5 South African towns that feel like you’ve left the country
· The South African
An overseas holiday might be the dream, but South Africa has a remarkable way of surprising travellers without requiring a passport.
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Across the country are destinations that feel completely removed from their surroundings. One resembles a misty English village hidden in an ancient forest. Another could pass for a quiet Scottish town on a frosty winter’s morning. There’s even a valley that wouldn’t look out of place in rural Holland!
While each of these places is proudly South African, their landscapes, architecture and atmosphere are so distinctive that you’ll almost forget where you are.
Here are five South African towns that prove you don’t always have to leave the country to feel like you’ve travelled somewhere completely different.
1. Hogsback – An English fairytale hidden in the mountains
Hogsback, Eastern Cape. Image: wikimedia commonsThe moment you arrive in Hogsback, the landscape changes dramatically.
Towering indigenous forests replace open grasslands, waterfalls tumble through the trees, and mist often hangs between the mountain slopes, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
The village’s cottages, gardens and winding lanes only add to the illusion, making it feel remarkably similar to a countryside village in England.
It’s little wonder Hogsback has long been associated with fantasy stories. Whether or not it inspired any famous novels, there’s no denying it has a storybook quality that’s unlike anywhere else in South Africa.
Spend the day exploring forest trails, chasing waterfalls or relaxing beside a roaring fireplace, and you’ll quickly understand why visitors return again and again.
2. Magoebaskloof – A bit of New Zealand in South Africa
Magoebaskloof, Limpopo. Image: SA Tourism / FlickrLush forests, rolling green hills, crystal-clear streams and winding mountain roads give Magoebaskloof a landscape that’s surprisingly different from what many people expect in Limpopo.
The region’s scenery is often compared to New Zealand, particularly during the rainy season when every hillside seems impossibly green.
Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, with hiking trails, waterfalls, canopy tours and scenic drives weaving through one of the country’s most beautiful mountain regions.
On misty mornings, when low clouds settle over the valleys, it’s easy to imagine you’re exploring somewhere halfway across the world.
3. Cullinan – A step back into Victorian England
Cullinan, Gauteng. Image: wikimedia commonsJust 30 kilometres east of Pretoria lies a town that feels frozen in time.
Best known for the famous diamond discovered here in 1905, Cullinan has retained much of its original mining-era charm.
Historic sandstone buildings, beautifully preserved cottages, wide streets and quaint cafés give the town an unmistakably Victorian feel.
Unlike many historic towns, Cullinan’s heritage forms part of everyday life rather than being confined to museums. Visitors can browse antique shops, enjoy lunch in restored buildings or take a tour of the historic diamond mine before wandering the peaceful streets.
It’s one of the easiest places in South Africa to imagine life more than a century ago.
4. Dullstroom – A little slice of the Scottish Highlands
Lake in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. Image: canvaFew South African towns embrace winter quite like Dullstroom.
Known for its trout fishing, cool climate and rolling hills, the town has earned comparisons with Scotland thanks to its stone buildings, misty mornings and cosy pubs.
When frost blankets the surrounding fields and fireplaces crackle inside restaurants and guesthouses, the resemblance becomes even stronger.
It’s the sort of destination where visitors swap beach walks for hearty meals, warm drinks and afternoons spent browsing bookshops or local whisky collections.
For South Africans chasing a proper winter escape, Dullstroom comes remarkably close to the Highland experience.
5. Tulbagh – Dutch charm beneath dramatic mountains
Snow-capped mountains in Tulbagh, Western Cape. Image: canvaTucked away in a valley surrounded by three mountain ranges, Tulbagh is one of the Western Cape’s best-preserved historic towns.
Its famous Church Street is home to one of the largest collections of Cape Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian heritage buildings in South Africa, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of small Dutch villages.
During winter, snow sometimes settles on the surrounding peaks, adding another layer of European charm to the landscape.
Combined with nearby vineyards, olive farms and quiet country roads, Tulbagh offers the kind of peaceful rural escape that’s easy to imagine somewhere in the Netherlands.