Camps Bay Retreat | Cape Town
Camps Bay Retreat is a sanctuary for the soul. A luxury boutique hotel set on four acres of lush green nature reserve with a natural mountain pool, thickets of trees, a waterfall and streams.
Stay in the elegant Earl’s Dyke Manor, the contemporary Deck House or the Villa where the stunning views include the natural surrounding beauty, the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean, and the majestic mountains.
The estate features 3 swimming pools and a spa with an outdoor nature tent for an unforgettable wellness experience. The in-house fine dining restaurant, Von Kamptz, offers delectable dishes made with only the freshest local produce, and vegetables and herbs grown on the estate. A fully-equipped tennis court and stunning, pathways throughout the gardens of the estate make it ideal for outdoor activity.
A refuge for the body and a haven for the mind - you’ll unravel and surrender to tranquility at Camps Bay Retreat.
Relatively small room with limited views and shower.
Daily breakfast included
Ocean View Studio features breath-taking sea views, an outdoor bathtub and a large deck. The interior space is quaint and the bathroom features a large shower. Tea and coffee station and BBQ.
Daily breakfast included.
The PODs offer guests an one of a kind experience in nature. WE offer 3 Pods with various views. Private Decks, Tea & Coffee station and BBQ.
Daily breakfast included.
Rooms feature a queen size sleigh bed, en-suite bathroom with a marble floor, a double vanity and a free-standing Victorian bath, as well as views of The Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Ocean and garden view rooms featuring a lounge, king-size bed, en-suite bathroom with bath and separate shower.
Ground floor residence features a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, spacious lounge with fireplace, guest restroom and leads out onto a terrace with views of
the ocean and forest. The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with enclosed toilet.
Situated on the ground floor, featuring a deck with ocean views. The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with enclosed toilet, bath and separate shower, a king size
bed which can be converted to twin beds.
Situated on the ground floor, featuring a kitchenette, deck with ocean views and loungers. The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with enclosed toilet, free standing
bath and separate shower, a king size bed which can be converted into twin beds.
With views of the ocean and garden from your room and deck, the bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with enclosed toilet, free standing bath and separate
shower, a king size bed which can be converted to twin beds.
With views of the ocean and garden from your room and deck, the bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with enclosed toilet, free standing bath and separate
shower, a king size bed which can be converted to twin beds.
Light, bright and airy, Garden View POD is located a stone's throw away from Glen Beach and the Camps Bay promenade. Featuring a private deck and unrestricted access to the magical estate gardens and facilities, it's all about immersing yourself in nature
Quaint and cozy, this wood cladded converted container is fitted with a private deck neutral interior and is 2 minutes’ walk away from Glen Beach (a great surf spot).
Suite 16
This spacious suite with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and balconies on both sides, offers spectacular views. The large lounge is complimented by a fireplace and dining room.
Suite 16 features:
Separate bath and shower
Heated towel rails
Hairdryer
Satellite television (selected channels)
Complimentary uncapped Wi-Fi (fair usage policy applies)
Air-conditioning and heating
Tea/ Coffee making facilities
International Plug Points (220v) A/C
Electronic safe
Nespresso machine
Mini bar
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Gym (nearby), Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service, Travel Desk
Your Stay
5 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Babylonstoren Farm Hotel | Franschhoek
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and a sense of wellbeing.
• A 250-hectare working wine and fruit farm that dates back over 300 years
• A place so beautiful, a welcome so warm and an experience quite unlike any other
• A quiet corner of the Cape that is surrounded by majestic mountains on three sides where the fynbos is home to many wild creatures
• Service that is both sincere and deeply proud of its heritage
• A garden that celebrates biological diversity
• Fresh food with distinct flavours that celebrates the seasons and the bounty of the garden
• A place to escape from the world and reconnect with it as it ought to be
• A sense of purity, simplicity and quiet where life is uncomplicated but where spontaneity and the unexpected are also celebrated
360 Degrees virtual tour
360 Degrees virtual tour
The pristine Cape Dutch style of our two-bedroom cottages emulate a farm stay experience with thick walls, elegant gables and a hearty fireplace. A contemporary glass cube has been seamlessly added to the 18th-century structure to house a dining and kitchen area. The interiors continue this contemporary pairing with modern four-poster beds and furniture from international design brands such as Kartell, Magis, Philippe Starck and the Bouroullec Bros. Each bedroom also has a luxurious en-suite bathroom. Bookshelves filled with carefully selected books, underfloor heating and free Wi-Fi are just a few of the things that await you. Our cottages are either garden or vineyard facing. A well-stocked personalised bar fridge, as well as breakfast, are included in the room rate. All our two-bedroom cottages are serviced daily and come with a king-size bed, and a king or two single beds in the second bedroom.
