7 Remote South African gems that come alive in winter

by Sergio Miller

Winter changes a landscape. It hushes the wind, sharpens the air, and strips destinations back to their raw beauty. And nowhere is this more obvious than in South Africa’s most remote corners—the places that take a bit of effort (and possibly a 4×4) to reach. 

While beach towns hibernate and cities buzz indoors, these out-of-the-way gems come alive with snowflakes, solitude, golden grasses, and silent starlight. 

If you’re craving the road less travelled, here’s where to go when the mercury dips. 

Wupperthal – Western Cape  

Hidden in the folds of the Cederberg mountains, Wupperthal is a village seemingly frozen in time. Gravel roads snake through rooibos fields and sandstone outcrops before dropping into a valley dotted with whitewashed Moravian mission cottages and palm trees. In winter, frost coats the ground and snow sometimes dusts the mountain tops, creating postcard-worthy scenes. 

Stay in a heritage cottage, browse veldskoen handmade at the local leather workshop, and sip rooibos grown just a stone’s throw from where you’re sleeping. 

Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve – Limpopo 

This rarely spoken-of reserve in the Wolkberg section of the Drakensberg is a hidden rainforest paradise. The name means “place of water,” and you’ll find it in the form of mossy streams, secret waterfalls, and swimming holes nestled in the greenery. 

In winter, the air is clearer, rain is less frequent, and mornings are wrapped in mist. The gravel road into the reserve is rough and best done in a high-clearance vehicle, but the payoff is total immersion in a living, breathing mountain forest. 

Baviaanskloof – Eastern Cape  

This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is legendary among overlanders for a reason. It stretches across mountains, river crossings, and rugged valleys with hardly a tar road in sight. The remoteness is real—but so is the magic. 

In winter, the landscape turns golden under the low sun, the rivers drop to manageable levels, and the air is perfect for hiking, biking, and stargazing. Wildlife sightings increase too—look out for kudu, baboons, and even the elusive Cape mountain zebra. 

Naude’s Nek Pass to Rhodes – Eastern Cape Highlands 

Naude’s Nek is one of the highest mountain passes in the country—and often dusted with snow in winter. Traversing this 4×4-only route brings you to Rhodes, a sandstone village straight out of a fairy tale. Think gurgling trout streams, cosy stone cottages, and wood smoke curling into the frosty sky. 

Despite its charm, Rhodes remains gloriously under-visited. Spend your days walking, casting a fly rod, or snow-chasing in the surrounding peaks. 

Gamkaskloof (Die Hel) – Western Cape 

To reach Gamkaskloof, also known as Die Hel, you’ll drive one of the most dramatic gravel passes in South Africa—over the Swartberg Mountains and down a steep, hairpin-strewn descent. What awaits at the bottom is silence, space, and a strange sense of time travel. 

Once home to a self-sufficient community entirely cut off from the outside world, Die Hel is now a remote collection of stone cottages surrounded by wilderness. Winter mutes everything here: no insects, no crowds, just crackling fires and stories under stars. 

Lotheni – KwaZulu-Natal 

Lotheni, in a quieter stretch of the southern Drakensberg, is one of those places where nothing moves fast. Reached by gravel road, it offers fewer crowds than better-known areas like Giants Castle or Champagne Valley, but all the scenic drama. 

In winter, mornings are frosty and trails are quieter. Hike to waterfalls, visit rock art sites, and stay in old forestry cottages with front-row mountain views. The icy bite in the air? That’s part of the appeal. 

Richtersveld Transfrontier Park – Northern Cape 

When summer hits, the Richtersveld roasts. But winter changes the game completely. The extreme temperatures soften, making it the perfect time to explore this surreal, otherworldly corner of South Africa. Think jagged peaks, dry riverbeds, and the richest concentration of succulents on the continent. 

Reaching the park isn’t easy—it’s all gravel, 4×4-only roads and no cell signal. But those who make the journey are rewarded with absolute silence, dramatic desert vistas, and the kind of starry skies you never forget. 

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Travel tips for remote winter escapes 

  • Bring layers: Daytime sun can be warm, but nights plummet fast. 
  • Vehicle matters: High clearance or 4×4 is essential for several of these routes. Always check conditions before you go. 
  • Fuel up and stock up: Some routes can go hours without a shop or station. 
  • Offline is okay: Download offline maps and let someone know your travel plans. 
  • Travel light, travel right: Support local guides, lodges, and conservation projects along the way. 

Winter might not be the obvious time to explore South Africa’s wildest corners, but that’s exactly why it works. You’ll share the roads with more baboons than buses, the hiking trails with only the wind, and the views with no one but yourself. 

Compiled by Lee-Ann Steyn

First published by Getaway 

Also see: Explore the beauty of these Free State small towns