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Ever needed to get so distant that no one can discover you? We scoured the nation for 12 beautiful mountain cabins that assure final solitude, serenity and elegant magnificence. Plus, they’re all close to nice climbing trails too.
1. Stone Mountain Lodge
Kleinrivier Wilderness, Japanese Cape
GPS S33° 34.837’ E25° 15.288’
It’s not quiet in these mountains, not such as you’d think about mountains to be. Right here, high-altitude plateaus rumble softly with hooves. Wildebeest, waterbuck and hartebeest graze within the cycad-studded valleys and on the finish of a stone monitor that zigzags its manner ever-upwards is Stone Mountain Lodge, miles – fairly actually – from wherever. It runs on photo voltaic, gasoline and fireplace and you may solely get right here with a 4×4 switch or by way of a five-hour hike.
The lodge is constructed right into a rock face utilizing pure stone and incorporates parts of the cliff-face fantastically (the bathe, for instance, is nested on the base of a cycad sprouting vegetation). There’s a deck with a small pool and braai space and a big indoor hearth. It’s the type of place the place you don’t simply take off your boots – you kick ‘em off, pour a drink and watch the shadows creep up the mountainside till the solar dips under the peaks.
The hike to the cabin begins on the Kleinrivier reception and ascends shortly earlier than undulating between valleys and ridges. Good health is required (although the lodge can transport your gear). There’s additionally a shorter stroll, the Winterhoek Path, which begins on the cabin and makes a loop round a close-by peak.
Kleinrivier Wilderness is 75 kilometres from Port Elizabeth alongside the R75 after which Cockscomb Highway (gravel). The reception and tenting floor is accessible by sedan however Stone Mountain Lodge is simply accessible by hike or a 1.5-hour 4×4 monitor. It prices R200 every per evening for a campsite go to of 10 friends at a time, R440 per individual for a non-public cabin sleeping 2 folks, R1 420 for a 6-sleeper cottage and R3 520 per evening for an 8-sleeper luxurious tented camp.
Contact: Tel 083 991 7021, kleinrivier.co.za
2. Wolwekrans Eco Lodge
Schoemanskloof, Mpumalanga
GPS S25° 23.826’ E30° 34.145’
Located on 120 hectares of bushveld on the dramatic Schoemanskloof escarpment, the 2 personal self-catering cabins are perched excessive up for optimum isolation and views. The spacious two-bedroom lodging is straightforward but fashionable, with crisp white linen and pure stone partitions complementing the chalet’s off-the-grid profile. The panorama contains forest, with clear water springs for swimming, and sprawling acacia plains. Solely high-clearance automobiles are beneficial for the bumpy mountain highway (or organize a switch) – pets are welcome too.
There are three essential climbing trails: a one-kilometre household stroll to a forest spring; a two-kilometre climb to the highest of the mountain; and a straightforward two-kilometre hike to clear mountain swimming pools.
It’s about three hours (310 kilometres) from Pretoria on the N4 and R539 to Mbombela. The lodge is from R3 800 for 2 nights. It sleeps 4 in two bedrooms and you may pop two children within the lounge.
Contact: Tel 083 628 1993, wolwekrans.com
3. Teniqua Treetops
Sedgefield, Western Cape
GPS S33° 56.817’ E22° 51.300’
It’s early morning on the foot of the Outeniquas and the air is full of birdsong, distant donkey heehaws and a rooster’s crowing. You’ll fairly doubtless see rain spiders taking shelter in your canvas partitions – the eco-conscious couple who created these eight solar-powered tented ‘treehouses’ don’t fumigate, so creepy crawlies are a part of the bundle. Unfold over 35 hectares within the Backyard Route Nationwide Park, these easy cabins have kitchens, braais, electrical blankets and heaters.
Mountain climbing trails by way of the forest main right down to the pristine Karatara River. Alternatively, use this as a base to pattern the Backyard Route’s many climbing routes. Colin Wylie of Backyard Route Walks affords quite a lot of guided day hikes, from R380 pp (minimal 4 folks and excluding park charges).
It’s about half-hour (35 kilometres) from Knysna on the N2. From R3 168 for 2 in a honeymoon treehouse and R2 650 for a two-bedroom treehouse.
Contact: Tel 044 356 2868, teniquatreetops.co.za
4. Dumbe
Oliviershoek, KwaZulu-Natal
GPS S28° 33.246’ E29° 09.021’
Simply getting right here is wonderful: ascending the Oliviershoek and Retief passes, you snake by way of valleys till you crest the escarpment to the most effective views within the Northern Drakensberg. Solely 4 cottages share the 1500-hectare property, so seclusion is assured. The cottages are geared up for consolation, proper right down to the welcoming fireplace. They’re romantic too: the open-plan design with central hearth might see you bare for the entire weekend, shifting from Jacuzzi-bath to mattress, kitchen to hearth.
