Tin Town - A Glamping dream taking shape in Haenertsburg

If you wander through Haenertsburg on a quiet morning, the village seems to move at its own slow pace. The main street feels almost unchanged, yet beneath that calm rhythm ideas are always stirring. Over the past few months, a project has been unfolding just above the village centre, something Charmaine and Morné Botha have been creating alongside the Blue Shutter Guesthouse.

They bought the house on Plein Street a year ago and transformed it into a small, stylish guesthouse with four rooms. Even then, Charmaine hinted at something that reached beyond its walls. She says, “Tin Town started out as a dream. I dreamt of creating something truly unique, accommodation that feels authentically South African and celebrates the beauty of our natural environment.” Now that vision is taking form.

“Tin Town was my brainchild, but my husband Morné and I rebuilt everything ourselves,” she explains as she leads us up the steps. Two 1970s Jurgens caravans stand along the edge of the property, their black exteriors set against the open grassland views. Timber decks run between them to a shared fire pit, while shaded verandas and hammock nets offer simple places to relax and take in the landscape.

Gold Rush is a striking black and gold hideaway inspired by Haenertsburg’s mining heritage, with a Queen-size bed, reclaimed timber accents, soft lighting and a small coffee station. Charmaine brings her familiar attention to comfort with good linen, warm blankets and hot water bottles. The tin and timber bathroom has a large window framing the view and a zinc bath ready for long soaks.

The second caravan, Forest Fern, is also nearly complete with green tones, wooden floors, plants throughout and a bathroom wrapped in a forest-scene wallpaper that “captures the tranquility of the surrounding forests,”  while Misty Blue is planned as “a sky-hued retreat inspired by the drifting mist across Ebenezer Dam and through the Haenertsburg mountains.” Tin Town will remain intentionally small  “to keep that feeling of peace, creativity, and personal connection.” 

This boutique glamping space celebrates slow living with its pool, fire pit, communal lounge, kitchen and indoor braai, reflecting both creativity and craftsmanship. Charmaine says, “We are deeply grateful to Adaan from At the Mill and CNC Furniture Haenertsburg, who built the wooden decks and en-suite tin bathrooms. Adaan and his team understood our vision from the start and worked alongside us with incredible skill and heart.”

Tin Town suits travellers seeking something distinctive. Solo travellers will enjoy the ease of a private space within steps of the village and couples the quiet deck and deep bath. Small groups will appreciate the option of booking the caravans with the four rooms at Blue Shutter creating a central base where everyone can gather together for shared meals and socialising while still having separate spaces to retreat to.  It also allows guests to explore the village on foot.

As Charmaine says, “Our property is within walking distance of Haenertsburg’s restaurants, coffee shops, and attractions.  We want our guests to experience what this quaint little town has to offer, to be part of its story.”

Tin Town’s accommodation is designed for people who want to stay close to the village but experience it in a way that feels personal. Inside each caravan, Charmaine’s interiors reflect a love of texture, light, and balance - raw tin against wood, soft fabrics beside bold metals. As she says, “Tin Town is about reusing, rebuilding, and reimagining.  It’s proof that beauty can come from simplicity, and that creativity thrives when it’s personal.”

Contact Charmaine and Morné Botha on 066 216 4057 | WhatsApp: 072 320 7333