Top 12 Weekend Getaways From Johannesburg, South Africa - Updated 2024

1. Waterberg (from USD 135)

Waterberg, 293 kilometers (182.06 miles) from Johannesburg, is a great place to visit for a weekend. Visit the bushveld savanna and observe a large population of animals in the region. Waterberg is home to the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, the water reservoir of the otherwise dry region. Tourists can learn the fascinating history of the early humans that inhabited the region and the cultures and traditions of its people at the Aren Dieperink Museum.

Another popular destination for tourists is Bambelela Wildlife Care, where you can see the adorable vervet monkeys, learn their ways, and learn about their importance to the environment. After your adventure, stay in a boutique hotel in Johannesburg for a great and stylish stay!

2. Port Shepstone (from USD 51)

682 kilometers (423.78 miles) away from Johannesburg, Port Shepstone is the perfect holiday destination boasting sandy beaches and seas that offer many water activities. Walk along one of the beaches on its 18 kilometers (11.18 miles) coastline and enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in its warm waters. Boating is also popular, where tourists can see whales or even swim with dolphins! The town is also home to the largest river on the south coast, the Mzimkulu River, where you can enjoy boating, canoeing, or river rafting.

You can also stay by the riverside, enjoy a relaxing view of birds flying by, and watch as wildlife thrives in its natural habitat. You wouldn’t want to miss the Oribi Gorge, featuring outcrops and a beautiful waterfall.

3. Bela-Bela (from USD 32)

A town situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Bela-Bela was once upon a time called Warmbaths for its geothermic hot springs that were discovered by the Tswana group over 200 years ago. The term Bela-Bela means water that boils on its own, which also happens to attract visitors from around the country, as well as the globe. With a driving distance of 168 km (104 miles) and reachable in fewer than two hours from Johannesburg, this holiday resort town has weather that is pleasant throughout the year, which adds to the popularity amongst visitors. Along with the hot springs, there are other attractions that cater to all kinds of visitors. Some of them are Bambelela Wildlife Care And Vervet Monkey, Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm, Wag N Bietjie Hiking Trails, and more.

4. Muldersdrift (from USD 47)

Plan a romantic getaway to Gauteng Province, South Africa. Muldersdrift, a place that has it all, is a small, rural town boasting pristine vistas that sit between the Magaliesberg Mountain Range and Johannesburg. Visitors can reach this place in less than an hour at a distance of 40 km (24 miles) from Johannesburg.

While here, make sure to explore Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Wonder Caves, Nirox Foundation Sculpture Park, Buggy Parks, Happy Island Water World South Africa, and more.

5. Golden Gate Highlands National Park (from USD 53)

Located in Free State of South Africa, in the Maluti Mountains rolling foothills, lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The highlight of this park is the deep mix of orange- and golden-hued sandstone outcrops and cliffs. Along with this, there are several caves featuring San rock paintings that also steal the limelight. There are many wildlife and bird species nestled here. Paleontologists have also found skeletons and dinosaur eggs in the park. If you are arriving from Johannesburg, you can reach here in about three hours, with a distance of about 302 km (187 miles).

6. Magoebaskloof (from USD 95)

Situated between Polokwane and Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, Magoebaskloof is a perfect weekend destination that will cater to all kinds of travelers. Located a bit further away from Johannesburg at a distance of 400 kilometers (248 miles) reachable within 5 hours, this mountainous region town is encompassed by natural evergreen subtropical forest. You can indulge in multiple activities such as taking a canopy tour, going on a hike, fishing, mountain biking, and so many more.

7. Kaapsehoop (from USD 31)

Looking for a place that is a true definition of off-the-beaten-track? Then, Kaapsehoop is the way to go. Located in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, Kaapsehoop is nestled amidst high mountains and sandstones.

This tiny village features a handful of restaurants and quirky stores. The sightings of wild horses roaming about are quite common here. You can hike or walk through the rocky slope, which offers unmissable scenery. Located at a distance of about 310 km (192 miles) away, a short road trip from Johannesburg will take you there.

8. Dinokeng Game Reserve (from USD 76)

One of the best ways to spend a weekend is to spend time in nature, amidst wildlife. Situated in Gauteng, South Africa, Dinokeng Game Reserve is the only wildlife sanctuary in the region that provides activities for visitors such as the Big five game free walks. This large wildlife sanctuary spans across 21,000 hectares (51,892 acres) and the place is translated as the river place, because of the numerous rivers that flow through the region. The reserve has many wildlife species such as rhinos, leopards, elephants, lions, and more. There are even self-drive safaris that are offered here. Travelers can easily reach this place in an hour at a distance of 104 km (64 miles) from Johannesburg.

9. Machadodorp (from USD 71)

An amazing destination for a romantic getaway from Johannesburg because of its close location to Pretoria and Machadodorp, also famously called by its official name eNtokozweni, is nestled near the steep slope of Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The major highlights of this destination include fly-fishing and the natural radioactive spring, which is popular for its healing abilities. The town is 242 km (150 miles) away and reachable in two and a half hours from Johannesburg.

10. Tonteldoos (from USD 21)

A picturesque village in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Tonteldoos sits between two stunning mountain ranges - Steenkampsberg and Mapochsberg. This village is a part of Mapoch land, which was seized during the Mapoch War against King Nyabela by the poor settlers in 1883. With a distance of 250 kilometers (155 miles) and reachable in 3 hours from Johannesburg, visitors can check out some of the best attractions here including Elands River Falls, Ama Poot Poot Hiking Trail, and Mine View Driving Range and Fishing.

11. Cullinan (from USD 25)

A quaint little village in Gauteng, South Africa, Cullinan is located along the diamond route, which relies mostly on tourism, along with the mineworkers’ houses, buildings, and churches that dominate the skyline. Cullinan is named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, who was a renowned diamond tycoon back in the day. This charming village started growing in popularity since the discovery of the Cullinan Diamond, which is renowned as the largest gem ever found on this earth. Located less than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Johannesburg and reachable within one and a half hours, the village has several attractions such as Premier Mine, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, and Roodeplaat Dam Provincial Nature Reserve.

12. Parys (from USD 37)

Nestled on the banks of Vaal River, Parys is Paris in Afrikaans. This attractive town is the ideal weekend getaway from the chaos of city life as it is situated about 110 kilometers (68 miles) from Johannesburg, which takes about an hour and 15 minutes to reach. Parys boasts a lot of art galleries, museums, vintage stores, and gift shops, and it has become a popular spot to showcase work from many of the artists who call Parys their home. Visitors on a vacation here can check out Vredefort Crater, Val Dam, and Dell Cheetah Center.

Enjoy fun getaways from Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a mixed collection of rugged hills, countryside villages, and beaches. After the fun things to do in Johannesburg, it is time to pack your bags for a weekend getaway to the nearby picturesque places over the weekend. Use this article as a guide to tour beautiful destinations.