4 Cottages available
Each of the slightly larger open-plan cottages has a luxurious en-suite bathroom and lounge area with thick walls, elegant gables and a hearty fireplace. Into this pristine Cape Dutch style, a contemporary glass cube has been seamlessly added to house a kitchen area. The interiors continue this pairing with modern four-poster beds and furniture from international design brands such as Kartell, Magis, Philippe Starck and the Bouroullec Bros. Bookshelves filled with carefully selected books, underfloor heating and free Wi-Fi are just a few of the things that await you. Suites are either garden or vineyard facing, with access to the garden and the farm. A well-stocked personalised bar fridge, as well as breakfast, are included in the room rate. All our one-bedroom cottages come with a king-size bed and are serviced daily.
3 Cottages available
Each open-plan suite has a luxurious en-suite bathroom and lounge area with thick walls, elegant gables and a hearty fireplace. The interiors take on an altogether contemporary feel when paired with the modern lines of furniture by international design brands such as Kartell, Magis, Philippe Starck and the Bouroullec Bros. Bookshelves are filled with a wonderful selection of books while underfloor heating and free Wi-Fi are just a few of the things that await you. A well-stocked personalised bar fridge, as well as breakfast, are included in the room rate. All our one-bedroom suites come with a king-size bed or twin beds and are serviced daily.
6 Suites available
Comfort is key in the one-bedroom Farmhouse suites where a moody interior theme comprising swarthy four-poster king-size beds, dusted moss walls, luxurious en-suite marble bathrooms and generous walk-in cupboards are paired with contemporary furniture and accessories such as extra-length MDF Italia sofas. In addition to the underfloor heating, each room is fitted with a cast-iron stove. Bookshelves filled with a wonderful selection of books and free Wi-Fi are just a few of the things that await you. A well-stocked personalised bar fridge, as well as breakfast, are included in the room rate. All our suites are serviced daily.
9 Suites available
At Fynbos Cottages guests can fully immerge themselves in the beauty of the natural plant habitat of the Western Cape’s mountains. The cottages are newly built in the Cape Dutch style and adjoin vineyards and orchards – ideal for our more adventurous guest
Our Cape Dutch Manor House dates back to 1777. This exclusive house has five bedrooms accommodating ten guests. All rooms have a king-size bed, with two of the rooms having the option of twin beds. Rooms are serviced daily and breakfast is included in the room rate, as well as a well-stocked personalised bar fridge. The interior has been beautifully restored to its former glory, but with a definite contemporary touch. Bookshelves are filled with a wonderful selection of books and the traditional farm kitchen boasts a roaring old wood-burning stove. Guests have access to the garden at all times, with games set up on the private lawn. Curl up in front of the hearty fireplace and admire the architecture, or enjoy refreshments in the garden whilst savouring the exquisite views.
5 Rooms, 10 guest. Exclusive use
Fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge, private pool and courtyard
Up to ten guests are accommodated in five individual bedrooms, each comprising a fireplace and spacious en-suite with marbled tile floors and luxurious freestanding baths to soak away your worries. Leading off the spacious lounge is a contemporary glass cube, seamlessly encompassing a fully equipped kitchen. The heart of the house is the private central courtyard, offering a gathering space for friends and family to share. A crystal pool in the center of the courtyard is fed by a shallow channel, emulating the streams on the rest of the property and providing the tranquil sound of gently trickling water.
