When given the task of organising family holidays, it’s fun to tailor those tattered travel cloths, and stitch together an entirely new itinerary that covers the must-haves for the masses. Irrespective of how big your party of people is, there are many, many little particulars to consider. Once you’ve established the where, when and how much, it’s onto the what will we do, who will cook what, and what if there’s no WiFi? The holiday planning in itself warrants the holiday. And more often than not, once that perfectly-planned getaway has been and gone-away, you’re in need of another. Only because you completely forgot to do what you promised to do – shut off, shut down, and tell those emails to shut up.
So what if we surreptitiously schemed that promise into your next holiday, by removing all temptation? How about you do what you’ve always wanted to do, and go off grid for a week? Or two. It’s not only about being conscious with your kids, and sustainability, but with your soul, too. We have a lovely cluster of irresistibly beautiful properties, that are all totally off the grid and giving way to Science’s antiquated aunt, Nature, and her powers of persuasion. It is, after all, primal practice to revert to our ways in the wild, and allow it to educate us once again.
Here are a selection of our off the grid Hideaways…
Klipspringer, Calitzdorp
High up, in the Redhill Mountains, this property is completely off the grid, powered only by solar. There is no cell phone reception, no WiFi, and no distracting from the never-ending view of the Swartberg valley. This property was built with the intent to reconnect with what truly exists around us.
Karoo Hideaway, Montagu
Hidden in a secret valley, this luxury safari cabin-style-tent has all the charisma and romance required to rinse your thoughts – much like Robert rinsed Meryl’s locks – of any need for cell phones and laptops. Watching the stars from the copper bathtub on the deck, is the only entertainment you’ll be lusting after.
Seagull Cottage, Churchhaven
So much fun in the sun to be had at this solar-powered beach cottage in the West Coast National Park, upon the translucent waters of the blue lagoon. It’s all about the ways of living, loving, walking, talking, swimming and snoozing at this hideaway, without any want for WiFi or cell phone coverage.
Stoney Cottage, Touwsberg Nature Reserve
Completely secluded and encased in nature, this stoney, solar-powered cottage with wrap around verandah inspires and evokes all things native and natural, as it opens itself out to the most spectacular surroundings. Wild as we like it, only authentic tweets can be heard from night owls, and not those from a smartphone.
Tankwa River Lodge, Tankwa Karoo
Vast, undulating lands, free-roaming game, endless skies and weaving roads all lead you to this special spot in the Karoo. Open, roaring fireplaces keep the fully sustainable farmhouse alight and alive. Lest forget, the sunrises and sunsets. If you really, really need it, there is WiFi, and a landline. But no cell reception.
Summerhill, Blombos
Sternly sitting atop a sand dune, overlooking the great open ocean, this beach house powers itself up by the sun and sits in it all day long. You’ll be busy whale watching and swimming in the warm waters, stargazing above the big night fires, telling tales, because there’s no Wi-Fi.
Wings, Struisbaai
With nothing else in sight, other than kilometres of fynbos, and the ocean itself, this off the grid beach house, nestled in a private nature reserve, inspires the artist in all of us, with its constant canvas of colour. There is WiFi and cell phone coverage, but you’ll find you’d rather feed your imagination with what’s going on around you.
Eagle Owl Camp, Timbavati Game Reserve
Deep in the bush of the Greater Kruger, amongst the birds and the beasts, this completely, consciously eco hideaway does as little as possible to distract or disturb the life that’s happening around it. With the abundance of wildlife on your doorstep, it’d be highly frowned upon to go seeking a WiFi connection.
Camp Karoo, Kleinpoort
Over 700 hectares of naked Karoo bushveld, surrounded by mountains and watering holes for the antelope and giraffe passing by, this African farmhouse is entirely yours to occupy. Feel free to sing to the stars, dance footloose and free, no one is listening or watching. Or posting it on social media because there’s no access to it.
Letting go of the ways we feel obliged to exist and operate, is not only cathartic, but a tiny token of gratitude to land we inherently inhabit. Even if for only a fleeting fling. There might not be any WiFi on most of these properties, but be rest assured you will find a better connection to all that really matters in life. Your soul will love the souvenir you bring home with you.
Perfect Hideaways has over 300 curated properties across South Africa. If you’d like to stay in one of these hidden gems, contact us on [email protected] or +27 21 790 0972 so that we can help you find your perfect hideaway.
