Remember back in March, when we heard South Africa was going into a 21-day lockdown and we wondered how people would possibly survive that long locked inside? How quickly we adapt! Months of missing out on family events, friendly get-togethers and long-planned holidays later, August finally brought the good news that South Africans would be allowed to travel for leisure within their own province!
Although I’m in Kenya right now, I thought I’d do some research and find 20 of the best places to unwind, while maintaining social distancing as much as possible, around beautiful South Africa. It’s a hugely diverse country, with SO much to see, but you really don’t have to venture far from home for a beautiful break in SA. Here are 20 places to get away to in Gauteng, the Western Cape, Limpopo and KZN during the time of COVID19.
Remember, the tourism industry is one of the most important industries in South Africa, and they need all the help they can get right now, but it is your responsibility to travel safely. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell, or have been in contact with anyone with suspected COVID symptoms. Wear a mask and maintain social distancing when you’re travelling. Also remember that you can always reach out directly to a property to find out about any local rates and specials, as well as their COVID safety measures.
Here are 20 properties I would love to stay at, spread across Gauteng, the Western Cape, Limpopo and KZN.
Gauteng
1 The Orient Hotel
You’ll feel like you’ve truly been transported to a completely different country as soon as you arrive at the gates of the breathtaking Orient Hotel, just outside of Pretoria. It’s pure luxury from the moment you arrive and each suite is uniquely decorated to reflect a different stop along “The Orient”. You absolutely cannot miss out on the opportunity to dine at the famed Restaurant Mosaic during your stay, where award-winning chef Chantel Dartnall creates magic in every bite. If I could, I would book a room for opening weekend right this very second!
Reopening: September 2020
Website: www.the-orient.net
Reservations: [email protected]
2 The Peech Hotel
I’ve always wanted to stay here! Located in the heart of Melrose, it’s the perfect place to get away from home while not even having to leave Joburg. The luxurious design-driven hotel is spread across 2 acres of lush gardens, and feels even more like a boutique resort somewhere tropical than the inner-city sanctuary it is. There are 2 restaurants on the property, with Freddie Dias, former Head Chef at The Pot Luck Club in Cape Town in the kitchen, so you could be enjoying fine dining room service with your next Netflix marathon, instead of your own home cooking. A dream!
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.thepeech.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
3 Thorn Tree Bush Camp
Located in the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve, just 1 hour from Sandton, the tented bush camp offers a chance to sit under the stars and forget all about the four walls you’ve been looking at for the past 5 months. Don’t be surprised if you hear lions, jackals and bushbabies in the dark, since it’s a Big 5 reserve. The Elephant Root Luxury Tent offers a queen size bed, en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower and an inside and outside dining area, while the Fever Tree Tent offers an intimate family tent camp, with a double bed, a bunk stretcher with mattresses, an en-suite bathroom with a shower and an inside and outside dining area. There are lots of other accommodation options listed on their website, ranging from group camps to cottages, as well as loads of things to do. Just what you need!
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.thorntreebushcamp.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
4 The Blades
A peaceful escape from city life, overlooking Roodeplaat Dam, just outside Pretoria. Rooms are decorated in a “luxury bushveld” aesthetic, with fireplaces in the Executive Suites for a romantic winter break. There is a restaurant on the property, but they also offer gourmet picnics on different spots around the property, from poolside to secluded bushveld setups. It’s so pretty you won’t even have to cry about the wine you can’t have.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.theblades.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
5 Avianto
Located in Muldersdift, Avianto was created to feel like “a village made in heaven” and has become a very popular wedding venue over the years. The Italian-style property offers 30 luxury rooms and 5 suites. There is a restaurant on-site, but the property also offers picnic dining. If you need to burn some of the pent-up energy you’ve accumulated over the past 5 months, you can make use of the mountain bike trails, cross country running trails, tennis courts, fishing, swimming pools and sports clubhouse, all set along the meandering Crocodile River at the Avianto Sports Park.
Reopening: Contact the property for details
Website: www.avianto.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
6 Cradle Boutique Hotel
Located in the Cradle of Human Kind, the gorgeous property has 16 rooms, each offering a viewing deck of the surrounding nature reserve. There’s free wifi too, so you could use this as the perfect excuse to take the working holiday you’ve been dreaming of. They offer guided walks and guided game drives through the Cradle Nature Reserve and takeaway picnic lunches to enjoy at your leisure. This property looks like an absolute dream and I hope to visit when I’m back home!
