The New Year has only just begun, yet many of us are already itching for the next holiday. With all this beautiful summer weather, don’t be surprised if you catch yourself day-dreaming about all the potentially awesome things you could be doing.
And with 12 annual public holidays, you don’t have to let everyday life, your budget, and work-leave stop you from having an adventure. With an early start, get planning and make the most of your opportunities.
With many cheap flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, you have the freedom to choose the best activities and specials across South Africa.
We’ve made planning for the holidays simpler and singled out the best opportunities to be taking some time off, and what you can be getting up to!
SA Public Holidays 2020
Below is an infographic of all the public holidays in 2020. With Christmas, New Year and the school holidays in December, many South Africans have a lot of leave during this period. But April is a goodie, too. With 3 days off, you’ll have a long weekend that’ll be perfect for planning a trip away.
Be sure to check out when the South African school holidays in 2020 are.
Important South African Dates
These dates aren’t official holidays, but they’re just as important for spreading the love.
- 10 May – Mothers Day
- 21 June – Father’s Day
- 18 July – Nelson Mandela Day
What You Can Get Up to On the Public Holidays
No matter where in South Africa you may be, there is always a variety of amazing activities. So whether you’re an outdoor lover, foodie, adrenaline junkie or if you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, you can spend each public holiday doing something you love.
Ride on a Cable Car to Reach the Top of Table Mountain
With a gentle ride to the top of the famous Table Mountain, unbeatable views of Cape Town and the Atlantic ocean surround you. An array of wildlife can be spotted on the mountain, like lizards, butterflies, and rock hyrax. Take a picnic up to the top, or enjoy the self-service cafe buffet.
Specials: Table Mountain Cableway often has a number of different specials running throughout the year.
Take a Visit to the Neighbourgoods Markets in Johannesburg or Cape Town
Markets are the perfect place to meet up with friends or family to relax and enjoy your day off. Browse the quirky stalls, taste some exotic food, listen to vibey music and try some incredible local beers.
Plan a Day to the Kruger National Park
Depending on how close you’re staying to the Kruger, you can simply hop in your car and take a self-drive through the game reserve. With a chance to see the Big-5 up close, we say this is one of the best things to do on a public holiday.
Visit the Cradle of Humankind
Known as the place where humans originated, a trip to Sterkfontein Caves is exciting for the whole family. Dive deep into the ancient caves, look at fossilised human species and visit the world-class Maropeng exhibition centre to have your mind bent.
Specials: Book a Maropeng and Sterkfontein combination ticket and save some bucks.
Drive Along Chapmans Peak Drive
The winding roads follow the coastal cliffside of Cape Town and offer seriously spectacular views. Along the road, there are several lookout points you can stop at to whale watch, buy some local souvenirs and take a few photos.
Jump off of the Painted Orlando Towers
Keen to do something crazy? Bungee jump off of two giant epic cooling towers while glimpsing part of the city of Soweto. Then head off to take a walk around the historic Soweto township, which was previously home to Nelson Mandela and the iconic Soweto Uprising.
Explore uShaka Sea World
Famous for being one of the largest aquariums in the world, uShaka is packed with many great activities, for no matter how old you may be. Book to take part in the Ocean Walker experience, and walk along the bottom of the indoor ocean as tuna, assorted fish, and rays swim around you. Or take a dive with the Great White Sharks.
Specials: You’ll often find exhibitions and promotions running, so keep a lookout for public holiday specials.
Go for a bushwalk at Tala Game Reserve
Just an hour’s drive from Durban, you can take an exciting two-hour guided bush walk through Tala Game Reserve. The reserve is home to wildebeest, rhino, hippos and giraffes, and you’re guaranteed to see a wide variety of the local species.
Easter 2020 Holiday Ideas
If you really want to maximize your off time, the April holidays should be used to take a trip somewhere. You’ll get the Friday (10 April) and Monday (13 April) off, but you can even consider taking leave on the days after. That way you’ll have a really nice long holiday!
Book an Airbnb for the Entire Family
Easter isn’t Easter if you don’t plan on having at least one braai. And going on holiday doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the small things. The weather is still good in April, so consider booking a cheap flight to Cape Town or Durban and enjoy the variety of beach guesthouses.
Picnic and Wine-Tasting at Groot Constantia
It doesn’t get any better than this. Wine lovers travel from around South Africa to visit Groot Constantia and get a taste of their delicious wines. Guests can book tours of the wine cellars and do a full museum tour in the Manor House and Cloete Cellar.
Spend your Holiday in the Outdoors Hiking
South Africa has some of the best hiking spots in the world. With a variety of phenomenal landscapes, spending a weekend outdoors and hiking over Easter is something really special.
To Conclude South African Public Holidays
Don’t leave your planning to the last minute. If you think ahead, you’ll be able to get the most out of the South African holidays.
Flight deals are also cheaper when you book in advance. Miss out on the craze of flight bookings and you’ll have some extra cash to spend over your holiday.