A mid-year break or quick holiday over a long weekend in a stunning spot needn’t be costly. These great budget getaways will give you a real chance to relax and unwind, without worrying about your bank balance.
ALSO SEE: Our best destinations for solo travel
The place
Maliba Lodge, Lesotho
Live like a royal without breaking the bank, thanks to this incredible budget getaway at one of Lesotho’s best river lodges.
The accommodation
Book one of the self-catering riverside huts, complete with a fully serviced kitchen and Weber braai, plus four bedrooms that can sleep up to eight guests. The main bedroom has a fabulous queen-size bed and fabulous views of the river from your balcony.
The holiday
Maliba has a relaxing spa with a range of treatments including the fabulous full-body aromatherapy massage (from R650pp). There’s also a great on-site bistro where you can grab a homemade meal before spending the day hiking, horse riding or swimming nearby.
There are plenty of activities for the kids too at Maliba’s Bana Club. Children from 3-12 years old can dabble in art, enjoy cooking lessons, tadpole fishing and story time.
TOP TIP: Don’t miss Maliba’s Dinosaur Footprint Tour to the Tsikoane Cave, where some of the world’s most beautifully preserved fossils are embedded.
Cost
From R400 per person per night in the two-sleeper Riverside Hut; or from R1 632 per person for at least four staying in the eight-sleeper 3 Star River Lodge. Click here for more information.
The place
B’sorah Luxury Tented Camp, Broederstroom
If you like the idea of camping in style at an affordable price, B’sorah offers a great budget getaway in the heart of the Highveld, just near Hartebeespoort Dam.
The accommodation
Check in to one of the five self-catering luxury tents surrounded by the Magaliesberg Mountains’ bush, where you’ll get to enjoy afternoon tea or sundowners on your private deck.
Each solar-powered luxury tent has a queen-sized bed, en-suite stone-clad shower, kitchenette and private braai area. There are even charging sockets for phones and laptops… Not that you’ll be checking screens in this tranquil haven!
As the camp sleeps just 10, you won’t encounter much noise pollution, and each tent is so secluded by the trees that you won’t even notice the neighbouring guests.
The holiday
B’Sorah is a great base for nature lovers, from which you can explore local animal attractions, such as the Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre or the Lion & Safari Park, both less than a 30-minute drive away.
You’ll also have the chance to spot wildlife from your own viewing deck, as there are plenty of kudu, warthogs and baboons around the lodge.
Cost
From R1 200 per person for two in a self-catering luxury tent. Valid till 13 December 2018. Click here for more information.
The place
Merry Pebbles Holiday Resort and Caravan Park, Sabie
This relaxed resort on the banks of the Sabie River is a favourite with families of all ages. A break here promises plenty of activity, rest, fresh air and sunshine – just a weekend trip will feel like a good holiday.
The accommodation
The resort caters for all stays, and the most reasonably priced is its shady caravan park. But if you’re not a happy camper, there are the self-catering lodges, chalets and, our first choice for a family-of-four stay, the cabanas.
Each cabana has a double bed, and two-sleeper couch for the kids, and is simple, but comfy, with a well-equipped kitchenette, braai, and small lounge with DStv.
The holiday
Amenities like pools, fun water slides, trampolines, a jungle gym, a tennis court, and a putt-putt course are great for families – but the best thing about Merry Pebbles is its access to the river.
Tubes can be rented from reception, so you can cruise the Sabie for a little way, before climbing out to dry off on the banks. To further explore this scenic part of the Lowveld, bring your own mountain bikes and cycle the forest and riverside routes from the resort,
The restaurant at the resort serves freshly caught and cooked trout, and a delicious traditional potjie.
Cost
From R650 per adult and R100 per child under 17 in a four-sleeper, self-catering cabana. Valid till 31 January 2019. Click here for more information.
ALSO SEE: Our pick of the best camping sites in SA.
The place
Olivewoods B&B, near Cookhouse Village
This countryside B&B is set on the Wienand family’s Karoo farmstead, offering accommodation in the main house or cottage which sits high up on a forested hillside, overlooking a citrus orchard and lush, green pastures.
The accommodation
The cottage has a warm, homely atmosphere with two en-suite bedrooms (one double; one twin), a kitchen and a lounge where there’s space to settle in with friends for the weekend. While the accommodation is self-catering, meals can be arranged, and your hostess Wendy Wienand is an excellent cook.
The holiday
Take a stroll around the farm or through the surrounding forest which is a great way to de-stress and unwind. Or spend lazy afternoons reading, chatting or snoozing back at the cottage, or at the main house’s inviting swimming pool if you visit in warmer months. It’s also a real treat to share a feast of Karoo lamb out on your veranda while watching all the stars switch on.
Cost
From R350 per person for four people in the cottage; self-catering. Valid till 31 December 2018. Click here for more information.
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