Here we''ve listed a few of our favourite weekend getaway spots around Johannesburg, ranked by driving time.
Joburg is surrounded by vast highveld grassland and bushveld, with remarkable places like historic Welegelegen Manor surprisingly close to town – just 40 minutes and you’re poolside at a genuine 104-year-old Herbert Baker mansion, cocktail in hand. Or the exquisite privacy, pampering and dining at Abloom Bush Lodge, a delicious spa retreat hidden away in the bush just beyond Pretoria.
Drive time: 1 hour
These gentle mountains north-west of Joburg are one of the longest-inhabited places by humans on earth, as they frame the Cradle of Humankind, where we originated and have since been living for some 2 million years. These days though, the food and accommodation has improved considerably, but we still like to amble around the pleasing countryside and take in the views. It’s also one of the few places in South Africa that’s suited to hot air ballooning, and those mountains are breathtaking at sunrise from up in the air.
Drive time: 1 hour
Click here to book a fine country house in Magaliesberg
Trout fishing, fine craft beers (we recommend a tasting at the Anvil Ale Brewery), fireplaces for when the mist comes down, whisky bars, birding, great restaurants and long walks in gentle countryside - this is country living that feels like an unusual combination of Scotland meets Africa. There are also game reserves, hiking trails and South African War sites to explore.
Or drive a little further along the road to Lydenburg to Forest Creek Lodge & Spa, a private nature reserve where you can order picnics in the cloud forest, a bush bath beneath the stars, and private dinners in the candlelit gazebo…
Drive time: 2.5 hours
Click here to book a night or 2 in Dullstroom
The Waterberg
Perhaps the most scenic safari region in South Africa, the Waterberg has beautiful forested slopes, dramatic mountains, perennial streams and grasslands with herds of game. It’s mild in summer with magnificent highveld storms, clear skies in winter (chilly on morning game drives though) and an easy drive directly north from Pretoria on the N1 highway, before turning off into the foothills.
Drive time: 2-3 hours
Click here to explore the lodges of the Waterberg
The rest of the Free State may be flat, but in the east the landscape rises up to the border of Lesotho in majestic golden sandstone cliffs, after which the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is named. This pretty country town has this as its backdrop, and delights with craft beer and cherry festivals, arts and crafts, good hearty country cooking and sociable locals. Take a day drive into has superb hiking and dramatic snow in winter.
Extend your trip by exploring further south, traveling along the mountain edges through Fouriesburg, Clocolan and Ficksburg – and enjoy farm stays at beautiful Oranje Guest Farm or Amohela ho Spitskop Country Retreat, where wide open spaces will restore your soul,
Drive time: 3 hours
Click here to book an invigorating stay in or nearby Clarens
People travel across the globe to the Lowveld, home to the world-famous Kruger National Park and magnificent private reserves (Sinita Sabi Sand has recently scooped 2 major international awards – yet again), but for Joburgers, it’s just a drive down the N4. For game viewing, little beats the lodges of the superlative Sabi Sand and Timbavati. You may to save up, but it’ll be the trip of a lifetime.
Close to the Kruger Park is the laid-back town of Hazyview where it’s sunny poolside all year round, and near White River the deep forests shade genteel spots like Highgrove House Country Hotel. On the southern boundary of the park at wonderfully colonial Buhala Lodge you can gaze out over the Crocodile River, having a drink while the elephants do the same.
Drive time: 3-5 hours (or a short flight to KMIA, Skukuza, Hoedspruit or Phalaborwa airports)
Click here to book a trip into the wild Lowveld
The largest “green canyon” on earth, the Blyde River Canyon, is surrounded by spectacular view sites like God’s Window. Three Rondawels, The Pinnacle and various waterfalls. Graskop and Sabie are up atop the escarpment, with lots of eateries and art galleries to drift around. For a very special stay, after you’ve seen the sights, drive a little down the escarpment to spend a new magical nights at romantic Timamoon Lodge.
Drive time: 4 hours
Click here to book your trip to the spectacular Panorama Route
The mountains around Tzaneen are richly forested, with magnificent gardens, long walks, forest reserves and tropical fruit farms all around. This is a great place to escape the summer heat as the mountains are often shrouded in mist offering a cool alternative to the surrounding bushveld.
Drive time: 3.5 hours
Click here to book your stay at Magoebaskloof
This 75 000 hectare reserve in North West Province is top rated for game sightings, and increasingly popular for families because it’s malaria-free. The combination of grassland plains and semi-desert makes for easy viewing and a variety of species not seen elsewhere, but Madikwe is especially famous for wild dog, lion and elephant. There are many superb private lodges to choose from, including the ultra-luxurious Presidential Suite at Tuningi, the easy comfort of the old farmhouse at The Bush House and stylish Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge.
Drive time: 4 hours
Click here to book your private safari at Madikwe
Take a turn off the N3 en route to Durban and you’d be forgiven for thinking you''re in the English countryside. Tree-lined roads wind over gentle hills, past historic schools and old railway sidings (Rovos Rail pulls up here too). There are artisan food makers, country pubs, artist studios and seriously foodie country places to stay at – Hartford House and Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse are downright famous for their dining.
Drive time: 4 hours (or fly Airlink to Pietermaritzburg)
Click here for some quiet time in the Midlands
Awe-inspiring landscapes of verdant valleys sweeping up to the highest peaks in the country, snow-capped in winter, with easy day walks through to serious mountain hikes. Most of the mountains fall under the protection of the Ukahlamba Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is probably much bigger than you imagine – so we suggest give yourself time to explore both the northern and southern ‘Berg with nights in each area.
Drive time: 4-5 hours
Click here to explore South African''s mightiest mountain range
Engage your imagination as gifted storytellers bring to life the great battles between British, Boers and Zulus which changed the course of history - not only did Churchill and Ghandi serve here, but it was also where Prince Imperial Napoléon was killed, ending any hope for the restoration of the Bonapartes to the throne of France. You’ll have goosebumps listening to the stories while standing at Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Fugitives Drift and Spioenkop.
Drive time 4-5 hours
Click here to book your stay in the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal
So if you’re living in the Big Smoke and bemoaning the lack of mountain and sea – no more complaining please! We’re happy to help...if something has caught your eye and you’d like to know more, please drop us a line.