You and your team are locked in a themed room, and you have 60 minutes to find the clues, crack the codes and escape. Escape rooms have become a popular outing in Gauteng for friends, families, birthdays and corporate team building, and there are options across Johannesburg, Pretoria and the East Rand.
Here’s where to find escape rooms in Gauteng, what they cost and what to know before you book.
Escape Rooms In Gauteng At A Glance
| Venue | Area | Rooms | From | Group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashtag Escape | Norwood / Bedfordview | Several escape rooms and timed challenge chambers | R250 | 3 to 7 |
| Escape Room South Africa | Dunkeld West | Disappearance, Mine Escape, Kellar’s Magic Emporium | R295 | 2 to 7 |
| Lostland | Rivonia | Mission Impossible, Castle Secret, Prison Break | Contact venue | 3 to 6 |
| The Gr8 Escape | Sandton / Fourways | Five horror and thriller rooms | R295 | Contact venue |
| Brainwaves Escape Rooms | Centurion | Six themed rooms, plus online games | R295 | Contact venue |
How Does An Escape Room Work?
- You play as a team, usually of 2 to 7 people.
- You’re “locked” in a themed room. Don’t worry, you can always leave in an emergency.
- You have a time limit, usually 60 minutes, to solve a series of puzzles, riddles and hidden clues.
- You can ask for hints from the game master if you get stuck.
- You win by escaping or completing the mission before the clock runs out.
No special knowledge is needed, just teamwork, communication and a sharp eye. Rooms are rated by difficulty, so beginners and experienced players can choose a challenge that suits them.
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Escape Rooms In Johannesburg
Hashtag Escape
Hashtag Escape is one of Gauteng’s most highly rated escape room venues, with more than 460 reviews on Tripadvisor. It offers several escape rooms with difficulty ratings from about 6/10 to 9,5/10. Rooms include:
- The Rebel Room, a military-themed room
- Closure
- Hack Out, described as family-friendly
- Red Moon.
There are also timed Escape Chambers for competitive groups.
It’s a strong choice for team building. The venue says it can host up to 50 players an hour across its rooms, plus 24 an hour in the chambers. Prices start at about R250 per person, and some listings show about R325 for the one-hour experience.
- Address: listings show 39 Grant Avenue, Norwood, and Bedford Square, Van der Linde Road, Bedfordview. Check your venue when you book.
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 21:00, and Sunday 10:00 to 19:00
- Contact: 072 235 4982 | hashtagescape.co.za
Escape Room South Africa, Dunkeld West
This venue has three rooms, each rated 4/5 for difficulty:
- Disappearance
- Mine Escape, a nod to Joburg’s gold mining roots
- Kellar’s Magic Emporium, with a magic theme.
Teams are two to seven players, aged 12 and older. Prices range from about R295 to R370 per person, depending on group size. There’s also a boardroom and lounge for corporate sessions.
- Address: 1st Floor, Dunkeld West Centre, corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Bompas Road
- Hours: daily, 09:30 to 22:30. Booking is essential.
- Contact: 061 586 6285 | escaperoom.co.za
Lostland, Rivonia
Lostland has three themed rooms:
- Castle Secret, the easiest, which makes it good for first-timers
- Prison Break
- Mission Impossible, the hardest.
Teams are three to six players, and everyone must be 12 or older. Book at least 48 hours ahead and arrive 15 minutes before your slot. The venue is in the parking area behind the Rivonia Centre.
- Address: Rivonia Centre, corner of 11th Avenue and Rivonia Road, Rivonia
- Hours: daily, 09:30 to 20:00
- Contact: 011 803 0386 | lostland.co.za
The Gr8 Escape, Sandton And Fourways
If you like a scare, The Gr8 Escape specialises in thriller and horror-themed rooms with high difficulty ratings:
- Asylum Escape (7/10)
- Trapped (8/10)
- The Hunted (8,5/10)
- Nightmare (9/10)
- The Basement (10/10).
Prices are about R295 per person.
Website: thegr8escape.co.za
Escape Rooms In Pretoria And Centurion
Brainwaves Escape Rooms, Centurion
Brainwaves has six themed rooms for different tastes:
- The Abandoned Theatre
- Saving Sherlock
- Cabin in the Woods, one of its more challenging rooms
- Race to the Sacred Jewel
- Around the World in 60 Minutes, one of the easier options
- The Fast and the Curious.
It also runs online escape rooms over Zoom, which work well for remote teams. Prices are about R295 per person.
Website: brainwavesescape.com
Just Breakout, Pretoria
Just Breakout is another Pretoria option, listed among Gauteng’s escape rooms on Tripadvisor. Contact the venue for rooms and prices.
Escape Rooms On The East Rand
East Rand residents can head to Hashtag Escape in Bedfordview, or check Tripadvisor-listed operators such as Sherlocked Escape Rooms in Ekurhuleni and Team Galore in Kempton Park. Contact them directly to confirm rooms, prices and availability.
Escape Rooms For Team Building
Escape rooms work well for team building. Everyone has to communicate, share information, stay calm under pressure and work towards a common goal, and you’ll see quickly who leads, who spots details and who keeps the group calm.
Good options for groups include:
- Hashtag Escape, which can run several rooms and challenge chambers at the same time for big groups
- Escape Room South Africa, which has a boardroom and lounge for corporate sessions
- Brainwaves Escape Rooms, which offers online games for remote or hybrid teams.
Tip for planners: for large groups, book several rooms at the same time and compare escape times at the end for a bit of friendly competition. Book early for the November and December year-end season.
Are Escape Rooms Suitable For Kids?
Many escape rooms are suitable for families, but age limits vary:
- Escape Room South Africa and Lostland require players to be 12 or older.
- Hashtag Escape’s Hack Out room is described as family-friendly.
- Choose rooms with lower difficulty ratings, and avoid horror themes for younger players.
Always check age rules when booking, and whether an adult needs to play with younger children.
Tips For Your First Escape Room
- Book ahead. Most venues work on fixed time slots, and weekends fill up fast.
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for the safety briefing and rules.
- Pick the right difficulty. For first-timers, a medium-difficulty room is usually more fun than the hardest one.
- Talk constantly. Call out everything you find, even if it doesn’t seem important.
- Split up, then regroup. Search different areas, then share what you’ve found.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for hints. It’s better to get unstuck than to run out of time.
- Wear comfortable clothes. Some rooms involve crouching, searching and moving around.
- Leave your phone in your pocket. Most venues don’t allow photos inside rooms, to protect the puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does An Escape Room Cost In Gauteng?
Most escape rooms in Gauteng cost about R250 to R370 per person, depending on the venue, room and group size.
How Long Does An Escape Room Take?
Most games last 60 minutes. Allow extra time for the briefing beforehand and a debrief afterwards.
How Many People Do You Need For An Escape Room?
Most rooms take teams of 2 or 3 people up to 6 or 7. Larger groups can book several rooms at the same time.
Are There Escape Rooms In Pretoria?
Yes. Brainwaves Escape Rooms in Centurion has six themed rooms and online games, and Just Breakout is another Pretoria option.
Are Escape Rooms Scary?
Most aren’t. Themes range from mysteries and magic to adventure and heists. If you enjoy a fright, The Gr8 Escape specialises in horror and thriller rooms.
Can Kids Do Escape Rooms?
Yes, but age limits apply. Several Joburg venues require players to be 12 or older, so check the venue’s rules and choose family-friendly rooms.
