The Best Airbnbs in South Africa, for Every Sort of Itinerary
South Africa is expansive, to say the least. Made up of nine provinces, there’s an abundance of choice when it comes to traveling here–not only in region, but also in climate, culture, history, and itinerary. . . .
South Africa is expansive, to say the least. Made up of nine provinces, there’s an abundance of choice when it comes to traveling here–not only in region, but also in climate, culture, history, and itinerary. One of the best ways to experience the rich tapestry of this country is by staying in an Airbnb, where local life comes to the fore. Hosts will often provide insider recommendations, including places to visit, see, and dine; occasionally, also offering locally grown (or caught) ingredients for a traditional eveningbraaiin the garden. The Best Airbnbs in South Africa, According toVogue:For Countryside Living:Vrede Farmhouse, Eastern Cape, from $182 per nightFor Panoramic Atlantic Views:Moya Vista, Cape Peninsula, from $299 per nightFor Exploring Cape Town:Woodside Studio, Cape Town, from $194 per nightFor Safari-spotting from the Grounds:Magaliesberg Mountain Lodge, Gauteng Province, from $200 per nightFor an Off-the-Grid Escape:River House at Utopia, North West Province, from $146 per nightIt’s nearly impossible to see the whole country in one visit, so the best way to make decisions about your trip to South Africa is to narrow down your wishlist. If big-city energy appeals, with days spent wandering between markets and museums before settling into a top table for dinner, then the Western Cape—home toCape Town—might be the best choice. If you’d prefer a get-away-from-it-all escape, one where you wake with the sunrise, eat eggs from resident chickens for breakfast, and plan the rest of the day around your mood, then head for the North West province or the Eastern Cape. If you’re visiting for theBig Five, look to the province of Mpumalanga bordering Kruger National Park, where you can see them all. And if you really can’t decide (or simply want the best of everything), then Gauteng or the North West province might just be the answer. Both regions are home to countryside retreats that sit just a short drive to Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as to safari parks where the Big Five roam. Get a head start by booking one of the best Airbnbs in South Africa, each offering a slice of local life in the varied regions across the country. Vrede FarmhouseCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communitySurrounded by pine and fynbos, Vrede Farmhouse is a working farm and a favorite with families. Mornings here might start with a wander around the grounds, collecting fresh eggs for breakfast–always best eaten on the outdoor terrace with views of the Eastern Cape’s Tsitsikamma Mountains. Afterwards, it’s off to the nearby hiking and biking trails–although if you have young children, they might prefer a morning in the sandpit. Inside, farmhouse-style wooden beams and concrete floors anchor you in countryside living; kilim rugs and woven pendant lighting create an elevated-boho feel. Rooms:3 bedrooms, 2 bathroomsAmenities:Kitchen, washer, garden, outdoor firepit, on-site parkingLocation:Witelsbos, Eastern CapeKaya HiCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityIn the foothills of Kouebokkeveld’s Skurweberg Mountains, this stone-built home feels about as far away from it all as the modern world allows, all without ever forgoing comfort or style. You’ll need a 4x4 (and experience traversing mountain roads) to reach it, but the journey only sets you up for what’s in store: days spent seeking out fresh streams that cut through mountain trails, and tranquil evenings dining al fresco on grilled dishes, before sinking into the wood-fired hot tub, your evening lit by a canopy of stars. Rooms:1 bedroom, 1 bathroomAmenities:Kitchen, garden, hot tub, outdoor firepit, on-site parking, pets allowedLocation:Kouebokkeveld Mountains, Western CapeMoya VistaCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityThere’s an air of cinematic romance in this charming home, which is a 45-minute drive from the center of Cape Town, and 30 minutes from Cape Point Vineyards. Set mountainside, summer evenings are spent on the terrace or splashing in the pool, both overlooking the South Atlantic Ocean. Mealtimes are all about eating local; perhaps you’ll whip up an Italian feast in the property’s pizza oven, topped with vegetables and herbs plucked from the on-site gardens, or grill some fresh fish, caught by your host earlier that day (make sure to put in a request). Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead the way back inside, where a soft natural light pours over a curated collection of vintage furniture. On chillier nights, settle into the wood-fired sauna and hot tub; both boast that same ocean view. Rooms:3 bedrooms, 2 bathroomsAmenities:Kitchen, washer, outdoor grill, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub, on-site parkingLocation:Cape Peninsula, Western CapeWoodside StudioCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityIf the aim of your stay is to experience Cape Town’s buzzy center, there’s probably no better place than Woodside Studio. Located in Tamboerskloof, a popular residential neighborhood, it’s just a 10-minute drive south to Table Mountain and a 10-minute drive north to the V&A Waterfront where shops (designer, boutique, and local), restaurants, and museums await–don’t miss Zeitz MOCAA, home to the world’s largest collection of contemporary African art. After a full day, design-forward Woodside is a warm welcome home with double-height ceilings (and plants almost as tall as them), textured, terracotta-tiled walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to an outdoor patio for summer evenings outdoors. Rooms:1 bedroom, 1 bathroomAmenities:Kitchen, washer, dryer, AC, outdoor grill, on-site parkingLocation:Cape Town, Western CapeMagaliesberg Mountain LodgeCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityIt’s not uncommon to see zebras, giraffes, or baboons cooling off at Magaliesberg Mountain Lodge’s waterhole. Set across 18 hectares of land right near the Plumari Game Reserve–home to the Big Five–this property promises a unique accommodation experience. Located in Gauteng, one of South Africa’s most popular provinces for tourists, game drives are an obvious (and wonderful) way to fill your time, but on the days you want to venture elsewhere, hot-air ballooning, horse riding, and quad biking tours all set off nearby too. Pretoria and Johannesburg are less than a 90-minute drive away. To unwind, head to the property’s garden pool for views across the bush, or to the thatch-covered terrace, where lazy days segue into long evenings gathered around thebomafor a traditionalbraai. Rooms:2 bedrooms, 1 bathroomAmenities:Kitchen, washer, garden, outdoor grill, swimming pool, on-site parkingLocation:Hekpoort, Gauteng ProvinceRiver HouseCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityOff-grid in the best possible way, there’s no television at River House–and that’s the whole point. Who needs it when you have so much stunning nature to gaze at, morning, noon and night?Instead, it’s board games on the balcony,braaisat theboma, and friendly games of tennis at the on-site courts. Kids will love the play park, but will be equally entertained by the estate's abundant nature, screen-time requests soon replaced by pleas to run around the gardens, climb the trees, and splash in the Sterkstroom River (which is just steps from your front door). By night, it’s unhurried dinners followed by storytelling and stargazing around the fireplace, before dozing off to the soothing sound of the trickling river. In search of safari? Pilanesberg National Park is a short drive away, and home to the Big Five. Rooms:3 bedrooms, 2 bathroomsAmenities:Kitchen, shared garden, resort access, outdoor firepit and grill, on-site parkingLocation:Buffelspoort, North West ProvinceTussenklip Honeymoon SuiteCourtesy of the Airbnb photographer communityThere’s more than one reason that Tussenklip Honeymoon Suite found a place on our list of the bestAirbnbs for a honeymoon; not least its utter seclusion, with only the sounds of the wild to send you into a slumber each night. But, far from being a place for just newlyweds, this one-bedroom, back-to-nature home is a perfect spot for any couple looking for a romantic stay in nature. And you’ll struggle to find somewhere more at one with its surroundings; ancient boulders form its inside walls (Tussenklip means “between a rock and a hard place” in Afrikaans) and mountain views stretch far and wide from the terrace. Kruger National Park, home to the Big Five, is only half an hour away by car. Rooms:1 bedroom, 1 bathroomAmenities:Kitchen, outdoor firepit and grill, hot tub, on-site parkingLocation:Matsulu, Mpumalanga Province