The Heritage Day long weekend is soon upon us, and many of us already have visions of indulging in pure lethargy. There is no better way to escape the routine frenzy of daily life than by spending a long weekend idly lazing by a pool, in a hammock, or on a stoep with your feet up and a cold beverage in hand. No hustle. No bustle. No need for a weekend to recover from a weekend. Just. Pure. Laziness.
A sudden onset of extreme lethargy is kicking in even as I start writing this piece. I fear I may slip into a near-comatose state of tranquillity just thinking about these charmingly peaceful places I’m about to mention. So sit back, relax, and enjoy being transported to some of the most R-rated (that’s “Relaxation-rated”) locations in South Africa. (To be honest, there were so many to choose from that I narrowed it down to accommodations with lazy animal names!)
You don’t need much more than room service and a swimming pool to create the perfect weekend of unadulterated R&R. Add to this a large, shady, pool-side patio, a fire pit, and regular visits from resident wildlife, and you have a complete picture of serenity. You will find all of this at Warthog Rest Private Lodge in Hoedspruit, Limpopo.
Although the lodge is self-catering, you will hardly need to do a thing, as rooms are serviced daily. A fully-equipped kitchen and braai area ensure you enjoy a true National Braai Day feast – which can be perfectly followed up by a languorous gathering under the stars, around a hypnotic boma fire.
The lodge’s main area (the middle wing) consists of an open plan lounge, dining room and kitchen. Four en-suite bedrooms are situated in two side wings, off the main area. Each room has sliding doors that open on to the large patio, overlooking the splash pool, bush, and lapa. Swap the city’s night sounds for the peaceful choir of crickets, and enjoy a quality rest in the bush.
There are few places in the world that are as easy-going as Knysna, a sleepy holiday town on the Western Cape’s glorious Garden Route. You will find your ideal idle getaway here, overlooking Knysna lagoon, at The Idle Monkey B&B.
This charming thatched home is a perfectly peaceful spot for couples and families. It offers 8 en-suite rooms with tranquil views onto the lagoon or garden, sleeping between 2 and 4 guests in each room. Enjoy the simplicity of Knysna life and just laze about on loungers around the plunge pool, enjoy the stillness of the quaint garden, and indulge in hearty breakfasts in the double volume colonial dining room, which offers magnificent views of the lagoon. Knysna has many wonderful attractions and is a favourite spot among holidaymakers, so you will be guaranteed a memorable long weekend!
No matter where you are or what you do over the long weekend, make sure you get a decent fix of R&R. Embrace the laziness while you can. The next long weekend is only in December!
What have you got planned for the lazy long weekend?
