October is Mental Health Awareness Month - a time to pause and prioritise what truly matters: Your wellbeing. We all know the drill: Back-to-back meetings, traffic that tests your patience, a phone that never stops buzzing. It’s exhausting. But here’s the truth: Stepping into nature is one of the most powerful ways to reset your mind. Fresh air, wide-open spaces, and a slower pace do wonders for your mental health.
Science agrees - time in nature reduces stress, clears your head, and boosts your mood. And if research proves nature heals, then the best prescription is found at these First Group retreats. From mountains to beaches, rivers to lagoons, these resorts offer the perfect settings to restore, recharge and reconnect.
Magalies Park: Mountains & Mindfulness Retreat Near Johannesburg
There’s something about mountains that makes your shoulders drop a little lower. At Magalies Park, tucked at the foot of the Magaliesberg and spread alongside the river, life moves at a kinder pace. Morning walks are filled with birdsong that softens even the busiest mind, while golfers can find their rhythm on the course. The onsite La Vita Spa offers treatments designed to release more than just physical tension. As one of the most relaxing spa resorts South Africa has to offer, Magalies Park reminds you that balance isn’t a luxury - it’s essential. Think of Magalies Park as a gentle reset button: Close enough to the city of Joburg for convenience, yet far enough to feel like a true escape. Book your Magalies Park retreat and let your reset begin.
Whispering Waters: Midlands Retreat for Slow Living
If silence could be bottled, it would sound like Whispering Waters. Set across rolling hills and trout-filled dams in the Midlands, this resort is a masterclass in mindful travel and slow living. Here, you’ll find yourself breathing deeper, walking slower, and listening more - to the wind, the water, the quiet. It’s the perfect antidote to screen fatigue and endless notifications. Cast a line into the dam, wander along leafy trails, or sip something warm as the mist lifts at sunrise. Discover the art of slow living at Whispering Waters and let nature remind you that rest is productive, too.
Qwantani: Sterkfontein Lake Getaway that Restores
There’s renewal in wide-open skies, and in still waters that mirror your thoughts. At Qwantani, perched on the banks of Sterkfontein Dam with the Drakensberg watching over, it’s impossible not to feel small - in the best possible way. Days here are yours to shape - hike a trail, ride a horse along the water, or indulge in a spa treatment that says, “You matter.” Evenings are for sunsets that wash stress away and chalets that cocoon you in comfort. Qwantani isn’t just a getaway, it’s a reminder that peace is a place you can choose. Let Qwantani be your Drakensberg sanctuary.
La Rochelle: Bush & Beach Harmony in St. Lucia
Some places speak louder than words, and La Rochelle is one of them. St Lucia’s magic lies in its contrasts - hippos in the estuary, birds darting through the mangroves, and waves rolling endlessly onto the seashore. This is where the bush meets the beach, and somehow, you get the restorative power of both. Spend your mornings exploring, your afternoons wandering the gardens, and your evenings letting the coastal breeze untangle your thoughts. La Rochelle is proof that sometimes the best therapy is framed by greenery and an ocean soundtrack. Experience bush-and-beach harmony at La Rochelle.
Breakers Resort: KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Sanctuary
For those who need their restoration with a touch of coastal chic, Breakers in Umhlanga is your kind of therapy. Here, lagoon trails meet ocean views, and lazy pool days blur into indulgent spa sessions. Watch the sun rise over the Indian Ocean and tell yourself, “Yes, there is more to life than deadlines.” Modern apartments are designed for comfort, the La Vita Spa renews both body and mind, and the coastal energy infuses each day with inspiration. Breakers is both a treat and a teacher - reminding you that self-care doesn’t have to be quiet, it can be joyful too. Find that joy in self-care at Breakers.
Embrace the Healing Power of Nature
Mental Health Awareness Month isn’t about ticking boxes - it’s about choosing yourself. Whether you crave mountains that ground you, rivers that soothe you, bush landscapes that awaken you or the ocean that frees you, these South African wellness escapes are waiting. Let October be the month you say Yes to calm, Yes to clarity, and Yes to you.
So, pack that bag, leave the stress behind, and let nature work its magic.
“You lose sight of things … and when you travel, everything balances out.” – Daranna Gidel