5 Rooms, 10 guest. Exclusive use
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Conference Centre, Gym, Gym (nearby), Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fireplace, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heated Towel Rails, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mini Bar (Complimentary), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Underfloor Heating
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Credit Card
The days are intentionally unscripted at Babylonstoren, and for our hotel guests, there’s much to do. In addition to exploring our 200 hectares of farm, in season, you can take part in the harvesting of fruit in the orchards or the pruning of our vines. Whatever the season, our garden is an ever-changing tapestry of fruit and vegetable plantings. Hotel guests are invited to join in the harvesting, pruning, planting or picking of our many fruits, herbs, nuts, spices and vegetables. We have maps for five different walks on the farm (available from Reception) and if you’re interested to learn more about the provenance of the garden, do join one of our garden tours that starts daily at 10h00. Booking is essential, so please enquire in advance at Reception.
Our daily guided garden tour starts at the Farm Shop at 10h00. One of our experienced gardeners will be your guide on this tour, during which we encourage guests to pick, taste, smell and touch while walking through our garden. Each of the 300 plant varieties is edible or has medicinal value. The beautiful garden is not only pleasing to the eye, but also provides the restaurants with fresh produce, harvested daily. Our enthusiastic guides will share some of the garden’s special stories with you and give practical gardening tips. We hope you will enjoy our garden and be inspired when you leave to plant your own!
Booking is essential for the garden tour.
Remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat in summer and wellies plus an umbrella in winter. A famous Swedish proverb holds: There ain’t no bad weather, just the wrong clothes.
Entrance fees payable at the gate go to the Babylonstoren Trust for the education of our local children.
Regrettably, no dogs are allowed, as this is a working farm with lots of feathery friends.
Kindly note that all pathways in the garden are gravel and in some areas covered with peach pips.
You can walk or cycle to the dam – it is about 1,5 km. The view from the dam is spectacular and you will be amazed by the abundant bird life. Get a backpack from Reception (see Walk or Run). We have three canoes and life jackets for your rowing expedition – make sure you wear a life jacket. Please note that children have to be accompanied by an adult.
The gym, open from 6h00 to 21h00, is for the exclusive use of adults. We have a great selection of machines to keep you fit. Private yoga sessions are available on request. For more details, please enquire at Reception.
The Tasting Room sits adjacent to the Wine Cellar, offering views of the conical Babylonstoren hill, Simonsberg and the Banghoek Mountains. The eye-catching steel-and-glass creation is a modern link between the two Cape Dutch-style wings of the wine cellar and a perfect reflection of Babylonstoren’s philosophy of embracing both heritage and innovation. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer breathtaking views over the vineyards towards the small rocky koppie from which the farm derives its name, while indoors the striking central bar bedecked in vivid green tiles mirrors the lush vineyards beyond. A range of tantalising snack platters with charcuterie, cheese, pâté and fresh fruit and vegetables from the garden are on offer. The platters are an ideal light bite while tasting the Babylonstoren range of wines.
The Tasting Room is accessed via a maturation cellar revamped into a retail space, with exposed brick walls, lofty ceilings and a statuesque curving wall – a display of antique farming implements and packing crates creating a gentle farm motif in the triple-volume space. For guests with a little more time to spare, informative cellar tours offer an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how the estate’s wines are crafted. The tour includes a walk through the vineyards and a visit to the olive oil production plant.
Come and unwind with us in this perfect spot for wine sipping and cheese nibbling.
The Tasting Room is open daily – from 10h00 to 17h00 in winter and 10h00 to 18h00 in summer.
Daily cellar tours start at the Tasting Room, every hour on the hour, from 11h00 to 15h00.
Booking is advised for groups of 11 to 24 people.
Our wines are best exemplified by the Babylonstoren logo, which consists of the pipe (representing the farmer), the flower (representing the garden) and the bird (representing nature). It is a combination of the very essence of Babylonstoren – keeping things simple and as true to the earth as possible. "It is this that we strive to achieve in our wine," says Charl Coetzee. "Truth to the area we are situated in on the slopes of Simonsberg, and simplicity by making elegant and balanced wines as natural as possible."
You may come across our resident tortises tortoises, our donkeys, the chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and squirrels that all roam happily, or maybe even a wild steenbok. Keep your eyes and ears open – you may be lucky enough to see or hear the fish eagle. We have spotted 58 bird species on Babylonstoren. Guests are welcome to use the bird book in the Butterfly Room for reference.
For a closer look, we also have binoculars available at Reception.
