Pack up the kids and the dogs, and head for the hills. We’ve found 9 ideal country havens you can enjoy with the whole family. 
Western Cape – Kloofzicht Estate, Tulbagh
Kloofzicht Estate, just outside the historic Winelands town of Tulbagh, offers a range of farmhouse-style accommodation in a magnificent mountain setting. Its extensive grounds and dams make it a favourite among dog owners. There are two one-bedroom cottages and an open-plan loft above the wine cellar, but first prize is to get a group together and book the intriguingly designed and decorated five-bedroom main house. With its big farmhouse kitchen and ample entertainment areas both outdoors and in, it’s a fabulous place to reconnect with family and friends (bring the kids) or to throw a party. It’s also a popular wedding venue for this reason. All the bedrooms have balconies and/or private terraces should you want to escape the crowd and there’s a huge swimming pool, fishing, a boat on the big dam and an array of nearby hiking and mountain biking trails for more active types. Pretty Tulbagh is a great place to wander around or to grab a bite and don’t miss out on a tour of the valley’s picturesque wine and extra-virgin olive oil estates. – Fiona McIntosh
023 230 1742, lynne@kloofzichtestate.com, www.kloofzichtestate.co.za
Win a getaway to Kloofzicht Estate in Tulbagh!
Free State – Aloe River, Parys
The little dorp of Parys on the banks of the Vaal River is an ideal weekend getaway for Joburgers due to its proximity – about an hour and 20 minutes on the highway. There are several pet-friendly places to choose from, but this time we stayed at Aloe River. The spacious, self-catering, three-bedroom house is on the far side of Parys, away from the hub of antique shops and restaurants, and near to the bridge over the Vaal. Great for family weekends, a breakaway with friends or even a romantic getaway, the house is kitted out with every appliance, every item you might need for your stay, from board games to detergents and candles – which came in handy during load shedding (yes, even in Parys). Morning coffee took place on the large stoep, reclining on the comfy wooden bench with my two dogs sprawled alongside. Afternoons were spent at the pool and braaing on the Weber while the pups tore around the large walled garden or took over the loungers to snooze. Hiking and walking trails for you and Fido are available on nearby farms – we enjoyed a scenic river walk at Otter’s Haunt 2km outside Parys. – Linda Piegl
082 561 6669, www.aloeriver.co.za Eastern Cape Karoo – Erin Country House, Middelburg
Erin Country House is on a beautiful Karoo farm conveniently halfway between Johannesburg and Cape Town. And if you think it’s just a stop-over place, think again. You’re going to want to settle in here for a few days to take in the surreal arid landscape, the wide horizons, pollution-free air, the famous Karoo sunsets and vast night skies. At Erin Country House it’s all about choice so there’s a variety of accommodation to suit every kind of guest, from the Edwardian homestead in a Karoo garden to modest farm cottages that are fenced to keep your pooch safe. You can also choose whether you’d like bed and breakfast, dinner, bed and breakfast or the self-catering option. Your dog gets to stay at Erin Country House for free, but pets must be pre-arranged. Farm walks will keep them busy and exercised while attractions for you in the district include the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, the Valley of Desolation and the Camdeboo National Park, the picturesque dorp of Nieu-Bethesda, as well as the Mountain Zebra National Park near Cradock. Children are also welcome. – Olivia Schaffer
082 379 0404, www.karooexperience.com Western Cape – Witkrans Farm, Stanford
If you fancy escaping to the hills with your pets, Witkrans farm near Stanford is just the ticket. The three resident pooches welcome other well-behaved, socialised dogs but there’s lots of wildlife on the property – including a troop of baboons – so visiting canines must not be chasers. Accommodation is in two fully equipped cottages; Buchu sleeps four and Cone Bush Cottage sleeps six. There’s another quaint and pet-friendly cottage on the neighbouring farm, Windheuvel, which sleeps four. You can hike and mountain bike in the area, but this is very much a farmstay with free-range eggs, freshly baked farm bread, jams and home-made wine for sale. Tree houses, a jungle gym, trampoline, a swimming dam with boats, and a ‘zoo’ of rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens that children can pet, make it an equally good child-friendly escape. And if you fancy arriving by horse, you can put your steed into the field to graze for the length of your stay. – Fiona McIntosh
082 464 5115, michelle@privett.co.za, www.witkrans.com Northern Cape – Toverberg Guest Houses, Colesberg
These little historical, restored Karoo townhouses in the travellers’ stopover of Colesberg on the N1, were an oasis for us on our way to the Garden Route, but even more so for our old dog. Toverberg is pet friendly – in fact the whole town is pet friendly – and all the dogs want to say hello as you stroll down the street. We had a perfect postage-stamp garden with a tree for shade and, in true dorp style, we could sit on our stoep, enjoy a sundowner and watch the passers-by. Our Charky was also completely content when we went out for dinner. The owners are quite happy for hounds to sleep inside and most accommodating about off-street parking. A selection of restaurants, a museum and supermarket are all within walking distance of your townhouse. Breakfast can be provided on request. – Sue Adams
