Meerhof

Meerhof, Hartbeespoort Dam

The pretty little suburb of Meerhof lies nestled on the east banks of Hartbeespoort Dam in the foothills of the Magaliesberg Mountains just 40 minutes from Johannesburg.

Not only does this ideal setting place Meerhof in an enviable position, but it also borders on a bird sanctuary providing an array of birds and promising a lazy weekend hideaway. Meerhof (meer means ‘lake' in Afrikaans) not only provides effortless views of the body of water that is the dam - reminiscent of lake side living - and mountain, but it is also ideally placed for a weekend of water sports.

Hartebeespoort Dam is an exciting mix of sailing, water skiing, jet skis and wind surfers, and is usually a hive of activity over weekends.

There is no shortage of things to do, should you need to leave your hideaway in Meerhof. There are challenging hikes and enticing kloofs in the Magaliesberg mountains, a collection of local restaurants all around the dam, including Tan' Malie se Winkle - practically an institution it's been on the other side of the tunnel for so long (heading in the direction of the art and curio market), where you can eat a hearty traditional Afrikaans home-cooked breakfast.

Immediately around the dam there is a zoo and snake park, and a little further afield, take a cable car to the top of the Magaliesberg. From here there are incredible views of the dam and its surrounds and many make a day of it and take their picnics to the top, from which they can watch numerous para-gliders and hangliders descend into the valley below.