As Tony Park says: ‘Writers need three things – time, place, and inspiration.’ We asked seven pre-eminent authors to tell us about the places they hold most dear.
1. Oudrif
Karina M. Szczurek
Image supplied
‘The veld smells of honey and quiet content.’
Stay here
Full-board rates at Oudrif Cottages (including guided walks) are R1, 350 pp. 027-482-2397, oudrif.co.za
2. Port Nolloth
David Robbins
Image: David Robbins
‘I felt as though I’d arrived somewhere quite close to the end of the world.’
Stay here
Get your fix of Port Nolloth at the Scotia Inn Hotel. From R425 pp sharing B&B. 027-851-8353
3. Hermanus
Darrel Bristow-Bovey
Getty/Gallo Images
‘It’s still tranquil on the green veranda, looking out over the blue whale-choked water.’
Stay here
You’re spoilt for choice in this holiday town. Check hermanus-tourism.co.za or airbnb.co.za. The Marine Hotel remains the grande dame on the cliffs. From R4 ,700 pp B&B. 021-794-5535, themarinehotel.co.za
4. Rwanda
Jacques Pauw
Image supplied
‘Kigali has risen from the ashes of genocide to blossom into a modern, well-organised metropolis.’
Stay here
Go big and book into the new Wilderness Safaris luxury camp, Magashi, in Akagera National Park. From R6 ,930 pp fully inclusive. wilderness-safaris.com
Learn more about Rwanda’s culture and history with Go Kigali Tours from R890 pp. gokigalitours.com
5. Harties
Niq Mhlongo
Image supplied
‘Every time I go, I feel as if something wonderful is reaching out and opening up for me to enter.’
Stay here
Meerhof Lodge is my favourite, with luxury self-catering cottages by the dam. From R800 per cottage (sleeps two). 082-454-0095, meerhoflodge.co.za
A Glamping Adventures weekend package includes a boat cruise, hiking, pool party and all meals, from R1, 999 pp. glamping-adventures.co.za
6. Nantwich
Tony Park
Image supplied
‘It was all there in front of me – beauty, valour, tragedy, death, survival. Africa…’
Stay here
Tony and fellow investors have rebuilt the old Nantwich Camp as a private eco-lodge where you can stay for R5 ,160 pp sharing, hideawaysafrica.com
For those on a budget, Robins Camp is only 10 kilometres away. From R295 pp camping. robinscamp.com
7. Cederberg
Henrietta Rose-Innes
Getty/Gallo Images
‘We’ve spent Christmas there, in the company of giant centipedes, duikers, hawks, baboons and foxes.’
Stay here
The 12 cottages at Traveller’s Rest are all delightful: rustic, vibrant and surprisingly homely. From R600 per cottage. 082-554-9303, travellersrest.co.za
This article was first published in the January 2020 issue of Getaway magazine.
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All prices correct at publication, but are subject to change at each establishment’s discretion. Please check with them before booking or buying.
