South Africa has a way of hiding magic in plain sight, especially just outside its bustling urban centres. These five destinations feel worlds apart from their nearby cities, offering scenery, serenity, and soul-refreshing calm without the long-haul drive.
Magoebaskloof – Limpopo
Picture/Magoebaskloof Tourism Association
Drive time from Polokwane: ±1.5 hours
High up in the northern Drakensberg, Magoebaskloof is a pocket of misty forest magic that feels more like a remote European countryside than part of Limpopo. The winding roads are flanked by pines, waterfalls, and fields dotted with wildflowers, making the drive itself part of the experience. There’s a sense of stillness here that makes you want to slow down: book a cosy log cabin, wander through the Cheerio Gardens in bloom, or sip local tea at the Magoebaskloof Farmstall. For the more adventurous, the Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour sends you gliding above the forest canopy, while the Woodbush Forest Reserve offers shaded hikes rich in birdlife.
Rooi-Els & Pringle Bay – Along the Clarence Drive from Cape Town -Western Cape
Pringle Bay beach/Asher Pardey/Unsplash
Drive time from Cape Town: ±1.5 hours
Often bypassed for Hermanus or Betty’s Bay, the tiny coastal hamlets of Rooi-Els and Pringle Bay are quiet paradises where fynbos meets sea. The drive along Clarence Drive is a dramatic prelude, offering panoramic coastal views and hairpin turns. Rooi-Els feels wild and windswept, its beaches practically empty even in summer. Pringle Bay has a bit more bustle, with artsy shops, casual cafés, and a beach that seems made for long, windblown walks. Both are ideal for travellers seeking coastal quiet, with the bonus of whale sightings in season and baboon troops as roadside spectators.
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Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (Western Cape) – Just inland from Hermanus
Hemel-en-aarde Valley/Amada44/Wikimedia Commons
Drive time from Cape Town: ±2 hours
Meaning “Heaven and Earth” in Afrikaans, this valley lives up to its name with moody mountain views, layered vineyards, and boutique wine farms that feel a world away from the city. Hemel-en-Aarde is a cool-climate gem where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive—but it’s not just for wine lovers. Many estates offer elevated dining experiences, art galleries, or picnics with panoramic views. Spots like Creation Wines and Ataraxia merge architecture with landscape, giving the sense you’ve travelled far — when in fact, you’re just two hours from the CBD. Don’t miss a stop at the Earth Artisan Café for local eats in rustic surrounds.
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve – Gauteng
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve/Derek Keats/Wikimedia Commons
Drive time: ±45 mins
You don’t have to leave Gauteng to feel like you’ve escaped it. Just a short hop from Johannesburg, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve is a rugged expanse of highveld plains, dolomite ridges, and scenic vistas. It’s not a flashy park — you won’t find Big Five game or luxe lodges — but what it lacks in wildlife it makes up for in accessibility and wild charm. Choose from hiking trails ranging from gentle strolls to the full 17 km loop. Keep an eye out for wildebeest, zebras, and the occasional jackal, and make time for a picnic in the crisp, open air. Early morning or late afternoon visits reward you with dramatic light over the hills.
Karkloof – KwaZulu-Natal
Karkloof Forest/Helen Lechmere-Oertel/Wikimedia Commons
Drive time from PMB: ±1.15hrs| from Durban: ±2 hrs
Hidden in the rolling Midlands, Karkloof feels like a wellness retreat tucked into a nature reserve. Known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and spa lodges, it’s a destination where you can truly reset. The Karkloof Canopy Tour is a highlight—a zipline adventure through indigenous mistbelt forest. For a slower pace, visit the Karkloof Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or take a walk to the Karkloof Falls.
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