The more the merrier: 10 low-budget group getaways

There’s nothing better than a big group getaway, with a bunch of friends or family spilling out of every room in the house. One of the best things about a group holiday is that when everyone chips in, accommodation can be really affordable – especially in the low season. We’ve found these lovely places to stay all over South Africa that are perfect for a big group!

Group accommodation in Gauteng

1. Rustig, Magaliesberg

Cost: R220 per person per night for The Stone House; Heritage House is R750 per room per night, when booking for six the entire house is R2250 per night.
Contact: rustig.co.za

What a well-chosen name for this lush farm deep within the Hartebeestfontein Conservancy. Towering trees and flowering shrubs punctuate the rolling lawns overlooked by a sprawling restaurant and veranda. There is an inviting 25-metre pool and, given the luxury of the grounds and facilities, the amiable service and great location, Rustig is surely the best bargain in the berg. You could spend the day at the pool after an early morning game drive, but most come for the hikes of three, five or 13 kilometres.

The Dormitory is a double-storey block with six rooms, ideal for a group, but three of the rooms can also be made up with just two single beds – book an upstairs corner room. Nearby basic Stone House sleeps six and is a great budget family option. Heritage House, the original three-bedroom farmhouse, is furnished with antiques and shares one Victorian-style but modern bathroom. It’s not really set up to self-cater (meals can be served to you here, or at the restaurant) but you can braai. Ages 13 and over only.

Group accommodation in the North-West Province

2. Mamagalie Mountain Lodge

Cost: From R375 per person per night, sleeps 12
Contact: mamagalie.co.za

Roughly 100 kilometres from Johannesburg the landscape transforms from highveld to bushveld near Buffelspoort Dam. Here, five secluded lodges cleverly nestled in a valley make up the Mamagalie self-catering collection. Two are designed for couples ‒ River Lodge and Tranquility Lodge, the latter is the most romantic with a private deck and outdoor shower overlooking a stream ‒ while Bush and Forest lodges both sleep four (the tented three-storey Bush Lodge on stilts is great, with great Buffelspoort Valley views). Mountain Lodge is the biggest, sleeping 12, and is perfect for kids to explore the active farm, which has an avocado and lemon orchard, pecan nut and newly planted fig trees and raspberry bushes. Expect to find hornbills floating from the trees and hartebeest, wildebeest, zebra and gemsbok roaming the slopes. Walk in the bush and explore the rock pools in the protected Magaliesberg green belt.

Group accommodation in the Western Cape

3. Gifberg Holiday Farm, Vanrhysndorp

Cost: From R300 per person when booking for three or more
Contact: gifberg.co.za

Given that there’s a countrywide drought, a rooibos farm tucked beneath the armpit of the Northern Cape seems like a foolish place to come looking for water. Dusty and dry, most farms nearby have had to pump water up the plateau at an eye-boggling cost. Not so at Gifberg Holiday Farm. Here, after a short hike, you can while away the afternoon at a number of beautiful rock pools. Tuinhuis is the best of the six chalets: sleeping six, it’s private without being remote, and hunches under a rock face with such vibrant lichen patterns that it looks like a rock painting. The furnishings are fairly utilitarian, but you won’t be spending much time inside: the farm is covered with hiking trails and rock art. Make plans to visit during flower season, when they have guided walks and stargazing sessions.

Group accommodation in KwaZulu-Natal

4. Thrums, Southbroom

Cost: From R350 per person, sleeps 10
Contact: wheretostay.co.za/thrums

Located in South Ridge Road, Thrums was one of the very first cottages to be built in Southbroom, and as such enjoys a plum position: elevated enough to enjoy those enormous blue horizons yet a few strides down the hill to Granny’s tidal pool. Very much an old family cottage, Thrums was bought by the granddad of the current owners ‒ siblings Rose Stephenson and Charles Anderson ‒ back in the 1960s. They clubbed together to renovate the house a few years back, opening up the central living space and kitchen. There are outdoor patios, one with a braai, and two bedrooms flanking this easy living space. Ballito-based Rose attributes the decor style to her sister-in-law Luan, and it’s thoughtfully eclectic, keeping a sense of its old beach cottage roots but not falling prey to the mish-mash of hand-me-downs and bargain-basement furniture that typifies too many second homes. Of the five bedrooms, four have sea views; three are en-suite while two bedrooms share a bathroom. There is also an extra games room downstairs.