Reopening: Contact the property for details
Website: www.cradlehotel.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
Western Cape
7 Boschendal
The picture-perfect escape. I have stayed here more times than I can count on one hand and I keep going back – I can never visit too many times. Boschendal really can do no wrong – in food, wine and accommodation. Their Orchard Cottages are the most wonderful place for a few days away from normal life. Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Simonsberg mountains, the farmhouse-chic cottages are stylish yet cosy, with plush beds and fireplaces to snuggle up in front of. The Trout Cottage is more secluded, if you’re looking for a little more privacy, while the Mountain Villa offers luxury accommodation for up to 12 people. While you’re there, you can get your heart rate up on the mountain bike trails, or just stretch your legs on their working wine farm.
Reopening: Currently open (offering 30% OFF for residents)
Website: www.boschendal.com
Reservations: [email protected]
8 Opstal
Endless views, chic decor, indoor and outdoor fireplaces and a wood-fired hot tub. I can’t think of anything more to ask for? Opstal’s gorgeous designer cottages are set in the absolutely awe-inspiring Slanghoek Valley, with 180 degree views that change every hour as the sun glides across the sky. The cottages are a comfortable distance from one another, so social distancing is easy to maintain if you’re feeling apprehensive about travelling. The wine farm restaurant is open to seated guests from 9am to 5pm though, so you can enjoy breakfast or lunch at the restaurant, then have a relaxed evening at your cottage, braaiing and enjoying the hot tub. If romance is what you’re looking for, I can’t recommend this lovely escape enough.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.opstal.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
9 Nima Lodge
I’ve been dying to stay here since it opened! The setting, the decor, the activities on offer (yoga, hiking, giant tubs)…it all looks so perfect. Located on the Garden Route, Nima’s chalets are fully equipped, so you could easily spend a few days cooking healthy meals and breathing in the fresh air while you work remotely – there’s free, fast wifi. Honestly if I could, I’d probably be there tomorrow.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.nimalodge.com
Reservations: [email protected]
10 Cabine Du Cap
This gorgeous place has popped up on my Instagram feed a few times and I practically get heart palpitations each time. It looks SO gorgeous. There are three luxury, off-the-grid accommodations to choose from on the property; the Main Cabin, Goshawk’s Nest (a deluxe safari tent) and Weaver’s Nest (a plush safari tent) and currently only one group at a time can book the main camp. I would probably spend all my time in the tub, overlooking the Montagu surrounds, or in front of the fireplace – but there are loads of running routes in the surrounding mountains, and a fair amount of wildlife in the area, so you can keep busy between naps and emails.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.cabineducap.com
Reservations: [email protected]
11 Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
I absolutely loved visiting Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a Big 5 Reserve just 3 hours from Cape Town, with my family in 2018. Set on 58 000 hectares of Little Karoo reserve between Barrydale and Mantgu, Sanbona is technically close enough for a one night stay, but you’ll definitely want to stay longer. The drive out is truly exceptionally beautiful, winding along Route 62, the world’s longest wine route. There are four lodges on the property, but we stayed at Gondwana Family Lodge, a modern thatched lodge which specialises in child-friendly accommodation. The rooms are huge, with underfloor heating, sun-drenched patios and bathrooms with bush views. There’s a big pool and a lawn for kids to play on, and even a kids club where they can hang out while their parents have dinner.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.sanbona.com
Reservations: [email protected]
12 Platbos
If an off the grid cabin in a beautiful forest sounds like just what the doctor ordered, you’re going to fall in love with Platbos. The Platbos Forest Reserve is located near Grootbos, in the Gansbaai region of the Helderberg (about 2,5 hours from Cape Town). We’ve stayed in the Bush Buck Suite, and in the Honey Bee Suite, which has a woodfired hot tub set amongst the Milkwood trees. They each have a fireplace and are fully equipped for self catering getaways. The cabins are very isolated from one another, so you won’t have to worry about social distancing.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.platbos.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
13 Babylonstoren
The brightest jewel in the winelands’ crown, Babylonstoren is the ultimate Western Cape getaway. The luxurious farm hotel is impossibly chic and elegant, with deep bath tubs and fire places in every perfectly designed suite. There’s loads of room for early morning farm walks and long deep breaths between delicious meals at Babel – oh and spa treatments of course! You read that right, the breathtaking farm spa is open for business.
