A great weekend away doesn’t need the right forecast. Some places simply work—rain or sun, summer or snow. These getaways always have something special to offer in every season.
Kaingo Private Game Reserve – Limpopo
Picture/Waterberg Tourism
The Kaingo Game Reserve is situated in the Waterberg region of Limpopo. Sweeping across 22,000 acres of savanna, valley and river landscapes, Kaingo offers unique wildlife experiences and thrilling activities in a spectacular bushveld setting. Winter safaris come with clear skies and fireside chats, while summer sees lush grasslands and newborn animals. Less busy than big-name parks, it’s ideal for intimate wildlife experiences all year.
Matatiele – Eastern Cape Highlands
Picture/Firefly the Travel Guy
Close to the Lesotho border, this under-the-radar town gives you mountain views, heritage walks and crisp air in all seasons. Summer days are fresh and green, while winters bring icy streams and Basotho blankets. Explore sandstone churches or go hiking on the nearby Maloti Drakensberg trails.
Kleinzee – Northern Cape
Picture/Namakwa Info
This once-bustling diamond town on the Namaqualand coast is slowly reinventing itself. Summer brings fog and sea breezes, while winter days are sunny and wind-free. Go on the dunes, birding at the lagoon, or explore its offbeat attractions: pre-booked 4×4 mine tours past shipwrecks and strandveld, the Kleinzee Museum’s glimpse into the area’s natural and mining history, over 100 plant species in the Kleinzee Nature Reserve, and a nearby seal colony with nearly half a million residents.
Karkloof – KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Picture/Karkloof Falls/©Roger de la Harpe
Karkloof’s indigenous forests and waterfalls are cool in summer, golden in autumn, and lush even in winter. It’s less travelled than the Midlands Meander, with upmarket eco-lodges and private trails that suit both spa-goers and mountain bikers. Expect misty mornings and warm fires, regardless of the month.
ALSO READ: Winter adventures in the North West province
Suurbraak – Western Cape
Picture/London Traveller
Just outside Swellendam and 45 minutes from Barrydale, Suurbraak straddles the Tradouw River with old mission houses and a relaxed pace. Summer dips in the river turn into fireside nights come winter. Local guides offer village walks and hikes into the Langeberg. Hiking, biking, and exploring historical buildings are the town’s main draws, with a few nearby farms offering accommodation and a single local B&B in the village itself.
Elgin Valley – Western Cape
Picture/Roxanne Reid
Only an hour from Cape Town but refreshingly different, Elgin is cool even in summer. In winter, the orchards go bare and beautiful. Think mountain cottages, blossoming apple trees, and fern-covered trails. The charm is constant, and the weather is never too much.
Elliot – Eastern Cape
Picture/Barkly Pass near Elliot/Riverside Retreat
Elliot, also known as Khowa, sits at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg, with crisp mornings and mountain air in every season. It’s a base for hikes, drives, and detours into local history. Summer is green and inviting, winter is dry and dramatic—ideal for photography and woolly socks. Elliot also offers excellent game reserves and a mix of adventures—from white-water rafting to fly-fishing and slow strolls in scenic surroundings.
Groot Marico – North West
Picture/Africa Road Travel
In the Marico bushveld, this tiny dorp offers slow canoe paddles, fire-cooked meals, and literary nostalgia. Rainy summers fill the river; dry winters bring soft sun and quiet days. Groot Marico also makes an ideal stopover on the way to Madikwe Game Reserve, Gaborone, or deeper into Botswana.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ: South African experiences that belong on a bucket list