There are not any marked climbing trails however loads of jeep tracks you possibly can discover. It’s about three hours (310 kilometres) from Johannesburg on the N3 by way of Harrismith after which the R74. No 4×4 is required. From R610 pp (every cottage sleeps two).
Contact: Tel 082 779 0723, 082 821 0910, wheretostay.co.za
5. Cliffhanger Cottages
Knysna, Western Cape
GPS S33° 59.266’ E22° 58.988’
There are locations in which you’ll be able to think about your self spending a couple of days and there are locations you may see your self residing in. Cliffhanger Cottage, overlooking an indigenous forested valley simply outdoors Knysna, is the latter. Marvellous wooden finishings and a variety of mod cons (together with a ceramic firepot) give the within of this raised cabin a comfy glow. There’s a big, coated deck with a large couch, Weber and chairs and every little thing, in and out, is designed across the view. Home windows within the lounge, rest room and bed room all look out over the inexperienced valley and onto the ridge of the Outeniqua Mountains past. It’s solely 15km outdoors of Knysna, however it feels a world away.
The Goudveld State Forest, a magical enclave of ferns, forest and streams, is only a 10-minute drive away and affords the simple hour-long Jubilee Creek Stroll in addition to the two-hour Millwood Mining Stroll, which takes you previous deserted gold-mining tunnels and shafts. Entry is R20 for adults and R10 for youngsters.
The cottages are quarter-hour (15 kilometres) outdoors Knysna alongside the N2 after which Rheenendal Highway. From R2 050 for 2.
Contact: Tel 044 388 4696, cliffhangercottages.co.za
6. Goatherds Home
Matroosberg, Western Cape
GPS S33° 20.528’ E19° 37.174’
Matroosberg payments itself because the ‘Peak of Journey’, and with actions from 4×4 trails to abseiling, it’s laborious to argue. The reserve can be the most effective locations in South Africa to see snow – the Ski Membership of SA operates a ski raise for its members, servicing two slopes close to the summit. A kilometre under, at 1195 metres, the thick stone partitions of the 130-year-old Goatherds Home don’t see as a lot snow because the slopes, however it does fall. The cottage is fundamental, however neat, with indoor and outside braais and a gasoline fridge, geyser and double hob. Effectively-behaved canine are welcome by prior preparations.
Trails begin on the cottage and also you’ll get a map at check-in. There’s a one-hour stroll to lovely rock swimming pools or a extra gruelling hike to the two 249-metre summit (about 5 hours a method).
Matroosberg is simply over two hours (185 kilometres) from Cape City by way of the N1 and R43. There’s a double mattress in the one bed room, with extra beds within the residing space. R3 100 per weekend (sleeps six).
Contact: Tel 023 312 2282, matroosberg.com
7. Eagle Chalet
Cederberg, Western Cape
GPS S32° 22.560’ E19° 24.664’
What a pleasure, after a remaining hour and a half of tough monitor, to reach at such a candy spot. A large stoep results in a fully-kitted kitchen and two cozy bedrooms cap both finish, and there’s a gasoline fridge and scorching bathe. Hikers can observe the monitor alongside the valley and up the encircling ridges for views over the Tankwa Karoo.
It’s three hours (240 kilometres) from Cape City to Mount Ceder to gather the keys, then one other two hours (45 kilometres) to the chalet. The ultimate 25 kilometres are tough – a 4×4 is beneficial. R1 175 per evening (sleeps 4). Bedding is an additional R55 per individual.
Contact: Tel 021 531 2956, cederbergchalets.co.za
8. Highlands Mountain Retreat
Golden Gate Nationwide Park, Free State
GPS S28° 29.296’ E28° 38.483’
Golden Gate is devoted to preserving South Africa’s grassland biome (there are over 50 species of grass within the park) and Highlands Mountain Retreat is perched proper on the high, 2200 metres above sea degree. Comprising simply eight items – four-family items sleeping 4 every and 4 items sleeping two every – these log cabins are tucked into the hills, offering seclusion and unbelievable vistas. All have a fire, oil heaters, and electrical blankets, throughout my keep, zebra trotted up the hillside at nightfall.
There are seven-day hikes within the park starting from 45 minutes to 4 hours. Most depart from Glen Reenen Relaxation Camp and there’s one which begins behind the Golden Gate Lodge. All wind round or up the orange sandstone cliffs, dip into forested ravines and windswept grasslands. You can even do an in a single day hike alongside the Ribbok Path and a guided hike to Cathedral Cave. The climbing allow is R40 per individual.