As we are passionate about our garden at Babylonstoren, we welcome fellow gardeners, horticulturists, botanists or those who are interested in learning more about gardening. If you’re happy to get your hands dirty (you'll be planting, harvesting, pruning and mulching) and eager to learn and/or share your knowledge, we'd love to welcome you as a volunteer at Babylonstoren. You’ll work with our gardeners in every aspect of the garden but most importantly get a chance to contribute to the garden in a real way.
The farm is a paradise for children! Our beloved donkeys, Meisiekind and Lulu, live
opposite the Farm Shop. We invite our young guests to help feed the donkeys, to collect eggs and to help harvest fruit and vegetables from our garden, especially for the breakfast table. Kids are also welcome to help our bakers knead and bake delicious farm breads. And don’t forget to go on the scavenger hunt. Please arrange these activities at Reception.
Our outdoor pool is not just another infinity pool! Take a plunge or relax afloat the tractor tube. Diving is not permitted and children must be supervised at all times.
Enjoy bass fishing at the farm dam. Fishing rods are available from Reception.
We have bicycles available for adults as well as children to explore the farm. Bottled still water and helmets are available from Reception, and in your room you’ll find a map.
The map in your room suggests six trails for walking or running. These vary in length, the shortest being a mere 5-minute walk. A backpack with water, sun lotion and a small first-aid kit is available from Reception. Please ask if you need anything else, and then go out and enjoy the abundance of fresh air and country views!
The Tasting Room overlooks our beautiful vineyards and the iconic Babylonstoren conical hill.
We offer five cellar tours a day, every hour on the hour, from 11h00 to 15h00. Let us know if you wish to join the tour – we prefer to keep the tours small and intimate, therefore limited space is available. We depart from the Tasting Room and our first stop is the vineyard, after which the tour moves to the olive production plant where we show you how extra virgin olive oil is made. Next is a visit to the wine production cellar where the details of the winemaking process are explained. We proceed to our underground barrel maturation cellar. Last but not least is an informative yet relaxed wine tasting with your guide. The Tasting Room is nice and cool in summer, with cosy fireplaces for chilly winter days. A choice of four delicious snack platters can be ordered while you taste your way through our range of wines.
Open seven days a week 10h00–18h00 (summer) or 10h00–17h00 (winter). Cellar tours start at the Tasting Room at 11h00, 12h00, 13h00, 14h00 & 15h00 and last approximately one hour. Booking at Reception is advised.
Our two signature treatments are the hammam water ritual and our bamboo massage. In addition, we have a wonderful selection of classic treatments.
To book a treatment with one of our qualified therapists, please contact reception. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier than your booked treatment time. Late arrivals will be able to enjoy the time remaining on their treatment but will be charged for the full treatment. Lockers are provided for your valuables.
The Garden Spa has a garden-inspired food menu to replenish, revive and delight you. Please note that no glass containers or alcoholic beverages are allowed at the pool. Although we do not serve food or drinks at the pool, we can offer you chilled still or sparkling water from the gym should you be thirsty. If you would like to enjoy other eats or drinks, you can do so at the Greenhouse, which is right next to the pool.
Booking is essential for spa treatments. Open Monday to Sunday 8h00–17h00.
Private yoga sessions are available on request. For more details, please enquire at Reception.
Our Bakery offers scrumptious Italian-inspired evening meals but also supplies our shop with freshly baked bread to be enjoyed with delicious local cheeses from our Cheese Room. We grow our own wheat on the farm which is stoneground after harvest. This flour is sold in the Farm Shop but is also used by our own bakers who, under the guidance of our head baker Ernie Beck, make sure we have freshly baked bread early every morning for our restaurants and the Tasting Room. We have a variety of breads, including sourdough, rye, white and whole wheat.
At dinners in the Bakery, we serve our food family style – guests dish up for themselves from wooden boards placed on their table. Our Italian-inspired set menu starts with an antipasti and salad offering. This is followed by wood-fired pizza straight from the oven, to be enjoyed to your heart’s content. We round off the meal with a delicious dolce and our famous coffee.
The Bakery is open Wednesday and Friday evenings from 19h00 to 21h00.
Booking is essential. Reservations open two months in advance and can be made between the hours of 8h00 and 17h00.
