What’s a good weekend getaway not far from Cape Town?

Cape Town is a great city with a unique situation as nature is in abundance within close proximity to the city centre. This also presents itself with many options for weekend getaways not far from urban life. Recently we had the chance to ask four travel and writing experts about a particular place that they like to escape to over the weekends. Here’s what they had to say.

Melkbosstrand

Roy Barford

Business Developer at Flow Communications

Twitter: @RoyBarford23
Instagram: @roybarford

Melkbosstrand, which is about 45 minutes from Cape Town, is a lesser-known, but undoubtedly-great destination for a weekend away. It has quiet beaches, excellent views of Table Mountain and a top-notch golf course if that’s what you’re into. It’s also just 20 minutes from Blouberg, where you’ll find some of the world’s best kitesurfers doing their thing in the windy summer months.

Views of the majestic Table Mountain as seen from Melkbosstrand. Image by Roy Barford.

Petersfield Mountain Cottages

Julie Graham

Features Editor and Travel Writer

Instagram – @julieg_ct

www.tcbmedia.co.za

If you’re anything like me, a getaway needs to exactly that. Getting away from work, busy towns or cities and, more importantly, crowds of people. Plugging into nature. For this particular reason, self-catering escapes have always appealed the most to me.

On a recent road trip to Citrusdal, a small town on the base of the Cederberg Mountains in the Olifants River Valley, just under 2 hours from Cape Town, I discovered a magical place – perfect for a weekend (or more) out of the city.

Petersfield Mountain Cottages consists of four fully equipped, beautifully designed self-catering cottages which are more than 1km apart (ensuring utmost privacy), surrounded by mountain koppies and lush fynbos on a 2000 hectare farm. Tastefully decorated and each with a private plunge pool and outdoor bath and shower, they offer rustic luxury in heavenly surroundings. A perfect getaway, (especially for couples) and dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome too. www.petersfieldfarm.co.za.

Petersfield Mountain Cottages is the perfect place for a weekend getaway from the bustling city. 

McGregor

Dawn Jorgensen

Travel Writer | Earth Advocate

Twitter: @DawnJorgensen

Instagram:@dawnjorgensen

http://theincidentaltourist.com/ 

A favorite country escape surrounded by the Langeberg Mountains and within easy reach of Cape Town, McGregor is said to be the best-preserved 119th-centurySouth African village with its white washed reed roof cottages, Victorian and Georgian homes.

Every Saturday morning there’s a market in the Square next to the Church; Rhebokskraal Olive Estate offers excellent tastings and Lord’s Winery a beautiful Method Cap Classique. Temenos Gardens has established a reputation for providing quiet contemplation, and Karoux Restaurant for its fine meals. But it will be the Eseljiesrus Donkey Sanctuary, which will steal your heart.

A quaint cottage in McGregor.

Kommetjie

Robert Cross

Safari writer/ safari guide

Nestled in the seaside village of Kommetjie, a mere 37km from central Cape Town, and fronting two of the Western Capes best beaches (Long Beach and Noordhoek Beach), Imhoff Park is the ideal getaway for those seeking some great outdoors without looking to break the bank.

Self-catering cottages as well as camping and caravan sites are on offer, and their off-season prices can’t be beaten (R180 for camping and R500 for a chalet). Ideally, Imhoff acts a highly affordable base for exploring the peninsula and its surrounding attractions.

Horse riding on Kommetjie beach, penguin spotting at Boulders, the world renowned natural beauty of Cape Point, surfing at Muizenberg, Wine Tasting in Constantia and scenic drives on Chapmans Peak are all within a 40 minute drive. Plus the fact that each campsite has 15amp electricity outlets means that even the most diehard tech-heads can still charge their phones or bring a laptop for entertainment. Just make sure all food is safely locked away from the baboons!

Seaside scenes from Kommetjie.