Remote Airbnbs for an off-the-grid getaway sounds absolutely heavenly right now as we reach the end of the year. And, if you’re South African, it might also give you a sense of control over the ongoing load-shedding crisis.

Many of us are longing to get away and unwind from what was a big 2022. Whether you’re looking for a riverside lodge to watch the world go by, or a farmhouse in the mountains to escape with your family, Airbnb has uncovered the best of the best.

Pack your bags…

Time to pack your bags, turn your phones off and add a bit of the great unknown to your trip away these holidays:

Tugela River Lodge: Kingfisher Cottage

If your idea of slowing down and connecting with nature is observing giraffes from your kitchen window, then you’ll be right at home in this cozy 4-sleeper. Located on the bank of the Tugela River in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, you are graced with spectacular views of the Spioenkop Mountain.

This off-the-grid getaway is equally suitable for a night, or a weekend or even an entire week. The cottage was built with sustainable materials sourced in the area, including a derelict farm shed, and is 100% solar-powered.

Mountain Lodge on a working farm: Bush Suite

Calling all mountain bikers, hikers, bird watchers, stargazers and nature photographers. This lodge, at the foot of the majestic Joostenberg mountains, is the ideal base to enjoy your some of your favourite outdoor hobbies.

Uniquely beautiful in its simplicity, the lodge is situated in Luckhof, Free State, in the middle of a working farm. You are guaranteed pristine silence and privacy. Everything inside runs on solar power and the water is freshly pumped from an aquifer. It’s also one of only a few places in the area with a pool for those hot Free State summer days.

Poortjies @ Suidster – Luxury Eco Off-grid Cottage

Privacy, peace, quiet and blue skies as far as you can see are the order of the day at this cottage — situated along the famous R62 route between Montagu and Barrydale in the Western Cape. While you are 100% off-the-grid, the space boasts all the modern amenities you will need for a memorable stay.

Experiencing the night sky from the vantage point of a wood-fired hot tub is a must when you’re here.

Felicita Country Lodge

The Italian translation of the name of this lodge says it all — ‘happiness, satisfaction and bliss’. That’s exactly what you’ll experience here at Stanford Western Cape. The surrounding fynbos is a particular treat, and the sunrises are worth waking at the crack of dawn for.  Felicita is a self-sustaining eco-friendly operation and is fully reliant on gas and solar power.

There are many more off-the-grid homes listed on Airbnb — you can find the one that best meets your needs. If you’re after an off-the-grid stay elsewhere in the world, check out these categories.

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