Over the year, Getaway journos and bloggers visit a lot of places. Often we’re camping (read: 20 of South Africa’s best summer campsites), checking into backpackers, roughing it and even on one or two occasions (although I think this is mainly just me) we have to sleep in our cars. However, every so often we also get to enjoy some of the coolest weekend hot spots, seaside resorts, B&B’s and riverside retreats the country has to offer. Here are this year’s favourites.
1. Wyford Farm in the Drakensberg
From trading post to resting post
Click here to see why it made the cut
2. Oudebosch Cabins in Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Eco-friendly elegance in the biosphere
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3. Sani Top Lodge in Lesotho
The highest pub in Africa: renowned and revamped
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4. Lakeside Lodge in Sedgefield
The perfect Garden Route escape
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5. Crystal Springs Mountain Lodge on Mpumalanga’s Robbers Pass
A wild time on the edge of the escarpment
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6. Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in the Cedarberg
A world-renowned yoga haven in the middle of the mountains
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7. Mountain Sanctuary Park in Magaliesberg
A hiker’s bliss
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8. Lawhill Luxury Apartments at the V&A Waterfront
Urban bliss in Cape Town’s city centre
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9. Thandulula Luxury Safari Tents in KwaZulu-Natal
A forested family holiday hotspot
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10. 185 Beach Road in Gordon’s Bay
Closer to the sea one cannot be
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11. Cabin 16 in Knysna Forest
Peace and quiet all to yourself
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12. Abalone House, Paternoster, Western Cape
West Coast Indulgence
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13. Desert Wind, Klein Karoo, Western Cape
The Karoo secret that’s a secret no more
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14. Hluleka Nature Reserve chalets, Transkei, Eastern Cape
A zebra on my stoep
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15. Bulungula Lodge backpackers on the Wild Coast
Kick off your shoes and slow it all down
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16. Donkieskraal Rock Rooms in Sandberg
Spend the night in a cave
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17. Forest Lodge, Grootbos Nature Reserve, Western Cape
Forests and fynbos for miles
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18. Black Eagle Lodges, Overberg, Garden Route
Modern country-chic in the heart of the rolling hills
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19. Klein Welmoed, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
A well-deserved winelands wind-down
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20. Stonehill River Lodge, Breede Valley
Beauty on the Breede
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We would love to know which weekend break has been your favourite of 2012. Tell us in the comment box below.
