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Glamping in Stanford: The Perfect Way To Experience The Outdoors
Keen campers, but not keen on being cold in your standard camping tent? That’s us.
For those who aren’t so keen on the rough side of camping, Africamps Boutique Glamping, is then the ideal glamping experience for you.
Heated bed blankets, inside fireplace and an inverter – what more could you ask for! Absolutely makes luxury camping more pleasant.
We celebrated our birthday this year by booking our very first glamping getaway. Choosing the location was a rock paper scissor situation and the winner decided on glamping in Stanford. We wanted to make a pit stop in Hermanus for our birthday breakfast, and were set on going to Frances At Auberge.
And let’s say, we will definitely be visiting all of the Africamps glamping sites throughout the country! Yes, Africamps currently have 16 glamping sites in various parts of South Africa.
In this blog post we will cover what glamping is and how to make the most of your first glamping experience.
What is glamping?
Glamping = glamorous camping
Self catering kitchen, running water, comfortable beds (not a mattress that has lost all its air that you have ended up sleeping on the hard ground) and a spacious deck area to enjoy a braai with family and friends.
Glamping has become more popular over the last few years, and is most definitely a top choice for families wanting to experience nature and the outdoors with sophistication.
A road trip to Africamps Stanford is a mere 2 hour drive from Cape Town, and allows you to see more of South Africa’s scenic routes, including the famous whale watching destination, Hermanus.
Is glamping worth it?
Yes! So much yes!
Everyone has to do this sometime in their life. Depending on your budget and preferences play a factor in whether you are a glamper or not.
We love that everything is there already. You just need to arrive at the glamping destination and have a good time! No setting up campsite and blowing up mattresses… you get the vibe.
Luxurious Glamping Accommodation
Africamps Stanford has 10 tents with wood-fired hot tubs and are located on the Stanford Hills Wine Estate. Make sure that you book the correct tent when proceeding with the booking online.
The tents are tucked under the Klein River Mountain range and are located quite a distance from the wine farm restaurants, making your stay secluded and more private. The tents are also well spaced out so that you don’t hear what your neighbor has to say, making the glamping in Stanford experience peaceful and relaxing.
Our Polo VW got us up the hill to our glamping tent, so you don’t need a 4×4.
Self Catering Tents
The glamping tents are all self catering units, with a full equipped kitchen, crockery and cutlery and a gas stove for those load shedding days. Each glamping tent can accommodate up to 5 people, consisting of 2 double beds and 1 of the double beds having a single bunk bed above.
The outside deck is spacious where you can sit watching the kids in the hot tub, friends braaing or simply listen to the sounds of the birds amongst the protea flowers.
You can purchase wood for the indoor fireplace, outdoor braai area or the wood-fired hot tub from the Stanford Hills Estate reception area. Stanford Hills manage the Africamps Stanford glamping tents and are contactable via Whatsapp.
Their customer service is something that stood out for us, always making sure everything was in order and that we were having a wonderful stay.
3 Other Glamping Getaways That We Considered Booking
All three glamping getaway experiences are within 1.5 – 3 hours from Cape Town, making it an ideal road trip destination. End work early on a Friday and hit the roads for a glamping staycation.
1.) Africamps at Doolhof, Wellington
With the fairly new restaurant, Mila at Doolhof, on the same premises as the Africamps at Doolhof, I think that gives you enough reason to want to visit this Africamps. They are located on the Doolhof Wine Estate and lie on the banks of the Kromrivier. A must for any wine and nature lover!
Top tip: make sure you don’t miss the turnoff. If you are heading towards the Bainskloof Pass, you have gone too far.
2.) Africamps at Kam’Bati, Swellendam
The perfect family glamping experience located on the banks of the Breede River. Plenty of kid friendly activities to keep the kids busy, some including fishing, rope swinging into the river and cycling around the resort too. As for the adults, learning more about the Swellendam town History and watching sport at the resort bar.
3.) Africamps at Pat Busch, Robertson
Located in the Pat Busch Mountain Reserve, which is just outside of Robertson and +-2 hour drive from Cape Town. Just like all the other Africamps, the Robertson glamping tents are also surrounded by nature and perfect for your outdoor experience. Wine tasting, picnics on the Breede River and views of the Langeberg Mountain Range – what more can you ask for?
Other accommodation in and around Cape Town
The Perfect Way To Experience The Outdoors
There is never enough time to do all the activities that you set out to do, and of course you will come across new spots that you would like to explore while you are at the destination.
