15 Incredible Cabins in South Africa for Every Budget
Cabins in South Africa have become a national pastime.
I’m not sure who started this trend or when it became the “it girl” of accommodation, but it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The mecca of it all?
The Western Cape.
It almost feels like you could visit a different cabin every weekend for an entire year.
…But what about the rest of South Africa and, more importantly, your wallet?
Luckily, you don’t need to fly to Cape Town to cure your cabin fever. There are more cosy getaways popping up in the other provinces, and best of all, there are some affordable finds across the board.
Whether you’re looking to splurge on an R3k per night getaway for your anniversary or you want a rustic getaway for R850.00, there’s a cabin for you.
So, without further ado, here are 15 incredible cabins in South Africa for every budget!
Psst…Want even more cabins in South Africa to add to your bucket list? Check out these other posts:
- The Most Secluded & Romantic Airbnbs in South Africa
- 10+ Romantic Weekend Breaks With Hot Tubs in the Western Cape
- 15+ Amazing Airbnbs in Cape Town for Your Next Getaway
- 12 Secluded Cabins Near Cape Town That Are Perfect for Escaping Reality
- Top Romantic Getaways in South Africa to Spice Up Your Bucket List
- The Most Swoon-Worthy Honeymoon Destinations in Africa
Table of Contents
- Rosemary Hill in Pretoria
- Mana Cabin in Magaliesberg
- Sima Kade in Magaliesberg
- Die Bloc Huis in Dullstroom
- Mudhouse Zululand in Hluhluwe
- Glass Treehouse in Uzumbe
- Solace Cabins in Cederberg
- Streamside Geodome in Tulbagh
- Stonewood Mountain Cabin in Mount Bain Nature Reserve
- The Sand Cabin in Wilderness
- Teniqua Treetops in Knysna
- Fountain Shack in Plettenberg Bay
- Kaaimans Rustic Views in Wilderness
- Bokmakierie in Clanwilliam
- untether on Olive View in Wellington
Rosemary Hill in Pretoria
When it comes to cabins in Gauteng, Rosemary Hill is the place to go.
Only a short 1-hour drive from Johannesburg, the farm is cabin p*rn.
Seriously.
There’s not one, not two, but what feels like an endless supply of cabin options.
My favourites?
Besides soaking up the views from your love nest, the farm has plenty for you to explore.
Tackle one of the MTB trails, book a romantic horse ride into the sunset, soak up the good vibes from the on-site spa, or plan a romantic picnic for two and pop that question.
Distance from Johannesburg: 1-hour
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R2,150.00 per night
Mana Cabin in Magaliesberg
The Mana Cabin at Melody Hill Retreat is the perfect excuse to escape the city for a romantic weekend getaway.
Tucked away in the woods, the wooden cabin has massive windows on all sides, creating an immersive experience with nature.
Unwind in the outdoor bathtub, work remotely (there’s decent WiFi and a workspace), and fall asleep to the sounds of the bush from your king-sized bed.
Distance from Johannesburg: 1 hour 20 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R1,800.00 per night
Sima Kade in Magaliesberg
Sima Kade is a sustainable, off-the-grid masterpiece and one of the most unique places to stay near Johannesburg.
While the property offers four different cabin options, the stars of the show are the Kama and Venus cabins.
Sleeping two, both cabins offer complete seclusion in the forest, and with no WiFi, making it the best spot for a digital detox.
Distance from Johannesburg: 1 hour 10 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R1,500.00 per night
Die Bloc Huis in Dullstroom
One of my favourite cabins in South Africa is the Bloc Huis in Dullstroom.
It’s an architectural gem, bringing a cabin style to Mpumalanga that you’ll usually find in the forests of Canada or Germany.
I highly recommend coming here for a cosy winter getaway or spending two nights here as a detour to the Panorama Route or Kruger National Park.
Distance from Johannesburg: 3 hours
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From 2,000 per night
Read More: Stay In A Secluded & Charming Forest Cabin In Dullstroom
Mudhouse Zululand in Hluhluwe
Imagine falling asleep to the sounds of hippos at night and waking up to endless views over Phina Private Game Reserve.
That’s exactly what you can expect from this solar-powered tree-top cabin in Hluhluwe.
Sprinkle a couple of giraffe, elephant, and zebra sightings, and you’ve got a unique safari experience.
Distance from Durban: 3 hours 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R2,100.00 per night
Read More: 24+ Incredibly EPIC Things to Do in KZN, South Africa
Glass Treehouse in Uzumbe
Straight up.
Mantis and Moon isn’t for everyone.
It is backpacker accommodation, and the bar can get quite rowdy over the December period, but in my opinion, it’s worth it.
Besides the dorms, you can book a glass treehouse entirely surrounded by a tropical forest. It’s not every day you can spot a vervet monkey from your bed.
Besides the glass cabin, you can opt for on-site yoga, experience one of the best surf spots in South Africa, or go on a boozy sunset river cruise.
Distance from Durban: 1 hour 10 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R900.00 per night
Read More: Backpacking South Africa Alone: The Perfect One Month Itinerary
Solace Cabins in Cederberg
Ever heard of Solace Cabins?
You’ve probably seen their luxury Rawsonville eco cabin (with its secret waterfall) doing the rounds on the ‘gram.
In September 2023, Solace expanded its empire by launching two new cabins on a farm in the Cederberg.
Its signature container style features a wood-fired hot tub, a hammock bed, and epic extras like a free wine-tasting voucher and a complimentary bottle of wine.
Distance from Cape Town: 2 hours 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R2,750.00 per night
Read More: 15+ Irresistible Day Trips from Cape Town
Streamside Geodome in Tulbagh
La Bruyere Farm in Tulbagh is an iconic romantic getaway in the Western Cape.
