Petri, you always wear your heart on your sleeve. I think that's what people love about you. Unfortunately we are all getting older and more and more okes our age are going to leave us. It's sad, but life. It's worsened by the fact that as we get older our circle of friends shrinks, and our...
Just expanding on my prior post. You'll probably need to expand your budget to around 3K per night as a minimum for decent self catering. Look at booking.com Beleia Azul has some nice spots. Again. The more remote the lower the cost.
If you have a 4x2 or 4x4, stay away from Ponta over Xmas or new year. It is overrun and frankly has lost it charm a bit. Try stay slightly north of Molangane. Less busy, less locals, slightly cheaper.