12 most relaxing SA towns Posted on 20 August 2019 Whether you’re escaping the noisy city or the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, here are 12 South African towns worth considering for a relaxing getaway stay. Image: supplied/media gallery 1. Clarens, Free State There’s nothing more relaxing than being in ‘a free state’, and what better place than in Clarens, the ‘jewel’ of the Free State. Located in the foothills of the Maloti Mountains, this valley offers its vast, golden expanse for peaceful reflection. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joanne Morrison (@joface_morrison) on Aug 19, 2019 at 4:39am PDT 2. Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape Found along the Namaqua Flower Route in the Northern Cape’s Bokkeveld, Nieuwoudtville offers total immersion with nature and many opportunities to stop and smell the fynbos. When in bloom, many a flower garden and nature reserve are worth travelling for. There’s a waterfall too! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Break Pictures (@timebreakpictures) on Jan 8, 2019 at 2:12pm PST 3. Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape This Little Karoo dorp has no shortage of relaxing nooks and quiet, wide streets to amble down on a mid-morning stroll, taking in the famous Cape Dutch architecture of the fourth-oldest town in South Africa. Surrounded almost entirely by a national park, head up Mountain Drive to visit the Valley of Desolation within the Camdeboo National Park for a relaxing, albeit breathtaking, view of the 100-million year old dolerite rock formations and the Camdeboo plains. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Weather Today Africa (@weathertodayafrica) on Jul 13, 2019 at 5:37am PDT 4. Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Another Eastern Cape getaway that promises some waterside relaxation, Cape St Francis can offer plenty of vibe without as much of the busyness of the likes of nearby Plett or Jeffreys Bay. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richard Yelland (@curtisbirch) on Jul 20, 2019 at 4:56pm PDT 5. Great Brak River, Western Cape Also known as Groot Brakrivier, this small coastal village near Mossel Bay surrounds the lagoon formed by the river of the same name. The secluded feel of your ocean views can make it feel as though you are in your own resort town, but you’re not too far from many other gorgeous Garden Route attractions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brian van Hansen (@_brian_i_am) on Feb 7, 2018 at 1:56am PST View this post on Instagram se kampeerders braai n ribbetjie so. #molenrivier #grootbrakrivier #gardenroute #nature #plaaskamp #kampislekker #lekkerkampplekke #gardenroutecamping #wegrysleep #caravanoutdoorlife #kampmal A post shared by Molenrivier – Farm Camping (@molenrivier) on Mar 30, 2019 at 10:14am PDT 6. Dullstroom, Mpumalanga Dullstroom, renowned as a prime trout-fishing getaway destination, is a must on this list. With a host of recreational attractions and things to do and enjoy in nature, the town itself also boasts a touch of timeless charm too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Greg Wright || South African (@gregwrightmedia) on Aug 7, 2019 at 6:18am PDT 7. Hartbeespoort, North-West A favourite of Joburgers, Harties on the eastern banks of the Hartbeespoort Dam offers an escape from the city that doesn’t require too much padkos. Whether you’re on the water or peering out across the dam, you’re bound to find some peace of mind. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kyle Volschenk (@kylevolschenk) on Mar 25, 2019 at 6:31am PDT 8. Tulbagh, Western Cape Sometimes just driving to and from Tulbagh through its Cape wine valley is peace enough. Find a cosy cottage or book your stay at farm guesthouse for a peaceful escape to the country. There are a number of wine estates worth a visit nearby if you’re in the mood for a country lunch or wine-tasting jaunt. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen (@jenvinci_3) on Aug 17, 2019 at 12:55pm PDT 9. Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal In the Umzimkulu River Valley, the pretty and lush Underberg is largely a farming district, with no shortage of green vistas to stare back at you in the resounding Southern Drakensberg expanse. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bilal Razi Khan (@bilal_100) on Aug 10, 2019 at 1:59pm PDT 10. St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal St Lucia may be teeming with wildlife and activities, but if you really want, you can just kick back and take it all in, with the buzz of life around you and endless waterside views of the coast and lakes in this town within a UNESCO World Heritage site – the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The quirky hippos aren’t half bad either. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ST LUCIA SA 🇿🇦 (@stluciasa) on Nov 20, 2018 at 11:40am PST View this post on Instagram A post shared by ST LUCIA SA 🇿🇦 (@stluciasa) on Apr 8, 2019 at 8:07am PDT 11. Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Another great escape for the Joburg crowd, and well worth the travel for Saffers in other provinces, the lush and misty Magoebaskloof offers a forested haven for those in need of a big, otherworldly nature fix. View this post on Instagram A post shared by perlene (@pea.p0) on Jul 28, 2019 at 12:50am PDT 12. Upington, Northern Cape While Upington is not by any means a quiet town, its location and surrounds in the ‘Green Kalahari’ make it a rather unusual Northern Cape escape compared to its drier neighbours which don’t have the Orange River passing through. There’s plenty to explore in this town with a lot of history and many peaceful spots to sit back and ponder it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by M.J.B (@thebaster003) on Jun 15, 2019 at 9:25am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Energy Lab Running Company (@energylabrunning) on Jun 15, 2019 at 8:48am PDT Related Posts Rahiem Johnson: Why representation in travel matters 27 March 2023 Founded by Rahiem Johnson, Tray Table Seat Back is a Black-owned travel business that aims... read more 7 great spots to picnic near Cape Town 1 November 2022 Looking for somewhere to kick your feet up and embrace the warm days in Cape... read more 6 best beach campsites in SA 14 June 2022 From bucket-and-spade seaside spots to rugged and remote coastal coves, we’ve got your camping weekends covered.... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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