Quick Facts
E 20°21'05''
Budget Getaways Review
Now, unless you're an esteemed member of parliament on 'official business', flying up to Kruger for the weekend would be considered a little excessive. Besides, the mozzies up there are living hell right now.
But, here's the good news. You only need to drive to Montagu for a bit of the old Land Rover game-viewing thing, for the crooning cry of the jackal cutting through the African night, for the manly feel of starched khaki against the skin.
Sound good? Well it is. African Game Lodge is about 30km from Montagu and offers a decent spread of very comfortable accommodation, secluded camping and varied activities, from game drives to mountain biking, trail running and birding trails.
What's more it's not one of those commercial sausage-making outfits. It's the real thing, with real heart and concern for nature and its future preservation.
Although sitting beyond the Budget Getaways price bracket, the mix of unique activities and easy living accommodation is a must for anyone yearning for the call of the wild. Taking a few kids along will bring down the bill, as kids under 13 pay R250, with no charge for those under three years. If money is no object there's the option of going full board.
Alternatively, if you have a 4x4 you can opt to camp at your own secluded campsite, equipped with the essentials.
A spread of six luxury thatched cottages, all spacious and with views across the Karoo plains and mountains beyond, make up the main accommodation here.
The five two-bedroom cottages and the one-bedroom cottage are tastefully decorated and has one double room and a further pair of three-quarter beds in the second bedroom. There’s a bathroom with shower and bath and equipped kitchen and open-plan living room with a fireplace.
The cottages all have a covered stoep and outside braai area leading off the living room, each with equally breathtaking views. Enough to lock you down, G&T in hand, while you catch another Africa sunset.
If there are just two of you, then you can choose from a one-bedroomed chalet, a two-person tented camp (full-board) and a two-person romantic hideaway (self-catering).
Feel free to head down to the central lodge to cool off with a midday swim, browse a book or two in the library, grab a beer from the bar, shoot some pool or, if you really have to, catch up on TV… At night join your fellow adventurers around a roaring fire in the boma, under a star-drenched sky.
The lodge’s Cheetah Conservation Awareness Program is a big focus at African Game Lodge and is included in your booking fee; you get to visit the cheetah enclosures at feeding time.
So, who said the bush has to be rough, outrageously priced, or miles from home?
"We had a wonderful time, lots of animals, good food, really nice people. If you're really interested in nature and animals, this is the place to be!"
(visited February 2012)
Klein Nektar Cottage
Montagu, Western Cape
There’s not much more you could ask for from a getaway; in fact, Klein Nektar's appeal will leave you a little tongue-tired after reporting back on your successful ...
Rate Guide
From R1287 to R2574, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Running Stream
Montagu, Western Cape
There’s no doubt that you’ll be “wowed” by the setting of this little farm cottage. The Langeberg Mountains cut the horizon, the vineyards and fyn...
Rate Guide
From R1980, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Mountain View Eco Lodge
Montagu, Western Cape
Whether it's a blast down the R62 with the boys and the bikes, or an easy-going stayover with a group of friends, Mountain View Lodge just outside of Montagu ticks a conv...
Rate Guide
From R855 to R910, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Simonskloof Mountain Retreat
Montagu, Western Cape
Described in the brochure as “your-down-to-earth-mountain-retreat”, Simonskloof is special – thanks to a remote setting and lovingly-restored accommodat...
Rate Guide
R630 per person per night for Faraway & Orange Cottage. R650 pppn for Eric's Place. R130 pppn for camping. 50% discount for children 4 -12 years old. Pets charged at R60 per pet.
Bonfrutti
Bonnievale, Western Cape
Situated at the foot of the dramatic Langeberg mountains, off the R60 between Montagu and Swellendam, Bonfrutti offers wholesome country living on a fruit and w...
Rate Guide
From R1215 to R5040, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Tibani Nature Reserve
Montagu, Western Cape
If you love remote and rugged getaways, places where you’re off-grid and left to your own devices, where fancy frills take a distant second to gobsmacking settings,...
Rate Guide
From R895 to R1295 nightly for Die Botterboomhuisie, depending on number of guests; from R485 - R685 nightly for Mongoose Campsite, depending on the number of guests.
Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve
Montagu, Western Cape
It started off with an idea for a romantic weekend for just the two of you. But then the troops and your buddies got wind of it, who in turn informed gran and gramps&hell...
Rate Guide
From R870 to R2670, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Anchorage Inn
Montagu, Western Cape
Tucked away off a quiet street in Montagu village, this character-packed, thatched getaway is the idyllic bolthole to head back to after a long day out exploring the gorg...
Rate Guide
From R595 per person nightly for a cottage.
Glen Eden Farm
Montagu, Western Cape
Glen Eden Farm is 50 hectares of countryside, just 14km outside of Montagu. There are 5 cottages and 2 glamping sites (glamourous camping). All cottages have privat...
Rate Guide
From R1500 to R3050, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Long Acres Cottages
Montagu, Western Cape
Nestling between the mountains of Montagu, Long Acres Cottages has five fully equipped self catering cottages. This 1865 Cape Georgian establishment is situated in the hi...
Rate Guide
From R900 to R1000 per unit, depending on unit and time of year
Dew Cottages
Montagu, Western Cape
Dew Cottage is a relaxed and private escape on a little organic fruit farm called Vredenshoogte - meaning 'Peaceful Heights', or, like someone aptly put it, 'The Height o...
Rate Guide
From R1100 to R2550, depending on unit, guests and time of year
360on62 Mountain View Farm Cottages
Montagu, Western Cape
360 on 62 offers self-catering farm cottage accommodation with 360-degree mountain views on a working farm just 7 kilometers outside the charming village of Montagu, in t...
Rate Guide
From R1450 to R1850 per unit, depending on unit and time of year
Ontevreden Farm
Montagu, Western Cape
Ontevreden Farm offers a family friendly guest cottage located on the host’s property, situated on a private farm overlooking the surrounding vineyards of Montagu, ...
Rate Guide
From R1700 to R3350, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland