Weekend breaks close to Johannesburg for beneath R600 per particular person

On the lookout for an reasonably priced weekend break close to Joburg? These 10 self-catering cottages and cabins are a few of our favourites. They’re all beneath R600 per particular person per night time and are available endorsed by our Getaway journos and contributors.

1. Cheerio Trout Fishing & Vacation Resort, Magoebaskloof

Value: From R700 per unit (sleeps two)
Contact: cheerio.co.za

Three of the 5 cottages are face-brick, and the design-conscious might baulk on the lounge furnishings: however in the event you’re on a funds and have an energetic household, these eight spotless cottages provide an reasonably priced escape and amenities for fishing and numerous youngsters’s video games. The cottages ‒ dotted concerning the well-maintained lawns above the trout dams ‒ are every fully distinctive in model and configuration, and well-represented on-line. (Don’t confuse Cheerio Resort with neighbouring Cheerio Gardens; except for the latter’s famously lovely backyard, it has a wonderful special-event venue in addition to two self-catering cottages).

2. Kingfisher Cottage, Waterberg

Value: From R500 per particular person per sharing
Contact: Tel 0825708474

Inside earshot of the trickling Palala River, Kingfisher Cottage is a spacious bushveld residence within the Waterberg simply three hours’ drive from Joburg. It’s considered one of 4 lodging models within the Palala River Lodges assortment and consists of a three-bedroom farmhouse with a comfy fire that takes centre stage within the open-plan dwelling space and two en-suite rondavels close by. It may accommodate as much as 10 visitors and has an on-site pool and a chicken cover a brief stroll from the lodge. Pack a picnic and go for a drive to search out the right spot within the 3000-hectare reserve. There are lots of scenic lookout factors, 4×4 routes, waterbuck, giraffe and warthog to identify or simply unwind on the lodge porch with a view of the Waterberg hills and harrumphing hippo for firm.

3. Lindani, Waterberg

Value: Self-catering R390 per particular person within the tented camp; from R585 per particular person in different lodges
Contact: Tel 0836315579, lindani.co.za

With its personal bushveld again backyard, a beautiful rock pool and an almost-guaranteed squadron of warthog mowing the lawns, Lindani is a self-catering, back-to-nature household escape that doesn’t disappoint. It’s 275 kilometres from Johannesburg and the lodging choices vary from four-sleeper cottages and an eight-bed tented forest camp to the big 18-sleeper, four-house Motseng lodge advanced. Spend time on the straightforward mountain climbing trails, rent bicycles and cycle previous wildebeest, zebra, eland and giraffe, or pack a picnic and cease at one of many 5 riverside websites to have a splash and funky down (one spot even has tubes for the lazy soakers). Homeowners Sam and Peggy van Coller put high quality first and a lot of the self-catering models have good gasoline stoves and braais, dishwashers, a potjie pot and trusted-brand electronics.

READ: An insider’s guide to the real Waterberg

5. Mahem Visitor Home and Bokmakierie Cottage, Wakkerstroom

Value: R550 per particular person an evening, with reductions for longer stays
Contact: wakkerstroomcottages.co.za

Mahem Guest House and Bokmakierie Cottage sit on the sting of the Wakkerstroom with a view over the wetland and you’ll generally hear the decision of the gray topped crane within the early mornings (Mahem is the Afrikaans title for this chicken). Each self-catering,
 they’re set a bit of other than one another. Mahem is greater with 4 bedrooms, a lounge with a centre fire, and an unlimited kitchen, whereas Bokmakierie caters for 2. The properties are primary, however you’ll have every part you want.

READ: Things to do in Wakkerstroom

6. Magoebaskloof Birders’ Trogon Cottage, Magoebaskloof

Value: 500 per particular person per night time (sleeps two sharing) within the Narina or Trogon Cottage; Minimal two-night keep on weekends (three for lengthy weekends)
Contact: mbcottage.co.za

On the finish of one of many many rutted roads that wind their means down the plush mountainside, surrounded by a really non-public wild backyard, is that this romantic little cottage. Each room has unbelievable views of the plush inexperienced surrounds. The bed room has two big cottage-pane home windows and even the lavatory has an important view (don’t you simply love a bathroom with a view?) as does the kitchen: doing the dishes (it’s not serviced) can have you fortunately mesmerised. A small, sparsely furnished rectangular lounge (with a big fire) opens onto a tiny patch of garden with a kettle braai. On the again there’s a DIY plunge pool (crammed on arrival) and a correctly plumbed outside sunken bathtub, surrounded by verdant greenery; nothing however air between you and the wild mountain rising past.  A wood-burning donkey geyser provides scorching water. It’s the form of place the place you’ll wish to strip off and keep bare.

