Weekend Getaways Outside Gqeberha
Bea Punt, 2 March 2026
Reading time: 6 minutes
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and head for an unforgettable adventure in the picturesque Eastern Cape. Less than a three-hour drive from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), you’ll find a treasure trove of weekend getaways catering to couples seeking a romantic retreat and friends or families planning a fun group escape. Whether you crave a break by the water or an adventure-filled refuge in the heart of nature, this region has something for everyone. With an abundance of cosy cottages, charming glamping tents, and luxury homes, your options for a self-catering weekend are limitless. In this blog, LekkeSlaap shows you which hidden gems await in this beautiful part of South Africa.
AfriCamps Addo
Addo
Distance from Gqeberha: ±74 km
Facilities: Swimming pool, wood-fired hot tub, free Wi-Fi, and braai facilities.
This boutique glamping experience is situated on the beautiful Hayterdale Trails property at the foot of the Zuurberg Mountains in the heart of Addo. There are eight structured tents, each sleeping five guests. Each tent features two bedrooms with ceiling fans and a private bathroom with a shower. The open-plan living area has a fully equipped kitchenette, a dining table, a couch, and a fireplace. This leads to a large deck with braai facilities, a hammock, and a wood-fired hot tub. When you aren’t busy braaiing or relaxing in the hot tub, you can explore scenic mountain bike, trail running, and hiking routes through yellowwood forests and across bushveld hills. Keep an eye out for over 160 bird species, as well as sable and nyala!
La Maison Cottage
Nxuba (Cradock)
Distance from Gqeberha: ±246 km
Facilities: Swimming pool, braai facilities, and free Wi-Fi.
This charming cottage for a couple is located on the owners’ property in the heart of Nxuba (Cradock), offering spacious, luxury accommodation near local shops, restaurants, and activities. The spacious cottage has one air-conditioned bedroom with a double bed, an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower, a fully equipped kitchen including a dishwasher, and an open-plan living area with air-conditioning, DStv, and Netflix. Outside, there is a big veranda with built-in braai facilities that overlooks a lush garden and communal swimming pool.
Seal Point Lighthouse
Cape St Francis
Distance from Gqeberha: ±109 km
Facilities: Bar, free Wi-Fi, and an on-site restaurant.
It’s not every day you get the chance to sleep in a lighthouse! Seal Point Lighthouse, at the tip of the Cape St Francis peninsula, offers beachfront accommodation where history and old-world charm meet perfectly. There are two stylish wings on either side of the lighthouse: the East Wing and the West Wing. Breakfast is provided, along with red and white wine, still and sparkling water, gin, whiskey, and everything needed to make a Negroni cocktail. The ‘Nevermind’ restaurant next door is a café and bakery serving breakfast, fresh treats, and fire-cooked lunches and dinners.
Kleinrivier Mountain Escapes Black Eagle Tented Camp
Uitenhage
Distance from Gqeberha: ±70 km
Facilities: Braai facilities
Nestled between pristine mountain fynbos and riverine forests, Kleinrivier offers private self-catering units on a 3,000-hectare wilderness farm. Bordering the Groendal Nature Reserve, it boasts a variety of hiking trails leading to mountain pools, with plenty of birdlife and game like kudu and klipspringer grazing on-site. The farm boasts beautiful units that feature comfortable beds, private bathrooms, well-equipped kitchenettes, lounge areas with fireplaces, and private verandas with views of the surroundings.
Klein Plekkie Self-catering Accommodation
Sunland
Distance from Gqeberha: ±70 km
Facilities: Braai facilities and free Wi-Fi.
Ideal for those seeking a rustic, rural getaway, Klein Plekkie is situated on a dam’s edge on a citrus farm in Sunland, about 15 minutes from Addo Elephant National Park’s main gate. The house has three bedrooms, sleeping five guests. The kitchen is fully equipped, and the outdoor living area features seating, braai facilities, and a TV with a smart box (Netflix and DStv Now). A small wooden deck floats on the dam – perfect for sundowners. There is also a fire pit on the dam’s edge, board games, kayaks, and a small rowing boat for hours of fun on the water.
Land’s End Private Game Reserve,
Makhanda (Grahamstown)
Distance from Gqeberha: ±128 km
Facilities: Braai facilities, swimming pool, and wood-fired hot tub.
Land’s End is a stunning holiday villa on a farm surrounded by incredible scenery just outside Makhanda. It’s perfect for large groups of family or friends as it can sleep up to 26 guests in six bedrooms. The beautiful living area includes a kitchen with a gas stove and a dining table, as well as a cosy lounge with a fireplace. Outside, you’ll find a covered veranda with a built-in braai, hammocks, a large garden, swing chairs, a swimming pool, and a wood-fired hot tub. The villa is solar-powered and completely off-grid, so load shedding won’t be an issue here.
Ikwanitsha Lodge
10 km from Paterson
Distance from Gqeberha: ±75 km
Facilities: Bar, on-site restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.
Located on a 300-hectare reserve with zebras, ostriches, and various antelope, this lodge offers easy access to Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari Game Reserve. There are four chalets built on stilts, offering breathtaking views of the valley, Bushmans River, and the Zuurberg Mountains. Each chalet sleeps a couple and features a queen-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, a kitchenette, and a covered deck. Breakfast is included and served at the bush bar, which also offers snacks and traditional South African dinners at an extra cost. It’s the perfect place for a sundowner after a day of exploring.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway with your significant other or planning an unforgettable weekend adventure with friends, the Eastern Cape, with its diverse landscapes and abundant accommodation options, is the ideal destination. Book now, pack your bags, and leave your worries at home, because a dream holiday surrounded by nature is less than a three-hour drive away!
Book your stay near Gqeberha on our site today!
Feature image: AfriCamps Addo
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