Priority will be given to hotel guests for bookings.
Please enquire about options for groups. For groups of 13 to 18 guests, a deposit is required to secure the booking. Should you wish to bring a larger group, we have private function venues available.
Kindly note that all pathways on the farm are roughly surfaced and not intended for high heels.
Nature's medicine chest is an ongoing discovery of old and new herbs tried and tested over centuries by different cultures around the world. Originally collected from the wild, the best plants were selected, cultivated and shared.
Our medicinal garden at Babylonstoren includes a range of beautiful species – some more powerful, aromatic, rare or even dangerous than others but all with an interesting story worth discovering. The central layout of the garden follows the form of a body with herbs to heal from the head, heart, lungs, digestive system, organs, skin, bones and feet. The trees are some of the “giants” in African healing traditions. Herbs along the outer wall follow the seasons, summer to winter, specially selected to heal, soothe and balance the body through the time-honoured pleasure of tea.
We invite you to enjoy this healing garden as a quiet space, slowing down and blending herbal teas as guided by our gardener Gundula. Seated on the floor of the shaded bamboo gloriette, a selection of savoury and sweet confections is served to complement the infusions you create. Only fresh, seasonal ingredients are used and great care is taken in the preparation.
For the ultimate tickle, do not go before dipping your toes in the pond to experience the nibbling Garra rufa fish while reflecting on the moment and aiming to balance pleasure and health.
Tea rituals take place at 9h30 on Tuesdays.
Our Healing Garden is a restful place for quiet reflection and tranquillity. Regrettably, children under the age of 10 years are not permitted.
Reservations are weather dependent and booking is essential. Reservations open two months in advance and can be made between the hours of 8h00 and 17h00. A deposit is required to secure bookings.
Priority will be given to hotel guests for tea ritual bookings.
Kindly note that all pathways on the farm are roughly surfaced and not intended for high heels.
Housed in an old cow shed, Babel is a wonderful mix of Cape Dutch architecture with contemporary glass walls that makes for a simple yet edgy environment in which to try our tasty yet often unconventional combinations. We have a farm-to-fork philosophy, which means we like to serve food that is seasonal and that reflects our "pick, clean and serve" approach.
Because our menu is guided by what is available in the garden, our food always reflects the season, and so in summer we may serve you a yellow salad of pineapple, gooseberries, granadillas, yellow tomatoes and apricots while in winter a slow-cooked leg of lamb in red wine is more likely. Dessert subscribes to four flavours, namely salty, bitter, sweet and sour. And while our meals are creative, we don't like to tamper unduly with our food. Our meals are always clear in structure, so that fruit and vegetables gathered daily from the garden is often served with its skin on. Helpings are generous and depending on the weather you can take your meal in the glass-enclosed restaurant or under the plane trees in the courtyard.
Breakfast: Open daily, 8h00–9h30
Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday, 12h00–15h30
Dinner: Open daily from 19h00
Booking is essential. Reservations open two months in advance and can be made between the hours of 8h00 and 17h00 on +27 (0)21 863 3852 or enquiries@babylonstoren.com.
Hotel guests enjoy priority for restaurant bookings.
Please enquire about options for groups. For groups of 13 to 18 guests, a set menu will be offered and a 50% deposit is required to secure the booking. Should you wish to bring a larger group, we have private function venues available.
The restrooms at Babel restaurant are wheelchair friendly.
Kindly note that all pathways on the farm are gravel, and covered with peach pips in some areas of the garden.
At the rear of the garden, tucked away between the oak trees, our Greenhouse offers guests the perfect place to rest and enjoy delicious home-baked cakes, coffee, tea and fresh garden juices. We also offer more substantial meals of artisanal breads with handcrafted cheeses and dressed meats, served with our homemade herb oils, chutneys, preserves and relishes, as well as delicious, fresh garden salads.
The 26 metre vintage conservatory in dark green steel was custom built for Babylonstoren in France by Serres et Ferronneries d'Antan. Paired with a collection of brick-red tables and colourful green Luxembourg chairs (the classic park chair design), the Greenhouse is a surprising but thoroughly logical refreshment station for guests who have completed the garden tour.
