Categories > Guides and Tips
Top 10 Picnic Spots in Johannesburg
You might be wondering, “Why bother going on a picnic when you can go to restaurants instead?” The beauty of picnics, aside from being able to bond with your family, is its versatility; you can choose how much you actually spend on them!
If you’re in Johannesburg and you want this great picnic experience, then you’re in luck, as the city has a ton of great picnic spots for you and your loved ones to try out. Here are the picnic spots in the city for some old-fashioned Afrikaan “binding.”
1. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
From zion_hoz and cingwane_elihle03
Address: Olifants Rd, Emmarentia, Randburg, 2195, South Africa
Website: https://www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com/services-facilities/botanical-gardens/about
Contact Number: +27 11 712 6600
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Located just 15 minutes away from the city proper, the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (sometimes referred to as Emmarentia Gardens), is one of the most relaxing spots for a picnic. The area is thick with greenery and varied plants.
There are around 42 different kinds of plants in this garden, which means you’ll learn a lot about these local fauna. Plus, the pathways here are designed so you can stroll the entire area comfortably.
| Pro Tip: You can also hike to the bank of the nearby Emmarentia Dam to marvel at the beauty of this structure. It’s an impressive sight to look at with dam walls as tall as 20 metres! |
2. Delta Park
From secretjoburg
Address: 77 Craighall Rd, Victory Park, Randburg, 2195, South Africa
Website: https://www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com/services-facilities/parks/find-a-park/delta-park
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Delta Park is a green paradise in Randburg where you can hang out and have a picnic with your family and friends. As you kick back and enjoy the scenery around you, you can take in the different ecosystems in the park such as woodlands and grasslands.
During your picnic, you can also walk around the park’s perimeter and take in the beauty and variety of the plants in the area. If you want a longer trail to hike, you can take on the Braamfontein Spruit Trail located on the southern border of this picnic spot.
| Pro Tip: The park is also a kid and pet-friendly area, so you can bring your babies and fur babies here during your picnic. Kids can have tons of fun in their children’s playground while your dogs can get unlimited sniffing opportunities around! |
3. Zoo Lake
From ben_jokey
Address: 60 Jan Smuts Ave, Forest Town, Randburg, 2193, South Africa
Website: https://www.jhbcityparksandzoo.com/services-facilities/parks/find-a-park/zoo-lake
Contact Number: (011) 483-1017
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday, Open 24 hours
Zoo Lake is a favourite picnic spot among the locals, and it’s not hard to see why. Aside from the many events held here during certain dates (e.g., Jazz on the Lake and Carols by Candlelight), the park has a ton of great spots to have a picnic in.
The site has grassy areas where you can set up your picnic blanket and basket to enjoy a quiet meal with your family. Plus, you can enjoy the different points of interest such as Coronation Fountain and the lake itself.
| Pro Tip: You can also request the park official’s permission to use the venue for your own events. Simply download the request form, submit it to the park authorities, and wait for their response or approval. |
4. Rietfontein Nature Reserve
From mother.porcupine
Address: 138 Holkam Road, Rietfontein, Sandton, 2191, South Africa
Website:
Contact Number: +27119433578
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If you want to combine hiking, game viewing, and picnicking, then Rietfontein Nature Reserve is your place to be. The place has a challenging hiking trail, though, as the path looping around the reserve isn’t solid concrete or soil but loose rocks.
In terms of game viewing, you can enjoy seeing majestic ostriches and nimble antelopes around the reserve. Once you’re done with all of these, you can pick a spot along the trail, set up your picnic, and chill out.
| Pro Tip: We highly recommend that you wear good hiking shoes or boots if you’re visiting this nature reserve, as the trail may be short but the loose soil can make it challenging (as mentioned earlier). Young kids might also find this hiking trail difficult to traverse, so it’s best to just bring children if they are at least 5 years old and above (or if they can easily walk unassisted). |
5. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
From harrisonwasthere and orialoutdoor
Address: 129 Peggy Vera Road, Kibler Park, Johannesburg South, 2091, South Africa
Website: https://klipriviersberg.org.za/
Contact Number: +27 84 804 4073
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is conveniently located within Johannesburg, making it one of the best choices if you don’t want to travel far. While the reserve is best known for its hiking trails and bird-watching areas, it’s also a great place to have a picnic!
