The 7 best big group getaways near Johannesburg

Just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, Vaal Villa is an ideal getaway destination for large groups looking to relax, reconnect and create lasting memories. Large wooden gates secure the property and feature a striking, castle-like architectural design. While the exterior wall near the gate may not immediately impress and almost feels intentionally rustic or vintage, the inside of the property is nothing short of breathtaking. The property has two storeys, with the ground floor featuring two large, fully equipped kitchens fitted with modern appliances. From a dishwasher, microwave, oven and stove to a kettle, cutlery and crockery, everything needed for a self-catering stay is provided.

The property also boasts a boma and multiple living and entertainment areas. There is a spacious dining area furnished with beautiful architectural chairs and tables, perfect for hosting family meals. Water-based activities and facilities are also available, including a swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as group boat rides, kayaking, or canoeing, adding another layer of fun to the experience. Adding to the charm of the villa is its impressive art collection. Several striking pieces are displayed throughout the house, some of which celebrate South African heritage, adding character and cultural depth to the space.

Need to know: The property is situated approximately 6 km from the Vaal Mall, with other convenience stores nearby.

If you want wow-factor architecture for your weekend, this stone-and-glass house set on a private reserve delivers. The living areas are framed by floor-to-ceiling windows with views into the Magaliesberg bush, and there’s space for 12–14 across six bedrooms. Three of them are en-suite, each with a private deck and even an open fireplace.

You get indoor and outdoor dining for 14, a fire pit, a braai, and a fully stocked kitchen with Smeg and Miele appliances (plus a herb garden). Downstairs, there’s a games area with table tennis and a small pool table, and just outside is a natural swimming dam with floating loungers and a dinghy. The reserve itself covers 60 hectares, with hikes through protea forests and remnants of Boer War forts. Supposedly, there’s a resident leopard within the reserve - but don’t worry, she’s highly elusive!

Need to know: About 90 minutes from Joburg. A high-clearance car is recommended for the 4km sand road. From around R7,500–R8,500 per night for the whole property (discounts on three-night weekends).

This is the bush option for groups who want both wildlife and comfort. The house sleeps 14 across five bedrooms, a loft, and an apartment. There’s loads of space, plenty of ensuite bathrooms to go around, and an entertainment area built for all the demands of a giant group. Spread across three levels, the outside area features a pool, a fire pit, a braai area, and an expansive wooden deck that spills into the open-plan lounge, all designed for late afternoons.

The kitchen is fully equipped (two fridges/freezers, a Falcon gas stove, and a dishwasher), and the dining and lounge areas can actually accommodate a group of this size. Nyala, warthogs and bush babies wander the property, sometimes coming right up to the house. Game drives are easily arranged at Mabalingwe.

Need to know: About two and a half hours from Joburg. Rates vary with season but hover around R6,750–R9,000 a night for the full house.

On a trout farm inside the Zuikerboschhoek Conservancy, this lodge feels like an old family estate. African Leaves offers a flexible two-house layout for large groups. Oak House has five bedrooms (plus a kids’ nook), big verandas and a lapa under the trees, while the Silo House offers another three ensuite bedrooms and a much-coveted KolKol wood-fired hot tub. The two houses are situated about 700 metres apart, with a dam separating them. You can book one for a smaller group or take both for up to 16 guests, with 7 bathrooms shared among the eight bedrooms. They’re also pet-friendly for up to four dogs, so you truly can bring the whole family.

The real charm lies outside: walking trails to waterfalls, approximately 2 km of river running through the forest, stocked dams for fly fishing, and resident game, including fallow deer and blesbok. Inside, there’s everything you need for a cosy getaway (after all, it is chilly out there when the sun goes down): a proper function kitchen for group meals, a bar and a dining room built for long meals with conversations that run late into the night.

Need to know: About three and a half hours from Joburg. Rates vary, but expect to pay around R1,200–R2,000 per person per night, depending on the group size and season.

Highland House is a sleek six-bedroom home on Dullstroom’s golf estate, built for entertaining with open-plan living spaces, fireplaces and a full kitchen leading onto wide patios. With room for up to 14 guests and sweeping views over the fairways, it’s the polished cousin to the area’s usual rustic-style lodges and cabins. 

While it’s upscale, it’s also homely, and you won’t feel anxious sitting on a pristine couch or being too nervous to use the crockery. Plus, you’ll wake up wrapped in Egyptian cotton and look out over the undulating Dullstroom hills. If you do fancy leaving your little oasis, the town itself is just a few minutes away for coffee, pubs, and fly shops. If you do one thing, make sure you book a dinner at the famous Mrs Simpson. 

Need to know: About three and a half hours from Joburg. Rates start from approximately R7,500 per night for the entire house.

This riverside house in Clarens makes the most of its setting, with light streaming in through large windows and offering views of the valley and the Maluti mountains. It’s an easy walk into the village for galleries and beer, but you’ll probably spend most of the time around the long dining table or out in the garden.

This is ideal for families who want to experience nature and have plenty of space - especially those with younger children - but it also comes with all the convenience of Clarens’s food and art scene. For a fun family day out, do a short trail walk at the Clarens Village Conservancy. Some brave kids have been known to jump in the dam for a swim on a hot day, too!

Need to know: Just under four hours from Joburg. Sleeps up to 10 comfortably. Rates hover around R5,000–R6,000 a night, depending on the season.

Owlswood was clearly designed by someone who knows how big groups actually behave. There’s a pavilion by the pool for lounging, courtyards that flow into each other, and a kitchen that means business: double stoves, pizza oven, a cold room and enough counter space to feed a small army. What does this all mean? Basically, that people naturally congregate around the kitchen and entertainment area without anyone feeling like they’re stuck missing out on the action while they make braai sides. 

Six bedrooms sleep 12, but there’s a separate two-bedroom adjoining cottage too. Despite the modern style, it still retains plenty of farmhouse charm, and the living spaces are big enough for everyone to gather without tripping over each other. Step outside and you’ve got 275 hectares of walking trails, a lookout with sweeping views of Tankwani Gorge, and nyala, kudu and zebra grazing through the bush. Solar backup handles load shedding, and the security is tight, so all you need to worry about is who gets which bedroom. 

Need to know: About 90 minutes from Joburg. Rates are from R15,000 a night for up to 12 guests (two-night minimum).