Where to Stay for a Long Weekend in August: 5 Places to Stay on the Garden Route
Wondering whether there is a long weekend in August? The answer is yes – and it could be the perfect opportunity to escape to the coast. If you love birding, flower season, the beach, sea shell’s, this one’s for you!
National Women’s Day is celebrated on 9 August in South Africa. In 2026, it falls on a Sunday, which means Monday, 10 August is observed as a public holiday in South Africa.
That gives South Africans a natural three-day August long weekend from Saturday, 8 August to Monday, 10 August 2026.
Take Friday, 7 August as just one day of annual leave and you can enjoy four consecutive days away:
Friday, 7 August to Monday, 10 August 2026
Instead of letting the long weekend pass at home, pack the car, bring your favourite people and escape to Kanon Private Nature Reserve for a few peaceful days beside the sea.
New Winter Rates for 2026
View Kanon’s 2026 winter rates. All self-catering accommodations are priced per night and scale according to the number of guests, making it straightforward to calculate the value for your specific group.
Shell Catcher
from
R2000
per night
Sleeps 1-6 Pax
Min 2 Nights Stay
Nguni View
from
R1750
per night
Sleeps 1-6 Pax
Min 2 Nights Stay
Khoekhoen
from
R2000
per night
Sleeps 1-6 Pax
Min 2 Nights Stay
Fynbos
from
R3000
per night
Sleeps 1-6 Pax
Min 2 Nights Stay
Periwinkel
from
R4950
per night
Sleeps 1-10 Pax
Min 2 Nights Stay
Make More of the August Long Weekend
A normal weekend often feels as though it ends just as you begin to relax. An August long weekend gives you enough time to slow down properly.
You can arrive on Friday, wake up beside the ocean on Saturday, spend Sunday walking the beach and still have Monday to enjoy before heading home.
Kanon Private Nature Reserve is situated at Cape Vacca on the Cape South Coast, approximately 42 kilometres from Mossel Bay. It offers five distinctive self-catering accommodation options surrounded by coastal fynbos, open skies and an unspoilt beach.
Whether you are planning a romantic escape, a family weekend or a trip with friends, these are five memorable places to stay on the Garden Route this August.
Explore Kanon’s Garden Route accommodation
1. Khoekhoen Glamping Village
For a long weekend that feels completely different from an ordinary hotel stay, choose Khoekhoen Glamping.
The glamping village consists of three individually styled luxury tents, accommodating up to six guests. Each tent has its own en-suite bathroom, while a central kitchen, lounge and dining tent provide a comfortable shared space overlooking the ocean.
It is ideal for couples travelling together, close friends or a small family group looking for a memorable coastal experience.
Spend your evenings around the fire, listen to the waves from your tent and wake to fresh sea air and birdsong.
Best suited to: Couples, friends and guests looking for luxury glamping on the Garden Route.
2. Periwinkel Beach House
Travelling with a larger family or group of friends? Periwinkel Beach House accommodates up to ten guests.
Situated at the edge of Cape Vacca, the house enjoys an extraordinary position close to the water, with expansive sea views and direct access to the coast.
Its generous living and entertainment spaces make it a natural gathering place for long lunches, shared meals and evenings spent reconnecting with family and friends.
With space for everyone to relax, Periwinkel is one of the most distinctive places to stay on the Garden Route for a group getaway.
Best suited to: Extended families, groups of friends and milestone celebrations.
3. Fynbos Beach Cottage
Fynbos Beach Cottage is a three-bedroom self-catering cottage accommodating up to six guests.
Surrounded by indigenous coastal vegetation and positioned within easy reach of the beach, it offers a peaceful and more tucked-away atmosphere.
The cottage is particularly well suited to nature lovers, birdwatchers and guests who want to spend their August long weekend walking, reading, resting and enjoying the surrounding landscape.
It is a place where the pace naturally becomes slower and the noise of everyday life begins to disappear.
Best suited to: Families, couples, birdwatchers and nature lovers.
4. Shell Catcher Beach Cottage
For old-world coastal character, consider Shell Catcher Beach Cottage.
Dating back to approximately 1890, Shell Catcher is one of Kanon’s oldest surviving buildings. The three-bedroom cottage accommodates up to six guests and is conveniently positioned for easy access to the beach and natural bathing pools.
Its wooden floors, relaxed atmosphere and proximity to the sea make it a charming option for families who want a simple and authentic beach holiday.
Children can explore the shoreline while parents settle into the slower rhythm of a long weekend beside the ocean.
Best suited to: Young families and guests who appreciate historic beach-cottage character.
5. Nguni View Beach Cottage
Nguni View Beach Cottage is another excellent option for families.
The renovated three-bedroom cottage accommodates up to six guests. Its upstairs family living area and deck offer beautiful views towards the sea, while the beach is only a short walk away.
The open-plan living spaces make it easy for families to spend time together, whether preparing breakfast, playing games or relaxing after a day outdoors.
Nguni View combines space, comfort and convenient beach access for an easy August family getaway.
Best suited to: Families with children and groups of up to six guests.
What Can You Do at Kanon During an August Long Weekend?
