Easter doesn’t have to mean staying in South Africa. With a valid South African passport and a sense of adventure, you can explore our three international properties in Gaborone, Botswana; Windhoek, Namibia; and Maputo, Mozambique. Each offers a refreshing change of scenery, vibrant culture, unique cuisine, wildlife, and city experiences – just a short flight or a reasonable self-drive away.

Easter Maputo: Afro-Portuguese flavour by the sea

Property: City Lodge Hotel Maputo

Flight from Johannesburg: Approx. 1 hour / self-drive approx. 550km (allow 5-6 hours including the busy border)

Maputo is for the culturally adventurous. April is still warm and the rainy season is wrapping up, making it a good time to visit. The city has a compelling blend of Portuguese architecture, African street energy, and a seafood culture that is genuinely world class.

• Highlights: Maputo Fortress, Mercado Central, Avenida Julius Nyerere, FEIMA local market, beaches, various walking and driving tours offered
• Seafood: Maputo’s piri-piri prawns and grilled crayfish are bucket-list eating
• Day trips: Inhaca Island (about 32km offshore and a short boat, ferry or flight away) for snorkelling and unspoilt beaches

Easter Gaborone: Where city life meets the bush in Botswana

Property: Town Lodge Gaborone

Flight from Johannesburg: Approx. 1 hour / easy self-drive (approx. 360km, allow 4-5 hours including the busy border)

Gaborone is underrated as a destination and April is an ideal time to visit – the rains are ending, bush is lush, and temperatures are perfect. This is also a great base for day trips into the nature reserves and surrounding tourist destinations.

• Highlights: Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Gaborone Game Reserve, Tlokweng Border Craft Market, Three Chiefs’ Statues, various cultural tours available
• Food: Botswana beef is world-renowned, making for an Easter braai with a difference
• Culture: Botswana has one of Africa’s most stable democracies and a rich Tswana culture worth experiencing

Easter Windhoek: Namibia’s stylish capital

Property: Town Lodge Windhoek

Flight from Johannesburg: Approx. 2 hours / self-drive approx. 1,450km (plan a 2-day drive)

Namibia is one of Africa’s most striking countries. April marks the tail end of the green season, when the red dunes of Sossusvlei are dramatic and the air is cooler. Windhoek is a charming, very walkable capital that is cosmopolitan, clean, and with a fascinating German-African history.

• Highlights: Namibia Craft Centre, Katutura Township tour, Independence Memorial Museum, Christuskirche
• Food: Namibia has excellent game meat, including kudu, springbok, and oryx
• Day trips: Daan Viljoen Game Reserve (30 minutes from Windhoek), Okahandja woodcarving market, Gross Barmen hot springs (100km from Windhoek)

Our hotels in brief:

Practical Tips*

Planning a quick cross-border getaway? These practical pointers will help make travel between South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique smooth and stress-free.

Entry requirements:

• South African passport holders can generally visit Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique visa-free for short stays.
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after travel and contains at least two blank pages.
• Immigration officials may request proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds for your stay.
• Minors travelling with one parent or without both parents may require a consent letter and supporting documentation.

Getting there:

• Maputo: Airlink, LAM Mozambique Airlines, FlySafair, Cemair
• Gaborone: Airlink, Air Botswana
• Windhoek: Airlink, FlySafair, SAA, Cemair

On the Ground:

• Currency:

§  Botswana: Pula (BWP)

§  Namibia: Namibian Dollar (NAD), pegged to the South African Rand, which is widely accepted

§  Mozambique: Mozambican Metical (MZN)

• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but markets and smaller vendors may prefer cash.
• Health:

§  No routine vaccinations are required unless arriving from a yellow-fever risk country.

§  Maputo has some seasonal malaria risk, while Windhoek and Gaborone are generally considered low risk.

§  Pack sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent for comfort.

§  Driving

§  South Africans can drive with a valid SA driver’s licence, and all three countries drive on the left.

§  Cross-border driving may require vehicle registration papers, third-party insurance, and safety equipment such as warning triangles. Check country-specific requirements before travelling.

• Airport Transfers: Contact your hotel in advance to arrange an airport shuttle or transfer service, available for a nominal fee.
• Language:

§  Botswana: English (official), Setswana widely spoken

§  Namibia: English (official), Afrikaans and German common

§  Mozambique: Portuguese (official), English widely understood in Maputo’s tourism areas

• Safety: Exercise the usual city precautions: avoid walking alone at night, keep valuables secure, and remain aware while sightseeing.
• Tipping: A 10–15% tip is customary in restaurants if service is not already included.

The City Lodge experience: All three properties offer 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, in-house dining, swimming pools, and secure parking, maintaining the familiar City Lodge Hotels comfort and service.

*Please note: These tips are provided as general guidance only. Travellers are responsible for confirming all entry and travel requirements with their travel agent, the destination country’s travel advisory service, or the hotel before departure.

April specials

Don’t get ‘flatfished’ this April – if your holiday accommodation turns out to be nothing like the photos, there’s an easy escape. City Lodge Hotels’ SOS – Save Our Stay – offer has you covered!

Simply tap the SOS button on the Save Our Stay microsite, find your nearest property, and check in with up to 30% off your stay. No misleading photos, no dodgy surprises, just a clean, comfortable, well-located stay that actually looks like the listing.

Book today! Tap SOS and check into easy this April holiday.

Visit saveourstay.co.za. Ts & Cs apply.