Long Weekend Family Getaways in Gauteng, Cape Town, KZN, and Limpopo

Do you want to have more family weekend getaways in 2025? This year, South Africans can enjoy a few long weekends thanks to public holidays. So, there are ample opportunities to take to the road and explore natural escapes. Here are our top picks for families:

Weekend Getaways in Gauteng for Families

If you live in Gauteng, you have a ton of getaway options on your doorstep, but we love the Magaliesberg Mountains and Pilanesberg National Park for the outdoor activities and wildlife.

Magaliesberg Mountains

Red Rocks in the South African Magaliesberg Plateau | Photo: Olena Kalinova

Close to Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Magaliesberg is a well-loved destination for family getaways. Not only is it beautiful because of its rich biodiversity, but there is just so much to do here with kids! This region offers a range of outdoor activities that will keep you and your family busy for an entire long weekend.

• Hire a 4×4 so that you can take on the 4×4 trails for a thrilling adventure.
• Head to Van Gaalen Cheese Farm for a picnic on their grounds – their picnic hampers include a cheese board, and they have special knapsacks for kiddies.
• Zipline through the mountains for an incredible view of the mountain range (available for kids aged six and up).
• Go on family hikes to stunning viewpoints, waterfalls, and rock pools. Mountain Sanctuary Park has family-friendly hikes as well as camping sites.

Dinokeng Game Reserve

Lake in Dinokeng Game Reserve, Gauteng | Photo: Byron Sullivan via Getty

Just 40 minutes from Pretoria, this park is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning scenery. There are several campsites within the park for families keen to rent a camping-equipped 4×4 or campervan, as well as self-catering chalets. Home to the Big Five, this national park is perfect for families wanting to go on an adventure to see wildlife:

• Get a permit at the reserve’s gate and a map, then explore the reserve on the self-drive routes.
• Pack a picnic and head to one of the designated picnic areas to enjoy lunch in the wilderness.
• Go on a guided bush walk to learn more about the fauna and flora that call this reserve home.

Family Weekend Getaways in the Western Cape

The Western Cape is dotted with adorable small towns and coastal retreats that offer perfect respites from city life. Here are two options for families in Cape Town looking for relaxing long weekend getaways:

Hermanus

Hermanus, Western Cape | Photo: CMX via Getty

If you want your weekend getaway to be a combination of serene nature and adventurous activities as well as wine farms, restaurants, and art, Hermanus is a fantastic choice. Hermanus has transformed from a sleepy coastal village into a thriving town. There’s a lot to see and do during a long weekend here:

• Follow the Hermanus Village Amble, which takes you to the many artworks and sculptures around the town.
• Go on a vineyard tour and wine tasting at Bengula Cove (juice is available for the little ones).
• On Saturday, visit the Hermanus Country Market for music, farm-fresh produce, and handmade crafts.
• Have a family, pirate-themed miniature golf experience.

Victoria Bay

Sunset over Victoria Bay, Western Cape | Photo: alberto_cabrera_luna via Getty

Opt out of the busy Garden Route spots and head to Victoria Bay instead. Close to George, this cove has crystal-clear waters and is a perfect stop during a family road trip. There’s a golden coastline to relax on; just behind this is a lawn perfect for picnics.

• Explore and swim in the rock pools.
• Stay at the Victoria Bay Caravan Park and enjoy sweeping ocean views.
• Bring your surfboard to take on the waves.
• Hike from Victoria Bay to the Wilderness, which takes around one and a half hours.

Family Weekend Getaways in KZN

KwaZulu-Natal is home to incredible parks that are perfect for family getaways near Durban. Here are two options that will take you through breathtaking natural settings and wildlife hotspots:

Giants Castle National Park

Giant’s Castle, Drakensberg, KZN | Photo: Olaf Holland via Getty

In the Central Drakensberg Region, Giants Castle National Park is just three hours from Durban and home to the bearded vulture and the eland. The park has large, multi-bed chalets, perfect for families. This region is famous for its nature walks – pack your walking shoes to take on the trails.

• Go to Vulture Hide in winter to see the bearded vulture and other endangered species feed.
• Gain an insight into the ancient history of this land and its people by viewing the rock art.
• Visit the Main Caves Museum to learn about San history and culture.
• Head to Bushman’s River to swim and catch trout.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park

Impala Antelopes at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, KZN | Photo: Louis-Michel DESERT via Getty

This park is one of the oldest in South Africa and is home to a large population of elephants. Lions, rhinos, and hippos can also be seen during game drives here. There are a range of self-catering lodges and camps in the park.

• Take to the self-drive routes to explore the park at your own pace.
• Book a day walk with a ranger to learn more about the reserve and its animals.
• Have a braai at one of the on-site facilities.

Family Weekend Getaways in Limpopo

Limpopo and surrounds are home to one of the best self-drive routes in the country as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the remains of a once great civilisation.

Blyde River Canyon

Blyde river canyon, Limpopo | Photo: Daniele Codegoni via Getty

Located in Mpumalanga and famous for the Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon features lush subtropical cover, stunning green hills, and blue waters. There are a range of incredible viewpoints to visit for sweeping views of the canyon. This canyon is one of the largest in the world. There are opportunities for hiking, swimming, and canoeing, as well as several campsites and self-catering accommodation options available.

• Hike to God’s Window, a popular viewpoint with sweeping views of canyons, rock formations, forests, and waterfalls.
• Visit Bourke’s Luck Potholes, unique geological formations that are a result of many years of swirling eddies of water.
• Go on a boat trip along the Blyde Dam to see the Kadishi Tufa Waterfall.

Mapungubwe National Park

Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo | Photo: dr322 via Getty

Gain an insight into the history of South Africa by visiting this national park to learn more about the country’s first kingdom, Mapungubwe. This kingdom was a pre-Shona kingdom between 1050 AD and 1270 AD, and you can find out more about their complex society while visiting this national park.

• Pack a lunch and head to a picnic spot for lunch outdoors.
• Go on guided morning and sunset game drives to see elephants, warthogs, waterbucks, zebras, elands, and giraffes.
• Take on the hiking and nature trails (guided) to get a more in-depth experience of the wilderness.
• Do the Tree Top Walk, a walk among the riverine forest on a raised canopy.
• Go on an adventure along the rugged 4×4 trails.

Whether you’re in Gauteng, the Western Cape, KZN, or Limpopo, there are several incredible places that are perfect for family weekends away. Check when the next long weekend is and plan an adventurous family-friendly getaway!