Weekend Getaway near Cape Town
Families based in or travelling around the Western Cape are spoilt with a wide range of gorgeous accommodation offerings. There is something to suit everyone’s needs – from low-key luxury to rustic farm cottages and even camping under the stars.
Whether your family is looking to camp, hole away in an adorable farm cottage together or experience a slice of luxury – here are some perfect, family-friendly getaways to ensure a soothing escape for all ages.
In this post, we look at ten wonderful places to enjoy a family weekend getaway near Cape Town.
Top 10 Places for a Family Weekend Getaway near Cape Town
1) Stay at the delightful Rietvlei Holiday Farm
Situated in the Klein Karoo, outside Montagu, Rietvlei offers guests dreamy holiday accommodation where everyone can feel like a child again.
On this peaceful, 600-hectare farm, guests can soak up the Cape’s idyllic countryside and acquaint themselves with nature while savouring the farm’s great activities and accommodation.
There is a choice between the cosy Olive Tree Cottage, Swimming Pool Cottages (four cottages in total; these can sleep a maximum of 6 people per unit) or the spacious farm house.
The farm house and swimming pool cottages are perhaps most suited to families, as they offer additional space. This makes them ideal for larger families or groups of friends.
Farm activities at Rietvlei include: swimming, helping to feed the resident farm animals, fun tractor trips, hikes, wildlife and bird watching, fishing, stargazing and even cycling.
Rietvlei Holiday Farm contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 83 516 5636
Email: holiday@rietvlei.co.za
Web: rietvlei.co.za
2) Experience bliss at Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway
Situated near picturesque Rawsonville, Dwarsberg is a glorious accommodation escape.
Here, on this working fruit and wine farm, guests can enjoy a range of gorgeous farm accommodation offerings.
At this Cape farm, there are four well-equipped self-catering cottages, eleven beautiful campsites (suitable for 16-25 people) and three luxurious pod houses to choose from.
In addition to the delightful accommodation, Dwarsberg also has a bistro. This is open both to the public and overnight guests and serves tasty, fresh bistro fare.
The farm also has a range of excellent activities to enjoy. These include hiking, nature walks, MTB trails and fly fishing.
Dwarsberg Trout Hideaway contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 23 349 1919/ +27 (0)82 840 8376
Email: info@trouthaven.co.za
Web: trouthaven.co.za
3) Escape to Mosaic Private Sanctuary
Situated near the stunning Hermanus Lagoon, Mosaic Private Sanctuary offers a peaceful escape to the heart of Overberg nature. It is ideal for a family getaway or getaway with friends.
Guests can choose between the impressive Mosaic Lodge (which consists of five suites; four double, one family) or Mosaic Cottages. There are four lovely Mosaic Cottages to choose from: Duminy Cottage, Fynbos Trail Studio, Garden Trail Cottage and Milkwood Trail Cottage.
Fun activity ideas include 4×4 beach excursions; stand-up paddle boarding on the Hermanus Lagoon; fat bikes and mountain bikes; guided nature walks; guided quad bike excursions; boat cruises and kayaking; as well as an archeological cave tour at the beach.
Another unmissable attraction at Mosaic is the famous 1892 Spookhuis, a local landmark and place of legend.
Lavish spa treatments at their Milkwood Spa can also be arranged at an additional price. (Pre-book to ensure availability.)
For guests staying at the Lodge, many of these activities are included in your booking, while those in the private cottages will have to book and pay extra.
For more information on accommodation offerings and inclusions, please contact Mosaic Private Sanctuary directly.
Mosaic Private Sanctuary contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 76 313 2814
Email: info@mosaicsouthafrica.com
4) Share in nature at Arolela Guest Farm
Found in Caledon, Arolela Guest Farm offers its guests a tranquil experience on a lovely, working Overberg farm. Here, children can play to their heart’s content, while adults escape the stresses of daily life and recharge.
At Arolela, there are two guest cottages to choose from. De Vlei (sleeps eight) is ideal for a big family getaway, while Kliphuis (sleeps two to four adults and two kids) is perfect for smaller families to enjoy.
While staying here, you are welcome to enjoy everything from long walks, farm cycling, feeding the animals and even great braai facilities with a ‘bush Jacuzzi’. The two cottages also have dams nearby if you wish to cool off (provided the dams have water).
During lambing season, guests may even see the adorable lambs – and there are also a variety of wild buck on the farm.
Arolela also has some dedicated kiddies’ activities to download and print off. These include colouring pictures, ‘find the words’ and other great arts and crafts fun to keep little ones entertained.
Arolela Guest Farm contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 84 580 4427
Email: info@arolela.co.za
Web: arolela.co.za
5) Peaceful country accommodation at Wild Clover Farm
Found hidden away in Stellenbosch, Wild Clover Farm offers charming self-catering accommodation and unique activities.
The cottages enjoy wonderful views of Table Mountain and the surrounding winelands. Each has its own private patio, with a built-in braai, and overlooks the neighbouring Villiera Wildlife Sanctuary.
There is also the Wild Clover Restaurant and Taproom, a family-friendly eatery that provides warm service, varied meals and excellent ice cold beers on tap. It also has a lovely, outdoor kids’ play area.
