When winter arrives in South Africa, the Western Cape gets plenty of travel love — but there’s warmth to be found far beyond its borders. KwaZulu-Natal’s misty Midlands, the snow-dusted slopes of the Eastern Cape Highlands, and Mpumalanga’s towering Drakensberg valleys hold their own in the fireside romance department.
Drakensberg/Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK/Wikimedia Commons
Whether you’re chasing snowfall, snug stone cottages or slow-cooked meals by the hearth, these eight winter escapes promise glowing embers, warm blankets, and the kind of silence that only mountains can provide.
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
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1. Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, Kamberg
Nestled at the foot of the Drakensberg in the Kamberg Valley, Cleopatra is a fireside fantasy for food lovers. Every room has a fireplace, and the interiors are brimming with vintage charm — think four-poster beds, clawfoot tubs, and shelves of books. But the real draw? The gourmet, multi-course dinners served in their cosy dining room. Come for the food, stay for the fire.
Best for: Foodies and couples
Don’t miss: The in-room tea trays, afternoon walks along the trout dam, and candlelit dinners
2. Fordoun Hotel & Spa, Nottingham Road
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Once a dairy farm, Fordoun now blends country warmth with five-star luxury. Many suites come with fireplaces for warmth and cosiness, and the spa is ideal for warming up with a hydrotherapy bath or a steam session. The restaurant serves up hearty Midlands cuisine — best enjoyed with a view of frost-kissed fields.
Best for: Wellness seekers and mini-mooners
Don’t miss: The spa’s rasul (a Turkish steam and clay treatment room) and the cosy bar’s fireplace-side G&T
3. Granny Mouse Country House, Balgowan
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There’s something delightfully nostalgic about Granny Mouse — thatched roofs, country-style interiors, and fireplaces you can hear crackling down the hallway. Their wine cellar and bistro add an upscale touch, while the gardens and river walks invite long, scarf-clad strolls.
Best for: Cosy countryside escapes
Don’t miss: A wine-paired dinner in the cellar, followed by fireside nightcaps in the lounge
A note from Granny Mouse: All fireplaces are seasonal and thus not in use from 1 October through to 30 April per year due to services & updates
Eastern Cape
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4. Lands End Private Game Reserve
Tucked between the historic charm of Grahamstown and the coastal calm of Port Alfred, Lands End is a private, family-owned game farm set on the banks of the Kariega River in South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape.
From rocky cliffs and grassy plains to dense thickets and riverine forests, the reserve offers a rich mix of terrain and total privacy. Perfect for families, groups, or corporate getaways, Lands End is booked exclusively—giving you full access to its untamed beauty and laid-back Eastern Cape hospitality.
Children can roam freely, becoming “farm kids” for a few days, while adults unwind in nature or head out on wildlife walks. After a day of exploring, return to a warm fire and fresh roosterbrood at the homestead.
5. AfriCamps Addo, Eastern Cape
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AfriCamps Addo is the first Boutique Glamping site in the Eastern Cape, set among indigenous fynbos with views of forested hills and gorges. Its 14 fully equipped tents offer a perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, and relaxation.
Located on Hayterdale Trails at the Zuurberg Mountains’ foothills, guests can explore 50 km of mountain biking, trail running, and hiking routes through Yellowwood forests and valley bushveld. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting 160+ species, while sable and nyala roam the private conservancy. The iconic Addo Elephant National Park is just 10 km away for Big 5 safaris.
The tents feature a spacious L-shaped deck and five canvas panels to maximise stunning views, plus indoor fireplaces, comfy beds, outdoor braais, and private wood-fired hot tubs — classic AfriCamps comforts with a fresh design.
Addo offers plenty for families, couples, and friends alike: from wildlife spotting and hiking to mountain biking and fishing adventures.
Mpumalanga Drakensberg & Escarpment
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6. Tranquillity Ukuthula, Central Drakensberg
Nestled between Champagne Valley and Cathedral Peak, just 2.5 hours from Durban and 3.5 hours from Johannesburg, Tranquillity Ukuthula is perfectly placed for a peaceful getaway. Set within a private game reserve rich in birdlife and wildlife, it offers secure, family-friendly walk-and-talk experiences and exclusive fishing.
Nearby Winterton, a charming village on the Little Thukela River, serves as the gateway to the Central Drakensberg with stunning mountain views and great local dining options like Pig and Plough and The Bridge.
The accommodation features two en-suite bedrooms with double beds (plus three extra stretchers on request), a cozy lounge and dining area with a fireplace, a large flat-screen TV with premium DSTV, free WiFi, and air conditioning throughout.
7. Dawsons Game & Trout Lodge, Barberton
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At the foot of Nelshoogte Pass, Dawson’s Lodge offers a colonial-style retreat with stunning mountain views, an outdoor pool, and spacious gardens. Surrounded by wildlife like zebras and giraffes, plus waterfalls and streams, it’s perfect for nature lovers.
Rooms feature vibrant decor, fireplaces, and tea/coffee facilities. Guests can unwind with massages and enjoy traditional provincial cuisine in the restaurant or outdoors, with options for romantic candlelit dinners. Breakfasts are served on the patio when weather allows.
Just three hours from Johannesburg, Dawson’s Lodge is an ideal escape into nature’s tranquility.
8. Misty Mountain, Long Tom Pass
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Perched 230m above the rugged Tsitsikamma coastline, our Ocean View Lodges offer sweeping 180-degree views of the Indian Ocean. The Lake Side Tented Lodges overlook tranquil dams and open green pastures, while the Forest View Tented Lodge is tucked into natural vegetation, surrounded by birdlife. With a range of accommodations to suit every traveller, options like the Ocean View Self-Catering and Honeymoon Lodges feature cozy fireplaces for added comfort.
Why go beyond the Cape?
While the Western Cape’s wine estates and coastal cabins have their charm, these under-the-radar retreats offer a quieter kind of magic. Here, you’ll find fewer crowds, gentler prices, and the kind of fireside intimacy that makes winter travel feel truly special.
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