Family-friendly vacation rentals in Vaal River

Re-Link on the Dam

✨ Modern eco-luxury on the water’s edge – your perfect Vaal Dam escape. Unwind in modern comfort on the tranquil banks of the Vaal Dam. This eco-friendly retreat combines sleek design with breathtaking waterfront views, offering the perfect balance of luxury and relaxation. Step inside to discover a spacious open-plan living area with a fully equipped kitchen, lounges, and dining space all flowing onto a large patio designed for gatherings with family and friends. Enjoy three stylish downstairs bedrooms (two sharing a bathroom, one en-suite) plus a luxurious upstairs main suite with its own balcony and stunning dam views. Outdoors, watch the sunset over the water, braai with loved ones under the stars, or simply relax as the moonlight shimmers on the dam. For thrill-seekers, the vast waters of the Vaal are perfect for boating, water sports, and endless fun. Just over an hour from Johannesburg, this serene escape is close enough for convenience yet far enough to feel worlds away. Whether you’re here to recharge, celebrate, or explore, this property offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay.

Grassroots Guesthouse - DRAKENSBERG ECO ESTATE

PRIVATE ECO ESTATE: CENTRAL DRAKENSBERG Recently purchased and fully renovated - Grassroots is ready to welcome you! We have designed the house with our guests' happiness at heart. The house is in the exclusive private eco estate - Cathkin Estate, bordering the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. The estate exceeds 1,000 hectares, with an abundance of free roaming wildlife (zebra, eland, wildebeest, oribi etc) and a host of birds and flora. A dreamy location for any nature lover!

Swerwersrus Farm Stay - Plaasstoep

Plaasstoep is an intimate self-catering cottage, nestled on a smallholding just outside the city limits of Bloemfontein. It features two bedrooms that can sleep four guests in total, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. Enjoy the beautiful Free State veld from the farm-style stoep, with a braaier. Guests have access to Wi-Fi. However, there is no TV in the unit. Past guests prefer to take a moment to enjoy the expansive view and star-filled nights. A short gravel road of 1.4km leads you to the unit.

Loft Room @ Craigrossie

The Loft Room@Craigrossie is a self-catering space for two on Craigrossie Game Farm, 8 km (3kms on good gravel road) outside of Clarens towards Golden Gate. The self-contained space has a loft room with views over the dams & mountains, a queen bed with 100% cotton bedding, bathroom and a kitchenette downstairs. A borehole supplies water. DSTV, WiFi, tea, coffee & kitchen essentials (spices & olive oil) are provided. Bring your own rod for catch & release trout fishing (daily rod fees apply).

Enjoy exquisite style at Clarens Mountain House

Step into another world when you stay at the Clarens Mountain House. Perched high up on the slopes of Mount Horeb, overlooking the beautiful town of Clarens, this home is second to none. Located in the Eastern Free State and surrounded by the pinks and yellows of the renowned sandstone mountains, the Mountain House offers views out towards Golden Gate, the Maluti Mountains and down into the valley over the busy little town full of its art galleries, restaurants and the well known Brewery

Waterfall River Lodge

This is a unique, comfortable, fully kitted, self-catering house sleeping 8/10 people. Hidden in a quiet corner of our working farm it overlooks a pristine section of the Wilge River, with the famous waterfall and Nelson's Kop mountain providing spectacular scenery. Guests will be able to enjoy absolute peace, uninterrupted views and walks in almost every direction. Please note that the property is remote and the last 200m of the access road will require a high clearance vehicle.

Peach Trees Cottage Clarens

A beautiful cottage surrounded by peach trees and mountains - is situated in a secluded corner of Clarens, Free State, South Africa. Peach Trees offers accommodation for two people in quiet surroundings, amazing views, while being close to the village centre. The cottage has a gas hob, under counter fridge, and ample space for cooking and braaing and a wood burning fireplace. There is a desk and free WIFI for those who may need to work or connect while away from home.

Llandaff Summer House

Llandaff House Van Reenen is 4 bedroom California style house built in 1950's. Perched on the edge of the escarpment with a fabulous view. Laze for days in front of the massive fireplace, or venture out and explore one of the 3 gorges. Start your holiday here on route to the coast or meet friends mid-way from JHB & Durban for a getaway or celebration, or a wedding at the little church just up the road. We also have 3 cottages, Woodlands and The Barn and The Old Barn.

The Goodland - Cottage One

Perfect for a relaxing couple’s mountain getaway or work remotely. The garden boasts 200 year old trees and abundant bird life. Enjoy panoramic mountain views from the veranda. The cottage boasts an uber comfy king size bed, fluffy towels included. En-suite bathroom with walk-in shower. Well equipped kitchen with Nespresso machine. Fast WIFI. Netflix. Cozy fireplace for cold days. Fire pit. All self-catering. Explore nearby shops and restaurants or hike in the berg.

Clarens Villa Apartment

This unique place has a style all its own. One bedroom en-suite apartment joined to a main house with self catering facilities. The living area is heated by a wood burning fire place and the bedroom en-suite has an air conditioner. Braai facilities on site as well as a Smart TV with DSTV and WiFi. Two to three kms from the centre of town, on a mountain side. It is the bottom level of a three storey house but completely private and not affected by loadshedding.

Sunbird Cottage - Relaxed Farm Getaway

Sunbird Cottage is on a working farm 30km from Volksrust and Wakkerstroom Wetlands, it is a place to come and relax and recharge, we are off grid. There is great birding, walking, mountain biking and bass fishing on site, there are also kayaks for the dams. The cottage overlooks a gorge that goes down to the Slang River with an indigenous forest and has great views over the valley towards Amajuba Mountain and Battlefields for those interested in history.

Vaal River Weekend Getaway - House 10

"Windmill on Vaal" is situated on "Windsor on Vaal" on Vaal river, and only 50 minute drive from Joburg, the perfect get away to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the open air, rolling lawns and river side views. If you enjoy river sports, fishing, bird life, and sunsets, this is an ideal location for a weekend stay or longer. Enjoyed in both summer and winter, our place is equipped with heating, and airconditioning. There is also access to the free wifi.