Activities in and around Wild Clover Farm include trail rides through Equine Sport Centre; game drives and wine tastings at Villiera; archery with Wild Clover Archery Club; and even clay pigeon shooting.
Wild Clover Farm contact details
Tel: +27 (0)21 865 2219/ +27 (0)74 233 2763
Email: cottages@wildclover.co.za
Web: wildclover.co.za
6) Discover a Greyton gem in Elandskloof Farm Cottages
Elandskloof is yet another Greyton gem. Situated some 20 kilometres outside the popular town, Elandskloof offers stunning natural beauty; lovingly restored, self-catering cottage accommodation; and outdoor fun for all.
For children, there is a fun playground with swings, a large jungle gym, a trampoline and the chance to run and play all day long – while teens can enjoy the games room and more active hikes or mountain biking with their parents.
The farm has a variety of cottages to suit your needs and each one comes well-equipped with a stove, fridge, microwave and even a dishwasher. Stay at the larger Willow Cottage (sleeps six to eight people), one of the cosy Thatched Cottages or even the latest Riverside Cottage additions.
Activity ideas include peaceful walks, hiking, mountain biking, swimming in the river, catching up on a good book or simply staying put and soaking up the restfulness of this working farm.
Elandskloof Farm Cottages contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 76 334 5845
Email: info@elandsklooffarmcottages.co.za
Web: elandsklooffarmcottages.co.za
7) Enjoy uninterrupted beauty at Somerset Gift Getaway Farm
Situated outside pretty Swellendam, Somerset Gift is a stunning farm surrounded by immense natural beauty and tranquility.
Here, at this pet-friendly farm (an additional surcharge of R200 is charged per pet), guests can choose between the many lovely cottages, Fish Eagle Lodge (sleeps eight) or even the Manor House (sleeps 12-14). Each accommodation offering is as beautiful and charming as the last.
This farm also has something for everyone to enjoy… There is swimming in the spring lake, river and mountain pools; canoeing in the 800-metre lake; fishing; hiking; birdwatching; a zipline slide into the dam; sunset cruises or horse riding (these can be arranged nearby for an additional fee) – and some excellent play areas for kids too.
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 76 508 7188
Email: info@somersetgift.co.za
Web: somersetgift.co.za
8) Heal your soul at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, near Gansbaai, is one of the most amazing places in the Cape – and one that almost everyone you know has heard (and dreamed) about.
This pristine private nature reserve spans some 2 500 hectares of preserved natural beauty. It is home to everything from 800 plant species, 20 mammal species, three milkwood forests over 100 years’ old and so much more that is sure to leave you amazed by and in awe of our planet.
Their accommodation is some of the finest anywhere in the world. However, not all of Grootbos accommodation is suitable for children. Happily though, their stunning Garden Lodge family suites are child-friendly and offer total luxury for all.
Grootbos and surrounds also offer the most incredible experiences – everything from shark cage diving, horse riding, whale watching, coastal safaris to walks and hikes, marine safaris, beauty treatments and much more.
Not to mention the outstanding food and wine experiences and masterpieces you can savour here!
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 28 384 8008/ 53
Email: bookings@grootbos.co.za
Web: grootbos.com
9) Get away from it all at Frog Mountain
Another Swellendam stunner, Frog Mountain getaway is a beautiful, emerald farm edged by the spectacular Langeberg Mountains.
This pet-friendly spot offers a range of different accommodation offerings, including six private, lovingly decorated cottages; three, small thatched rondavels (perfect for a couple or small family); or the bigger 12-sleeper, luxury farm house, which has its own pool.
Highlights on this 40-hectare farm include: swimming in the rock pools at the waterfall; canoeing on the river; a central lapa with an indoor braai for groups; friendly farm animals; MTB and hiking trails on your doorstep; fishing in the dam; a children’s playground (complete with a jungle gym, tractor and mini soccer field) – and beautiful shaded picnic spots by the river.
Frog Mountain contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 72 673 3393
Email: info@frogmountain.co.za
Web: frogmountain.co.za
10) Relax in retro style at Old Mac Daddy
Last but by no means least, we have one of the Cape’s most popular, family-friendly destinations: Old Mac Daddy.
Tucked away in gorgeous Elgin, this part-caravan park, part-designer farm lodge provides guests with a uniquely memorable stay.
Here, you can enjoy choosing between funky airstream trailers, self-catering villas or glamping tented camps. Of the 12 themed airstreams, there are ten family-friendly suites to enjoy – while the villas are best suited to bigger families or groups travelling together. Of the tented camps, Daddy’s Den and Daddy’s Hideaway can sleep two adults and two children.
In addition to its accommodation, Old Mac Daddy also offers The Barn Restaurant; it’s perfect for wholesome, delicious food during your stay.
As for activities, families can enjoy archery, zorbing, tractor rides, FatCat MTB, nature walks, fishing and more.
There is also a host of dedicated fun for kids, including a designer children’s play area with indoor and outdoor facilities, swimming pool and lakeside swimming, babysitting services by day and night (please arrange this in advance) and much more.
Old Mac Daddy contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 21 844 0241
Email: reservations@oldmacdaddy.co.za
Web: oldmacdaddy.co.za
Which other family-friendly getaways have you discovered near Cape Town?
