Finally, the holiday season is here. And it has taken its sweet time, but now is your chance to plan for that great escape from the city.

With the latest round of travel bans, there is a new opportunity to explore the beautiful country that we have. So even though your international trip might have to be on hold for a while longer, your December break is not a total loss.

There are plenty of unforgettable places close to Johannesburg, all of which have something special about them that makes time spent here quite the luxury holiday. And what’s more is that your trip to any of these destinations is going to be a whole lot cheaper than if you were to go on that overseas holiday.

Places you can stay that are less than a few hours from the city

Whether you are looking for that amazing bush retreat, or if you are looking for that great family getaway destination, any one of these incredible places could be the best option for you.

Kambaku River Lodge, Malelane

Our lodge is the number one place on our list, for obvious reasons. We are based right on the banks of the Crocodile River, which means guests can enjoy a private “safari” right from the comfort of their stoep! But that is not the only reason why a stay at our lodge is so appealing. Our accommodation is luxurious and private, and guests can make their stay with us feel like the most exclusive stay in the world. There is so much to fall in love with at Kambaku, and since we are only about 3 hours, maybe a little more, from Joburg, we are a great local holiday destination.

Greenway Woods, White River

On the other side of Nelspruit, up in the green hills of White River, lies Greenway Woods with its comfortable accommodation as well as its close proximity to the Kruger National Park. Greenway is incredibly affordable, and being in the White River area, it is close to wonderful places to eat and shop, while also close enough to nature to spend your days outdoors.

Cruise-N-Snooze, Vanderbijlpark

This one is very close to Johannesburg, and it is definitely the sort of place you should book if you are an adventurer at heart. This is essentially a luxury house boat and it is comfortable enough for 4 people. The boat sits in a private lagoon, but can be used to explore the area.

New Horizons Farm, Magaliesburg

A 6 sleeper self catered house, New Horizons Farm is rustic and offers some truly spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. If you hope to have an outdoorsy holiday, make sure that you check this one out.

Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Bela-Bela

Rustic, and situated in the heart of the bushveld, this is a fantastic destination that will deliver on those feel good holiday vibes. There are a variety of accommodation options here and there is plenty of opportunity to go on a safari drive.