Best Campsites Within 2 Hours of Johannesburg for a Weekend Braai
## Quick Escape: Joburg's Best Weekend Camping
Friday afternoon in Joburg traffic, bakkie loaded, cooler box full, braai wood strapped to the roof — that's the start of the best weekends. The good news is that within a two-hour radius of Joburg (and Pretoria), there is genuinely world-class camping. Here's where to go in 2025.
## Under 1 Hour from Joburg
### Mountain Sanctuary Park — Magaliesburg
Possibly the closest world-class nature experience to Joburg. Privately owned, the park has a spectacular gorge with swimming pools, rock art, and trails through ancient quartzite mountains (the fourth-oldest mountain range on Earth). Camping from R215 per person plus R100 per vehicle. The grotto swimming hole below the waterfall is the best braai-day payoff within an hour of Joburg.
### Ledbury Game Farm — Near Hartbeespoort
Authentic bushveld camping on a private game farm in the Magaliesberg Biosphere. Site fires, braai facilities, and game animals wandering past camp. Fantastic for families and groups. Prices from R200 per person.
### Magalies Park Resort — Hartbeespoort
Four-star family resort on the Magalies River — one hour from both Joburg and Pretoria. Camping and caravan sites with full facilities. The resort has a pool, restaurant, and kids' activities. A lekker option when you want proper camping but the whole family needs a pool day too.
## 1–2 Hours from Joburg
### Magalies Sleepy River — Magaliesberg Region
Nestled in the mountain range just over an hour from Joburg. Long-stay rates available. Riverside sites, excellent braai facilities, and the kind of birdsong that makes you forget you were stuck on the N14 two hours ago.
### AfriCamps at Milorho — Magaliesburg
Boutique glamping-style tents in the Magaliesberg mountains — around 90 minutes from Joburg. Each tent is fully equipped with a kitchen and fireplace, and the setting is spectacular. Not budget camping but an excellent treat for a special weekend.
### Marakele National Park — Bontle Camp
Just over two hours from Joburg through the Waterberg. SANParks' most underappreciated park. 36 campsites from approximately R350 per night plus conservation fees. Big 5 game in a beautiful mountain setting.
### Rietvlei Nature Reserve — Pretoria
For those who need the absolute quickest fix, Rietvlei on the outskirts of Pretoria (technically within the city) has a well-run campsite inside the reserve. Not wilderness, but you wake up next to a dam with white rhino on the fence. Prices are very accessible for Tshwane residents.
## What to Pack for a Joburg Weekend Braai Escape
- Firewood: Don't scrimp. Bring more than you think you need.
- Braai grid: Dedicated portable grid beats the park fixtures every time.
- Boerewors and chops: Obviously.
- Cooler box with ice: A good quality hard cooler (Icey-Tek, Yeti, or local alternatives) keeps ice for 48+ hours.
- Chairs and a shade canopy: Highveld winter afternoons are sunny but cold — a good windbreak makes all the difference.
## Booking Tips
- Book any Magaliesberg site by Wednesday latest for a weekend visit from October to April.
- School holidays: book a minimum of 4–6 weeks ahead for private sites, 3+ months for SANParks.
- Many Magaliesberg farms have WhatsApp booking — faster than email.
What's your go-to quick escape from Joburg? Share below!
4 Replies
Mountain Sanctuary Park is my number one within an hour. We've been going there with the same group of mates for six years running — always that Easter or mid-year long weekend. The grotto hike, a swim in the pool, then back to camp for a serious braai with good music. The park is well-run, the ablutions are clean, and the trails are properly signposted. It's R215 per person but honestly worth every cent — the scenery is Kruger-level without the drive.
Ledbury Game Farm near Hartbeespoort is underrated for a rustic braai weekend. You're literally in the bush with game walking around, and you don't need to drive 5 hours to get there. I took my kids for the first time in March and my daughter saw her first giraffe from the camp boundary. The site fires are allowed and the owners are lekker people — very friendly and helpful. The Magaliesberg mountain backdrop at sunset makes for one of the best braai views in Gauteng.
Ja nee, Marakele is the ultimate Joburg escape if you're willing to add an extra 45 minutes to the drive. You get SANParks quality, Big 5 game, mountain scenery, and the satisfaction of saying you spent the weekend in a national park. We do the drive up Friday evening, arrive after dark, and it's always worth it. Cape vultures circling the Kransberg above camp at breakfast is something you just don't get at Hartbeespoort. The camp is unfenced so the wildlife encounters are very real.
Rietvlei Reserve for a midweek overnight is overlooked by most Joburgers who always look north. It's technically Pretoria but if you're in the northern suburbs you can be at the campsite in under an hour. White rhino near the camp fence, dam sunsets, and that Highveld silence. Not a wilderness experience but for a Tuesday night braai and a Wednesday morning walk, it's hard to beat. The entry fees for Tshwane residents are very accessible — one of the best urban nature deals in the country.