Sometimes, after a long week at work, all you want is a quick escape from your everyday bubble. Fortunately for us Saffas, there is no need to go far to find a beautiful change of scenery.
Martijn Vermeltfoort/Unsplash
These 9 routes below have been chosen for their accessibility, scenery and distance. They are within a 500 km round-trip from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Even if you don’t live within these cities, you can keep these up for consideration when planning your next staycation.
Driving from Johannesburg
Magaliesburg/Matt Halls/Unsplash
Magaliesberg
Distance: ±200 km round trip
Easily reached in less than two hours, Magaliesberg offers hiking trails, guest lodges and just the right amount of calmness to help you unplug.
Recommendations:
- A canopy tour through the forested slopes
- Brunch at a farm café
- Sundowners on a lodge deck overlooking the mountains
Dinokeng Game Reserve
Distance: ±200 km round trip
The Big Five can be spotted here and there is no long drive to Kruger required. Dinokeng has been designed for easy, self-drive safari getaways close to the city.
Recommendations:
- Book a guided game drive or self-navigate through the reserve
- Stay in a bush lodge or eco-camp
- Enjoy a braai under the stars if you are here at night
Parys & the Vaal River
Distance: ±250 km round trip
The highly underrated river town of Parys has become known for its artistic community, antique shops and laid-back pace. The quaint town is set beside the Vaal River and can be enjoyed throughout all seasons.
Recommendations:
- Vredefort Dome, a UNESCO-listed meteorite impact site
- White-water rafting or kayaking
- Local eateries and handmade goods in town
Driving from Cape Town
Matthijs van Schuppen/Unsplash
Franschhoek & Stellenbosch Winelands
Distance: ±200 km round trip
Why Go: With vineyards laid out beneath mountain backdrops, these twin towns offer wine tastings, fine food, and picturesque drives. It’s the ideal mix of indulgence and countryside calm.
Recommendations:
- The Franschhoek Wine Tram
- Award-winning farm-to-table restaurants
- Boutique wine estates tucked into the hills
Paternoster & the West Coast
Distance: ±320 km round trip
A favourite for Capetonians needing coastal calm. Paternoster’s white cottages and windswept beaches set the tone for a peaceful break, where time tends to slow down.
Recommendations:
- Seafood lunches and evening sundowners by the sea
- Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
- Wildflowers in the West Coast National Park (in spring)
Ceres via Bainskloof Pass
Distance: ±300 km round trip
The dramatic Bainskloof Pass leads you into the Ceres Valley, where snow may be seen in winter and fruit orchards dominate the landscape in summer.
Recommendations:
- Scenic stops along the pass
- Fruit picking (in season) and local farm stalls
Driving from Durban
Ballito/Panashe Tarusenga/Unsplash
Ballito & Salt Rock
Distance: ±150 km round trip
Just a quick hop up the coast, Ballito is ideal for a beach reset. A short trip can still feel like a proper holiday when it’s filled with ocean air. This trip is perfect for morning swims and lazy beach days. Ballito is filled with excellent brunch spots, local markets and relaxed, family-friendly energy.
The Midlands Meander
Distance: ±300 km round trip
A scenic stretch of KZN that’s been made for meandering. Here, boutique shops, farm stalls, and mountain cottages are tucked between forested hills. This one is for the foodies because of all the cheese, chocolate and local craft breweries.
Recommendations:
- The famous Mandela Capture Site for a more historical activity.
Oribi Gorge
Distance: ±350 km round trip
Oribi Gorge is a lesser-known gem for nature lovers and thrill seekers. It offers waterfalls, wildlife and a real sense of escape.
Recommendations:
- The Wild Gorge Swing is a must for adrenaline junkies and fearless travellers.
- Hikes through lush forest and rocky cliffs
- The suspension bridge high above the gorge floor
Sometimes the best stories are written close to home along winding roads that take you just far enough to reconnect with what makes this country so special. We tend to dream of far away places when thinking of holiday but our nation offers so many getaways that only require petrol and good vibes. Adventure or escape doesn’t need to be far away.
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