Across South Africa, there are small towns and nature-rich destinations where couples can slow the pace while still having good restaurants, comfortable places to stay and plenty to explore.
These are places where you can park the car, walk around, find a good meal, spend some time outdoors and return to a comfortable room at the end of the day.
Haenertsburg, Limpopo
Haenertsburg/JMK/Wikimedia Commons
Slow down among forests and mountain scenery
High in the Magoebaskloof mountains, Haenertsburg is a good choice for couples who want nature without completely disappearing from civilisation.
The village has a handful of restaurants and cafés, including Red Plate Restaurant and The Pot & Plough, while the surrounding Magoebaskloof area provides plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Couples can make a morning of exploring the village before heading into the surrounding countryside for a walk or waterfall outing. Debegeni Falls is nearby, while the area’s forests, lakes, hiking trails and birdlife offer plenty of reasons to spend a few hours outside.
There is no need to pack every day with activities. Pick a trail, stop for lunch and leave the afternoon open.
Stay for: forest scenery, village restaurants and an unhurried mountain atmosphere.
St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal
St Lucia/By: VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Getty Images
Trade the city rush for wetlands and wildlife
St Lucia offers a different kind of slow escape. The small KwaZulu-Natal town sits alongside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, giving couples easy access to extraordinary wildlife and landscapes while keeping restaurants, accommodation and other conveniences close at hand.
The St Lucia Estuary is one of the area’s biggest draws. Couples can take a boat cruise to look for hippos and crocodiles, while the wider park offers guided walks, hiking, whale watching, turtle tours, and game drives.
The beauty of staying in St Lucia is that you don’t have to choose between a wilderness experience and comfort. The town has accommodation ranging from guesthouses to full-service hotels, including properties in the heart of the town.
Spend the morning on the water, have lunch in town and keep the evening slow.
Stay for: estuary cruises, wildlife and easy access to one of South Africa’s most remarkable natural areas.
ALSO READ:
Hogsback, Eastern Cape
Scenic view from The Edge over Tyhume Valley and Amathola Mountain range in Hogsback/By: ToscaWhi/iStock
Find a slower pace in the Amathole Mountains
Hogsback feels wonderfully removed from everyday life without being a place where couples have to rough it.
The mountain village is surrounded by indigenous forest, with waterfalls, hiking trails and viewpoints providing the main reasons to venture outdoors. The area also has restaurants, cafés, arts and crafts and a variety of accommodation.
One of the easiest ways to experience Hogsback is simply to walk. Trails lead through the forest to waterfalls, while the Big Tree, a giant yellowwood estimated to be around 800 years old, is another worthwhile stop.
Couples who don’t want a strenuous weekend can skip the more adventurous activities and concentrate on gentle walks, gardens, local food and the scenery.
Stay for: indigenous forests, waterfalls, mountain air and cosy village evenings.
Clarens, Free State
Panorama of the endless view, captured shortly before sunrise at the Golden Gate National Park/By: Paul Bruins Photography/Getty Images
Wander between galleries, cafés and mountain views
Clarens has become one of South Africa’s best-known small-town escapes, but its appeal for couples lies in how easy it is to do very little here.
The village square is compact and walkable, with galleries, craft shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants close together. There are more than 20 galleries in the area, making an afternoon spent browsing art an easy alternative to filling the itinerary with activities.
When you want some fresh air, the surrounding Maluti Mountains and nearby Golden Gate Highlands National Park offer hiking and other outdoor experiences. Several easier trails are available in the park, so a weekend doesn’t have to become an endurance exercise.
Come back to the village for dinner, local beer or a quiet evening at your accommodation.
Stay for: art galleries, good food, walkable streets and dramatic mountain scenery.
Dullstroom, Mpumalanga
View overlooking Dullstroom lake and surrounding nature/By: JJ van Ginkel/iStock
Make the most of cool mornings and slow afternoons
Dullstroom is particularly suited to couples who enjoy having something to do without feeling obliged to do everything.
The Mpumalanga Highlands town is known for its fly-fishing, but there is more to the destination than casting a line. Its walkable streets are lined with restaurants, shops and places to stop for something warm to eat or drink, while hiking and mountain-biking trails provide easy ways to explore the surrounding landscape.
A relaxed weekend could involve an early walk, a leisurely breakfast and an afternoon spent browsing the town before settling in somewhere for dinner.
For couples who enjoy fishing, the area’s dams provide another reason to slow down. Those who don’t can simply enjoy the cooler climate and countryside.
Stay for: country walks, fly-fishing, restaurants and crisp Highlands air.
The appeal is doing less
The best thing about these destinations is that couples don’t need to build a complicated itinerary around them.
There is enough nearby to fill a weekend, but not so much that you feel pressured to see everything. Walk into town for breakfast, spend a few hours outdoors, find somewhere good for lunch and let the evening unfold slowly.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
5 South African weekends for couples who hate sitting around
