The biggest city in South Africa and Gauteng province’s capital, Johannesburg, was renowned for its gold-mining settlement in the 19th century. The city of gold is a haven for students at Witwatersrand University and Johannesburg University. Johannesburg is also home to notable people including Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela. The former home of Nelson Mandela has been converted into the Mandela House Museum. There are many other landmarks in the city that will keep you busy for days. After visiting all the attractions, you’ll find great Airbnb vacation rentals and Vrbo vacation rentals to rest your head. If you want to vacation in luxury and relax, you can also choose a hotel with a spa in the city. And, if you wish to get out of the city over the weekends, there are several places near Johannesburg to do so. Read on to find the weekend getaways from Johannesburg, South Africa.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 23, 2024.
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1. Waterberg (from USD 114)
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!
Thulani Game Lodge And Eco Estate
Address: Unnamed Rd, Waterberg
128.81 km (80.1 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
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.
LOMBOK LODGE
Address: Casuarina Road, Sea park, Port Shepstone, South Africa, 4235
591.83 km (367.8 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
3. Bela-Bela (from USD 40)
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.
Elephant Springs
Address: 31 Sutter Road
90.17 km (56.1 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
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4. Muldersdrift (from USD 71)
Excellent breakfast buffet with a variety of options. Delicious dinner offerings and friendly staff. However, some areas for improvement in terms of food variety and service.
Reasonable pricing for a weekend breakaway with good value for money.
Convenient accessibility to tourist attractions and serene surroundings. Close to many amazing spots and activities like the swinging bridge, gardens, and spa.
Beautiful location with nature views, waterfall, and leisure activities. Clean and comfortable rooms with friendly and helpful staff.
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.
Glenburn Lodge & Spa
Address: Off the M5 Swartzkops Road and in Kromdraai Road
75.81 km (47.2 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
Johannesburg Tour Guide
Thabang Molefe
My name is Thabang Molefe, Director/ Owner of Tsalanang Travel & Tours. I’m a qualified National Tourist Guide in South Africa, born and breast fed in Johannesburg. I have worked in the sports & events industry where I discovered my passion for traveling, and later worked with some of the TOP destination management/operators in South Africa. I love meeting people, and exchangin... Read more
Tours by Thabang
Johannesburg Tour Guide
Jakes
Jakes is registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding. He is competent to advise clients on all essential aspects of travel in South Africa having passed the SA Specialist course from South African Tourism. As a good story teller, he makes any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes him to stand out as a knowledgeable and exciting guide. “I’m always ... Read more
Tours by Jakes
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5. Golden Gate Highlands National Park (from USD 57)
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).
Highland Quarters
Address: 289 Market Street
316.47 km (196.7 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
6. Magoebaskloof (from USD 102)
Exceptional dining experience at the on-site restaurant, serving wonderful meals with a personal touch.
Great value for money with spacious, well-appointed rooms.
Perfectly situated as a mid-point between northern Kruger and Joberg airport, offering tranquil and secluded surroundings with stunning views.
Off-the-grid lodge with fully working amenities, including hot water, electricity, and gas stove.
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.
Graceland Eco Retreat
Address: Portion 9, Escatre Farm Kudu River Valley
253.68 km (157.7 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
7. Kaapsehoop (from USD 25)
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.
Silver Mist Guest House, Country Inn and Herberg
Address: 47 Kantoor Street Kaapsehoop
225.8 km (140.4 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
8. Dinokeng Game Reserve (from USD 81)
Delicious and well-prepared breakfast, South African BBQ (braai) with all the trimmings, accommodating special dietary requirements, and a variety of fruits.
Reasonable pricing for a bush experience near Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Located in the heart of Dinokeng Game Reserve, offering a peaceful and serene escape with wild animals roaming around the fence line, just a 90-minute drive from Johannesburg.
Comfortable and clean rooms, friendly and helpful staff, game drives and bush walks, braai facilities, spacious grounds, and a swimming pool.
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.
Foreva Wild
Address: Erf 50, Welgevonden JR124, Dinokeng Game Reserve, Gauteng
35.66 km (22.2 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
9. Machadodorp (from USD 74)
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.
Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate
Address: Winnaarspoort Road, District Belfast
164.9 km (102.5 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
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.
Highlands Country Lodge
Address: AB 6 Die Ou Pospaal Pad
148.8 km (92.5 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
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.
Yesterdaysdream
Address: Plot 95, Zonderwater Road
2.68 km (1.7 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
12. Parys (from USD 48)
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.
Mistique Waters Guesthouse
Address: esplenade no 6
172.23 km (107.1 mi) from Adventure Zone Cullinan
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.
Frequently asked questions about the best weekend getaways from Johannesburg, South Africa
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