When it comes to bonding with the blokes, an occasional drink after work or a quick game of squash between meetings sometimes doesn’t seem to cut it. What you need is an adrenaline-filled weekend alongside your best mates, away from your gruelling day job and tedious routine.
Whether you’re planning a prenuptial escape for the groom and his groomsmen, a mancation, a thirtieth birthday celebration or a father-son adventure, here are nine top destinations for the ultimate guys’ getaway in South Africa.
Brinksfontein Guest House, Laingsburg
Ready to get far off the beaten track? Head to Brinksfontein Guest House on the slopes of the Moordenaars Karoo’s stone cliffs. This farm cottage has no electricity or cellphone reception, so you’ll get a chance to truly unwind and recharge. With its braai area in the the veld, Brinksfontein is the perfect place for some bromantic bonding around the fire.
Features: Swimming pool, secure parking, and braai wood and bread dough are available by prior arrangement.
Sleeps: 5 guests
Manly Musts: Venture upon the farm’s gravel roads with your mountain bike or visit the SA Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland.
Buffalo Drift – Captains Cabin, Yzerfontein
The Captain’s Cabin is a rustic cabin in Yzerfontein that offers accommodation for a large group. It is self-catering and secluded ensuring a social evening without any complaints from the neighbours.
Features: Dorm-style rooms, a braai area with 50 pieces of firewood and access to a private beach.
Sleeps: 26 guests
Manly Musts: Have a spit braai, race along the mountain bike loop or take a stroll to the Strandkombuis Beach Restaurant or Die Stal pub to enjoy some local hospitality.
The Cavern Drakensberg Resort & Spa, Bergville
If you’re looking for a action-packed weekend just a few hours from Gauteng, The Cavern is the place to be. Set in a secluded valley beneath the massive sandstone cliffs of the Northern Drakensberg, this lodge offers numerous activities to get the adrenaline pumping.
Features: A swimming pool, secure parking, balconies to enjoy the mountain’s splendour, and three meals daily.
Sleeps: 2 – 4 guests per room
Manly Musts: Horse riding, trout fishing, cycling, guided walks, mountain biking, quad biking, tennis is available on site, or you could brave the 100 meter chain ladder to reach Mount-Aux-Sources in the Royal Natal National Park.
Dundi Lodge, Augrabies
Imagine sipping on an ice-cold beer whilst floating down the Orange River… This could be you when you visit Dundi Lodge near Augrabies Falls in the Northern Cape! End the day off with a blissful braai next to the river before heading to one of the luxuriously furnished rooms for a good night’s sleep.
Features: Swimming pool, free WiFi, access to the Dundi Airstrip and an on-site restaurant.
Sleeps: 2 – 6 per unit
Manly Musts: Fishing, horse riding, wine tasting, game viewing, abseiling at Khamkirri Private Game Reserve, hot air ballooning over the Augrabies Falls, and river rafting with Kalahari Adventures.
White Elephant Safari Lodge and Bush Camp, Pongolapoort Dam
The Private Bush Villa at the White Elephant Safari Lodge and Bush Camp is a private self-catering camp situated on the shore of Lake Jozini in the Pongola Game Reserve. A truly unique South African safari experience awaits you and your fellow travel-savvy friends here!
Features: A private swimming pool and a bar area.
Sleeps: 16 guests
Manly musts: Safari boat cruises, canoeing on Lake Jozini, tiger fishing, game drives and guided walks.
Syringa Sands Bush Camp Site, Waterberg
If you really want to escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, head to Syringa Sands Bush Camp for the ultimate off-the-grid camping experience on a working game farm in the Waterberg. No power points are provided and connectivity is limited, so you can spend the weekend pretending to be cavemen fending for yourselves.
Features: An ablution facility with a shower (gas geyser), a lapa and a braai area.
Sleeps: 8 campers
Manly Musts: Horse riding, bass fishing, game viewing, guided walks and mountain biking.
Amani Safari Camp, Klaserie Private Game Reserve
Take a walk on the wild side at Amani Safari Camp! It boasts an entertainment area only a few metres from a high-traffic watering hole where you can experience the best part of a bushveld getaway. You’ll be gathered around the boma fire telling stories well into the night!
Features: A lantern-lit “welcome-bridge”, infinity pool, open-air bar and a boma.
Sleeps: 8 guests
Manly Musts: Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon game viewing and cruising down the Olifants River which is only 22 km away. The afternoon river cruise can be paired with a braai on the river bank when you return to camp.
Otterskloof Private Game Reserve, Free State
If you want to experience the dramatic landscapes of the Nama Karoo while indulging in ultimate luxury, Otterskloof Private Game Reserve is the place to be. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Vanderkloof Dam and offers three unique venues for events and celebrations.
Features: Swimming pool, braai facilities, a cosy lounge with a fireplace and a wrap-around patio to enjoy the magnificent views.
Sleeps: 22 guests in the Safari Lodge and 8 guests in the Bush Lodge
Manly Musts: Fly fishing, game viewing, swimming and mountain biking on-site.
39 Canal Road, St Francis Bay
If you and your friends are obsessed with golf, head to 39 Canal Road, near the the St Francis Bay Golf Club with its 18-hole golf course. This modern self-catering house has a flat-screen TV which is ideal for watching that rugby game you’ve been excited about all season!
Features: A wooden deck and undercover patio with stainless steel braai, access to a private tennis court, gym, swimming pool and a cricket net.
Sleeps: 10
Manly Musts: Golfing at the St Francis Bay Golf Club and surfing at Seal Point.
So, the ball is in your court now. It’s time to gather the wolf pack and say cheers to the girls, because this weekend is all about the guys!
Feature image: Lens Burger (Burger Terblanche).
