Staycations in Gauteng

Overview

Gauteng is South Africa's smallest province but its busiest, built around Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria. A staycation here is a tale of two moods: a polished city break of restaurants, museums and shopping, or a quick escape into the bush that sits surprisingly close to the urban sprawl.

Within an hour or so of the cities you can be on a Big Five game drive in the Dinokeng reserve, walking the Cradle of Humankind, or unwinding in the Magaliesburg hills. It is the easiest province of all for a spur-of-the-moment weekend, with no long drive or flight required.

What Gauteng lacks in obvious scenery it makes up for in convenience: for locals, this is the getaway with almost no travel time at all, and for visitors, an easy add-on to a business trip or a stopover.

From R1,980 per room per night · 5 packages · Best for: city breaks & quick safari

Why Choose a Gauteng Staycation?

• City breaks: Pretoria and Johannesburg offer heritage, dining, shopping and culture on your doorstep.
• Bush on the doorstep: the Dinokeng Big Five reserve is under an hour from Pretoria.
• The Magaliesburg: hills, spas and country lodges for an easy weekend unwind.
• The Cradle of Humankind: a World Heritage Site of caves and fossils on the city's edge.
• No travel time: for locals, the whole point is a getaway with almost no travel involved.

What Can You See and Do in Gauteng?

In the cities, fill your days with Pretoria's Union Buildings and jacaranda-lined avenues, Johannesburg's Maboneng precinct and Constitution Hill, the moving Apartheid Museum, and some of the country's best restaurants and shopping. On the edges, walk the caves and fossil sites of the Cradle of Humankind, take a Big Five drive in Dinokeng, or head to the Magaliesburg for hot-air ballooning, ziplining, spas and hiking. It is a province where a city break and an outdoor escape sit half an hour apart.

Where Should You Stay in Gauteng?

For a city stay, Pretoria offers a greener, more relaxed base, while Johannesburg's Sandton and Rosebank put you close to dining and shopping. For a bush fix, the Dinokeng reserve north-east of Pretoria is the closest Big Five option, and the Magaliesburg, to the west, is the go-to for country lodges, spas and adventure. Because distances are short, many visitors combine a night in the city with a night in the bush.

Which Gauteng Staycation Packages Are Available?

Here is a selection of Gauteng staycations on offer right now, with live lead-in prices. Prices are per person sharing unless noted, and every package can be paid off in Easy Installments.

Pretoria Capital Getaway (2 nights, from R1,980)

Pretoria is South Africa's jacaranda-lined capital, known for its Union Buildings, museums and relaxed, green streets. This 2-night city break includes 4-star accommodation, daily breakfast, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R1,980 per room per night, down from R2,480. It suits short-break travellers who like to explore on foot.

Magaliesburg Country Retreat (2 nights, from R3,895)

Magaliesburg is a range of ancient hills west of Johannesburg, dotted with country lodges, spas and adventure activities. This 2-night weekend getaway includes 5-star accommodation, daily breakfast, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R3,895 per room per night, down from R4,395. A relaxed choice for a short break close to home.

Dinokeng Weekend Getaway (2 nights, from R7,000)

Dinokeng is a Big Five reserve just north-east of Pretoria, the closest malaria-free safari to Gauteng's cities. This 2-night safari includes 4-star accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R7,000 per room per night, down from R7,500. It suits wildlife lovers and first-time or returning safari-goers.

Dinokeng Tented Retreat (2 nights, from R7,000)

Dinokeng is a Big Five reserve just north-east of Pretoria, the closest malaria-free safari to Gauteng's cities. This 2-night safari includes 4-star accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R7,000 per room per night, down from R7,500. A strong pick for anyone chasing Big Five sightings and time in the bush.

Madikwe Big Five Getaway (2 nights, from R12,300)

Madikwe is an exclusive, malaria-free Big Five reserve near the Botswana border, known for its luxury lodges and quiet safaris. This 2-night safari includes 5-star accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus two daily game drives, with hotel facilities and taxes covered, from R12,300 per person sharing, down from R12,800. It suits wildlife lovers and first-time or returning safari-goers.

What Types of Staycation Does Gauteng Offer?

• Big 5 Safari Tour: guided Big Five game drives from bush lodges and rest camps.
• City Breaks: short, central city stays.
• Weekend Getaways: easy weekend escapes close to home.