Depending on your interests, here are a few of our suggestions for activities to do during your glamping in Stanford getaway. We might be doing the first bullet point real soon!
Activities to do in and around Stanford
- Whale season (June – December every year)
- Nature walks
- Hiking trails
- Stargazing
- E-biking
- Wine tasting
- Coffee, lunch and dinners
- Fishing
- Viewing fauna and flora
But first, coffee
We had to stop by at the lovely Ou Meul in Stanford during our e-biking tour.
Best Time to Visit Stanford
We prefer to stay away from the crowds, so ideally off peak season (March – October) and mid week. However, that isn’t always the case for some of us in office jobs… (Julia). Stanford is a small town, which allows you to explore the surrounding areas like Hermanus and Gansbaai.
A glamping in Stanford road trip during whale season must be a beautiful time of the year to travel. Whale season in South Africa takes place every year between June and December. Sightings depend on various aspects, such as predators in the bays, water conditions and calving seasons. Hermanus is known for whale watching and can get really busy with plenty local and international crowds.
We’d suggest to take a day’s leave and explore during the week 🙂
How To Book Your Africamps Glamping Trip
Are you ready to book your glamping in Stanford getaway yet?
If it’s a yes, here’s how to book:
- Open up Google (or your preferred search engine) and paste this into your search tab “https://africamps.com”
- Select your preferred camp and put in your dates and search for live availability
- If there is a special, select the special that can apply to you (eg midweek special) or click on the standard rate
- Select the amount of tents (1 tent for a family of 4)
- Add the amount of adults / kids
- Add any extras (breakfast or braai pack) you can also order this when you are there
- Add your personal information
- Add your payment details
- Read T’s and C’s and proceed with the payment
- You will receive a booking confirmation on email once the payment has been processed and a Whatsapp message on the day you check in
Get booking
We highly recommend going in the winter months, as it is cosy with the hot tub, heated blankets and indoor fireplace.
We would recommend booking in advance, especially during school holidays as families book their glamping getaway months in advance. Because we went during the week, it was a lot quieter and suited us perfectly.
If you are deciding on booking a last minute glamping experience with Africamps, we would recommend requesting a specific tent, for example we stayed in tent 6 which was on the outskirts and not smack bang in the middle of all the tents.
So, what dates have you booked your glamping getaway for?
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Staycation at Shark Bay Hotel
A staycation at Shark Bay Hotel in Langebaan is the ultimate place to unwind, relax and rejuvenate.
Whether your staycation is to relax or have fun, there are many activities to do in Langebaan and it’s surrounding towns. Just a mere 1.5 hour drive from Cape Town, it’s not too far for a weekend staycation.
For those who are new here, we are twin South African travel bloggers, inspiring you to travel more! Our page is to create travel content, and showcase our travel tips and experiences. Itinerary planning can be quite time consuming, but with Lauren’s travel background, it’s like second nature to her.
In this blog post, we go into detail about our staycation at Shark Bay Hotel where we celebrated our 30th birthday!
Where is Shark Bay Hotel located?
The Shark Bay Hotel is nestled on a hill in Langebaan which overlooks the Langebaan Lagoon and West Coast National Park. The villa’s are sparsely located and surrounded by picturesque flora and fauna. Currently, there is a lot of construction work in the area so hopefully there is still space and privacy between units in a few years time. Langebaan is renowned for it being a fisherman’s town, where kitesurfing is very popular for locals and tourists and it’s a close enough drive for a weekend getaway.
How to get to Langebaan
Langebaan is approximately 1.5 hours from Cape Town, depending on how many stops you make / speed limit. Remember this road has cameras which track your average speed and fines are rather hefty.
Head onto the N7 towards Malmesbury and take exit 31 which merges left from N7 onto Melkbosstrand Rd/M19. (If you’re in need of a little coffee pitstop, the Melkbosstrand Caltex FreshStop isn’t a far detour off the main road and has a takeaway Seattle Coffee Co inside.)
Directions to your staycation at Shark Bay Hotel
Exit Melkbosstrand and turn left onto the R27 towards Langebaan and drive for +- 86km. Turn left at the Engen West Coast 1 Stop onto Langebaan Weg. The road name changes to Oostewal Road, and continue traveling straight until you get to the Langebaan Yacht Club T junction. Turn left onto Sunbird Drive, right into Park Drive and right into Stompneus Drive. The destination Shark Bay Hotel will be on your right hand side.
When returning home from your staycation at Shark Bay Hotel back to Cape Town, enter the West Coast National Park gate and take a leisurely drive and hopefully you’ll spot a few animals. You’ll most likely spot many ostriches, as there is an abundance at the moment. (Make sure to contact WCNP to check what is required when entering the park and the payment methods they take).
