Average read time: 8 minutes.
Okay, so travel to isolated places was a thing even before COVID changed the way we thought about going away. Environments far away from the noise, pollution and congestion of urban areas are super popular for an important reason. They allow you to switch off, relax and recuperate.
We’ve all been through a fair amount in the last while. The pandemic has been a lot. So now that there is a bit of scope to get out there, going somewhere restful is a brilliant idea. Just so you can take a beat and find some joy, you know? ASA has identified 5 destinations throughout the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa that offer a wonderful escape from the daily grind.
*Please note that some of these accommodation providers may be affected by varying levels of lockdown restrictions from time to time. So, it’s best to call ahead to see whether a given destination is open to the public before making any travel plans.
AfriCamps Klein Karoo
The Karoo is majestic. If you want to head out to the great beyond, AfriCamps Klein Karoo is a great option. Situated just outside of Oudtshoorn, this glamping venue is home to a variety of indigenous wildlife including antelope, giraffes, zebra, springbok, blue wildebeest, kudu, impala, eland, waterbuck, and nyala.
The boutique tents are placed far apart, and guests have access to a communal area with pool facilities and a tuck shop if they want. Each unit is set up for self-catering, and the venue also offers braai and breakfast baskets for guests to prepare themselves, which can be ordered ahead of time.
Rates: From R1740 per tent per night in high season.
Find out more on the website here.
https://www.facebook.com/AfricampsKleinKaroo/
https://www.instagram.com/africamps_sa
De Cango Farm
Located at the foot of the wild and beautiful Swartberg Mountains, De Cango is a working farm near the Cango Caves that grows lucerne and lavender, and is home to herds of buffalo and antelope. Here guests can enjoy a stay in off-the-grid cottages situated in the privacy of an indigenous forest.
The farm is the perfect option for a getaway from city life and for reconnecting with friends and family, as well as nature. It is wonderfully secluded and lies completely off the beaten track. Bird-watching and stargazing opportunities abound, there are great MTB and running trails on offer, and you even get your fresh, clean drinking water straight from the mountains.
Rates: From R900 per unit per night in high season.
Find out more on their Facebook page here.
De Hoop Collection
De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes in the beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Overberg. This official World Heritage site in the midst of the Cape Floristic Region offers world-class whale-watching and is a paradise for bird enthusiasts with more than 260 species of birds on site, including the endangered Cape Vultures.
Best of all, the destination offers a wide range of accommodation and activity options. Around a three-hour drive from the Mother City, it is very popular with families, couples, honeymooners and wedding parties alike.
Rates: They vary quite a bit, starting at R1600 per unit per night for campsite rondavels, and R2220 from R2220 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast and a stay in a luxury suite.
Find out more on their website here.
https://www.facebook.com/DeHoopCollection/
Kogman & Keisie Guest Farm
Kogman & Keisie is a picture-perfect working farm with olive trees, sheep and a small vineyard in the dramatic, rock-strewn mountains of the Montagu Nature Reserve and Cogmans Kloof. Here, the owners grow their own vegetables, fruit and lavender, with a few well-behaved farm chickens also ambling about.
Guests have their pick of luxury self-catering cottages and guest rooms that each feature a unique, stylish, and super tranquil interior.
Rates: From R1600 per unit in the high season.
Find out more on their website here.
https://www.facebook.com/kogmanandkeisie
https://www.instagram.com/kogmanandkeisie/
Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm
If vast open spaces are what you crave, the Northern Cape is where it’s at. On the outskirts of the small town of Nieuwoudtville, you’ll find Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm. A haven of tranquility in a striking fynbos setting that boasts its very own canyon and 100m high waterfall. Rich in bird-life, fauna and priceless San rock art, the farm also has epic trails that wind through sandstone rock formations, and a great variety of accommodation options.
Rates: Vary quite a bit, starting at R1350 per person per night for dinner, bed and breakfast at De Lande Guesthouse, ranging to R2680 per night for the entire Gert Boom self-catering cottage in high season. Outside of flower season the tariffs are R670 per person on a self-catering basis, with the option to order meals to be delivered to your cottage.
Find out more on their website here.
https://www.facebook.com/Papkuilsfontein-Guest-Farm
https://www.instagram.com/papkuilsfontein/
Now you know! Put these five isolation destinations on your must-visit list, and get ready to unwind in quiet, soul-restoring surroundings. Check back soon for more insider insights on amazing places to visit throughout the country.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Words | Anna-Bet Stemmet
Editor | Nikki Temkin
Images | Provided by the venues & Images for De Cango Farm supplied by Janik Alheit.
