Come December, the city of Johannesburg is nearly deserted as all its inhabitants flock to the coast for a summer getaway. A coastal holiday is not always cheap and not many of us can afford to rent a flat on a Cape Town beach or a house in Durban’s upmarket Umhlanga. Luckily for us this becomes one of the best times to truly enjoy the beauty of Johannesburg, without the crowds.

Constantia Kloof is a suburb just west of Johannesburg which forms part of the Roodepoort Municipality. This small quiet suburb is nestled in a cleft of Constantia Ridge and has a calm and relaxed atmosphere. An active community ensures that the area is clean and safe and makes it the ideal place for a break from the city.

Attractions in Constantia Kloof

This small suburb has everything that you could need, from supermarkets to cinemas, ensuring that you could truly get a break from city life and never have to leave its borders. Charming restaurants abound and relaxing and unwinding is almost guaranteed thanks to the tranquil atmosphere. But this does not mean that there isn’t plenty to do in and around Constantia Kloof, making it as exciting a break as a trip to the coast.

Kloofendal Nature Reserve

One of the best attractions within Constantia Kloof is the well-kept secret of the Kloofendal Nature Reserve. Only a few blocks from the heart of this suburb, this reserve is home to an abundance of indigenous flora, fauna and birdlife and an incredible day out for the entire family. While it does not sport the big five, this nature reserve brings the wonders of African nature as close to a city as it can get.

Walking around the many trails within the reserve introduces you to many indigenous species from orchids to proteas and participating in a guided hike helps you learn a great deal about South Africa’s natural assets. Craggy rock outcrops make the ideal place to explore and play hide and seek – a game in which the whole family can get involved. Many of the paths take you past interesting areas like an old mining shaft and offer many intriguing places to stop at and explore or have a picnic in. A stone amphitheatre offers outdoor entertainment in the summer and offers an ideal way to spend a balmy evening.

The small dam features a bird hide and many hours can be spent here just observing the fascinating winged species that call this reserve home. Several raptor species can be spotted here if you have the patience to sit and wait for these majestic birds to emerge. There is an abundance of smaller creatures that frequent the reserve and it is not unusual to have a small buck wander by as you are having lunch.

What Else is Nearby

One of the best things about holidaying in Constantia Kloof is that all of Johannesburg’s best attractions are within an easy distance. Enjoy the excitement of Montecasino one day and return to the quiet peacefulness of this suburb the next, giving you the best of both worlds.

• Within 5kms – Clear Water Mall is less than 2kms away and offers a great place to get in some retail therapy, especially ideal for a day of rain.
• Within 10kms – For those that enjoy a round of golf, the World of Golf is only 7kms away, while the more animal inclined can go a little further afield to the Lion and Rhino Park. The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens are also only 10kms away and offered a more structured, but equally beautiful place to enjoy the great outdoors. The Northgate Dome is also a great place to take the kids and features an ice rink to get you out of the heat of the summer sun for a few hours.
• Within 20kms – A tour of the nearby Soweto Township is a unique day out and helps you to really get to know your city and the vibrant people that live within its borders. Kyalami Race Track is also only 20kms away and offers an exciting day at the races that young and old will delight in. For those who take their retail therapy that little bit more seriously, Sandton City is not far away and offers shopping at its absolute best.
• Within 40kms – The wonders of the caves at the Cradle of Humankind are only 25kms from Constantia Kloof and this heritage site offers a fascinating outing that will leave you with a huge amount of knowledge that you didn’t even know that you were learning.

Where to Stay in Constantia Kloof

Constantia Kloof is a smaller area and offers quieter and more exclusive accommodation than its big city hotel equivalents. This helps add to the ambience of such a holiday as your place to stay reflects the calm atmosphere and helps enhance your localised escape from city life. Dio Velento is a luxury block of self-catering holiday accommodation units that only makes your time in Constantia Kloof more special. Fully equipped with everything that you need, Dio Velento also offers residents access to a swimming pool, tennis courts, clubhouse and braai area, guaranteeing a fantastic holiday without having to travel too far from Johannesburg.

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