Buying a holiday home? Here are some of SA's best locations

Are you dreaming of snapping up a holiday home for you and your family to enjoy?

This beautifully-appointed home in Poortjies, Plettenberg Bay, has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, indoor/outdoor living areas, a covered verandah with sea views, and is within walking distance of the beach. It is on the market for R4.95 million - click here to view.

“The key to buying a holiday home is to find an area that suits your entertainment tastes. To get the most out of your investment, you’re going to want to visit the home frequently. Buyers should therefore carefully consider the long-term enjoyment of the home and make sure that there is plenty nearby to keep them eagerly anticipating their next visit to the same holiday destination for years to come,” says Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.

To help buyers decide where to start their search, Goslett shares his insights into some of the best holiday regions SA has to offer:

1. Seaside escapes in the Western Cape

This very private and tucked away property in Plettenberg Bay has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a self-contained flatlet, games room, multiple decks and more. It is selling for R2 715 625 - click here to view.

“When it comes to beachside bliss, the Western Cape is the place to be - provided you can withstand its icy waters, of course. For bustling shorelines close to trendy eateries and pubs, consider areas such as Camps Bay or Plettenberg Bay. These areas also offer great investment potential as the demand for short-term rentals in these areas is high. For more remote seaside escapes, add areas such as St Helena Bay and Wilderness to your search lists,” suggests Goslett.

This five bedroom, two bathroom home in Da Gama Bay, St Helena Bay, has classic West Coast-style and aesthetics, indoor/outdoor entertaining areas and sea views. It is on the market for R1.999 million - click here to view.

2. Bushveld retreats in Mpumalanga and Limpopo

This house in Zebula Golf Estate, Bela Bela, offers four bedrooms, five bathrooms, as well as self-contained one bedroom cottage, sunken reading room, lounge with a fireplace, entertainment decks and spaces, plus more. It is selling for R5.5 million - click here to view.

“Being the territory of the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga and Limpopo are South Africa’s best provinces for game viewings and safari holidays. Areas such as Bela Bela in Limpopo and Lydenburg in Mpumalanga are great spots that offer the proximity to the National Park, as well as the luxuries of being tourist towns filled with great restaurants and plenty of nearby day-trip opportunities.”   

This three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, has modern finishes throughout, as well as a covered patio with built-in braai. It is on the market for R2.23 million - click here to view.

3. A haven for adventurers in KwaZulu-Natal

This brand new home in St Johns Village in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, open-plan living areas with vaulted ceilings and a covered verandah. It is selling for R3.45 million - click here to view.

“Home to the Drakensburg mountain range, KwaZulu-Natal is the perfect province for avid adventurers. Areas such as Howick are close enough for those who want to do some climbing somewhere along the iconic mountain range. The area also offers plenty to do and see, from canopy tours to MTB trails and fly-fishing sites,” says Goslett.

This brand new home in St Johns Village in Howick has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and an open-plan living area with wood-burning fireplace that opens to the covered verandah. It is on the market for R3.5 million - click here to view.

As a final piece of advice, Goslett reminds buyers of the practicalities involved in owning a second property. “Wherever you decide to purchase, just make sure that you have somebody nearby who can keep it regularly maintained. If possible, hire a gardener and cleaning service to keep the place in order until your next visit.”