Reopening: Currently open (offering 50% OFF for residents, using code SUPPORTLOCAL)
Website: www.babylonstoren.com
Reservations: Book Now
14 Treedom Villas
This luxurious self-catering treehouse villa is located along the Garden Route, hidden between the treetops, making it the perfect spot for privacy and social distancing. It’s fully quipped with everything from a luxury kitchen to a fireplace in the lounge to your own personal Jeep buggy. The villa sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms, with a queen in the main room and 2 single beds in the second room. There’s also an outdoor infrared and hot stone sauna and rain showers!
Reopening: Currently open (offering 25% OFF for residents)
Website: www.treedomvillas.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
15 Cliffhanger Cottages
Located just outside Knysna, Cliffhanger have two self-catering cottages on their cliffside property; Cliffhanger and CliffEdge. The cottages offer uninterrupted views of the surrounding forest and mountains, free Wi-Fi, undercover braai facilities and aircon. There’s loads of natural beauty in the area, perfect for hiking, walking or just being outside with a book.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.cliffhangercottages.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
Limpopo
16 Lepogo Lodges
The Lapalala Wilderness is home to series of deep valleys and steep cliffs, crystal clear rock pools and wide open plains. Noka Camp at Lepogo Lodges sits atop a rock face above the Palala River, offering incredible views from stone bathtubs. The malaria-free camp is within the Lapalala Game Reserve, offering 50,000 hectares of pure African wilderness. It’s a not-for-profit venture, giving 100% of profits to wildlife preservation and the local community. Experienced guides offer morning, afternoon and full-day game drives in the Lapalala Wilderness, while the lodge offers fine dining experiences and more.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.lepogolodges.com
Reservations: [email protected]
17 The Outpost
The Outpost is like no other bush lodge I’ve ever stayed at. Set on the Big 5 Makuleke Contractual Park, spreading across 26 500 hectares, it’s way up north and shares a border with both Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It’s a uniquely un-hurried part of the Kruger, where you’re unlikely to spot other vehicles while on a game drive. The rooms, or “spaces”, are all separate and very private . A deep bath overlooks the reserve, while the canopy bed is set right in the middle of the space, with more than 180° views. The lodge offers completely customisable experiences, like early morning game drives and luxurious bush lunches.
Reopening: Currently open
Website: www.rareearth.co.za/the-outpost
Reservations: [email protected]
18 Leshiba Wilderness
The Venda Village at Leshiba Wilderness, perched on top of the Soutpansberg, has been painstakingly restored with the help of renowned Venda artist Noria Mabasa. Guests have the opportunity to relax in the pool or hang out around the fire pit, take an afternoon walk or game drive, take a walk to a rock art site where thousands of years ago, ancient people made their mark, or spot wildlife from the famous nature bath. I visited in 2016 and spent the night in one of the round Venda huts, comfortably kitted out with soft beds, white linen and en-suite bathrooms. After a 4:30am hike to watch the sunrise, I drew a warm bath and lay back, spotting giraffes and zebras from my vantage point.
Reopening: Contact the property for details
Website: www.leshiba.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
KZN
19 Copperleigh Trout Cottages
Copperleigh Trout Cottages are located in the beautiful upper Dargle area of the KZN Midlands. There are 2 stunning self catering cottages on the property, which are built right next to the trout-stocked Mavela Dam on a working sheep and cattle farm. The the perfect little Midlands getaways for couples or families, set in a stunning location, with the beautiful Inhlosane Mountain as a backdrop. There’s lots to do – from trout fishing to kayaking to spending time with baby farm animals.
Reopening: Currently open (book 3 nights, stay for 4)
Website: www.copperleightroutcottage.co.za
Reservations: [email protected]
20 AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris
AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris is located in the Pongola Game Reserve in KZN. It’s a great destination for a self-catering family getaway, offering both land-based and water-based guided safaris departing right from the camp. On the shores of the 15000-hectare Lake Jozini, at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, AfriCamps is home to 12 fully equipped luxury tents, as well as buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, hyena, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, 12 different antelope species, and over 350 bird species. Lake Jozini itself is home to hippo, crocodile, and tigerfish. The tents are fully equipped with kitchens, bathrooms and wooden floors, fireplaces and aircon. Also: Hot tub!
Reopening: Currently open (3-night special offers at all camps)
Website: www.africamps.com/farm/pongola-africamps-white-elephant
Reservations: [email protected]
