Getaway Winter Destinations

Great Holiday Destinations for Gautengers Thinking of a quick winter getaway? Choose from any of these great winter destinations, all of them within a 3 to 4 hour drive from the Gauteng region: Cullinan Hit the R 513 from Johannesburg to reach Cullinan, the village where the largest diamond in the world was unearthed. Laid back and utterly relaxing, Cullinan has well-appointed resorts where you can let go of city stress. There are quaint shops and cafes that are pleasant to stroll by. East of Cullinan is Nan Hua, a Buddhist temple complex
	Bela-Bela This small town in Limpopo Province, close to Jo'burg, is best known for its hot springs. Ideally, check in at a hotel close to Modimolle town, and spend your day soaking in the hot springs. The Hydro spa complex offers several health and wellness treatments.
Dullstroom Sparkling streams, placid lakes, mountain air is what you will find at Dullstroom. Nestling at an altitude of 2100 m in the Highlands Meander (Mpumalanga Province), it has all the ingredients for a reinvigorating break. Stroll around this historic 19th century town of Dutch settlers admiring its architectural styles from the last two centuries and try your hand at fly-fishing for trout. There's accommodation here to suit every budget.
	Hartbeespoort For an unplanned break from Jo¿burg, zip off to Hartebeespoort, located at the foothills of the Magaliesburg range. Water sports are Hartebeespoort's prime attraction; for landlubbers, there's the Snake & Animal Park (lake cruises available from here), the Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary and famous De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre. Enjoy more material pleasures at Welwitchia Fleamarket (for leather goodies) and Van Gaalen Cheese Factory.
Magaliesburg Around tiny Magaliesburg village, reached by a scenic mountain drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria, are a host of attractions to tempt the most demanding weekender. Choose from among hot air balloon safaris, cave exploration and mountain biking, for starters. Unwind at any of the several spas (some offer overnight accommodation), go strawberry picking or enjoy an elephant safari at the elephants' rehab centre close by. Not far off is the Goblins Cove, a captivating forest fantasyland created by sculptor Charles Gotthard.
	Waterberg The Waterberg Biosphere, sprawled over 15,000 hectares in northern Limpopo Province, is perfect for exploring the diversity and beauty of South Africa's wildlife. At the Mabula Private Game Reserve, there's every chance you will get to see some or even all of Africa's famed "Big Five" on a game drive. Happily, this game park is entirely malaria-free! Take home the lovely memory of a "Bush Braai", a candlelight dinner right out in the wild, with amazingly talented chefs to personally serve you. Take your pick of these delightful winter destinations, depending on your interests. Whichever winter getaway you choose, you won't come back disappointed!