5 Offbeat places to stay in and around the city

Whether you want to get out for a while or are still enjoying all the holiday cheer in Cape Town, these five unconventional locations will guarantee you have the time of your life!

1 Follow a Native-American lifestyle

Relive the happenings of a bygone era when you stay at Circle-T Ranch, a modern day reinterpretation of Native America – at the tip of Africa. Spend the night in an authentic tipi armed with a fire-pit, a single gas burner, oil, a candle, a lamp and wood. To the advantage of Mother Earth, you’ll be invited to refresh yourself in a green ablution station but no electricity is available. Yes, it’s rather other-worldly compared to your everyday lifestyle but don’t worry, you’ll be supplied with a soft bed to doze off in as well as crockery and cutlery. The ranch is a self-catering establishment so you’ll need to bring your own towels.

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Where Circle T Ranch, Cape Road, Philadelphia
Contact +27 72 747 4228 / +27 82 659 9143, [email protected], circletranch.co.za
Cost R700 – R1 200 per night, rates vary depending on season

2 Journey in a bandwagon

Hop in a bandwagon pulled by two horses and take the road less travelled as you trek through the Overberg. The trip, lasting anywhere from two to four days, begins in Stanford and ends in Sandy’s Glen. On reaching your destination, tuck into hot meals straight off the fire and choose to sleep in the bandwagon, a tent or beneath the starry skies. Before returning to Stanford, relish a dip in the lagoon or a birdspotting jaunt – you might come across a few rare and fascinating creatures! There’s no need to worry about safety or animal cruelty as the entire trip is led by trained guides and the horses are allowed frequent water breaks.

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Where Stanford Valley Guest Farm, R326, Stanford
Contact +27 82 729 7776, [email protected], horsetrailsafaris.co.za
Cost TBA

3 Retreat to a trailer

Regardless of whether your heart lies in the city or you’re looking to bond with nature, the trailer accommodation in Cape Town and its surrounds will cater to your every fancy. The ever popular Long Street is home to the Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel, the only hotel on the globe with a rooftop trailer park. Not quite your scene? Escape to the leafy town of Elgin, where you can book a stay at the Old Mac Daddy, a resort boasting 12 Airstream trailers shipped from the USA. Each trailer at both locations is festooned according to a distinct and unconventional decor theme.

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Grand Daddy Boutique Hotel
Where  38 Long Street, CBD
Contact +27 21 424 7247, [email protected], granddaddy.co.za
Cost R2 595 – R4 295 per night, rates vary depending on season

Old Mac Daddy
Where Valley Road, Elgin
Contact +27 21 844 0241, [email protected], oldmacdaddy.co.za
Cost Trailer Suites R1 195 – R 1 795 per night; Daddy’s Villa R2 595 – R3 395 per night; rates vary depending on day of the week

4 Sleep under the stars

Most of us believe that having a roof over our heads is a necessity but at Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, it’s optional. Their Open Air Room is an opulent outdoor chamber, which as the name implies, gives you the chance to retire to bed with nothing but the trees and sky above you. Should you wish to be more sheltered, you have the option of having a cave as your bedroom for a few days. Surrounded by rock art and genuine paintings by the Khoi San people, you’ll be enlightened on our country’s history and bask in the majesty of a setting like no other. Upon awaking from your slumber, you can look forward to the many activities on offer, including quad bike safaris and star gazing.

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Where Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, 250 km from Cape Town, Cederberg
Contact +27 23 004 0077, [email protected], kaggakamma.co.za
Cost R875 – R5 020 per night, rates vary depending on type of stay and season

5 Unwind on a treetop 

Nestled at the foot of Sedgefield’s Outeniqua Mountains, Teniqua Treetops allows you to bring your childhood fantasies to life by lodging in an organic treehouse. The resort prides itself on being eco-friendly and ensures that the environment is safeguarded by harvesting rainwater for drinking and utilising dry toilet systems, amongst other practices. Have a soak in the tub with an outlook of vast greenery, or enjoy a braai on the balcony while you say ‘hello’ to the resident furry friends. Want to get outdoors? Try the challenging River Walk or go for a swim in the gorge. Without any shopping centres nearby, you’re guaranteed a reviving escape from urban culture.

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Where Teniqua Treetops, 7 Passes Road, Knysna
Contact +27 44 356 2868, [email protected], teniquatreetops.co.za
Cost R1 700 – R2 530 per night, rates vary depending on treehouse type

Photography Courtesy images