The city of Johannesburg is well-known for its great food, wide open spaces and manmade forests making it perfect for picnics. For majority, unwinding in nature and spending time with loved ones is a soothing recipe for the busy assault of modern daily life.
Whenever you find yourself in Johannesburg, be sure to take advantage of the warm sunny days and spend quality time outdoors. So, pack a picnic basket and a blanket and try one of these picnic spots near you.
Best Picnic Spots Near You to Try out in Johannesburg
Are you looking for a picnic spot near you to lounge and have fun? Picture this: family, friends, finger foods, dessert, wine, and fruit.
Bring your sunglasses and sunscreen and check out these amazing suggestions below because you will be revisiting these suggestions for quite a while.
1. James & Ethel Gray Park
Named after the early Johannesburg historians, James and Ethel Gray, this beautiful park offers an escape from the bustle of the city, especially on mild summer days. Located at Edgewood Avenue the park is loved for its free entrance fee.
Also, the area is popular with dog walkers and offers riverside walks, a breathtaking view of the Melrose Arch and beautiful woodland. There are various shaded points so do not worry about the hot weather!
2. Greensleeves Deli Picnics
This medieval-themed spot in Sterkfontein provides three types of picnic boxes, which all include a variety snacks, meat, fruits, jams, pastries, and homemade pâtés. If you fancy a restaurant vibe, you can throw in a bottle of wine, extra goodies, and enjoy it all in the beautiful garden under historical stinkwood trees.
Reservations are required and the picnic boxes must be paid in full no later than noon. A small box costs R275 and can cater for two people, a medium box is R550 for at least three, and a large box costs R825 for nine.
3. Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge
If you are looking for perfect picnic spots with swimming, then Cradle Moon is one of the city’s hidden gems and an impressive venue for a picnic date. Located in Beyers Naude Drive, the lodge charges an entrance fee of R50 per person.
In addition, the park is popular amongst cyclists because of its game drives, and boat cruises. Unfortunately, Cradle Moon does not allow guests to bring food from outside, so you will have to purchase your snacks and supplies from the lodge.
4. Stonehaven on Vaal
For views across the banks of the Vaal River, Stonehaven makes an ideal picnic spot! Kick back and admire the gorgeous city of Johannesburg whilst avoiding civilization almost entirely! For R256.60 per person, you are given a picnic blanket and a basket filled with chipolatas, cheese straws, savoury garnish, French bread with pâtés, crisps, dips, and finger dessert delights.
A bottle of wine of your choice can be added at a cost. From enjoying a meal on the banks of the river, to a river cruise and various dining options, you’re sure to be spoilt for choice!
Stonehaven also caters for private functions on land and aboard their cruisers, as well as hosting childrens’ parties and fishing charters.
5. Thaba Eco Hotel 
Nestled in the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve is a reserved hotel with a beautiful garden. If you are looking for an intimate place spend a family day or for group occasions, taking your picnic to Thaba Eco is a great idea.
Their customised picnic basket for two is R650 per basket from Mondays to Sundays and can include a vegetarian option. The Basket of Gold for four to six people, available from Mondays to Sundays, costs R1,250 per basket and boasts cold meat cuts, cheese, biscuits and a variety of savoury and sweet treats. Why not enjoy a picnic in the beautiful Thaba gardens whilst you lookout for birds and other animals?
6. Budmarsh Country Lodge
Budmarsh’s charming countryside is a mere hour’s drive from Johannesburg and situated in the picturesque mountains of the Magaliesberg. Picnics are available from Fridays to Sundays on the lush lawns of the lodge’s vast gardens.
At R590 per picnic basket for two people, indulge in homemade breads, sandwiches, and assorted drinks. For group bookings and picnic baskets, a day’s notice advance is neededs.
7. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
Situated at Olifants Rd, Emmarentia, the botanical garden charges no entrance fee. This massive garden has large open spaces scattered with trees to pop your picnic mat and relax. It also hosts the occasional concert season and kite-flying competitions as a form of entertainment for tourists.
The charming scenery is popular with birdwatchers and on its northern side you can stroll through a rose garden and indigenous herb patch. All these features give a peaceful location for you to enjoy your lunch or perhaps a sunset date.
8. The Blades
For a picnic overlooking a flowing dam and water view, The Blades offers various beautiful spots. For as low as R200 per person, you can enjoy crunchy vegetable quesadillas, tasty snacks, chicken shawarmas, fruit kebabs and more. Add a bottle of wine or choose from their extensive drinks list to spice up your relaxing evening.
9. Zoo Lake
Zoo lake is a firm favourite for a day out in nature, with its beautiful lake and well-maintained walkways just outside of Saxonwold.
Kids can enjoy cycling around the lake or feeding the ducks. This is also a popular venue for concert events and open-air art exhibitions. Make a point to see the Johannesburg Heritage Coronation Fountain here.
10. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve
If you are in the city of Johannesburg and looking for an adventurous picnic spot near you to relax and sightsee, this nature reserve is your best bet.
The team at the nature reserve is forever expanding and reinventing ways to ensure that guests have a swell time. This tranquil nature oasis, aptly referred to as Johannesburg’s Jewel of the South, is just 10 km from the centre of Johannesburg, 5 km from Soweto and 25 km from Sandton.
This reserve boasts a labyrinth of great hiking trails, biking trails as well as running trails across 640km – each varying in difficulty but there is something to suit all levels of fitness.
For a picnic setting, you can choose to stretch out on the meticulously maintained lawns under large, old, shady trees, and enjoy a broad selection of wildlife sightings of zebra, red hartebeest, and black wildebeest too.
Conclusion
Johannesburg’s beautiful spring and summer days are bound to make picnics relaxing and irresistible. Hopefully, this list of top spots in the City of Gold has given you some inspiration of where you can enjoy your next picnic.
