It happens every year: the school holidays are suddenly upon you, and your social media feed is spilling over with poolside selfies and road trip reels. You think that by neglecting to lock in your break months ago, you’ve completely missed the bandwagon.

Not so fast.

This winter might just be your invitation to rewrite the holiday rulebook and discover why South Africa’s most rewarding escapes aren’t found in overrun hotspots or mega-resorts booked out since Easter.

Instead, they’re waiting quietly off the beaten track. Places where zebras graze outside your window at dawn and children become explorers beneath Karoo skies.

At BON Hotels’ handpicked properties across five provinces, flexibility is built into every stay.

BON Hotels is here to deliver spontaneous adventures made easy – rooms available when others say “sold out” and welcoming hosts who share local secrets like prized family recipes.

So, if you think it’s too late (or too complicated) to give your family a winter getaway worth talking about all year, think again.

Below we reveal five beautiful BON destinations still open for discovery this July school holiday season… each offering something memorable for kids and grown-ups alike.

All that’s left is to choose your adventure.

1. BON Hotel Rustenburg

For: Families craving fresh air, wildlife sightings, and open space without the hassle of long drives or tourist crowds.

Where: In the foothills of North West’s Magaliesberg mountains, just outside Rustenburg (a city known for its platinum mining history and surrounded by heritage-rich bushveld). Don’t be surprised if you spot zebra or antelope right on the hotel grounds.

Why: This is an escape that feels effortless. Kids can roam safe gardens while parents unwind. You’re close enough for quick day trips to Pilanesberg National Park (Big Five territory), but there’s plenty to do onsite when you want slow mornings and spontaneous playtime. Conference rooms easily convert into games or event spaces for rainy days. It’s a flexible base that removes all barriers – book last minute, pack light, and arrive stress-free. Here, discovery happens on your schedule.

2. Shishangeni by BON Hotels

For: Families ready for a real Kruger adventure without months of advance planning.

Where: Deep within Kruger National Park’s southeast corner, where the legends of Shishangeni echo around campfires and hippos wallow just beyond your deck. This is classic safari country, where nature still sets the pace.

Why: Choose from three unique camps to match your family’s style, from tented luxury at Camp Shonga to waterhole views at Camp Shawu. Game drives deliver Big Five moments, and evenings bring fireside tales and stargazing under never-ending African skies. Plus, the kiddoes get their own bushveld adventure (tracking animal prints and listening for lions), while adults find rare quiet in comfort that doesn’t compromise on authenticity. Last-minute? That just means more room for real surprises.

3. BON Hotel Empangeni

For: Families who want to mix culture with convenience halfway between Durban’s coast and Zululand’s wild spaces.

Where: Right in Empangeni’s leafy business district – a launch pad into KwaZulu-Natal history where Zulu kings once ruled and sugarcane fields roll out towards Richards Bay.

Why: This is small-town South Africa done right, with easy check-ins, reliable service, and local restaurants on tap. Explore nearby forests or cultural villages by day and relax in comfort by night. It’s an unexpectedly smart stopover (or destination) for families who value simplicity with a side of heritage… and there’s almost always space when the coast is fully booked

4. Queen’s Hotel by BON Hotels

For: Families who love a bit of history, quirky towns, and can’t get enough of the magic of the Karoo.

Where: In the heart of Oudtshoorn (the ostrich capital of the world), where Victorian ambition and Little Karoo charm unite. The Queen’s Hotel has been welcoming travellers since 1880. Its heritage echoes loudly through grand halls and sunlit courtyards.

Why: This is where slow travel shines. Look forward to wandering cobbled streets, visiting legendary ostrich farms, and exploring the mysterious Cango Caves just outside town. Family rooms mean space for everyone, and the hotel’s Café Brûlé offers sweet treats after a day spent exploring. The kids will never tire of playing time travellers in storybook surrounds… while adults sample local flavours and unwind away from the city rush.

5. BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central

For: Urban explorers after culture, convenience, and something out of the ordinary.

Where: Smack in the centre of Bloemfontein. Known as the “City of Roses”, Bloem’s name is a nod to its famous wildflowers and historic fountains at South Africa’s judicial heart. Museums, galleries, rose gardens – all steps from your door.

Why: Here, you get big-city access without big crowds. Free airport shuttles make arrival easy and spacious rooms suit families or groups. The cherry on top? Everything worth seeing is just minutes away on foot or by complimentary shuttle.

Dive into Free State culture by day (planetarium visits, art walks), then relax with buffet dinners or live music at Judges Bar come evening. For last-minute urban breaks with real soul (and no stress), this is your spot.

Your adventure isn’t booked out – it’s just getting started

Forget the myth that the best family holidays are planned months ahead or require fighting for a spot in overrun resorts. This winter, spontaneity is your secret weapon – and BON Hotels is your trusted guide to South Africa’s most surprising escapes.

You don’t have to settle for “what’s left.” You can choose what inspires, whether it’s a bushveld break or a city slickin’ retreat.

With availability still open and flexibility built into every stay, all of BON Hotels’ destinations are ready when you are. Less time planning means more time connecting with your family, with new places, and with the kind of memories that last long after school is back in session.

The best stories start when you decide it isn’t too late. Book direct with BON Hotels today – before everyone else realises what they’ve been missing.