072 427 2934, www.toverberg.co.za Mpumalanga – The Secret Valley, Cullinan
Less than two hours on the highway from Johannesburg and 12km outside Cullinan – the last few kilometres is on a dirt road and not recommended for sports cars – is this charming stone and thatch cottage. It is self-catering and sleeps four – one double bed upstairs and two sleeper couches in the lounge. The upstairs bedroom has magnificent views over the valley. The only problem is getting up and down the steep staircase. Perhaps it was designed to discourage children and dogs from disturbing your sleep? Accommodation is rustic, with dust covers on the furniture so everyone can relax. There is a fully equipped kitchen (including dog bowls) and all you really need to bring is food and drinks. Oh, and don’t forget the CDs and DVDs. There is a TV, but sports fans note there is no reception for that all-important rugby match. Afternoons were spent on the lounge chairs in the treed garden which is enclosed so the dogs can’t wander off, and in the evenings we gathered around the outdoor braai. Wild animals roam freely on this fenced 26-hectare farm in the valley of Zonkolol, which was ours exclusively for the weekend. There are several trails including a rocky hike down to the river, as well as shorter walks to sundowner and picnic spots. My best friends Tombi and Mango had a fine time running free and were out for the count on the drive home. – Nita Hazell
082 789 6951, info@thesecretvalley.co.za, www.thesecretvalley.co.za Western Cape – Kunje Guest Farm Koue, Bokkeveld
Dwarfed by the Koue Bokkeveld, at the southernmost boundary of the Cederberg Wilderness Area, the Kunje fruit farm offers visitors beautiful scenery and ample to do outdoors like hiking, mountain climbing, swimming in rock pools in the Middeldeur River, mountain-bike trails, San paintings, stargazing and visiting nearby Clanwilliam. Pet-friendly accommodation is at the rustic, self-catering Geelberg Mountain Hut (although the owners also allow pets at some of the other units by arrangement). There are two rooms with 10 bunk beds each and two bathrooms with showers, while the large entertainment area has a fireplace and includes a kitchen equipped with appliances and basic utensils, crockery and cutlery. There are also indoor and outdoor braai facilities. Geelberg best suits hikers, backpackers and other groups, especially those who enjoy bringing their canine companions with them on holiday. – Karen Watkins
022 921 3536, info@kunje.co.za, www.kunje.co.za Western Cape – Shamballa Sanctuary, Tankwa Karoo
Soaking in a hot tub serenaded by sunbirds is hard to beat. That’s what you can expect to enjoy at Shamballa Sanctuary, originally named Fort Tierkloof. Very pet friendly, all that is asked of guests is to respect the buck and wild animals on the land by not letting your hounds roam unsupervised. There are plenty of hiking and mountain-biking options here with more than 20km of tracks including the Leopard Ravine Trail. Over 80 species of birds have been identified on the farm and, following good rains, Shamballa is a delight for flower lovers and artists. On most nights meteor showers, falling stars and bright constellations can be seen. No wonder the world-famous Sutherland Astronomical Observatory is only 70km away. Accommodation includes a ‘fort’, previously a shepherd’s stone hut, with views across the Ceres Tankwa Karoo plains rising into the Swartruggens. It has a pool, a fire pit and a braai area. Serenity Lodge is higher up and more luxurious, with a large entertainment area, open fireplace, an eco-pool and outside bath. –Karen Watkins
078 099 7438, stay@shamballa.co.za, www.shamballa.co.za
Win a 3-night midweek getaway to Serenity Lodge, valued at R 6300!
Limpopo – Coral Tree Camp, Magoebaskloof
Coral Tree Camp, high in the Magoebaskloof mountains, is the ultimate escape when you don’t want to leave your hounds at home. Set on a plateau with endless vistas down to the valley below, Coral Tree Camp offers touches of luxury such as a bath with a view at the ablution block, a fireplace in the communal kitchen and a plunge pool with a wooden deck for long, lazy days. All you need do is pitch a tent, park the pooches and set yourself up for sundowners underneath the dramatic Coral Tree perched on a ledge. Later, around the braai, you can gaze at a sky full of stars and listen to the cry of the bush babies in the nearby forest. This private camp (minimum 2, maximum 8) is only accessible by 4×4 but, for solitude and soul, it is worth the ride. With solar-powered lights and a donkey boiler for hot water, all your needs are catered for in a low-impact way. If you’re feeling energetic, you can take your dogs for a stroll along the river and watch the many butterflies and special birds along the route. Or amble through Elspeth Humphrey’s herb gardens for a sensory treat. Magoebaskloof has a variety of attractions for people with their pets. – Lisa Martus
082 335 6803, bookings@theherbcottage.co.za, www.theherbcottage.co.za
See more pet-friendly accommodation here.
The post 9 Pet-friendly Country Havens appeared first on South African Country Life.