Villa and Hotel Overview
Hotel or villa? How do you choose?
We cannot stand sharing a bed, so we always look out for twin beds for all our destinations. The best suitable accommodation for us and our parents was Villa #5 which was absolutely LOVELY. The main hotel does not split beds into twins, therefore the reason why we opted for the villa over the hotel. We walked into the light open villa, which smelt so good of room spray (Julia has an obsession with clothing detergent and room spray).
We checked out all the rooms and were jealous of dad picking the main room in the house. Guess we will have to go back for another staycation at Shark bay Hotel to secure that main room 😉
Main room:
This large room has large corner windows which look out onto the diverse fynbos and lagoon while laying in the comfortable queen bed. A large bathtub is located behind the bed (with a wall divider), a shower and enclosed toilet.
Room 2:
Double bed, cozy and crisp bedding with an ensuite shower and toilet. The blockout curtains were a winner, even though we woke up early for the beautiful sunrise.
Room 3:
Twin beds, large ensuite with toilet and amazing shower. Perfect for us two.
If you are wanting the ultimate relaxation holiday where you do not want to cook meals and take outs are the solution, we would suggest staying in the main hotel at Shark Bay Hotel.
Shark Bay Hotel Rooms vs Freestanding Villas
Hotel
Security: The main hotel at the Shark Bay Hotel is located at the entrance of the hotel and therefore 24/7, making one feel safer if you are safety conscious.
Food: Restaurants on repeat. There is a restaurant inside the hotel for you to have breakfast, lunch and dinner all a walk away.
Bedding: Sharing beds for the win! All the hotel unit beds cannot be split into twin beds.
Location: Within walking distance to the lagoon and one of the safest spots for smaller children to swim at – Shark Bay Beach
Views: Lagoon views
Villa
Security: The villas do have alarm systems and are freestanding homes. You can set the alarm, however, you won’t be able to move around in the villa without the alarm going off. There is a security company that roams around during the day and night.
Food: Full on self catering villas with a kitchen equipped with everything that you need.
Bedding: A variety of bedding options, including twin beds in one room.
Location: Located a little further away from Shark Bay Beach. One can take a leisurely walk to the beach and the main hotel. For kids to move between the villas and the beach, might be a bit of a worry for parents as it’s slightly further away and the road is the same road that cars take to get into the WCNP from the Langebaan side.
Views: Surrounded by nature with beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Facilities
Spa lovers
For those of you who know us, know we love a good old Swedish massage.
Here at The Shark Hotel, you can spoil yourself with their Spa facilities and unwind overlooking the Langebaan lagoon. You deserve it!
Restaurant
Breakfast, lunch and dinner views overlooking the Langebaan Lagoon.
The Restaurant is located in the main hotel, which is very convenient for guests staying in the main hotel rooms. Depending on which villa you are staying in, this may be a little walk, but manageable – perhaps the dessert option can be an enticement to walk back after your meal…
Conference room
Conference by day, nature walks by night.
We know remote/hybrid working is the new in thing and we’re all for it! Sometimes we need a little team meet up/ morale booster and what better way than booking a getaway for your team to work hard during the day and unwind in the afternoons at the peaceful Shark Bay Hotel.
Your team will return home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to get back to the work routine.
Staycation at Shark Bay Hotel - where to check in?
You’ll find the friendly reception team at The Shark Bay Hotel. This is where they will assist with check in, hand over keys and answer any queries. If you are staying in one of the villas, you will be guided on how to get there, including a road map of The Shark Bay area.
Address: 8 Grysbok Close, Shark Bay Langebaan, Western Cape, 7357, South Africa.
Travel to the heart of the winelands
Interested in traveling to Franschhoek? Read more about our suggestions for a one night stay in Franschhoek.
Our Favourites
The indoor fireplace
We spent the evening at the villa and made a delicious dinner and watched the tennis. We visited during the winter months and dad made a fire, which warmed up the lounge area.
Being surrounded by nature
The lounge has beautiful views of The Langebaan Lagoon and Table Mountain can even be spotted on clear days! The villa’s are sparsely placed and you’re surrounded by fynbos, birds chirping, tortoises slowly moving along and absolutely amazing starry nights. You need to experience this yourself.
How to book your staycation at Shark Bay Hotel
Online booking and teams are available on Whatsapp.
Need a city getaway and love the idea of being surrounded by nature? Whether it is a solo winter getaway or family summer vacation, book your staycation to Shark Bay Hotel today.
