Cool ideas for your staycation in Gauteng and the Western Cape

Gauteng

A staycation, they say, is when you stay home for a period and do leisure activities, generally within a day-trip distance and not requiring overnight accommodation. It’s supposed to be that happy holiday whirl of outings and aboutings and one-day wonders.

Being Gauteng, of course, it’s also about the water crisis, the closure of libraries, the dereliction of heritage sites and art galleries, and potholes. But still, the sun is shining and the weather is sweet. There’s less traffic and everyone’s trying to be festive.

And there’s the red bus. The jolly red open-air double-decker bus. It’s a great and safe way to be a tourist in your own town, excellent for visiting relatives – everyone gets to be a political commentator – and you can set your own pace and it’s fun (remember that thing we had before lockdown?).

Pretoria, Jozi and Soweto all offer half- and full-day hop-on, hop-off tours. In Pretoria, handsome Jacaranda City, the tour includes architectural and historical icons like Church Square, the Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park, the City Hall-Transvaal Museum and the Pretoria Station. The Jozi red bus takes in places like Constitution Hill, the Apartheid Museum and Soweto.

The Wilds in Houghton, Johannesburg. (Photos: Bridget Hilton-Barber)

It’s all like a great, big, intense and thought-provoking history lesson: often emotional but never boring. A good example is what a tour guide friend calls the Contested Spaces Combo – a tour around the Voortrekker Monument and the nearby Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria. Two powerful sites – one commemorating the Voortrekkers and the Great Trek and their defeat of the Zulus in the Battle of Blood River in 1838; the other a people’s park with a Wall of Names, a 697m structure engraved with the names of those who died during eight major conflicts that shaped South Africa’s history. And Isivivane, a resting place for the spirits. Both the sites have amazing views.

Also read: 40 things to do with your family over the festive season

Day trips in Gauteng

The other, probably less exhausting way to max your staycation is by taking a good old-fashioned day trip. Within an hour of Jozi and Pretoria, you can feel like you’re out in the country and you can see mountains and lakes and rivers and fabulous views. Most of the day-tripping action is to be had out in Magaliesberg and Harties – what locals call the Hartbeespoort Dam.

The cable car in Hartbeespoort. (Photo: Supplied)

Magaliesberg is ancient and profound. It’s home to the Cradle of Humankind, a Unesco World Heritage Site and home to the largest known concentration of human ancestral remains anywhere in the world. You can do a fabulous tour of the Malapa Caves, a short drive away, which continues to yield fossils and fascination.

There are farm stalls, restaurants, curio shops, art galleries, golf courses and wellness spas, and it’s a pleasant drive along the dam wall. A good way to do Harties is to take a ride on the cable car, which pulls you up the side of the mountain in a metal bucket, basically, all the way to the top where there are restaurants and cocktail bars and kids’ things and the chance to watch paragliders jumping off the mountain into the sky.

For something completely silly, go to the Upside Down House, a resort between Harties and Hekpoort. It is literally a house upside down that you can walk through. All the furniture is on the ceiling and the house is built at an angle, so you get a bit giddy, be warned. It’s good medicine and it’s also popular with local youth. Selfie heaven. People take hundreds of pictures of themselves and double-flip them to make them look like they’re on the ceiling.

Cullinan is another fun day trip, about 30km east of Pretoria. The place has actually managed to hold on to much of its mine village character of the early 1900s and is famous for the Cullinan Diamond, which is now the second-biggest diamond in the world.

And do you know that in the same area, Dinokeng Game Reserve is the province’s only Big Five reserve in Gauteng? Dinokeng has more than 140km of winding tracks suitable for regular cars, and there are bird hides and picnic sites. You can also head in the other direction along the Vaal Meander and do a river cruise.

Gardens and parks

And there’s always walkies. That’s one of the nicest things about a staycation – time to walk – and since Jozi has the biggest manmade urban forest in the world, there’s a lot of green heart to be had.

In the west of the city, the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia is probably the most popular, with more than 80ha of parklands, plus a rose garden, several dams and dog parks – and the city has done a big upgrade and tidy-up.

The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia. (Photo: Supplied)

Nearby Delta Park – one of the city’s biggest – spans 100ha and offers grasslands, dams and bird watching, with more than 200 bird species identified.

The poster child of green urban renewal, The Wilds in Houghton, has been revived and is thriving, with beautiful walkways through indigenous vegetation, sculptures and impressive views of Johannesburg, a blend of art, urban and nature.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden in Roodepoort is another favourite green space, known for its waterfall and resident black eagles.

To the east is the Modderfontein Reserve, a large conservation area with hiking, birding and mountain biking. And in the south is the largest nature reserve, Klipriviersberg, with its historical and archaeological sites and a variety of small antelope.

Suikerbosrand near Heidelberg is also popular for mountain bikers and hikers.

From green spaces and day trips to cultural and historical outings, here’s wishing you a gentle staycation.

Western Cape

Staycation – the term itself reeks of compromise, doesn’t it? It’s the travel equivalent of saying, “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.” But let’s be honest, a staycation can be a blessing in disguise.