5. Rock Shandy Beach House, Southbroom

Cost: From R520 to R791 per person per night, sleeps 12
Contact: rockshandy.co.za

We love the space and the rustic atmosphere of this large, luxury self-catering house. The downstairs living area has been opened up to create an open flow between the interiors and the generous pool deck. Of the five bedrooms upstairs, three have sea views (the main bedroom is a showstopper); a tiny courtyard bedroom deals with overflow guests. It’s a stylish beach house, pretty much unparalleled on this stretch of coast. Serviced daily by Edna, who can also babysit.

6. Ngoye Lodge, Mtunzini

Cost: From R600 per person, sleeps 4
Contact: Contact Us – Ngoye Lodge

Unexpectedly spacious in this small coastal town, Ngoye Lodge is ideal for a fun group get-together in an outdoorsy environment. It’s set on a wide green lawn with a lengthy swimming pool out front for hot summer days. The open-plan design and large windows create an easy flow and its style is contemporary, with SA arts and crafts and plant-filled vases. When you’re finished dining at the outside table or playing on the foosball machine, you can head to the beach, just a few minutes’ drive away. If you’re lucky you might even spot one of Mtunzini’s famous palm-nut vultures. Ngoye sleeps 10 in five bedrooms, and should you need more space your group can spill over into the more private Nguni Cottage, a tastefully furnished two-bedroom house where Jacob Zuma once rested his head while attending a nearby wedding ceremony.

7. Mseni Beach Lodge, iSimangaliso

Cost: From R560 in low season to R647 per person in high season, sleeps 10
Contact: mseni.co.za

Behind the smooth pinstripe beach that decorates Sodwana Bay is a jungle: a deep, clotted tropical mess that swallows the idea of sea-view accommodation whole. Well, almost whole. Peeking out of the coastal thicket is Mseni Beach Lodge, one of only two places to stay inside the Sodwana Bay section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Its log cabins are glowing after a recent facelift (it’s under new management), with further upgrades planned, but the best, by far, is Sea View House. It’s as close to the beach as you’re going to get. The upstairs balcony has a view over the ocean and a large gas braai. Inside, there’s a bright open-plan lounge and fully equipped kitchen area and downstairs, fresh, white-linen bedrooms make for great afternoon naps.

Group accommodation in Limpopo

8. Hamasha Bushcamp

Cost: From R1200 per person per night when booked for six
Contact: leshiba.co.za

Leshiba Mountain Retreats is a luxury private wildlife and eco tourism destination. Located on top of the Soutpansberg Mountains, 36km west of Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, South Africa. It is a dream escape from the rest of the world. Here, travellers are free to walk without a guide amongst wildlife, cycle untamed terrain, track game, learn about medicinal plants and discover ancient Rock Art. They also offer single track mountain biking trails, guided walks and game drives.

The Hamasha Bush Camp is a secluded private hideaway and is self-catering only. The six-bed camp overlooks the Hamasha gorge and has magnificent views of the rolling African continent beyond. It is the perfect getaway for family, friends or small groups of people who love being surrounded by nature.

Group accommodation in the Eastern Cape

9. The Sullies, Morgan Bay

Cost: From R2 300 per room for two, house sleeps 10, maximum of 8 adults
Contact: safarinow.com

Just an hour’s drive from East London, the stylish double-storey The Sullies beach house overlooks a lush lagoon alive with birds in Morgan Bay. White hammocks adorn the deck and a 10-minute walk takes you straight to the beach ‒ a beautiful bay fringed by dramatic Wild Coast cliffs. The open-plan kitchen includes a Nespresso machine, gas stove, icemaker, two fridges and daily housekeeping so catering for 10 is a breeze. There are three spacious and chic en-suite double bedrooms and two kids’ rooms with enough bunk beds to sleep six. Basic supplies are available from a store nearby, but if you’re not one for cooking on holiday, check out the Morgan Bay Hotel for a variety of meals and sip daiquiris on the deck while gazing at the ocean.

10. The Kraal, Mpande Beach

Cost: From R180 per person for the Dolphin Dormitory
Contact: thekraal.co.za

The Kraal is unreal. Set in The Kei, in deep rural Pondoland, is a collection of traditional Xhosa huts at the ocean’s edge. Wearing shoes and locking doors are unnecessary here. This rural accommodation gets its water from the sky and energy from the sun and also has a large wood-burning oven for delicious pizzas. Whale Hut is great for families, while Eagle Hut is better for bigger groups, sleeping up to eight. There is a kitchen downstairs which can be used by all guests. The Kraal grows its own veggies and any extras are sold to guests. The local shop stocks basics and also grows vegetables to sell. I bought a dozen oysters from a woman on the beach for R25. You can also enjoy a Xhosa meal at Kholeka’s restaurant in the village.

Pictures: Supplied

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