While enjoying a calm picnic with your group, you can spot some large game such as black wildebeest, red hartebeest, and zebra. In addition, you might be able to spot unique species of birds here—perfect if you’re a true animal and nature lover!
| Pro Tips: Entrance to the park is free.The closing time at 6:00 PM is strictly observed. Make sure that you are already out of the park on or before closing. |
6. Kloofendal Nature Reserve
From violet_the_one
Address: Veronica St, Kloofendal, Roodepoort, 1709, South Africa
Website: https://kloofendalfriends.org.za/
Contact Number: +27117126600
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Kloofendal Nature Reserve is the ultimate outdoor adventurer’s destination in Roodepoort with a ton of outdoor activities for you to experience and enjoy. Aside from picnicking, you can also go hiking, bird watching, and braai cooking at the reserve.
Once you’ve had your fill of the beautiful landscape, you can head to the Bird Hide area to watch the birds of the reserve. There’s also an old stamp mill that you can check out and marvel at here, a testament to the historical significance of this area.
| Pro Tip: Unfortunately, this nature reserve doesn’t allow pets to the location. In addition, the park strictly prohibits the consumption of alcohol, littering, and the playing of loud electronic music. |
7. Wilds Nature Reserve
From thewilds.jozi
Address: Houghton Dr, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2198, South
Contact Number: +27 11 643 2313
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Wilds Nature Reserve is stunning and isn’t only ideal for picnics but also for other special events such as weddings and corporate parties. Thanks to its amazing pristine environment and varied ecosystems, this is a great spot to visit when in Joburg.
While you sit back and relax, you can enjoy the evergreen colour of the park largely in part to the presence of shrubs, trees, and grass along its perimeter. There are also running waterfalls and fountains here that are great for photos!
| Pro Tip: The park also features small game viewing, and the best part about it is that there are signages with tidbits of information about these wonderful animals. It’s a great way for kids and adults to learn more about these creatures! |
8. Melville Koppies East
Address: 15 6th St, Melville, Randburg, 2109, South Africa
Website: https://www.mk.org.za/
Contact Number: +27 11 482 4797
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, Open 24 hours
Melville Koppies East is a picnic spot that holds a lot of archaeological significance for the locals. You can enjoy a relaxing picnic with your family, but there’s also the historical aspect of the reserve: Stone Age men used to camp here in ancient times!
Before you start with your picnic along the trails of this park, you can do some short hiking trails where you can go at your own pace. There’s also a heritage trail here where you can hike to spots and gain information on the area’s history, flora, and fauna.
| Pro Tip: The reserve also offers a guided tour of the area, and you need to arrive early if you want to join its educational hike. The tour starts at around 8:00 AM and costs ZAR 100 if you book directly with them via telephone at 079 532 0083. |
9. James and Ethel Gray Park
From cityofjoburg
Address: Edgewood Avenue &, Melrose St, Melrose, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Website: https://jamesandethelgrayparkfoundation.org/
Contact Number: +27 11 435 4727
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Considered one of the best spots in Gauteng, James and Ethel Gray Park has a unique blend of rural charm and great city views. You can spread out your picnic blanket and relax in one of their viewpoints to watch the city of Johannesburg from a tranquil spot.
If you move to the centre of the park (and away from the rolling hills viewpoint), you’ll find yourself among evenly spread out trees. At this location, you can set up your picnic and comfortably enjoy a meal under some cool shade.
| Pro Tip: James and Ethel Gray Park is constantly in need of funds to enhance and improve the services of the reserve. If you want to show your support, you can also donate to the park via bank transfer with details available on their site. |
10. Walkhaven
Address: Plot 77, Walkhaven farm, M5, Zwartkop, Johannesburg, 1748, South Africa
Website: https://walkhaven-dog-park.business.site/
Contact Number: +27712129955
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday, 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM
You can show your dogs some love by bringing them to Walkhaven Dog Park. It’s a great park with tons of green grassy areas where you and your fur babies can frolic in, walk, sniff, and have a picnic!
There are also weekend markets regularly held here, so if you need to purchase some goodies for your pets, you can do so while having a picnic with your family. You can also score some amazing local crafts such as vases and baskets to take home as souvenirs!
| Pro Tip: We recommend that you check out their social media page for any of their upcoming events. We like their adoption days (usually held on Sundays) where you get to meet (and adopt) adorable dogs and puppies! |
