Top 10 pet-friendly getaways in South Africa
(as rated by Getaway Magazine)

1. Twelve Apostles Hotel, Camps Bay, Cape Peninsula
If your pet means the world to you, you might want to give it the holiday of a lifetime. At the Twelve Apostles Hotel pets receive five-star service. Animals reside in your bedroom, which is fitted with specially designed pet-friendly features. An itinerary is also provided listing sights that will be of interest to both guests and pets. A one-night, two-day Smooch your Pooch Package is R1 880 a person (and pet) a night sharing (with another person).

2. Petersfield, Citrusdal, Western Cape
Petersfield comprises two secluded cottages for self-catering on a citrus-and-rooibos mountain farm. Rates start from R175 a person a night sharing.

3. Langfontein/Westbrook Guest Farm, Graaff Reinet, Eastern Cape
This central Karoo farm is in the heart of the famous Camdeboo Valley and offers self-catering (R150 a person a night) or DB&B (R300 a person a night) accommodation.

4. Starston Stud and Guest House, Colesburg, Northern Cape
Starston (off the N1 and close to the Orange River) has two large apartments sleeping five each, and has a bush boma for braais. B&B rates are R150 a person a night sharing. Tel/fax 051-753-1351.

5. Glenlea, Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Glenlea is a pet-friendly log cabin situated on the banks of a dam in the southern Drakensberg. It is located on a dairy farm and sleeps eight guests. Rates for self-catering start from R100 a person a night sharing.

6. Sunbird Guest Farm, Magaliesberg, Gauteng
This farm in a hilly region one hour northwest of Johannesburg has cottages for self-catering, a pool and numerous walking and biking trails. Rates start from R130 a person a night sharing.

7. Keenan’s Creek, Magaliesberg, Gauteng
The Creek has rondavels (sleeping two people) for self-catering in a fenced garden. Rates are R150 a person a night sharing. Tel 014-577-2209 or e-mail egoggs@mweb.co.za.

8. Hawkshead Guest Farm, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
There are five thatched cottages (sleeping two to five people each) in a Lowveld environment Jock of the Bushveld would have felt at home in. Hawkshead offers B&B or self-catering accommodation. Two-bed rooms start from R110 a person a night sharing (five-bed units are R320). Tel/fax 013-733-4265 or e-mail graham@soft.co.za.

9. Cottage Pie, Clarens, Free State
Cottage Pie is a thatched home offering three en-suite rooms (B&B or self-catering). It’s situated beside a stream beneath a sandstone outcrop in this scenic highlands area of the Eastern Free State. Rates start from R195 a person a night sharing.

10. Acorn Cottages, Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal
These cottages for self-catering are set on a 50-acre farm at the start of the Champagne Valley in the Central Berg area. Rates are R135 a person a night sharing.

Written by Justin Fox, Getaway photojournalist