How is it already June? On the one hand it feels like the first part of the year has flown by, and on the other hand it’s been a rough couple of months and we’re all in need of a breather. The summer weather made space for autumn leaves, and now the colder months of winter are just around the corner and provide the ideal opportunity to make time for that cosy winter getaway.
LekkeSlaap has compiled a list of cosy stays for a quick, affordable getaway from the city where you can sit back and recharge your batteries so that you’re ready to tackle the second half of 2021.
Click your way to these cottages outside of Cape Town
Old Sam’s Cottage
Old Sam’s Cottage just outside Bredasdorp takes you back in time, as there is no electricity and hot water is supplied by a wood-fired water heater. On cold winter nights you can light the fire inside, or brave the cold and braai outside on the stoep while enjoying the beautiful sunsets of Renosterfontein Farm. The farm boasts a cycling route of fifteen kilometres, the nearby Kars River has beautiful fishing spots and you’re welcome to use the cottage’s canoe to explore the river.
Click here to see the rates.
Plaas Wegbreek
Plaas Wegbreek offers self-catering cottages on a fruit farm, just outside Barrydale. There are three cottages, the rustic Damhuis, the beautifully-restored old stone house Appelhuis, and the Withuis that overlooks the orchards. Each unit has its own well-equipped kitchen and braai area, and it is pet friendly if arranged in advance! Bring your bikes and cycle round the farm, or bring your kayaks and enjoy paddling on the dam.
Click here to see the rates.
Oak Lane Cottages
Book a rustic and relaxed stay on this working fruit farm in the Elgin Valley. The Songold, Braeburn and Rosemarie cottages each have a double bed, a bathroom with a bath or shower, a kitchen equipped for self-catering, and an indoor fireplace. Songold boasts its own braai facilities, while Braeburn and Rosemarie share the use of an outdoor braai area beneath a large Oak tree. Other activities on the farm include birdwatching, picnics and swimming in the dam, hiking and mountain biking.
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Bertus se Huisie
Sit back on a smallholding between Caledon and Tesselaarsdal near the picturesque Hemel en Aarde Valley. Powered by a solar system, Bertus se Huisie is a charming cottage that leads to a verandah with a covered braai area, and it sleeps four guests ─ so there’s no need to leave the kids at home. The cottage is also fenced which makes it ideal for your pets to enjoy the getaway with you!
Click here to see the rates.
Jot down these gems outside of Johannesburg
Donkey Dairy Kothuis – Plaaswerf Verblyf
Situated on the slopes of the majestic Magaliesberg Mountain, this cottage offers a unique stay for four guests on a donkey farm, just outside Hekpoort. The cottage opens onto a verandah with an outdoor braai and boma area with hammocks and a plunge pool. There is also a small chicken coop next to the cottage, offering guests the opportunity to fetch fresh eggs for the morning’s breakfast!
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The Ancient Copper Shed
The Ancient Copper Shed overlooks a game farm and offers self-catering accommodation, just ten kilometres from Potchefstroom. You can choose one of the three cottages, fully equipped for self-catering and boasting cosy fireplaces and hot-water showers in the garden. Bring your furry friend along and enjoy a game farm stay, just outside the city.
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La Bastide
Guesthouse accommodation on an old farm in the valley of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range, close to Hartbeespoort Dam. The guesthouse still boasts a countryside atmosphere and the guestrooms are ideal for those who visit the area for a quick country getaway. Each room has an en-suite bathroom and coffee- and tea-making facilities, and guests have access to a swimming pool and boma area.
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Brown’s Cabin and Cottages
Brown’s Cabin and Cottages is situated on a pecan nut farm in Skeerpoort and boasts beautiful self-catering units with uninterrupted views of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range, ideal for those in need of tranquillity and relaxation. Book the Pecan Cottage or De Wets Cottage for a self-catering getaway, or the Aloe Suite if you’re looking for a one-night stay.
Click here to see the rates.
Daydreaming about these diamonds outside of Durban
Valley Lakes
This location boasts three eight-sleeper units on the banks of the Ndawane River in the Southern Drakensberg ─ an absolute paradise for avid fly fishers, birdwatchers and trail runners. Each unit comprises two bedrooms, a mezzanine loft, a fully-equipped kitchen, as well as an indoor fireplace and a fire pit and braai outside so that you can make the most of the beautiful surroundings at night.
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Wellvale Resort
Wellvale Resort is a pet-friendly resort bordering the Mvoti River and boasting spectacular views of the Nsikeni Mountain. Book a stay in one of their two-sleeper cottages, each comprising a king-size bed, a fully-equipped kitchen, and an outdoor shower. Try your hand at fishing, keep an eye out for one of their 130 bird species, take a dip in the pool, or hire their mountain bikes and explore the grounds.
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Lindisfarne B&B
This is an elegant homestead in Botha’s Hill, just around the corner of the Valley of a Thousand Hills. There are three guest bedrooms with comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, DStv, Wi-Fi and tea- and coffee-making facilities, as well as a self-catering cottage and studio. Breakfast is available at an additional cost, and your pet is welcome ─ perfect for a quick weekend escape!
Click here to see the rates.
Eight Palms
Eight Palms offers two lovely two-sleeper units in a peaceful setting in the heart of Port Edward, five hundred metres from the main beach! The units are not fully equipped for self-catering but do have bar fridges, microwaves, kettles, toasters and braai facilities. Each unit offers a partial view of the ocean and opens onto a private verandah and a lovely garden.
Click here to see the rates.
Well, there you have it! And if these stays don’t tickle your fancy, our nifty filter for quick escapes from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban will definitely do the trick!