You do not need a packed itinerary to enjoy Kanon. The real luxury is having time and space to decide what you feel like doing when you wake up.
Your long weekend could include:
- Early-morning walks along the beach
- Birdwatching among the coastal fynbos
- Fishing with the appropriate permit
- Running, hiking or mountain biking
- Exploring rock pools and the shoreline
- Reading with an uninterrupted ocean view
- Preparing relaxed self-catering meals
- Enjoying an evening braai beneath the stars
- Simply listening to the waves and doing nothing
August is also an excellent time to enjoy the quieter side of the Garden Route, away from the busier summer holiday period.
Plan Your Future Long Weekends with Kanon’s Cheat Sheet
The August public holiday is only one opportunity to enjoy a longer break.
Kanon’s online Leave Days Cheat Sheet shows you how to combine public holidays, weekends and carefully selected annual-leave days to create longer holidays while using fewer leave days.
You can use it to find upcoming three-day, four-day, five-day, seven-day and nine-day breaks.
Open the Kanon Leave Days Cheat Sheet
You can also use the complete calendar to view South African public holidays, observed holidays, long weekends, school terms and future travel opportunities from 2026 onwards.
View the South African Public Holiday Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions About the August Long Weekend
Is There a Public Holiday in August?
Yes. National Women’s Day is a South African public holiday celebrated annually on 9 August.
Do We Have a Public Holiday in August 2026?
Yes. National Women’s Day falls on Sunday, 9 August 2026. Monday, 10 August 2026 is observed as the public holiday.
Is There a Long Weekend in August 2026?
Yes. The observed public holiday on Monday, 10 August creates a three-day long weekend from Saturday, 8 August to Monday, 10 August 2026.
How Can I Make the August Long Weekend Longer?
Book Friday, 7 August as annual leave. You will then have four consecutive days away from Friday, 7 August through Monday, 10 August.
Are There Any Long Weekends in August Every Year?
Not necessarily. National Women’s Day is always on 9 August, but the day of the week changes each year. Check Kanon’s public holiday calendar to see whether it creates a long weekend in the year you are planning to travel.
Where Can I Stay on the Garden Route for the August Long Weekend?
Kanon Private Nature Reserve offers five self-catering options at Cape Vacca near Mossel Bay: Khoekhoen Glamping, Periwinkel Beach House, Fynbos Beach Cottage, Shell Catcher Beach Cottage and Nguni View Beach Cottage.
Book Your August Long Weekend on the Garden Route
Long weekends are among the first dates to fill, especially when only a limited number of accommodation options are available.
Choose the cottage or glamping experience that suits your group, enter your preferred dates and check the live rates and availability online.
One day of leave could be all that stands between you and four days beside the sea.
Check availability and book your August long weekend at Kanon
The August Long Weekend is Closer Than You Think
Yes, fishing is allowed, in fact we are a very popular fishing destination! Ensure you you have a current license and follow the do’s & don’ts. We are a very popular self catering accommodation fishing destination in the Western Cape.
Please view our terms & conditions when making a booking to view cancellation policies.
Cancellation policy information can be seen below.
- If cancelling 7 days before arrival, forfeit 100% of the booking total
- If cancelling 21 days before arrival, forfeit 50% of the deposit
- If cancelling 30 days before arrival, forfeit 25% of the deposit
KPNR has a strict no pets policy being a Registered Nature Reserve we are continually concerned for the welfare of ALL the resident fauna & flora
There is no shop at Kanon, we do however sell bags of ice and firewood.
The closest shops are at Gouritz or Vleesbaai who have limited groceries. It is best to prepare and shop for your days from larger towns such as Mossel Bay which is roughly 30 minutes drive from Kanon.
Please note: We currently do not sell alcohol. Guests are welcome to bring their own (BYO) or purchase from stores en route before arrival.
Check out is by latest 10:00am.
Check in is from 14:00.
Check in times are from 14:00pm to 18:00pm (no later, you do not want to miss the sunset!)
Check out is no later than 10:00am.
We do have wifi in the accommodation dwellings.
To view our rates and make a booking, you can click on the book now button on our website by clicking here which will open our booking page window, choose your dates, view availability and pricing and book directly online. Calling directly will result in the same process, all bookings are done by the book now button thanks to technology these days, its online and automated : )
Yes we do sell firewood. We stock Rooikrans (also known as Rooipitjie) and Namibian Firewood subject to availability.
Yes well sell bags of ice, please enquire ahead of time, subject to availability during peak season.
We have a “No Pets” policy at Kanon Private Nature Reserve, owing to the wealth of antelope/buck species, birds, tortoises and the possibility of snakes.
To book, you can click on the book now button on our website by clicking here which will take you to our reservations / booking page, choose your dates, number of guests, view availability and pricing and book directly online.
To check long weekend getaways, view our public holiday calendar to check dates to book our self-catering accommodation.
For your most accurate driving route, search “Kanon Private Nature Reserve” in Google Maps or use this link below. For detailed directions, including if traveling from the north or south of Kanon, please visit our locations page here.
Search Self-Catering Accommodation Availability & Rates Below.
