20 incredibly romantic getaways in South Africa

Posted on 10 February 2023

From breathtaking views to spas and places that offer some of the most delicious food, we have the ideal list of incredibly romantic getaways to spoil yourself and your partner.

Here’s our list of some of the best in South Africa. Although many of these are luxury spots, most are posting special rates, so there’s no better time to book.

Gauteng

1. Quiet Mountain Country House

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Many pleasures are at Quiet Mountain House, located in the Hartebeestfontein Conservancy. There’s the food prepared with quality ingredients, including milk, cream, and butter produced from resident cows and eggs from their obliging hens; the rambling gardens; and the excellent service that John and his partner Terence have given guests for more than 22 years.

2. Valley Lodge & Spa

romantic destinationsHere you really have the best of both worlds: a serene view from your veranda, combined with the pleasures of being in a large hotel. These include an enormous resort-style pool, a fabulous spa (heated mineral pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, great treatment menu), a convivial pub, tennis court, babysitting, and a few dining options wood-fired pizzas delivered to your room.

3. Saamrus Guest Farm

saamrus-guest-farmThis 500-hectare farm offers the most private and romantic collection of self-catering cottages in the area and the best views. The only drawback is the 4×4 required to reach hillside cottages, or you’ll have to brave it on foot: it’s a 200 to 400-metre trudge uphill, but two strong men are always on duty to help carry for a tip.

4. African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa

mount-grace-hotelExperience the luxury of time at African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa. Nestled amongst the ruggedly beautiful Magaliesburg Mountains, merely an hour’s drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria. Here you can indulge in a massage at their on-site spa or dine in style at the acclaimed Rambling Vine Restaurant.

Limpopo

5. umVangati house

romantic destinationsNothing can really prepare you for the view from this house. The 360-degree surroundings are uninhabited and unmarred, and all perfectly framed by the monumental scale of the architecture. umVangati is a luxury purpose-built lodge reached via a steep road winding deep within the Moholoholo reserve. This is the kind of place where you propose, make amends, celebrate Valentine’s Day, or blow your partner away with a surprise weekend.

6. Bushriver Lodge

bushriver-lodgeThis is one of those places that make your heart soar. The location is at the end of a long track that takes you through various gates and is situated on the banks of the Olifants River, so the water lullaby is a constant soundtrack. Enquire into the bush dinners ‒ a very romantic set-up in a dry riverbed.

Western Cape

READ: 11 Valentines Day specials in the Western Cape

7. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

romantic destinations

Nothing says ‘I love you’ quite like flowers, and the multi-award-winning Grootbos will never disappoint on this. The private reserve is unique in its focus on protecting and showcasing the local fynbos, much of which is endemic to this region, as well as the fauna that relies on it. Chalets in Forest Lodge are separated by ancient milkwood forests and each has extensive views of the colourful fynbos and sweeping expanse of Walker Bay where whales abound in season. The food is outstanding, paired with carefully picked local wines. Think spa treatments under the trees, romantic horseback rides, and beach picnics.

  • Cost: From R21 000 p n (Luxury Suite; full-board)
  • Location: Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gaansbaai
  • Website: grootbos.com
  • Contact: [email protected]

Visit their website for their Summer Sun Special.

8. De Hoop Collection

For concerted nature lovers, De Hoop Nature Reserve is a must-visit – the only place in the Western Cape to see a successful breeding colony of Cape vultures, while minutes away, southern right whales swim close to shore. Romantic picnics on sand dunes, warm fires on chilly nights, wonderful hospitality, and access to mountain bike and walking trails among the eland, bontebok and reedbuck are all on offer.

9. La Cotte

romantic destinationsa

A jewel in the winelands crown, this old farm is a quiet retreat in the world-famous Franschhoek village. Set among large, beautiful gardens with grand views of the mountains, the bustling tourist village of Franschhoek disappears the moment you enter. Savour fine wines and exquisite food in La Cotte Restaurant.

Our choice would be a quaint one-bedroom Forest or Orchard Cottage from R3 529 per night or one of the beautifully appointed Manor House Pool Rooms from R3 700 per night. From April to October, La Cotte is running low season rates from R3 207 per night in the Forest or Orchard Cottages, with the special running at the same rate for a Manor House Pool Room.

10. Haesfarm

haesfarmThe two spacious en-suite bedrooms on this 40-hectare organic fynbos farm, perched atop the rolling hills east of Stanford, share a lounge/library/bar. They’re warmed with underfloor heating, a combustion fireplace, and a profusion of books and art, plus a covered terrace (with braai) from which to enjoy the sweeping valley views.

