten those tongs, firelighters, briquettes and  braai packs ready yet? If not, this week might be your best time to start planning what you’re going to braai, where you’re going to braai, and who’s going to join you on the 24th of September, 2014.

Why settle for just that one day? The braai is a South African tradition, implying that for any resident of the country, wouldn’t you want to make a day celebrating this tradition as enjoyable as possible? You could have as much fun as you want for the day and more if you took a day or two off afterwards, or if you’ve planned well enough, you could have the entire week off! Make it a Braai Week! By giving yourself, friends and family more opportunity to enjoy the National Braai Day, it makes the perfect time to go on a holiday and book a self catering apartment in one of the many apartments in and around Cape Town. This would put you closer to great spots for a braai, if you chose to take advantage of the many popular braai venues around the Cape.

Maybe you could try out something new to braai when next week comes around. While there are a few firm favourites, there are a wide array of recipes for you to try, courtesy of South Africa’s Braai Master, Jan Scannell (more popularly known as Jan Braai, the man who initiated National Braai Day). While you’re exploring new ideas for a braai, why not make it an experience and try it at one of the best places to have a braai. One of the most preferred spots among Capetonians to braai at is Tokai Forest. A truly great venue to braai at during the summer, Tokai Forest’s endless tree cover provides enough shade, and at the same time lets the sun peek through at some spots. If you chose to make use of this awesome braai hotspot, make a holiday of it by booking some accommodation in nearby areas such as Constantia or the not-too-far Newlands (just a 15 minute drive).

Perhaps you’re the rare person who’s avoided the favoured braai foods until now and next week will be the time you try them out to see why they are so popular. But while you’re considering what established favourite you’ll be using for your braai, another great place to braai at is the Silvermine Nature Reserve. Not far from the Silvermine Reservoir, this hotspot is a place where you can do some exploring, and enjoy some breathtaking views of the environment around you. You could put you and your family within an easy distance of this braai attraction by securing a holiday rental in the nearby area of Noordhoek.

It’s clear that a braai is in its element in the outdoors. While there are many spots around the Cape where you can braai, one last place to go is Newlands Forest. Formal picnic areas make this forest an ideal venue to host a braai party, and the smell of the pines together with that of your sizzling meals will certainly get your mouth watering. With vacation apartments right in the area, this is one hotspot that you can get quick access to with hardly any trouble.

If those plans haven’t been made yet, start right this minute. Establish what’s on for the braai, tell your friends, and choose the venue, and make sure to make a real holiday of it by getting some accommodation nearby.