7. Riverstill Visitor Home, Groot Marico

Value: From R410 per particular person per night time, minimal of two nights
Contact: riverstill.co.za

The Riverstill Guest House lies deep inside a valley. Stand up early and head to the river to expertise the peace. There’s additionally a labyrinth for personal meditation and tree walks might be organized. Apart from being educated about virtually every part, proprietor Jacques du Plessis can also be fairly the cook dinner and prepares wholesome, healthful meals. There are 4 rustic cottages unfold out on the farm.

8. Riverman Cabin, Mpumalanga

Value: R900 for 2 individuals sharing
Contact: Tel +27 13 285 0155, rivermancabin.co.za

Seven snug self-catering nation cottages ‒ six with fireplaces and one with a grand vintage coal range ‒ nestle round a sequence of trout-filled dams. Select from the extra remoted two- to four-sleeper log cabins (a favorite was the non-public Wiggly Stone) or considered one of 4 brick cottages, that are extra intently located and may sleep two, 4 and greater households of 10. The open-plan models are comfortably outfitted, together with a microwave and braai, or eat at Mine View, the on-site restaurant. Its signature trout dish is an reasonably priced R80, and also you don’t need to do the dishes (a housekeeper prices an additional 100 bucks, so that you do the maths). There’s no tv and horrible cellphone reception ‒ each of that are a very good factor. Convey video games to play across the fire, take undemanding walks on the working sheep and cattle farm or drill just a few golf balls on the driving vary. The house owners plan on making their very own mampoer within the close to future.

9. Stone Tin Lodge, Mpumalanga

Value: From R350 per particular person in the event you’re 10 visitors
Contact: [email protected], stonetinlodge.co.za

Daylight streams in warming Stone Tin Lodge through the day and are available dusk, a big central fire heats up the open-plan lounge, eating and kitchen space, which is tastefully embellished with pale wooden finishings, navy materials and Nguni-skin rugs. Set on a personal farm about 30 kilometres on the Lydenburg facet of Dullstroom, this spacious three-bedroom nation residence overlooks two trout-filled dams surrounded by rolling hills and is totally off the grid, working primarily from photo voltaic vitality and gasoline (there’s a generator too, simply in case). Every room on this corrugated iron and stone retreat has a basket stuffed with thick blankets, an en-suite lavatory, and the principle room has a beautiful ball-and-claw bathtub. Throw a fishing line, search for blesbok, black wildebeest and zebra on a straightforward hike or if it’s actually chilly out, surf DStv, snuggle on the sofa and soak up a film.

READ: Exploring the wonders of Graskop Gorge

10. Zwakala River Retreat, Magoebaskloof

Value: The Cob Home or Legodi Cottage is R1750 per night time (R438 per particular person for 4). Tenting is R60 per particular person (most 20 individuals), with an out of doors hot-water bathe and a single flush lavatory with a view.
Contact: zwakalaretreat.co.za

This boho hippy eco-retreat ‒ residence to 3 horses, 5 canines, 4 chickens and the irrepressible Denise and Rob ‒ has breathed new life into the area with the quarterly Neighbourhood Farmers Market that includes dwell music and nice meals beneath the timber, Mina’s Artwork Café (a wonderful wedding ceremony/music/special-event venue, prime left), a selection of good-value, off-the-grid lodging choices, swimming and fishing within the burbling Broederstroom River, and a nursery rising indigenous medicinal vegetation and teas. Given that you just might need to share swimming entry with different visitors, it’s possible you’ll favor the privateness of Herb, Trogan or Thora Boloka cottages, however that is one of the best river swimming and should swimsuit the extra gregarious. Or higher nonetheless, take over the entire retreat.

Please be aware that every one costs above are topic to vary at every institution’s discretion. Please test with them earlier than travelling.

ALSO READ: 5 things to do in the Vaal Triangle on a weekend