Romantic getaways with mountain views

Waking up to a view of mountains, with the first light catching the peaks and coffee on the stoep, is one of the simplest pleasures there is. These are the romantic stays in South Africa where the view is the point.

The Western Cape is where most of them are. In the Cape Winelands, valleys like Franschhoek, Tulbagh and Wellington are ringed by mountains that turn purple at dusk. The Cederberg has dramatic orange rock and clear rivers, the Klein Karoo has big, empty ranges and huge skies, and the Overberg mixes mountains with fynbos and the sea. Many of these cabins have a hot tub or an outdoor bath positioned for the view.

Further north, the Waterberg in Limpopo offers mountain scenery and Big Five game together, and the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is all escarpments, forests and waterfalls, with a cooler climate that makes fireplaces part of the experience.

Mountain stays can be cold at night, even in summer, so pack a warm layer, and check whether the last part of the road is gravel. Most are worth it.