It is that time of year again when traffic volumes decrease and you realise that you only have a few weeks left before Christmas. Then before you know it, there are only 3 days left before Christmas and you are one of a handful of mall patrons scurrying around for last minute presents.

December in Johannesburg is the best. Residents of this bustling city migrate to places where they can kick back and relax in the sun next to an ocean or in the bush. Then you get the die hard crowd that firmly believe that there is no use in migrating out of the city with everyone – the ones that stay in the ghost city.

Suddenly you don’t have to reserve seats at popular restaurants; you don’t have to swerve for mall trolleys and pedestrians; nor will you drive for an hour to work while only living 15km away. Johannesburg literally becomes an oyster that you can explore at your own pace – Africa time.

I can attest that many smaller inland towns also experience the ghost town syndrome over the holidays (I used to be a small town girl)… so, if you are planning to be in South Africa for the festive season you might consider spending some time where the pace has quietened down – and that means: inland towns.