What's Included in a Gauteng Staycation Package?

• Star-rated accommodation for your chosen number of nights
• Daily breakfast on most packages (many safari lodges add lunch and dinner)
• Access to hotel and resort facilities
• All applicable taxes in the quoted price
• Easy Installments, so you can spread the cost over time
• Flights and transfers, unless the package says otherwise
• Extra meals and activities not listed on the package

Inclusions vary from one package to the next, so check the individual package for exact details.

Who Are Gauteng Staycations Best For?

Gauteng suits anyone after a short, low-effort break: city lovers who want culture and good food, families looking for a quick safari without a long drive, and couples after a spa weekend in the Magaliesburg. It is also handy for out-of-towners with a night or two to spare around a work trip. If you would like a different sort of escape, it is worth comparing Sun City and the Pilanesberg in the North West.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Gauteng?

Gauteng is a year-round destination on the high-veld. Winters, from May to August, are dry, sunny and cool, ideal for game drives and clear-sky days. Summers are warm and green with dramatic late-afternoon thunderstorms that usually clear quickly, leaving fresh, bright evenings. If you would rather travel in a different season, the beaches and Berg of KwaZulu-Natal is worth weighing up for its own climate.

What Should You Know Before You Book?

Nothing here is far. The Dinokeng reserve is under an hour from Pretoria and the Magaliesburg around an hour from Johannesburg, so no flights or long drives are needed. The whole province is malaria-free, and the bush reserves are easily done as a self-drive. It is the natural pick for a spontaneous weekend or a short break tacked onto a work trip.

How Do You Plan Your Gauteng Trip?

Because nothing is far, a Gauteng staycation works as a single night or a full weekend. A common pattern is one night in the city for dinner and sights, then one in the bush at Dinokeng or the Magaliesburg, all without a long drive. City stays suit shoppers, foodies and anyone in town for work, while the reserves make an easy family day out or overnight. Weekends and public holidays are busiest for the bush lodges and spas, so book ahead. If you are flying in, both Johannesburg and Pretoria bases are close to the airport, and Travelwings can line up the right mix. Many travellers fold a stay here into a wider trip alongside the surf coast of the Eastern Cape.

How Do You Book a Gauteng Staycation?

To book, complete the enquiry form on this page, call the Travelwings South Africa team on +27 (0)12 006 0002, or email holidays.za@travelwings.com. Everything is priced in rand, and Easy Installments let you spread the cost on eligible packages, so you can lock in a rate now and pay it off before you travel.

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Disclaimer: Prices shown are indicative lead-in rates, per person on a double-sharing basis unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability, seasonal demand and change without notice. Inclusions vary by package. Please confirm the current price and details with Travelwings before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions: Gauteng Staycations

1. How much does a Gauteng staycation cost?
Lead-in prices currently start from around R1,980 per room per night and reach about R12,300 per person sharing for the most premium lodges and hotels. Most packages sit in between, and the live prices on this page are the best guide.

2. What is the cheapest Gauteng staycation package?
At the time of writing, the Pretoria Capital Getaway is the lowest-priced option, from about R1,980 per room per night.

3. How long are the packages?
Most Gauteng staycations run for 2 nights, with a mix of short weekend breaks and longer stays. You can also ask about extending a package.

4. Are flights included?
These are local staycations, so most packages are accommodation-based and do not include flights, though a few clearly marked fly-in options do. Check the individual package for what is covered.

5. Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Eligible packages can be booked with Easy Installments, letting you secure a rate now and pay it off over time.

6. What is included in a Gauteng staycation package?
Packages typically include star-rated accommodation, daily breakfast, access to hotel facilities and all taxes, with inclusions varying by package. Safari packages often add lunch, dinner and daily game drives.

7. When is the best time to visit Gauteng?
Gauteng is a year-round destination on the high-veld.

8. How do I book a Gauteng staycation?
Complete the enquiry form on this page, call +27 (0)12 006 0002, or email holidays.za@travelwings.com. The Travelwings South Africa team can help you choose a package and arrange Easy Installments.

9. Are these staycations good for families?
Yes: the whole province is malaria-free, with city attractions, the Cradle of Humankind and easy bush drives all suiting families.

10. Do I need a car?
A car makes the city-and-bush combination easy, but central city stays work fine with taxis and ride-hailing if you prefer.