Weekend Getaways

Ever find yourself staring at the calendar, wishing you could stretch your annual leave a little further? Here’s the good news: in 2026, with just 16 days of leave, you could enjoy up to 46 days off!

Nothing is as rejuvenating as a weekend getaway, an opportunity to get away from it all for a couple of days and recharge. Whether you’re looking for an active holiday, to go out and be in nature, such as hiking or fishing, or just want to escape and relax, there are so many options for local getaways. Want a weekend getaway with the kids for some quality family time, or to enjoy a romantic break with your loved one? Head to the beach to enjoy some sun, sea and sand, go game viewing on a mini bush getaway, or be pampered at a spa with the girls on a weekend away. Not sure where to go? We have plenty of ideas so that you can choose the ultimate weekend break.

There are so many choices for weekend getaways

Escape to the Cape to hike Table Mountain.
Head for the Drakensberg for a family getaway.
Go trout fishing in Dullstroom.
Take the kids on a getaway through the Midlands Meander.
Embark on an adventure to God’s Window.
Sample wines and fabulous food in the Cape Winelands.
Enjoy game viewing in the Kruger National Park.
Go whale watching in Hermanus.
Be pampered at the Palace of the Lost City.

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a relaxing break away from routine. Choose a self-drive holiday to make the getaway even more affordable. South Africa boasts plenty of exciting options for a weekend away, and many of them are incredibly affordable. Take your pick of weekend getaways, ranging from luxury to cheap packages, with the family, alone, with the girls, or on a camping trip with the guys. South Africa is so beautiful, and we have so many fascinating places to visit. Browse our affordable weekend getaway packages and weekend away specials for 2025 now and start exploring!

Weekend Getaways with Kids

How do I plan weekend getaways near me? Easy! Thompsons Holidays has plenty of weekend getaways with kids on offer at great prices and in many cases, children can share with their parents to make it even more affordable.

Here are some examples of fun-filled family weekend getaways:

The Drakensberg has excellent deals at family hotels and self-catering stays with hiking, horse riding, sports facilities and daily activity programs.
For those in Gauteng it is an easy drive to game farms in the west, while the Magalies Meander is full of fun surprises like hot-air ballooning and zip line canopy tours.
North East of Pretoria is the restored village of Cullinan with more activities than you manage in a day.
Sun City also has a wide variety of suitable accommodation for family weekend getaways and there is so much to keep kids active, from the Valley of Waves to Segway tours, quad bikes, putt-putt and a fun maze.
Clarens in the Free State is also a family favourite with craft markets, golf, hiking and pony rides.
Mpumalanga is home to the Kruger National Park and the Panorama Route presents a number of interludes including historic Pilgrims Rest where you can still pan for Gold. The Graskop Gorge Lift takes you down into the hidden valley and there are zip lines and bungy jumps too.
The KZN south coast has superb beaches with year-round warm water, and when you have had enough sun head for the pristine Oribi Gorge with walks in the forest. The Wild Coast Sun is a destination for all ages with golf for adults and Wild Waves Water Park for the kids.
The Western Cape is tops for winter weekend getaways as you can head for the Overberg or up the west coast and stay in a self-catering cottage with a hearty fire and games around the table.
Or you can venture a little further to historic Swellendam or over the magnificent Swartberg Pass to charming Prince Albert for a classic small-town feel.
Hermanus is also ideal for family getaways, and kids will love spotting whales from the various nature paths that run along the coast.

Whether you’re looking for a fun resort-style family getaway, a self-catering hideaway in a scenic part of South Africa, or glamping in style, Thompsons can arrange anything to suit you and your kids.

Know before you go...

South Africa Public Holidays: How to Turn into a Long Weekend Getaway

Ever looked at the calendar and realised you could be making the most of your annual leave instead of letting it go to waste? Fret no more. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to turning public holidays in South Africa into extended breaks. In fact, with just 16 days of annual leave, you could enjoy up to 46 days off in 2026!

From long weekends by the beach to extended festive season escapes, we’ll show you how to strategically plan your leave to maximise your holidays – local or international.

Public Holidays: January: Long Weekend Alert!

Thursday, 1 January: New Year’s Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Friday, 2 January)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Perfect for a quick summer break. Head to Cape Town, the Garden Route, or Durban’s beaches. Regionally, Mozambique’s coastline is a great long weekend option.

Public Holidays: March & April: Long Weekend Alert!

• 21 March: Human Rights Day (Saturday)
• 3 April: Good Friday
• 6 April: Family Day
Annual leave days needed: 0
Days off: 4
Where to go: A great chance for a short getaway. Locally, the Drakensberg or Kruger National Park are ideal. Regionally, Victoria Falls is at its most powerful after the rains.

Public Holidays: April & May: Take an International Trip

• 27 April: Freedom Day
• 1 May: Workers’ Day
Annual leave days needed: 3 (28–30 April)
Days off: 9
Where to go: KwaZulu-Natal offers beaches and mountains for a well-rounded local escape. Regionally, try Botswana’s Chobe or Namibia’s deserts. Internationally, it’s spring in Europe—Lisbon, Barcelona, and Rome make for perfect cultural city breaks.

Public Holidays: June: Long Weekend Alert!

• 16 June: Youth Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Monday, 15 June)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Keep it close to home. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek for a winter wine country experience, or Knysna along the Garden Route. For regional travel, Victoria Falls is a must-see at this time of year.

Public Holidays: August: Long Weekend Alert!

• 10 August: National Women’s Day (observed)
Annual leave days needed: 0
Days off: 3
Where to go: Ideal for a local break. Think spa weekends in the Midlands, Cape Town food escapes, or a whale-watching trip to Hermanus.

Public Holidays: September: Long Weekend Alert!

• 24 September: Heritage Day
Annual leave days needed: 1 (Friday, 25 September)
Days off: 4
Where to go: Drakensberg hikes, Sun City fun, or Umhlanga’s beaches are perfect for a spring long weekend. Regionally, Mauritius has warm, sunny weather and is a short flight away.

Public Holidays: December: Go Local or International

• Wednesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
• Friday, 25 December: Christmas Day
• Saturday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill

Annual leave days needed: 10 (17-31 December)
Days off: 19 (16 December, 25 December, 1 January)
Where to go: This is your chance for a big holiday. Locally, enjoy a family retreat in Plettenberg Bay or a Kruger safari. Regionally, Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique are excellent at this time of year. Internationally, go big: Christmas markets in Europe (Germany, Austria, France), a tropical island escape to Mauritius, Maldives, or Zanzibar, or a multi-country adventure across Southern Africa.

Book Your 2026 Holiday with Thompsons

Ready to make the most of your time off? Chat with us at Thompsons today. We’ll help you plan the perfect local escape or international adventure – flights, accommodation, transfers, and experiences all sorted. All you need to do is choose where to go, and we’ll make it happen.