11. Springfontein Sleeps

romantic destinations

A few minutes out of town, off the gravel track that skirts the Klein River estuary, are three cottages and a river lodge spread across Springfontein Wine Estate. The accommodation offers a variety of views, including Milkwood Forests, the Klein River, and Maanskynkop mountain. The wine magic happens at the Ulumbaza Wine Bar(n), where award-winning wines can be enjoyed with local cuisine.

12. Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel

romantic destinations

This hotel is tucked away on a prime Mosselbank location right at the northern edge of the village. The owners also purchased a further three kilometres of the coast to protect the untrammelled views and halt further development. Strandloper is very much a boutique hotel, offering a full spectrum of pampering to guests

13. Gelukkie

gelukkie
Spacious and very private, each cottage has its own landscaped garden, offering a complete escape from the world. On spring and autumn days, you can while away lounging on the swinging alfresco double beds, but come the really hot months, you will need to take a drive to the beach.

14. Lanzerac Hotel & Spa

romantic destinations

With a recent upgrade to all accommodations, the variety of rooms is astounding at Lanzerac. Each has its own unique theme of décor; five of the suites have their own private plunge pools and some have their own steam rooms – wonderful for winter, and romance. The spa is one of the finest in the southern hemisphere, and well worth pampering yourselves with couples massages.

KwaZulu-Natal

READ: 12 mountain cabins for getting far, far away

15. Montusi Mountain Lodge

montusi-lodge-drakensberg-june-2016-issue
Montusi Mountain Lodge opened in 2000 and offered luxuries like a nightly turn-down with homemade chocolates and haute cuisine dinners. Having rehabilitated the 1000-hectare farm to encourage the return of birdlife and antelope, the hosts are extremely hospitable. There are lots to do on the farm, plus the All Out Adventure Centre is just down the road.

  • Cost: From R2 675 p p p n (Garden Suites; breakfast and dinner included)
  • Location: D119, Northern Drakensberg, Bergville
  • Website: montusi.co.za
  • Contact: [email protected]

Mpumalanga

16. Summerfields Rose Retreat Spa

romantic destinations
The luxury retreat is geared toward romance, and you can choose a king-size bed unit on the gurgling river or a quieter forest option. The two on-site restaurants use only vegetables grown on the 1 000-hectare macadamia farm. Expect luxury details such as Charlotte Rhys toiletries, macadamia nut snacks, homemade shortbread, filter coffee, and plush downy duvets.

North West

17. Mamagalie Mountain Lodge

mamagalie-mountain-lodge-melanie-van-zyl
Roughly 100 kilometres from Joburg, the landscape transforms from highveld to bushveld near Buffelspoort Dam. Here, five lodges, cleverly nestled in a secluded valley, make up the Mamagalie self-catering collection. Expect to find hornbills floating from the trees and hartebeest, wildebeest, zebra, and gemsbok roaming the slopes. Walk in the bush and explore the protected Magaliesberg green belt rock pools.

  • Cost: From R400 p p s (Serenity Lodge)
  • Location: 468 JQ Barnardsvlei Road Buffelshoek Box
  • Website: mamagalie.co.za
  • Contact: +27 84 513 9480

Eastern Cape

READ: 10 activities to do on a roadtrip through the Eastern Cape

18. Morgan Bay Hotel

romantic destinations
Apart from a handful of beach bungalows erected here during the First World War, the Morgan Bay Hotel was the first development in the bay. Yet when you sink into the white sheets and listen to the ocean beyond your balcony, you wouldn’t believe it’s almost a century old. The sound of crashing waves follows you to the Milkwood Spa, where the treatment rooms are built to face the ocean.

19. Sibuya River camp

sibuya-river-camp
The adventure starts when you board the boat moored outside the reception on Eastbourne Road and slowly head down the Kariega, stopping to identify birds. It’s a magical stretch of water, a deep turquoise-green ribbon twisting and turning its way through steep banks, the horizon sculpted by euphorbias and aloes. Skimming across the river while watching the play of light on the water, you feel a million miles from civilisation.

20. Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa

romantic destinations
Umngazi River Bungalows punctuate the peaceful banks and give the best river and sea views. Civilisation is miles away, and the surrounding hills are only sparsely dotted with colourful Xhosa huts. The resort is geared for family vacations, so while you get your far-from-it- all holiday, the children won’t complain of boredom as the area offers plenty of outdoor activities.

  • Cost: From R1 735 p p s (Garden View room, three meals included)
  • Location: Wild Coast, Eastern Cape
  • Website: umngazi.co.za
  • Contact: [email protected]

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