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Let’s be honest: Johannesburg is a city of hustlers. But even the hardest-working Jozi professional knows that the real "big win" isn't just closing a deal, it’s successfully turning a random Tuesday public holiday into a four-day luxury escape.
With a bit of planning, your 15 days of annual leave in 2026 could stretch into over 40 days of total holiday time, thanks to South Africa’s strategically placed public holidays and weekends. To reach that magic number, we’ve mapped out 13 days of "essential" hacks, leaving you with two "bonus days" to sprinkle wherever you need a breather.
To make the most of your leave, use this guide to plan city escapes. The real hack isn’t just taking leave; it’s choosing experiences that feel bigger than the time you’ve taken off. Whether that’s a bush lodge, a spa weekend or a cultural deep dive close to home, 2026 is stacked with opportunities to travel smarter, not harder.
April: Easter & Freedom Day
Public Holidays: 3 April (Good Friday), 6 April (Family Day), 27 April (Freedom Day – Monday)
Leave Plan: Take 7–10 April off (4 days of leave)
Total Days Off: 10
Travel Plan: This break is ideal for a proper switch-off, whether it's a trip to the bush, the beach, or a slow-paced getaway. Note that Human Rights Day (March 21) falls on a Saturday this year, so it won’t give us an extra long weekend, making this 10-day April stretch even more vital for your first big reset of the year. Book a bushveld reset. Head to Madikwe, Pilanesberg, or Welgevonden for game drives without peak-season prices in December. April is shoulder season, meaning better availability and cooler weather. A Cradle of Humankind staycation, complete with spa days, hot air ballooning, and wine tastings, also works well here.
Also read: The best safari escapes close to Johannesburg
May: Workers’ Day
Public Holiday: 1 May (Friday)
Leave Plan: Take 4–5 May off (2 days of leave)
Total Days Off: 5
Travel Plan: This break is perfect for a luxury weekend or a foodie break. Book a Waterberg weekend at a luxury lodge. It’s close enough for a short flight or drive, far enough to feel exclusive. You could also book a two-night city hotel escape (Rosebank, Sandton or Maboneng) and build your own itinerary of restaurants, galleries and bars.
Also read: The 15 best hotels in Johannesburg
June: Youth Day
Public Holiday: 16 June (Tuesday)
Leave Plan: Take 15 June off (1 day of leave)
Total Days Off: 4
Travel Plan: This break is perfect for an adventure or a quick nature hit. Monday, 15 June, is already a "Special School Holiday" on the 2026 calendar, so the kids are already off. If your parent are, you might as well join them. Book a Drakensberg long weekend complete with hiking, fireside dinners and winter sun, or try Clarens or Golden Gate for craft beer, art galleries and mountain views. If you’re keen to stay closer to home, book in the Magaliesberg for canopy tours, mountain hikes and spa mornings.
Also read: The 7 best green spaces in Johannesburg
August: Women’s Day
Public Holiday: 10 August (Monday)
Leave Plan: Take 7 August off (Friday)
Total Days Off: 4
Travel Plan: This is the perfect break for a wellness, romance or friends trip. Book a spa-focused break in the Magaliesberg or Hartbeespoort, with massages, yoga and long lunches or a safari-lite getaway to Pilanesberg. August is peak game viewing season. If you want to stay in the city, you can curate a self-care long weekend: enjoy Pilates, facials, wine bars, and late brunches around Joburg.
Also read: The best wellness escapes near Johannesburg, The 8 best spas in Johannesburg and Johannesburg for Women: Your ultimate city guide
September: Heritage Day
Public Holiday: 24 September (Thursday)
Leave Plan: Take 25 September off (Friday)
Total Days Off: 4
Travel Plan: This break is perfect for embracing culture, food and spring energy. Go big and turn this into a Soweto and Joburg heritage weekend with museums, walking tours and a deep dive into local food culture. Alternatively, do a day trip to the Cradle, Cullinan or Pretoria’s jacaranda-lined suburbs.
Also read: 9 places to discover Mandela's legacy in Johannesburg and The 7 best day trips from Johannesburg.
December: Year-End Festive Break
Public Holidays: 16 December (Day of Reconciliation – Wednesday), 25 December (Christmas – Friday), 26 December (Day of Goodwill – Saturday)
Leave Plan: Take 14–15, 17–19 December off (5 days of leave)
Total Days Off: 12
Travel Plan: This is the most popular break for beach escapes, family time or long-haul rest. Head to KZN for family-friendly beach holidays, or head to the Western Cape for a slower pace of travel—split time between Cape Town and the winelands. Better still, stay put and enjoy a quiet Joburg: empty roads, top restaurants with last-minute availability, and festive markets all to yourself.
Also read: A week in Cape Town: the ultimate itinerary, The 10 best beaches in Durban and Ke Dezemba: A Jobuger's guide to surviving SA's silly season.
You’ve only used 13 days of leave so far to get 39 days off. Use your remaining 2 days of leave to bridge the gap between January 2nd (Friday) and January 5th (Monday) for a New Year's "Slow Start," and you'll reach a total of 45 days of holiday for the year.
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