Golden Gate Nationwide Park is about 3,5 hours (320 kilometres) from Johannesburg by way of the N3 to Harrismith, the N5, R74 after which the R712. From R1 823 per two-sleeper unit and R2 929 per four-sleeper household unit.
Contact: Tel 058 255 0962, sanparks.co.za
9. Panorama Cabin at Protea Farm
Montagu, Western Cape
GPS S33° 42.468’ E19° 53.338’
At an altitude of 1100 metres on the slopes of the Langeberg Mountains, the aptly named Panorama Cottage was hand-built in native mountain stone by the daddy of present farmer-owner, Pierre Burger. It’s elevated above what remains to be a working fruit farm, and has a useful old style environment, with dormitory-style sleeping preparations that are perfect for an intimate getaway for 2 households or a bunch of fine associates.
The cosy kitchen and lounge space warmed by a nook hearth. There are two single beds within the residing space, a double mattress and three single beds within the downstairs bed room, a double mattress and single mattress behind a divider, and a triple bunk mattress within the passage. It’s the type of place the place you drink mulled wine whereas gazing on the breathtaking views of the Koo and Keisie valleys.
There are many jeep tracks to discover on this 700-hectare farm. There’s a path that leads immediately from Panorama 200 metres as much as ‘the place you possibly can see endlessly’, says Pierre – definitely so far as the Robertson-Bree River valley.
It’s about three hours (207 kilometres) from Cape City alongside the N1 after which the R318. From R1 200 for 5 to R1 800 for 10. Minimal two-night keep over weekends. Bedding is supplied for one double mattress solely; additional bedding is R90 pp.
Contact: Tel 023 614 3012, proteafarm.co.za
10. The Edge Mountain Retreat
Hogsback, Japanese Cape
GPS S32° 36.100’ E26° 55.050’
Checking in, you would possibly assume you’ve arrived at an unusual nation lodge, however then you definitely’re escorted to your stone-and-thatch cottage poised on the lip of the escarpment and are left with nothing however ‘oh-my-gaaaawd’ views. There are two cliff-edge choices I like: ‘Heaven’s Above’, an open-plan cottage with wonderful views – even from the tub – and ‘Over-the-edge’, furnished with classic items.
Use this as a reward after tackling the Amatola Mountain climbing Path, a six-day hike by way of the Amathole Mountains, beginning at Maden Dam close to King Williams City and ending close to Hogsback. It’s attainable to shorten the hike to a few or two days. From R193 pppd, plus R110 admin price.
It’s about three hours from Port Elizabeth (about 265 kilometres) by way of the N2 and R67. From R800 per unit per evening (sleeps two).
Contact: Tel 082 603 5246, theedge-hogsback.co.za
11. Semonkong Lodge
Lesotho
GPS S29° 50.588’ E28° 2.607’
Bang within the centre of Lesotho, the rugged grasslands right here might be the moors of the Scottish Highlands – besides they’re dotted with rondavels and crisscrossed by trails traversed by Basothos on horses. You meet these mountain folks as you hike in the direction of the 192-metre Maletsunyane Falls, one of many longest single-drop waterfalls in Africa. The lodge affords cosy cottages and rooms, good meals, and employees will organize a bunch of actions, together with in a single day pony treks. Day treks (by pony or on foot) are from R300 per individual, in a single day trails from R450 per individual per day plus R100 per evening in village lodging.
It’s three hours (110 kilometres) from Maseru alongside the Primary South Highway. From R860 per individual sharing in a double room.
Contact: Tel +26627006037, placeofsmoke.co.ls
12. Kol Kol Mountain Lodge
Bot River, Western Cape
GPS S34° 10.472’ E19° 13.003’
It’s a marvellous disappearing act getting right here – past Elgin, down the Houwhoek Cross, onto a gravel highway, and into the Groenland Mountains the place you want high-profile tyres to succeed in your cabin. Every of the six cabins have floor-to-ceiling glass doorways that may slide away. They’re a beautiful combine of stylish rusticity – stone and wooden offset by luxurious linens and comforts comparable to iPod-connectable music gamers and wood-fired scorching tubs.
There’s a three-kilometre path on the property, or you should use your keep right here to high off the four-day Inexperienced Mountain Path, a slack-packing hike within the Elgin Valley (from R8795 per individual sharing). Kol Kol is about 90 minutes (96 kilometres) from Cape City on the N2. From R2 300 for 2 and from R3 200 for 4.
Contact: Tel 0769136014, 0826545090, kolkol.co.za
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