Alternative dining options in the area
If you’re not eating in the restaurant, the villa’s are equipped with fully functional kitchen’s and outdoor braai areas. The kitchen is stocked with all the utensils we needed and a few extra’s too, including a coffee plunger!
We love the fact that Langebaan have eat out specials and allow for visitors to restaurant hop the specials each night.
Windtown Hotel – have specials every night of the week. They have a cosy fireplace to enjoy your meals during the winter months. A must have meal – chicken burger with chips. The rooftop area looks amazing and we envisioned going back for sundowners with friends real soon.
The Langebaan Country Club – we supported The Range Cafe by Soldato for breakfast and chatted to the lovely owners. They recently took over and have great vision with where they want to take the restaurant. Bonus that they have alternative milk options – oat milk all the way 🙂
We didn’t get to all the restaurants, but here are a few we plan on going back to:
- RocXi Beach Restaurant (located centrally near to the Spar and Waterpark)
- Pearly’s Restaurant (we’ve been here before for delicious pizza and sundowner and located centrally near to the Spar and Waterpark)
- Kaapstadt Brauhaus Langebaan (located on Mykonos side of Langebaan)
Make sure to book a spot, as they can fill up during busy seasons.
Activities to do in and around Langebaan
West Coast National Park
- Bird watching & photographing
- Fauna and Flora sightings & photographing (flower season is absolutely stunning and a must during August and September)
- Hiking
- Biking
- Braaing
- Swimming
- Boating and watersports if you own a boat
Club Mykonos
- Jet skiing
- Gambling at the casino
- Tennis and table tennis
Langebaan & Surrounds
- West Coast Fossil Park
- Thali Thali Game Drive
- Aquila Safari
- Langebaan Country Estate Golf Course
- Sunset Cruise
All of these activities are lovely outings for families. The West Coast Fossil Park is a great educational for both children and parents and not a far drive from Langebaan.
If you have any questions about our travels to Shark Bay Hotel, comment below and we will get back to you asap. We hope you have an amazing staycation at Shark Bay Hotel.
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Accommodation Suggestions in Franschhoek: One Night at La Fontaine Boutique Hotel
Where to stay during your one night in Franschhoek
These are our accommodation suggestions for travellers looking for decent accommodation in Franschhoek that won’t break the bank.
During our recent adventures to Franschhoek, we have visited various properties, and only have amazing things to say. It does get a little tricky on how to choose your accommodation, because there are so many amazing options.
Do you need a one night in Franschhoek? Or perhaps one week? One week sounds a lot better!
Keen to read about our other accommodation suggestions in Franschhoek?
Here are other suggestions on where to stay in Franschhoek.
One Night at La Fontaine Boutique Hotel
La Fontaine Boutique Hotel is a family owned hotel property group, The Oyster Collection. The hotel group has various properties throughout South Africa, which we look forward to visiting during our travels.
We love green! The garden at La Fontaine Boutique Hotel is so up our alley! There are luscious, neatly kept garden beds which adds to the tranquil environment, giving you complete relaxation. The abundance of plants and trees, creates a relaxing setting for guests to unwind in.
The Units
There are 17 suites on the property, with each unit having a unique design. Something that is quite noticeable when entering the rooms, is the detail and thought put into each of the rooms. There is a warm and cosy feeling when entering the room, making it feel somewhat like its your own home.
A hotel choice for both winter and summer. Some of the rooms have a fireplace, which goes down really well with us in the colder months 🙂 Nothing better than an indoor fire, while listening to the sounds of the rain. For those who aren’t from South Africa, Franschhoek is one of the hottest places to be in summer. On a good summer day, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius…. Clever move from the hotels’ side, there are two beautiful pools on the property located apart from each other. Plenty of space for guests to spend the day at the pool relaxing on the pool loungers.
The Bar
This spot caught our eye on arrival. The perfect little spot to have a drink with your travel companion. If you are wanting to watch some sport, have a drink or socialise with other hotel guests, this is the place to be.Location
One main key factor is the location. The hotel is centrally located in Franschhoek, and within a few kilometres to wine estates, cafes, restaurants and activities. If you are interested in exploring Franschhoek by bike, there are bicycles located on the property for a small fee. This is an ideal way to explore Franschhoek, besides walking and plus, get a good work out while you at it.
Are you planning on visiting Franschhoek?
Contact us if you would like to book at any our of accommodation suggestions.
