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Ah, autumn. The season that makes the end of summer feel surprisingly welcome. Cooler days roll in, wardrobes move to richer textures and suddenly looking at trees, kicking through leaves and taking long walks in the countryside feels like the obvious thing to do. And then there’s the colour. Trees turn, hillsides glow and everything feels a little more cinematic. Call it leaf peeping if you like – we think of it as following the foliage. Rich reds, warm golds and everything in between show up for a brief window each year. And the best part? You don’t need a long-haul flight to catch it. Some of the most beautiful foliage moments are closer than you might expect.
About three hours from the city, Dullstroom is one of the most rewarding places to follow the change. Its high-altitude setting and surrounding grasslands create ideal conditions for deciduous trees to shift into warm seasonal tones, especially along the drive in and around town and on quieter walks near the dams and nature reserves. Late April to early May is when the colour really settles in.
A little further afield, Clarens and its surrounds offer a foliage fix with plenty of payoff. Tree-lined streets and country roads pick up autumn colour, while the sandstone foothills of the Golden Gate catch the light beautifully. Clarens rewards those who stay a little longer, with its compact village, surrounding parklands and easy access to Golden Gate lending themselves to a well-paced weekend.
Where to stay: In Dullstroom, Walkersons Hotel & Spa offers a luxury stay in the highlands, while Mont d’Or Hotel works well for time spent exploring Clarens.
Autumn in the Cape is best experienced in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, where vineyard leaves begin turning from late April. Rows of vines take on warm copper tones, while oak-lined streets live up to Stellenbosch’s “Eikestad” nickname. This is the time for unhurried wine tastings, moving between estates with views over changing valleys. Long lunches outdoors are part of the appeal.
For a more dramatic foliage payoff, the drive to Ceres delivers. Higher altitude and cooler temperatures mean autumn colour appears more distinctly here, particularly along mountain passes and fruit-growing valleys. Scenic routes wind past apple and pear orchards, poplars and farmland that feel seasonal. It’s made for slow drives, farm stall stops and getting out of the car to take it all in.
Where to stay: Base yourself at Banhoek Lodge for easy access to Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, then stay at Bosjes on a working farm in the Breede Valley near Ceres.
Don’t forget to check out our Top Nightlife Hangouts in Stellenbosch to prepare for your trip.
A short drive from Pretoria leads you to Cullinan, where autumn colour appears earlier than in the city. The historic mining town is surrounded by farms and country roads lined with poplars and trees that respond quickly to cooler weather. A visit works best when you take your time – arrive mid-morning, wander the village, browse antique stores and plan lunch somewhere to sit outside.
For something more open and expansive, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, just south of Pretoria, offers a completely different autumn mood. Trees around the dams start to change, breaking up the grasslands with warm tones. Walking trails, picnic areas and self-guided game viewing make it easy to spend a few hours outdoors, especially when the air feels crisp and the reserve is at its quietest.
Where to stay: Premier Hotel Cullinan places you near the village and surrounding countryside, with Irene Country Lodge offering a peaceful option for visits to Rietvlei Nature Reserve.
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands – Nottingham Road, Balgowan and Howick – is one of the province’s most rewarding areas at this time of year, where cooler air and forested pockets bring subtle colour to the landscape. Tall trees take on earthy tones along winding roads, creating a great excuse for leisurely drives, café stops and time outdoors as misty mornings soften the countryside.
Further inland, Blinkwater and the Karkloof trails offer an outdoor escape defined by the Midlands’ cooler climate and varied terrain. Indigenous forest and grassland routes bring pockets of autumn colour into view, with well-marked paths, river crossings and open stretches that look out across the surrounding landscape. It suits hiking and slow exploration, particularly on clear, mild afternoons.
Where to stay: Spend time in the Midlands at Fordoun Hotel & Spa, followed by a stay at Rockwood Lodges, set on the edge of the Karkloof Forest.
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