Fishing in Botswana: The Best Spots to Visit During A Self-Drive Adventure
Botswana is one of the best safari destinations in the world, renowned for its impressive...
20 January 2025 
Searching...
Make the most out of the 2025 South African public holidays by strategically taking leave from work and enjoying long weekend getaways close to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and KwaZulu-Natal.
Let’s explore the 2025 South African public holidays, how to maximise your leave (including taking just seven days of leave and enjoying a 17-day holiday!), and long weekend getaway ideas around South Africa.
The South African Flag | Photo: CreativePhotCorner via Getty
There are 12 public holidays but only 11 weekdays off work in 2025. While this is fewer than last year, there are more opportunities for long weekends, as some holidays fall on Fridays and Mondays. And while National Women’s Day falls on a Saturday, Freedom Day falls on a Sunday, which means the next Monday is a public holiday.
Now, how can you strategically take leave to make the most of your long weekends?
Happy Family in a car | Photo: Weekend Images via Getty
If you take seven days of leave between Easter and Workers’ Day, you can enjoy 11 days off work (17 if you count the weekends)! Book your leave on the days of 22 to 30 April and 2 May for an extra long break.
With special school holidays on 29 and 30 April and 2 May, this is the perfect time for a family getaway.
Heritage Day falls on a Wednesday, so you can take 22 and 23 as well as 25 and 26 of September off work to keep that braai going.
Reconciliation Day is on a Tuesday, followed by Christmas the next Thursday and the Day of Goodwill after that. If you take leave from 15 to 31 December, you’ll enjoy 13 days of leave (17 including weekends) for the price of just 10.
Besides the above holidays, there are two long weekends this year: Human Rights Day and Youth Day. Here are some long weekend getaway ideas for three of South Africa’s main hubs. All of these options are under four hours from the cities’ centres.
Red Rocks in the South African Magaliesberg Plateau | Photo: Olena Kalinova
Dullstroom in Mpumalanga is just a three-hour drive from Johannesburg and is an ideal place for a long weekend family getaway. This small town offers plenty to do as well as accommodation, including self-catering options. If you’re an angler, try your hand at trout fishing in the crystal-clear dams. There’s also an Ernie Els-designed championship golf course as well as hiking and mountain biking trails. The whole family will love the Birds of Prey Centre and the Verloren Valei Nature Reserve.
Just over an hour’s drive from Johannesburg is the Magaliesberg mountain range, a great place to go hiking, rock climbing, and birdwatching. The Hartbeesport Cableway is a must-visit for a fun, adventurous day. There’s a full-enclosed cablecar, a dedicated Kids’ Zone, two-seater chair lifts, and a four-level SkyPark that includes ziplining. In the foothills of the Magaliesberg, Piesangkloof offers 4×4 trails over rocky environments for a thrilling adventure.
About a three and a half hour drive from Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Big Five. You can go on game drives, guided walks, and even hot air balloon safaris. While this is a perfect long weekend destination, you can easily spend five days here relaxing and exploring this wilderness.
A 4×4 traveling over rocky terrain in the Cederberg in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Mixing a mountain and ocean getaway into one town, Stanford is an amazing choice for a long weekend away. Just a two-hour drive from Cape Town, this is a fantastic place to enjoy a laid-back long weekend. Go on leisurely walks around the historical town and visit coffee shops, and relax on the beach, which is just 15 minutes away. For the more adventurous, explore the Walker Bay Nature Reserve in a 4×4 and take on the hiking and mountain biking trails.
The Cederberg has long been a popular destination for people who want to be immersed in nature. Just two hours from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area boasts camping and caravan sites surrounded by stunning nature. While here, see hundreds of San rock paintings, go rock climbing, and explore hiking trails, four of which are waterfall trails.
You can also taste the unique vintages of this region at Cederberg Wine. Visit the tasting room to explore their award-winning range; there’s also a brewery on-site creating handcrafted natural beers.
One to two hours inland from Cape Town is the small town of Wolseley. Head to the Fynbos Guest Farm and Animal Sanctuary to visit the rescued zebra, llamas, alpacas, horses, ostriches, and springbok that call this farm home. The Creative Hub is not to be missed! Here you’ll find a variety of handmade crafts. Wine and gin tastings can also be done, so you’ll want to stay for at least a night or two. There are cosy cottages as well as camping and caravan sites.
Tip: Wolseley is situated along Route 62 and super close to Tulbagh and Ceres, so it’s the perfect stop on a road trip.
Drakensberg Mountain and Tugela River | Photo: EcoPic via Getty
Two and a half to three hours from Durban lies the Central Drakenberg, an ideal destination for nature lovers and hikers. This region offers some of the best hiking trails in the country, with Champagne Castle, Cathedral Peak, Monk’s Cowl, and Giants Castle famous among adventure travellers. You’ll be spoiled with stunning views as well as have the opportunity to see ancient cave paintings and serene waterfalls.
Just under three hours from Durban is a massive protected area along the coast, iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to hippos, crocodiles, pelicans, flamingos, and the Big Five. Deep-sea fishing, birdwatching, whale watching, boat cruises, kayaking, horseback riding, and so much more can be done here, making it a perfect long weekend getaway for active travellers.
Just a three-hour drive from Durban is Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest proclaimed nature reserve and a Big Five safari destination renowned for rhino conservation. Once the personal hunting grounds of King Shaka, this park is now ideal for game drives, hikes, and bush walks to explore the diverse range of fauna and flora. There are camps and lodges on offer for long weekend trips.
Drive South Africa has long weekend getaway deals on campervans, cars, and 4x4s to help you have the best holiday possible! Wherever you’re going, we have the right vehicle for you.
Botswana is one of the best safari destinations in the world, renowned for its impressive...
20 January 2025
South Africans familiar with the century-old MG brand will be happy to know that it’s...
20 January 2025
Reports from Mpumalanga and Limpopo suggest that recent heavy rains in the northeast of South...
15 January 2025
Typically responds in under 15 minutes
