10 unique stays in South Africa to add to your bucket list

With the September holiday right around the corner, South Africans are excitedly exploring their local travel options.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a change of scenery for the family, chances are you will find something that suits your requirements without too much fuss.

From a greenhouse in Swellendam to a quirky converted silo with views across the Swartland, there are endless options to choose from.

Sea-view apartment in Umdloti

This self-catering apartment can be booked via Airbnb and comes with all the bells and whistles, including a private pool on the balcony. It has been beautifully decorated with muted colours and is ideal for couples looking for luxurious relaxation options.

Price: From R6,800 per night for the entire villa (sleeps six)

Greenhouse stay in Swellendam

This lovely greenhouse with its floor-to-ceiling windows boasts endless forest views, offering you that perfect experience in nature that many of us are after.

It has been kitted with a wood burner for Swellendam’s chilly evenings and also has a spacious patio for sunbathing on warmer days. The greenhouse has been designed to literally bring nature inside.

Price: From R2,550 per night for the unit (sleeps two)

Mjejane Game Reserve lodging

If elephants and luxury are your thing, this place is perfect. The private lodge, based in the Mjejane Game Reserve, comes with a swimming pool, large terrace and gym and game drives are available at an additional cost.

It’s a stay that is ideal for adventure seekers, while also boasting tranquility and beautiful sunsets.

Price: From R1,800 per night for the entire house (sleeps seven)

Yurt stays in Botrivier

Porcupine Hills Guest Farm and the Diepklowe Nature Conservancy’s yurts offer the perfect twist to glamping. Built on a slope, these north-facing luxury yurt stays are perfect for sunrise and sunset views and for admiring the beauty of the landscape.

Price: From R1,414 per night for a Yurt (sleeps two)

A silo in Malmesbury

This unique local travel option – a converted silo on an authentic farm – comes with magnificent Swartland and Paardeberg Mountain views. The hosts dubbed it the honeymoon room and it has been stylishly decorated for cosy, stay-in nights.

Price: From R1,200 per night for the silo (sleeps two)

A tiny cabin in Joubertina

The combination of a tiny house and a cabin has been lovingly crafted by its hosts.

Based on the Tweerivier Creek in the Eastern Cape, this tiny cabin with its private jetty has stunning water and sunset views.

Price: From R903 per night (sleeps two)

ALSO READ: Secluded destinations to escape to in South Africa

Tree-house stays at Nehema Manor

Nehema Manor in Hartbeespoort is a popular destination with self-catering chalets that double up as luxury tree houses with lovely balconies looking out into the trees.

It’s also a lovely local travel option for families as it comes with a swimming pool and unique jungle gyms, as well as horses and a rather extensive vegetable garden, manicured by in-house staff.

Price: From R1,400 per night (sleeps two)

Treedom Villas and Vardos in Wilderness

This unique destination comes with its very own gypsy vardos that can sleep two each. The vardos come with their own hot tubs and there is also a lovely sauna on the premises.

Price: From R1,700 per night (sleeps two)

The Paddocks in Colesberg

Kuilfontein Collection’s The Paddocks are family- and pet-friendly and look out onto the vastness of the Karoo, with a couple of sheep often coming to say hello.

The four self-catering family units all include two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a lovely lounge area and kitchenette. It’s also the ideal mid-way stop en route to Cape Town from Johannesburg.

Price: From R1,200 per night for two guests

Gastehys Janharmsgat in Cullinan

This bed and breakfast is “grand with a difference” as its owners would put it. It comes with four rooms (the Grênt Room, the Fansy Suite, the Leka Room and the ‘Stoepkamer’) adjacent to ZAU Spa, a popular escape just around the corner from Pretoria.

The bed and breakfast has been styled in conjunction with the owners’ renowned local interior and lifestyle shop in town, called Rust in White.

Price: From R1,050 per room (sleeps two, excluding breakfast)