Pet-Friendly Holiday Destinations
Finding a place that is pet-friendly can be quite difficult. Many people love travelling with their fur babies and not all pets do well at kennels or with other people. To make planning a little easier this year, we share a few favourite pet-friendly holiday destinations.
Make sure your pet is healthy and in good condition to travel. You will also need to pack an emergency kit for your pet with any medication that your furry friends may require on a trip. It is also VERY IMPORTANT to double-check with the establishment if they allow all sizes and breeds. The size of your pack will also be taken into consideration. Pet owners may also be required to pay an extra fee to accommodate their pets.
Gauteng
If you are looking for a quick getaway into the berg with a farm experience then Nullarbor Cottages is the piece of paradise you are looking for. Nestled in the Magaliesberg mountains on a private farm, lies Nullarbor Cottages. Nullarbor is a short 1 hour’s drive from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Hartbeespoort Dam and Rustenburg.
If you are passing through the city and you need a place to spend the night, make a stop at Pine Tree Lodge. The lodge is nestled in a country equestrian estate, giving you and your pets a lot of breathing space. Relax around the pool or take a scenic walk through the estate. Remember your binoculars – the birdlife is totally worthwhile!
If you are heading further North make a stop in Cullinan. KwaThabisile Game Lodge is situated in the Leeuwkloof Valley Conservancy. The 400-hectare game reserve is situated 1 hour from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Pretoria, and offers self-catering accommodation in fully equipped units.
North West
The North West province has its fair share of hidden gems. Groot Marico’s Die Oog is a magical place to visit. You cannot get accommodation at the freshwater spring, but there are a few places nearby. If your animals are accompanying you on the road trip consider stopping at Evergreen River Guest Farm.
Evergreen River Guest Farm is a privately owned farm on the banks of the Groot Marico River, 9 kilometres outside of the small and quaint village of Groot Marico. The farm is situated in the UNESCO approved Marico Biosphere Reserve just 2,5 hrs drive from Johannesburg.
If you are looking for something closer to the Hartebeespoort Dam, you may want to give
Vulture Creek a visit. The cottages are situated in Skeerpoort, just west of Hartbeespoort Dam. With its many tourist attractions, it is an ideal weekend getaway spot to enjoy the activities around the dam. Vulture Creek is close to both the well-known Chameleon Village with all its fine African crafts and the Hartbeespoort cableway.
Image courtesy of Evergreen River Guest Farm
Kwazulu Natal
The North and South coast is replete with many, cosy, rugged and even fancy spots to share with your pets. Depending on your route and how many stops you may want to make along the way will determine where you can have a great rest! A bigger family may enjoy the spacious
Blue Waters beach house. Blue Waters Beach House is located in Umzumbe and offers one of the most spectacular views on the Hibiscus Coast, along the shoreline of KwaZulu-Natal.
If you are going South and looking for a tropical gem with ocean views, visit Barefoot B&B in Southbroom. If the Midlands is more the scene you are after, you have to stop at Notties Hotel. The Legendary Nottingham Road Hotel is located in the heart of Nottingham Road village, close to golfing estates, great trout fishing dams and the quaint shops of the KwaZulu Natal “Midlands Meander”.
Image courtesy of Nottingham Road Hotel
The Cape
The Western, Eastern and Southern Cape have lovely, pet-friendly accommodation throughout the mainland and coastal cities. A few favourites in the Western Cape are Arniston Seaside Cottages for the perfect seaside getaway and Gonana Guesthouse in Paternoster.
Image courtesy of Arniston
If you are heading East, the Birdhouse in East London will give you and the pets a welcoming stay. Situated 8 kilometres from East London, the Birdhouse can be found in Gonubie. The area offers scenic walks, beautiful ocean and lagoon views, indigenous fauna and flora, and some of the best beaches along the Wild Coast. With both the beach and lagoon, Gonubie is a little piece of paradise on the Eastern Cape coast. Graaf Reinet is always a beautiful place to stop over on long trips. Visit Profcon Resort for a happy, cosy stay with loads of activities for your family and pets.
From Hannover and Springbok to Colesburg and Three Sisters, the Southern Cape is lovely to explore with your furry friends. A few of our favourite pet-friendly places in the Northern Cape, with majestic views and unexplored land, are Travalia Guest Farm, The Barracks, Okiep Country Hotel and Mieliefontein Karoo Guest Farm.
Mpumalanga
The Lowveld comes with its own magical setting. Exploring this part of South Africa is an opportunity every South African should take. Dullstroom, Sabie and Nelspruit all offer accommodating bed and breakfasts to make travelling with pets a breeze.
The Sabie River Camp is ideal for campers who love the sound of tranquil waters nearby. If you and your family love to swim in idyllic waters, you can enjoy the heated rock pool or their cold-water rim pool in the deck/bar area. There is also a child play park, putt-putt and fishing facilities.
In Machadadorp you can find the picturesque Kingfisher Trout Lodge, in the Tondeldoos Valley, known for forest exploration and exceptional fly fishing. The River Man Cabin is situated about 45 minutes outside the town of Roossenekal, +-30 km northeast of Dullstroom, which is approximately a three-hour drive from Johannesburg.
Image courtesy of Sabie River Camp
Limpopo
Limpopo offers active families and pets a variety of fun activities – especially around Magoebaskloof. Magoebaskloof is a pristine part of South Africa with Magoebaskloof Getaway Cottages serenely situated in a beautiful fertile valley on the escarpment of the Drakensberg in the scenic mountainous setting of Magoebaskloof.
The Zwakala River Retreat is another beautiful spot for the whole family. Zwakala River Retreat is situated on a private farm in the beautiful Magoebaskloof mountains on the banks of the Broederstroom river, the source of the great Letaba. Fantastic walks and clearly marked cycling routes through forests and private farms can be found throughout the area.
