If you’re a fellow sun-seeker like us at Tarlen, winter is probably not your favorite season. And you cannot wait for it to end so that spring and summer can bring fun activities. But thanks to an abundance of hot springs resorts in South Africa, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy some warmth. Although in a different way.
Imagine soaking in a hot spring. Not heated by a furnace or electric heater but by nature.
These natural hot spring locations are a great way to relax in nature and enjoy all its health benefits. They can also be rich in naturally occurring minerals that help you heal and rejuvenate.
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What are hot springs and where do they come from?
A hot spring is a natural spring with water warmer than 20 degrees Celsius. The geothermal spring can come from underground sources more than a kilometer deep.
These springs tend to form in areas with deep water currents and old volcanic activity. Then the water escapes through cracks in the earth’s crust.
The minerals in the water are said to have a positive effect on the body. This is why they’re sometimes called healing springs.
There are about 87 known natural hot springs in South Africa. Some were found hundreds of years ago by locals who have used them for healing.
Today most are on private land. Many have been turned into warm bath resorts for recreation and tourism.
Whether you’re a tourist or a local, here’s a list of hot springs in South Africa. We’ve picked options from different provinces so you can find a hot spring near you.
#1. Gooderson Natal Spa & Hot Springs – KwaZulu-Natal
This hot spring is inside the Gooderson Natal Spa Hot Springs & Leisure Resort. It sits on 550 hectares of bushveld and river forest. The spa has warm-water spa baths, pools, and water slides for visitors.
Things to do:
- Stay in hotel rooms or family lodges with balconies looking out over the reserve. Enjoy birdlife and sometimes see kudus or impalas.
- The spa offers massages, facials, and manicures if you want to.
#2. Falcon Glen Hot Springs Resort – Mpumalanga
Hidden in the beautiful Schoemanskloof valley in Mpumalanga, this 3-star lodge is built around natural hot springs.
Falcon Glen multiple outdoor pools fed by the geothermal springs. Each pool has a different temperature so everyone can enjoy it.
There’s a sense of “quiet and calm” when you step into this resort that makes it perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Things to do:
- Stay in cabins or chalets built among the trees, each with a private braai area.
- You can also hike, play volleyball, or try mini-golf.
#3. Bela-Bela Hot springs, Limpopo
Bela-Bela, once called Warmbath, sits at the foot of the Waterberg mountains. Its new name translates to “Boiling Boiling” which is definitely a more descriptive name.
These hot springs were used hundreds of years ago by the Tswana people for healing.
Today, the springs feed resorts like Warmbad Forever Resort and Klein Kariba ATKV Resort. The Warmbad resort has pools, slides, a wave pool, chalets, camping grounds, and a restaurant.
Things to do:
- Unlike most hot water springs, Bela-Bela offers a lot of activities apart from the obvious opportunity to frolic in the warm water.
- Besides swimming, it offers game drives to see wildlife and birds.
There are cycling groups, marathons and other sporting events.
- Up to 20,000 people visit yearly for the Lion Man Mountain Bike Race, one of the biggest mountain-bike events in the country.
- You can also try water sports at Warmbath’s Dam or visit Thaba Kwena Crocodile Farm.
#4. Makutsi Safari Hot Springs, Limpopo
Makutsi Safari Springs is a private, family-run game reserve an hour away from Kruger National Park.
Branded as “a little African paradise away from home,”, this reserve offers natural hot swimming pools and a sandstone bathhouse with thatched roofs.
Things to do:
- Go on daily wildlife drives in open Land Rovers, then enjoy warm mineral baths between sightings.
- Accommodation and meals come with every safari package.
#5. The Baths Natural Hot Springs – Citrusdal, Western Cape
The Baths is located on a citrus-farm in the Olifants River Valley. Its 50°C hot water spring feeds multiple rock pools and underground heated pools.
Perfect if you love the farm-house atmosphere, The Baths is open all year long.
Things to do:
- Enjoy the tennis courts and children’s playground for the kids.
Accommodation includes self-catering chalets and a camping ground among orchards and rocky kloofs.
The on-site restaurant/bar overlooks the pools and gardens, perfect for enjoying a cup of tea while taking in the mountain and garden.
#6. Warmwaterberg Spa, Barrydale, Western Cape
Located along Route 62, The Warmwaterberg Spa is a historic spa built around a hot mineral spring. The water emerges underground at 44°C and is rich in iron, giving it a reddish brown color.
Things to do:
Enjoy 2 large hot pools of varying temperatures, a cool pool and Roman bathtubs that hold 1000 liters of hot spring water.
There is a small restaurant, a bar and kiosk on site.
Accommodation includes self-catering chalets with indoor bathtubs and a camp ground.
#7. Avalon Hot Springs, Montagu, Western Cape
Avalon springs is a modern spa-hotel perfectly built between mountains in Montagu.
Its nine pools are fed by hot spring water from Cogman’s Kloof.
Things to do:
- The warm water flows through both the indoor and outdoor pools.
The spa is also equipped with children splash pools and slides, making sure there’s something for everyone.
Relax at the braai area, poolside bistro, or deck with vineyard views.
#8. Riemvasmaak Hot Springs – Northern Cape
The Riemvasmaak hot water springs sits on 75,000 hectares of desert wilderness offering picturesque scenery and 80m high granite cliffs.
Riemvasmaak hot springs formed from volcanic eruptions decades ago. Despite no longer being active, the underground activities still heat the spring water today.
Things to do:
- Soak in and enjoy the spring and the scenery, hike or try a 4×4 trail.
#9. Caledon Spa Hot Springs – Caledon, Western Cape
Caledon spa is quite famous for its natural hot spring. This spa is quite old, known to have been used for over a hundred years. The water flowing is very rich in minerals and is 49°C.
This water flows into 3 different pools:
- Pool 1 with an average temperature of 42°C,
- Pool 2 with a temperature of 40°C.
- Pool 3 with a temperature of 38°C.
Things to do:
Caledon Spa has a modern health and wellness treatment facility that offers beauty treatments and massages.
- Enjoy the view of the mountains and garden.
#Bonus: The only place in the world you can see hot spring monkeys
You’ve probably think humans are the only ones that enjoy a good soak in hot springs. But think again!
Meet the world-famous hot spring monkeys. Their favorite winter activity is lounging and soaking in hot pools.
To see them, you’ll need to hop on a flight to Japan’s Jigokudani Monkey Park.
But It’s worth it. It’s the only place in the world where monkeys relax in hot springs just like we do.
Don’t they look peaceful?
Ready to explore?
Pick a hot spring and make it your next trip. If you need a car to get there, contact Tarlen to help you find the perfect ride.
