We all love the tantalising notion of having ‘off the beaten track’, exploring places that make you’re feeling that you’re only ones around, that you’ve stripped off the scales of life’s trials and tribulations and emerged revitalized and invigorated – ready to see for miles and miles, literally and figuratively.

But then reality sets in. Off the beaten track sometimes means just that: no ‘track ‘ means it takes ages to get for your chosen hideaway. And infrequently we just don’t have the  time. If the adventure to a lodge seriously starts to eat into your precious holiday, you then begin to question the alternative.

So with this in mind, listed below are some ‘off the beaten track’ places within 3-4 hours driving of Cape Town. Some are considerably closer!

De Hoop Collection

The De Hoop Collection, with its richly varied fynbos floral kingdom, lies within the little-known and untouched De Hoop Nature Reserve at the Southern coast east of cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of Africa. Here the key highway has headed inland leaving this stunning coastal reserve to its indigenous wildlife of bontebok, zebra, eland, red hartebeest and ostrich. Even within this already remote setting  you could have a call of small cottages , manor house rooms, or the aptly named ‘Koppie Alleen’ house (meaning lonely hill) standing in serene isolation in a separate portion of the reserve. The various activities include endless miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding or just enjoying the definitely empty sandy beaches.

Time from Cape Town: 3 hours

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve

This one is almost our hearts and to our home within the Cederberg Mountains. It is just about 260 km from Cape Town on a great tarred road, however the two mountain passes in between suggests that it sounds like yet another world! You permit the Mediterranean climate of the Cape and enter a rugged African wilderness with endless views of the folded mountains that reach into the gap. Here, on this unexpected setting, you discover a five star retreat with supremely comfortable rooms and suites, excellent cuisine and an inviting spa. Nevertheless it is the staggeringly beautiful surrounds which draw you there with glorious tranquillity guaranteed. Mountain biking, walking trails, guided rock art walks and sunset nature drives all make sure that humdrum lifestyle is left firmly at home. A South African natural heritage site, Bushmans Kloof Reserve also offers Africa’s largest outdoors art gallery with greater than 130 pristine San (Bushmen) rock art sites.

Time from Cape Town: 3+ hours

Tintswalo Atlantic

Tintswalo Atlantic still lies (just) throughout the city limits of Cape Town but when you weren’t staying here, you wouldn’t even are aware of it existed. It lies hidden away within the Cape of fine Hope Nature Reserve slightly below the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. You can’t even get there in a regular car and wish to be collected from their gates. This exquisite, luxurious beach lodge is tucked away right at the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean giving glorious views across Hout Bay. Indeed whenever you are ensconced to your beachside suite, you are going to hardly know you were so as regards to the town. Only the twinkly lights around the bay at night would provide you with any clue. 

Time from Cape Town: 30-40 minutes

Bartholomeus Klip

An alternative choice which won’t wear out the rubber of your tyres is Bartholomeus Klip which lies between the Cape Winelands and the picturesque village of Tulbagh. This beautifully restored Victorian country homestead is ready in its own private nature reserve with walking, nature drives, canoeing and mountain biking on offer. Otherwise you can just park out by its tranquil farm dam with a ripping read in hand. Bartholomeus Klip is a winning smorgasbord of fine cuisine, charming accommodation and utter tranquillity.  

Time from Cape Town: 1½ hours

Sanbona Game Reserve

There are other game lodges that are toward Cape Town but this one is the $64000 McCoy. As a result of its location off the street less travelled, the scenic R62, in addition to the sheer size of Sanbona Game Reserve, you truly do feel such as you are far from all civilization. Sanbona offers 54,000 ha of undulating mountains and plains, indigenous wild flowers and San (Bushman) rock art in addition to surprisingly good game-viewing. This includes all the ‘Big Five’ and is unquestionably the right wildlife reserve within the Western Cape. There’s a decision of 3 lodges but for a real sense of wilderness, we advise Dwyka Tented Camp , an opulent tented camp set in a remote rocky kloof.

Time from Cape Town: 3-4 hours

Abalone House

Abalone House is absolutely not ‘off the beaten track’ in itself, however the picturesque fishing village of Paternoster certainly is. This can be where to absolutely relax either in the beginning, or the tip, of a Cape holiday. There’s not a myriad things ‘to do’ so that you will feel no guilt for not doing them. A lonely walk along the 7 km of sandy beach, a trip to Columbine nature reserve for its glorious spring flowers and fynbos, a bracing swim inside the waves of the Atlantic ocean or a quiet seafood lunch at an area restaurant – that’s about all that’s on offer here. What a hardship! Abalone Home is a small luxury retreat with just ten rooms, an exuberantly furnished main lodge and a good little restaurant.

Time from Cape Town: 2 hours

Oudrif Farm

Yes i do know – another lodge within the Cederberg mountains. What am i able to say; i’m biased and happy with it! Oudrif Farm is an actual gem. The best attraction of Oudrif should be its complete isolation within a hidden kloof (valley) offering complete relaxation for weary city slickers and adventurers alike. Even their directions provide you with a feeling of this as you’re instructed to ‘turn right on the large painted rock after which left at an old wheel’…However Oudrif has lots to entice guests: natural rock pools for swimming year round, spring flowers, the odd spot of fishing, rock art sites amongst indigenous fynbos, walking, star-gazing and delicious meals rustled up by your host Bill in his seemingly effortless manner.

Time from Cape Town: 3 hours