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Are you itching for unique places to stay near Johannesburg for a cheeky weekend getaway?

Girl, I feel you.

The FOMO is real when you see all of the unique places to stay in South Africa and Airbnb’s popping up online.

Dullstroom is home to the dreamiest cabin in Mpumalanga.

Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) and Knysna have insane treehouses.

And if you throw a stone in Cape Town, you’ll hit at least ten jaw-dropping properties with outdoor hot tubs, mindblowing views, and unique architecture like Tulbagh’s famous dome house.

Luckily, Gauteng is catching up and giving the Western Cape a run for its money. After much sleuthing on Instagram (shout out to my friends, Cabin Seekers, for helping with these recs!), I’ve tracked down the best and most unique places to stay near Johannesburg.

Get your overnight bag ready and credit card out – it’s time to book an unforgettable Joburg getaway!

Psst…Want more Johannesburg and South Africa travel tips? Check out these other posts:

Table of Contents

The Most Unique Places to Stay Near Johannesburg

The Most Unique Places to Stay Near Johannesburg

Sometimes you don’t want to drive hours outside of Gauteng.

That’s totally okay.

If you have an hour (or less), you can escape the City of Gold and plan a trip to some of the most unique weekend getaways near Johannesburg.

Sima Kade Retreat

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Distance from Joburg: 72km
Area: Hekpoort
Price: R2,200.00 per night

Want to pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist for a weekend? Book a stay at Sima Kade Retreat in Magaliesberg.

It’s one of the most unique places to stay outside Johannesburg.

The property is a sustainable off-the-grid masterpiece that will give you a heavy dose of nature, tranquillity, and spectacular sunsets.

Choose from 4 different accommodation options:

Cave House (2-6 people)

For a unique stay, you can’t go wrong with the Cave House. Located at the top of the valley, it overlooks the forest amphitheatre and has an outdoor fire pit for roasting marshmallows and stargazing.

If you’re travelling with the fam or a small group of friends, the Cave will give you all the privacy you’re craving and doesn’t disappoint on the scenery.

Kama Cabin (2 people)

Kama is one of the best getaways near Johannesburg for a digital detox reset. The tiny home is in the heart of Sima Kade Valley and has an entire wall of windows, opening the house to the bush forest.

And with WiFi, a 5-min drive from the cabin, and spotty 4G service, you can forget the office exists and focus on quality time with your beau.

Update: Sima Kade has also opened TWO new cabins, The Luna and Venus!

Bush Camp (16 people) and Sky Terrace (16 people)

Planning a retreat or want to drag all your friends along for a Magalies adventure? The Bush Camp and Sky Terrace have plenty of room, then some.

There are spaces for workshops (meditation, yoga, etc.), repurposed grain silos turned bedroom pods, cosy cabins, and a hidden forest deck.

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Things to Do Near Sima Kade

Wander the Hiking Trails: Embrace the outdoors by exploring nearby hiking trails, or take a walk to see the mini-waterfall and rockpools.
Go Birdwatching: Sima Kade is teeming with indigenous birds and plant life. Spend a few hours watching these creatures flit around the treetops and tick some new species off your list.
Disconnect: A trip to Sima Kade should 100% include some time to simply connect with the present. Find a quiet spot in the bush, breathe deep, and drop into your inner world.
Explore the Magaliesburg: Go on a hot air balloon ride, game drives, and tackle a challenging mountain bike trail.

Rosemary Hill Farm

zenkaya cabin at rosemary hill — The beautiful Zenkaya cabin pod!

Distance from Joburg: 90km
Area: Pretoria
Price: From R3,950.00 per night

If you’ve been a long-time reader, you know I am obsessed with Rosemary Hill. I’ve experienced three of the property’s accommodation options: the A-frame cabin and the Zenkaya cabin pod.

There are eight different accommodation options at Rosemary, with something for every group and occasion.

Need a sh*t ton of space for your wedding party? No problem.
Looking for romantic cabins in Johannesburg for two? You got it, dude.
Want a luxurious villa? You’ll find it here.

Only a short drive from Pretoria, Rosemary Hill is one of the best staycations in Johannesburg. It’s a quick drive to get out of the city and into nature, complete with stunning scenery and mountain bike trails.

What I also love about the property is its sustainability ethos. Rosemary Hill grows its own produce and uses eco-friendly, recyclable materials for the cabins and on-site restaurants.

Psst…Vegans, you will find delicious options on the menu!

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Things to Do Near Rosemary Hill

Go hiking or mountain biking: Rosemary Hill has 30km of beautiful hiking, running, and mountain biking trails that snake through the grounds.
Take a Segway tour: If hiking isn’t your thing, take a Segway tour through the herb fields and learn more about the workings of the farm.
Go horse riding: Rosemary Hill owns 35 beautiful horses, and you can book a riding lesson or even go for a trail ride during your stay.
Have a picnic: Order one of the delicious picnic boxes, pick a spot on the picturesque grounds, and feast your heart out.
Visit the spa: What romantic Johannesburg getaway is complete without a massage? Treat yourself at the on-site Onyana spa.

Farmhouse 58

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Distance from Joburg: 50km
Area: Krugersdorp
Price: From R2,500.00 per night

Hit the reset button and spend a night (or a week) at Farmhouse 58. Located in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, the space invites you to reconnect with nature, yourself, and others.

It’s one of those gorgeous luxury weekend getaways near Johannesburg that’s perfect for travellers who live for interior design.

Sound like you? Farmhouse 58 is your catnip.

The villas are beautifully decorated with minimalist decor that highlights the textures and colours you’ll find outdoors.

But the property’s artistic flair doesn’t stop there.

Farmhouse 58 regularly hosts art installations and is home to Nirox Sculpture Park (which has been making the rounds on the ‘gram).

And for my fellow foodies looking for the best places to stay near Johannesburg, your taste buds will love it here. There is an on-site farm-to-table restaurant offering locally sourced seasonal produce. Plus, the chefs show off their culinary prowess in an open theatre!

If you’re having trouble booking the property directly via the website, Farmhouse 58 is also available on Booking.com

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Things to Do Near Farmhouse 58

Tackle the hiking trails: Explore over 150 hectares of the farm and take a hike to see the stunning waterfall.
Go for a swim: Take a dip in one of the pools or the nearby dam.
Visit the Nirox Sculpture Park: It’s a beautiful space to walk around and explore.
Cosy up with a book: Calling all bookworms! There’s an in-house library to peruse.
Enjoy the wildlife: The farm is home to blesbok, wildebeest, impala, zebra, and rooibok.

Leadwood Safari Camp

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Distance from Joburg: 111km
Area: Hammanskraal
Price: From R1,950.00 per night

On the hunt for the ultimate glamping spot for your weekend getaway near Johannesburg?

Introducing…Leadwood Safari Camp. Only a 1-hour drive from the City of Gold, you can spend the weekend soaking up uninterrupted bush views and going on game drives.

Situated in Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, the eco-camp strives to give you a one-of-a-kind glamping adventure. With bell tents and bespoke safari experiences designed to your preferences, it’s rustic luxury done right.

With only three tents, you can reserve the entire camp with your crew, making it one of the coolest Johannesburg staycation spots.

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Things to Do Near Leadwood Safari Camp

Private Game Drives: Take the hassle out of trying to spot animals from your car and let a professional guide drive you around the bush.
Bush Walks: You miss a lot from a safari vehicle. Hit the dusty plains and spot the smaller and bigger animals on foot.

What are your favourite places to stay near Johannesburg? Did I miss any of your die-hard favs? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!

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The Most Unique Places to Stay Near Johannesburg [2026]