Our thoughts on La Fontaine Boutique Hotel
The staff go out of their way to make sure your stay is a pleasant one, the rooms are modern and neat and the entire ambiance of the hotel is warm and welcoming.
If you are wanting to explore the wine farms in the Franschhoek area, La Fontaine Boutique Hotel offer shuttle service to and from the hotel. Not many properties offer this service, so this a definitely a bonus. -
Accommodation Suggestions in Franschhoek: One Night at Franschhoek Boutique Hotel
Where to stay during your one night in Franschhoek
These are our accommodation suggestions for travellers looking for decent accommodation in Franschhoek that won’t break the bank.
During our recent adventures to Franschhoek, we have visited various properties, and only have amazing things to say. It does get a little tricky on how to choose your accommodation, because there are so many amazing options.
Do you need a one night in Franschhoek? Or perhaps one week? One week sounds a lot better!
Keen to read about our other accommodation suggestions in Franschhoek?
Here are other suggestions on where to stay in Franschhoek.
One Night at Franschhoek Boutique Hotel
The Franschhoek Boutique Hotel is centrally located just off Main Road. Guests can frequent shops and cafes, and site see the town all within walking distance.
There are 12 rooms, which include luxurious baths, comfortable bedding, air-conditioning and great hospitality from the hostess. We would advise you to choose the rate including breakfast where it is served in the cozy central lounge area.
The hotel is managed by hotel group Lion Roars, who offer accommodation in Plettenberg Bay, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and a safari option at Amakhala Game Reserve, which is in the Eastern Cape.
The Units
12 rooms to choose from. All rooms are uniquely designed and offer mountain views. There are two floors, giving guests an option to stay either upstairs or downstairs.
Location
Heart of Franschhoek
Are you planning on visiting Franschhoek?
Contact us if you would like to book at any our of accommodation suggestions.
Our thoughts on Franschhoek Boutique Hotel
Cozy and comfortable staycation. They offer really good winter rates and specials that you must keep a look out for. We booked via booking.com as the rates were the most affordable online.
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Accommodation Suggestions in Franschhoek: One Night at Maison du Cap
Where to stay during your one night in Franschhoek
These are our accommodation suggestions for travellers looking for decent accommodation in Franschhoek that won’t break the bank.
During our recent adventures to Franschhoek, we have visited various properties, and only have amazing things to say. It does get a little tricky on how to choose your accommodation, because there are so many amazing options.
Do you need a one night in Franschhoek? Or perhaps one week? One week sounds a lot better!
Keen to read about our other accommodation suggestions in Franschhoek?
Here are other suggestions on where to stay in Franschhoek.
One Night at Maison Du Cap
Home away From Home.
Need a change of scenery? Maison Du Cap is the perfect little guest house, with doors opening onto the pool deck, a neat garden, with the calming sounds of the water feature in the background. A relaxing setting for an afternoon by the pool, while reading a good book!
We came across this little spot spontaneously for a work event that we had to attend in Franschhoek and Lauren’s fabulous boss booked the night for us at Maison Du Cap.
Maison Du Cap is located on a quiet road, a short walk from Franschhoek Main Road. No need to get into the car and drive when everything is so close by and within walking distance.Accommodation Units
There are 5 rooms at the guest house, accommodating a total of 12 or 13 adults, depending on the sleeping arrangements.1.) Honeymoon Suite
1 x Queen Bed (sleeps 2 x adults)
2.) Cottage
2 x Double Beds (sleeps 4 x adults)
3.) Moonlight
1 x King Bed (sleeps 2 x adults)
4.) Midnight
1 x Double Bed (sleeps 2 x adults)
5.) Chanel
1 x King Bed (sleeps 2 x adults) and
1 x Sleeper Couch (sleeps 1 x adult OR 2 x children)
Location
Heart of Franschhoek: 20 Dirkie Uys Street, Franschhoek 7690We have stayed in the Cottage and Midnight rooms and both are really comfortable. If you prefer more space and a private unit, we would recommend the cottage. The cottage is separate to the main house and has it’s own entrance, making it your own little home away from home.
Are you planning on visiting Franschhoek?
Contact us if you would like to book at any our of accommodation suggestions.
Our thoughts on Maison Du Cap
The staff are so friendly and lovely, especially Millicent! There is a braai area for guests to enjoy a boerie roll with a glass or two of wine. Being a guest house, you will have neighbours who will also have access to the main living areas within the house and backyard.
Just a tip: if you are wanting a more intimate quiet spot, I would recommend hiring out the whole guest house.
Read our full blog on the Franschhoek Boutique Hotel