Whether you’re tight on annual leave, your Christmas bonus didn’t land (thanks, corporate life!), your mother-in-law insists on popping by every three minutes, or you’re simply allergic to peak season prices, staying local can be a surprising adventure. It’s your chance to play tourist in your own backyard – minus the dodgy luggage and long airport queues.

Langebaan Lagoon: paddling, seals and kelp forests

First stop: Langebaan in Saldanha Bay. It’s a lagoon. But don’t let the word “lagoon” fool you into thinking it’s all mosquitoes and murky water – this place is stunning.

Kayak tours are a must, gliding you past Schaapen Island and right into the Great African Sea Forest. Yes, there’s a sea forest. Think kelp fronds waving like underwater jazz hands while seals and seabirds play peek-a-boo.

The tour? R550 for two hours of paddling and nature.

Not into spending? No worries! Head to Kraalbaai’s beach and lagoon, aka the West Coast’s worst-kept secret. It’s got that jaw-dropping azure water everyone loves to rave about. One visitor gushed, “This is a hidden gem in the West Coast National Park. Beautiful azure water that was not too cold and amazing views.”

Translation: bring snacks, sunscreen and a camera for your new favourite screensaver.

West Coast National Park. (Photo: Supplied)

Ceres: zipping through the sky

Next up, we’re off to Ceres, a little inland adventure just 90 minutes from Cape Town. Ceres Zipslide Adventures’ offering is the stuff of adrenalin junkie dreams.

Suspended 40m above the ground, you’ll soar through the mountains, all while screaming, laughing and maybe questioning life choices. But don’t worry – reviews promise it’s “great for thrill-seekers and the more nervous”. So, whether you’re a daredevil or just along for the Instagram story, you’ll have a blast.

Ziplining in Ceres. (Photo: Supplied)

Paarl: wine, alpacas and the Taalmonument

While in the area, swing by Paarl. This charming Cape Winelands town is as rich in history as it is in, well, wine.

Start with the Spice Route Destination, where you can sip, snack and soak in the views. Fair warning: Ubers may take you there, but getting one back? Let’s just say it’s a bit of a sport.

For something fluffy and fabulous, head next door to the Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio. Feed alpacas, pet them, and generally live your best life surrounded by these gloriously awkward creatures.

Kayaking can also be done around Paarl. (Photos: Wikimedia Commons)

Oh, and if you’re feeling fancy – or nerdy – visit the Taalmonument or the Afrikaans Language Monument. Tip: locals might look at you funny if you call it that. It’s the Taalmonument, thank you very much. But go ahead, give it a shot. You might end up with directions to someone’s cousin’s backyard braai instead. Adventure, right?

Cape Town: the tourist traps worth falling for

Ah, Cape Town, where every corner is postcard-perfect. If you’re leaning into full tourist vibes, start with the classics. Table Mountain is a no-brainer, whether you’re hiking (fitness goals) or taking the cable car (big fan here). The views? Chef’s kiss.

Next, make your way to Boulders Beach for some penguin paparazzi. They’re cute, they’re awkward and they’re waddling around like they own the place.

Or hop on the Red Bus Tour, which screams “tourist” louder than a fanny pack but will take you to all the city’s iconic spots while you judge actual tourists for taking too long to snap their photos.

And of course, spend a day at Robben Island. It’s steeped in history and a poignant reminder of South Africa’s past.

Feeling peckish? Try a Bo-Kaap food tour, tasting your way through Cape Malay culture while gawking at the neighbourhood’s colourful houses. Just remember, these are real homes. Be respectful.

If the ocean’s not your thing (odd choice in Cape Town, but okay), escape to Atlantis for quad biking on the dunes.

Or wind down with an evening at the Kirstenbosch Open Air Cinema, where you can picnic under the stars while a classic movie plays in the background. Romantic, chill – and totally Cape Town.

Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. (Photo: Supplied)

The Garden Route: caves, monkeys and ostriches

End your staycation with a bang in the Garden Route district, starting with the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn. Choose between the heritage tour (history vibes) or the adventure tour (claustrophobia central).

One section, ominously named the Devil’s Chimney, is not for the faint of heart – or for anyone who’s eaten a large lunch beforehand. My advice? Know your limits. Grade 5 me was fearless. Adult me? Hard pass.

While in Oudtshoorn, visit the Cango Wildlife Ranch for some animal-filled fun and selfies at the crocodile-teeth entrance. Because nothing says “holiday” like pretending you’re about to be eaten.

Next, head to Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay. You’ll be surrounded by monkeys and lush greenery, like stepping into a whimsical jungle adventure. Just keep a tight grip on your snacks: these little guys are sneaky.

And finally, no Garden Route trip is complete without visiting the Knysna Elephant Park and one of the many ostrich farms. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to ride an ostrich, here’s your chance. Picture a hybrid of bull riding and camel riding. Intrigued? You should be.

The best part of a staycation? Rediscovering the places you thought you knew. Suddenly, your “boring” hometown feels like a playground of untapped adventure.

And if none of these ideas floats your boat? That’s fine too. Staycations are about making your own fun – preferably with a cold drink in hand and a sense of humour firmly intact. Cheers to that! DM

Additional reporting by Shérie Vollenhoven.

This story first appeared in our weekly DM168 newspaper, available countrywide for R35.