Its original geodome went viral on Instagram, and since then, the property has been rolling out epic stay after epic stay.
Its latest hit?
The Streamside Geodome cabin.
It has a wood-fired hot tub, an indoor fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, and an incredible outdoor shower.
And hey, just because these cabins are uber-romantic doesn’t mean you only need to take your boo here. I brought my best friend Jina to La Bruyere Farm for Galenstines, and it was a motherf*cking vibe.
Distance from Cape Town: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R3,400.00 per night
Read More: 10 Loved-Up Locations to Visit on Valentine’s Day in South Africa
Stonewood Mountain Cabin in Mount Bain Nature Reserve
The Stonewood Mountain Cabin is where nature takes centre stage.
Set within the 660-hectare Mount Bain Nature Reserve, it’s giving seclusion, romance, and adventure.
But the great thing about the cabin is that it’s not only for couples. Sleeping six people, it’s the perfect hideaway for groups of friends or families who want to escape Cape Town for a few days.
With a decent uncapped WiFi setup, it’s ideal for remote workers who want a change of scenery without having to dip into any annual leave.
When you’re not curled up around the fireplace, explore the nearby wine farms or tackle one of the hiking and MTB trails.
Distance from Cape Town: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 6
Cost: From R4,600.00 for two nights
The Sand Cabin in Wilderness
Nima Lodge holds a special place in my heart.
I hosted my first-ever yoga/wellness retreat there in 2022, and I’ve planned a few girl trips there in the past.
…But that was all before the Sand Cabin existed.
Seeing the property expand and offer more incredible stays in the Garden Route has been wonderful.
The Sand Cabin is designed by Stretch Architects with a Wabi-Sabi look and feel. It boasts a spectacular view of the valley below and comes with all the amenities you’ll need, including a cosy indoor fireplace.
Distance from Cape Town: 5 hours
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R6,400.00 for two nights
Read More: Staying at Nima Lodge in Wilderness, South Africa
Teniqua Treetops in Knysna
What’s better than a cabin?
A treetop cabin.
Teniqua is the perfect getaway for the more adventurous travellers out there.
I say that because you will be given a spider catcher upon check-in.
And those spiders ARE NOT small.
But if you can handle the creepy crawlies, your rewards are showstopping views of Knysna’s indigenous forest and a hot tub in your room overlooking the gorge.
Distance from Cape Town: 5 hours 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R2,255.00 per night
Read More: Staying at Teniqua Treetops in Knysna
Fountain Shack in Plettenberg Bay
Want an entire nature reserve to yourself?
Book a weekend away at the Fountain Shack.
Located inside Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay, the cabin overlooks the Indian Ocean and is charming, rustic, and adventurous all rolled into one.
If you want to spend the night here, you will need to hike to the cabin. It takes about 2 hours to walk and cannot be reached with a vehicle.
While the Fountain Shack is basic, it comes with everything you need. There’s a kitchen with the most important appliance (wine glasses) and limited hot water showers.
You will need to pack food, drinking water, firelighters, bedding, and towels.
So bring a 60-litre backpack and a decent pair of hiking shoes.
Distance from Cape Town: 6 hours 20 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 1-8
Cost: From R1,160.00 per night
Read More: 10+ Incredible Things to Do in Plettenberg Bay [WARNING: High FOMO Levels]
Kaaimans Rustic Views in Wilderness
Located on the Kaaimans River near Wilderness, this is one of those picture-perfect cabins in South Africa.
Only accessible via a short river crossing, you can spend your getaway kayaking to a nearby waterfall (equipment is included), swimming in the ocean (a 15-minute walk away), or chilling on the outside deck.
The best part?
It’s completely private.
You’ll have complete access to the river below the entire time you stay at Kaaimans Rustic Views.
Distance from Cape Town: 5 hours 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R1,600.00 per night
Read More: An Epic One Week Garden Route Itinerary (Detailed)
Bokmakierie in Clanwilliam
On a budget?
You can find incredible cabins in South Africa for under R1000.00
Case in point: The Bokmakierie bungalows at De Pakhuys in the Cederberg.
And if you’re into bouldering, welcome to your mecca.
De Pakhuys is near one of the best bouldering sites in the world, Rocklands.
But it’s still worth coming out there if you’re more into admiring rocks than climbing them.
The cabin comes with an outdoor hot tub, incredible mountain views and runs off solar power (no load shedding!).
Distance from Cape Town: 3 hours
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 3
Cost: From R850.00 per night
Read More: The Ultimate Wolfberg Arch Hiking Guide
untether on Olive View in Wellington
Rounding up this list of incredible cabins in South Africa is the fabulous untether on Olive View.
Its tagline says it all: a getaway for people to think, love, write, and explore.
Situated in the Cape Winelands, escape to an off-the-grid eco pod with high-speed WiFi, a wood-fired hot tub, a king-sized bed, and a pizza oven.
Yum!
Wake up to gorgeous mountain views, go for hikes, discover Wellington’s wine route, and indulge in meal kits made from locally sourced produce and ingredients.
Distance from Cape Town: 1 hour 30 minutes
Pet-friendly: No
Sleeps: 2
Cost: From R3,400 per night
Read More: 10+ Spectacular Road Trips in South Africa You Can’t Miss!
Have you been to any of these cabins in South Africa? Or have any recommendations? Hit ya gurl up in the comments below!
If you like it, then you better put a pin on it!
Hi Lauren, we stayed in Starry starry night just outside Montagu in their Nova dome. It is a must for nature lovers who want to spend time in nature, gaze at the stars and enjoy the luxury of the kol-kol.
Ooooh! Thank you so much for the rec! I love Montagu. It’s honestly one of my favourite destinations in the WC. And now I have another reason to go back 🙂