Find inspiration from this article for road trips from Joburg that you could easily do over a weekend. After all, making the most of your weekends is one of the secrets to traveling more while working full time.
Johannesburg (aka Joburg) is in Gauteng which is a landlocked province that is bordered by five other provinces. This makes Joburg a great starting point for road trips to surrounding South African provinces. This post lists some awesome road trip ideas for people in Joburg who want to plan a local weekend trip with family, friends or bae and need a quick overview of destination options in Gauteng and beyond.
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Weekend Road Trips from Joburg
The road trip destinations are grouped according to the province in which they are located.
Related post: Things to do and places to visit in Gauteng
Road Trip within Gauteng
Magaliesburg, Gauteng
Distance from Joburg: 70km; 1 hour drive
Activities: Hiking trails, zip lining, horse riding, hot air ballooning
Attractions: The Cradle of Humankind, Magalies Canopy Tour.(Use the code GOPHARI for 10% off), Mountain Sanctuary Park, Kranskloof hiking trail
Tip: Look out for the winter spa specials at Valley Lodge & Spa
Related post: How to spend a relaxing weekend in Magaliesburg
Road Trip to North West from Joburg
Hartbeestport, North West
Distance from Joburg: 78km; 1 hour road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: There are plenty of Airbnb homes along the dam and glamping options in the area.
Activities: Boat rides, water sports, fishing, hot air balloon rides.
Attractions: Hartbeesport dam, French Toast Koffie Kafee, Aerial cableway, Harties watersports centre.
Tip: You can double up a weekend stay in Hartbeesport by also visiting Pilanesberg (more on Pilanesberg below). This is one of the most popular road trips from Joburg.
Pilanesberg, North West
Distance from Joburg: 177km; 2.5 hour drive
Accommodation recommendations: Tshiberry Bed & Breakfast, Cabanas Sun City (hotel), Bakubung Bush Lodge (hotel).
Activities: Game drives, water sports, quad biking.
Attractions: Sun City Resort, Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Road Trip to Free State from Joburg
Parys, Free State
Distance from Joburg: 111km; 1hour 15min road trip from Joburg
Activities: Boat rides, river rafting, spas
Attractions: Vaal River, Vredefort Crater, R.E.A.L Adventures
Tip: Pont de Val is a very romantic setting. I recommend it for a baecation. In fact while I was there, someone proposed to their girlfriend on the lawn alongside the river!
Clarens, Free State
Distance from Joburg: 111km; 1hour 15min road trip from Joburg
Distance from Joburg: 302km, 3 hour drive
Activities: river rafting, wine tasting, quad biking, horseback riding
Attractions: Art & Wine Gallery on Main, Clarens Brewery, Ash River, Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Tip: Visit in February to attend the Clarens Craft Beer Festival
Road Trip to KwaZulu-Natal from Joburg
Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Distance from Joburg: 394km, 4 hours road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: Didima Camp Cathedral Peak (Hotel).
Activities: hiking, horseback riding, wine tasting, river rafting, fishing, rock climbing, rock art viewing.
Attractions: Tugela Falls, Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, Drakensberg amphitheatre, Kamberg Nature Reserve
Read more about planning a trip to Tugela Falls
Road Trip to Mpumalanga from Joburg
Panorama Route, Mpumalanga
Distance from Joburg: 405km; 4.5 hour road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: Stay in a small town called Graskop for easy access to all the attractions on Panorama Route.
Activities: Waterfall swims, nature parks, hiking, tubing.
Attractions: God’s window, Blyde River Canyon, Gorge Lift, Lisbon Falls, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Sudwala Caves, Lone Creek Falls
Tip: There is a lot to see on the Panorama Route. Choose the attractions you want to see and plan out your stops so that you make the most of your time! Read more about places to visit in Mpumalanga.
Road Trip to Limpopo
Magoebaskloof, Limpopo
Distance from Joburg: 392km, 4 hours road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: Go sky camping along Ebenezer Dam with Leeto Experiences! Check out these romantic getaways in Limpopo.
Activities: hiking, zip lining, fishing, camping, boating.
Attractions: Debengeni Waterfall, Ebenezer Dam, Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour (Use the code “Gophari” for 10% off)
Bela Bela, Limpopo
Distance from Joburg: 437km, 2 hours road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: Mabula Game Lodge. This 12 000 hectare reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the Big 5 (Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino). I loved my stay there and shared about it in this safari Instagram story highlight.
Get in touch if you would like assistance with arranging a discounted stay at Mabula Game Lodge: contact@gophari.com.
Activities: Big-5 safari, water theme park, farm shops.
Attractions: Mabula Game Lodge, Warmbaths Forever Resort, L’abri Farm Shop & Brewery
Watch my Instagram reel about my hippo sighting during a sunset game drive at Mabula Game Lodge.
Thohoyandou, Limpopo
Distance from Joburg: 437km, 5.5 hours road trip from Joburg
Accommodation recommendations: Royal Hills Lodge & Spa
Activities: Spa, game viewing, view ancient baobab trees, waterfall swim, picnic.
Attractions: Kruger National Park, The Big Tree, Phiphidi Waterfall
Watch my Instagram reel about how to spend a romantic weekend in Thohoyandou, Limpopo.
I hope you have found inspiration for your next road trip from Joburg.
There is plenty to explore close by to Joburg without needing to take leave. Make the most of these road trip destinations from Joburg and have the best time taking in South Africa’s beautiful landscapes.
Enjoy your road trip and drive safely!
Just what i needed! thank you thank you, was looking for a weekend getaway location with a friend. 🙂
Ah I’m so glad! It’s a pleasure always 😊
Thank you the info
It’s a pleasure! Feel free to ask questions
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Thank you, this is great
It’s a pleasure! Thanks for the feedback
omg I’ve been needing this. Going to JHB soon and hopefully I will have enough time to do one of these. Thank you x
It’s a pleasure! Ah yay that’s exciting. Have the best time during your trip
Hi Farirai, these tips are amazing. Could you please do weekend road trips from Middelburg MP, next 😊🙏