Five Stunning Mountain Towns To Visit In South Africa

5 stunning mountain towns to visit in South Africa this spring Looking for a spring getaway? These 5 mountain towns offer some of SA’s best spring scenery, from wildflowers and forests to dramatic peaks. Author image By Sundeeka Mungroo 25-08-26 20:18 in Travel mountain towns south africa 1 Clarens in the Free State, South Africa. Image: canva Google Preferred Badge Google News Badge Spring is one of the best times to explore South Africa’s mountain towns. The cold of winter begins to ease, hiking trails become more inviting and, in many parts of the country, the landscape bursts into colour as wildflowers and other mountain plants come into bloom. From the Maluti Mountains to the Drakensberg and the Cape Fold Mountains, these five towns make particularly good spring getaways. Take a look… ADVERTISEMENT 1. Clarens, Free State Clarens is one of South Africa’s classic mountain escapes, sitting in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains near Golden Gate Highlands National Park. Spring brings fresh green landscapes and colourful blossoms to the town, while the surrounding mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. The town itself is worth exploring, with galleries, cafés, craft shops and restaurants clustered around the village. For something more adventurous, the surrounding area offers hiking, mountain biking, horse trails and other outdoor activities. 2. Hogsback, Eastern Cape Swallowtail Falls in Hogsback, South Africa. Image: canva High in the Amathole Mountains, Hogsback is surrounded by indigenous forests, waterfalls and mountain trails. Spring is a particularly lovely time to visit, when the landscape starts coming alive after winter. The misty forests and green hills give the town a distinctly magical atmosphere. Spend the day hiking to waterfalls and viewpoints before returning to the village for a relaxed meal or a browse through its small collection of cafés and craft shops. ADVERTISEMENT 3. Montagu, Western Cape Surrounded by the dramatic Langeberg Mountains, Montagu is a great choice for a spring weekend in the Western Cape. The town combines mountain scenery with historic buildings, hiking trails, rock climbing and the famous Route 62. The warmer spring weather also makes it a good time to explore the mountains without the intensity of summer heat. For something more relaxed, visitors can explore the town’s cafés, restaurants and nearby wine farms. 4. Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal Montane grasslands in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal. Image: canva If you want mountain scenery with a distinctly South African spring twist, head to Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal. The town sits below the southern Drakensberg and provides access to some of the country’s most spectacular high-altitude landscapes. Spring is a wonderful time to explore the Drakensberg grasslands, which can produce an impressive display of lilies, orchids, pelargoniums and other wildflowers. Nearby Himeville and the Sani Pass area also offer plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking and exploring. 5. Ceres, Western Cape Surrounded by mountains and fertile farmland, Ceres is a particularly beautiful spring destination. The valley is famous for its deciduous fruit production and dramatic mountain scenery, while the surrounding area offers hiking, scenic drives and outdoor adventures. It is also an excellent base for exploring the wider Cape mountain region, with scenic mountain passes leading into and out of the valley. Why spring is the time to go Spring gives these mountain towns a completely different character. The days become warmer, landscapes turn greener, and wildflowers begin appearing across parts of the country. In the Drakensberg, montane grasslands can be particularly rewarding for flower lovers, while the Western Cape’s mountain landscapes start emerging from winter. And if you prefer your spring getaway to involve mountains, hiking, small-town charm and spectacular scenery rather than crowds at the coast, these five are well worth putting on your list. 1 comments WIN R5 000: Take The South African’s Winter Reader Survey Tags: Featured getaways Important small towns South Africa Spring Travel South Africa Post navigation Next Article

Congo and M23 Rebels Agree on Peace Roadmap

Congo and M23 Rebels Agree on Peace Roadmap DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23-led rebel alliance agreed this week on a roadmap for peace negotiations after five days of talks in Switzerland, even as fighting continues in the country’s volatile east. In a joint statement over the weekend, the two sides said the roadmap establishes “sequenced steps and timelines for negotiations” under the Qatar-mediated framework agreement signed last year. The Swiss talks included representatives from the United States, Qatar, Togo, Switzerland and the African Union Commission. The parties also agreed on a standardized method for reporting ceasefire violations and a mechanism to address problems implementing the agreement. On Monday, a mission began observing implementation of the ceasefire in Minembwe, South Kivu province, marking the first field deployment under the monitoring mechanism established by the Qatar-mediated agreement. The area has experienced renewed fighting in recent weeks, with government forces and the rebels accusing each other of ceasefire violations. M23 rebels on Monday accused Congolese forces of shelling a village near Minembwe, causing civilian casualties and displacement. The Congolese military did not immediately respond. The conflict reignited in 2021 when M23 resumed its offensive in eastern DRC. The group has since captured large areas, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The fighting has killed thousands and displaced an estimated 5.3 million people. The DRC, the UN and Western governments accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 with troops and weapons, which Kigali denies. The Doha process is proceeding alongside separate US-mediated talks between the DRC and Rwanda. Earlier this month, Congolese authorities also released 15 prisoners to the M23-led alliance in the first known prisoner transfer under the agreement.

South Africa's Land Seizure Law Challenged In Court

South Africa’s Land Seizure Law Challenged in Court SOUTH AFRICA South Africa A South African court this week began hearing a challenge to the country's land expropriation law, legislation that has strained relations within the governing coalition and was cited by US President Donald Trump last year as a reason for suspending aid to South Africa. The White-led Democratic Alliance (DA) – a senior partner in the ruling coalition with the African National Congress (ANC) – asked the Western Cape High Court to declare key provisions of the Expropriation Act unconstitutional. The party has argued that the law gives the government "vague and ​sweeping powers" to expropriate private property and undermines legal certainty over property rights. Signed last year by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Expropriation Act allows the government to seize land in the public interest and, in some cases, without compensating the owners. The government insists that the legislation is aimed at redressing the economic inequality that is a legacy of the policy of apartheid, when millions of non-White South Africans were forcibly displaced from their lands. Despite the end of apartheid in the 1990s, around three-quarters of South Africa’s privately owned farmland today remains under the control of White South Africans – who make up less than 10 percent of the country’s population. No land has been seized so far, but the law has been the subject of lengthy debates and remains a major point of contention within the ruling coalition. The ANC and DA teamed up after the 2024 parliamentary elections, which saw the ANC lose its absolute majority for the first time since 1994. The legislation and other affirmative action policies have also heightened tensions with the Trump administration, which has accused South Africa of allegedly enabling a “genocide” against white South Africans. Last year, Trump signed an executive order suspending US financial aid to South Africa and creating a refugee program specifically for Afrikaners – most descendants of Dutch settlers – citing concerns they were being persecuted. South Africa has strongly rejected those claims. Analysts noted that the case will be heard alongside two similar legal challenges brought by groups representing Afrikaner interests. The court could take years to reach a verdict. Still, the proceedings come as the country gears up for pivotal local elections in November.