The Greenhouse menu subscribes to the self-same "pick, clean and serve" philosophy as Babel, with a strong emphasis on honest food with little to no fuss. All our food is served picnic-style in wooden crates with the preserves, jams and salads packaged in weck jars, while fresh bread from our wood-fired oven come wrapped in the iconic blue-and-white Babylonstoren paper.
Despite its obvious aesthetic appeal and its function as a refreshment station, the Greenhouse also performs a vital role in the garden. It is here where plants or varieties are brought when they struggle to make it in the formal garden due to the Western Cape’s winter rainfall or the lack of humidity in summer. And so you'll find that exotic granadillas, ginger, cardamom, pineapples, dragonfruit, vanilla and even a baobab all reside here.
The Greenhouse is open Monday to Sunday from 10h00 to 16h00.
Bookings
There is no need to make a reservation for the Greenhouse. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis. We may have a waiting list during very busy times.
Should you wish to bring a group of 13 to 25 guests, kindly make a reservation. These reservations open two months in advance. For even larger groups, we have private function venues available.
Our Bakery offers scrumptious Italian-inspired evening meals on Wednesday & Friday, but also supplies our shop with freshly baked bread to be enjoyed with delicious cheeses from our Cheese Room. We grow our own wheat on the farm which is stoneground after harvest. This flour is sold in the Farm Shop, but is also used by our own bakers who, under the guidance of our head baker Ernie Beck, make sure we have freshly baked bread early every morning for our restaurants and the Tasting Room. We have a variety of breads, including sourdough, rye, white and whole wheat.
At dinners in the Bakery, we serve our food family style – guests dish up for themselves from wooden boards placed on their table. Our Italian-inspired set menu starts with an antipasti and salad offering. Main course may be enjoyed to your heart’s content. We round off the meal with a delicious dolce and our famous coffee.
Booking is essential. Reservations open two months in advance and can be made between the hours of 8h00 and 17h00 on +27 (0)21 863 3852 or enquiries@babylonstoren.com.
Hotel guests enjoy priority for restaurant bookings.
Your Stay
2 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Fast Facts
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English
No. Rooms: 29
Special Interests: Adventure, Birding, Cycling, Fishing, Flora, Gourmet, Hiking, History & Culture, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Shopping, Sports, Wine
Lairds Lodge Country Estate | Plettenberg Bay
Laze your way through languid afternoons on one of several verandahs or in any of the sheltered courtyards where homemade iced tea is served with our compliments; the secluded swimming pool too is particularly inviting while beautifully landscaped gardens offer opportunity for a leisurely stroll. Indoors, the front lounge with its comfortable couches, small library, complimentary internet access, wood burning fireplace, and satellite television provides an alternative backdrop to a cup of tea and the day’s decadent cake, or something stronger. And the brandy lounge has cosy seating arrangements ideal for enjoying an aged after dinner brandy or whisky, along with a separate large screen television area for the sports enthusiast.
Scrumptious breakfasts – fresh fruits, just-baked breads, croissants and muffins, homemade jams and preserves, and cooked specialities – will prepare you for the day ahead. Pre-dinner drinks are enjoyed around heated braziers in the candlelit courtyard or in the informal brandy lounge. Specialising in seafood and game dishes, the Lodge boasts one of the finest menus in the Garden Route; sociable 4-course gourmet dinners are served in the traditional reed ceilinged dining room, or can be taken in the rustic charm of the wine room. Every meal is carefully paired with selected wines from the Cape, ensuring a memorable South African dining experience, every time
Each of the elegant, high-ceilinged and individually decorated en suite rooms speaks of welcoming tranquility and easy living with cushioned comfort, air conditioned facilities, percale linen and specialised toiletries. Gowns, room safes, telephones and well stocked tea and coffee stations add to the restrained luxury
Not only is the Lodge a Gourmet Retreat property but it is situated in one of the most picturesque regions of South Africa – the feted Garden Route.
Foodie or otherwise, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to activities; because we at Laird’s are passionate about food and believe that the majority of humankind travel on their stomachs, our staff are encouraged to reveal the hidden gems of our area.
On Thesen Island in Knysna you’ll find a 6th-generation baker and the best hangouts for fresh oysters; take a boat trip across the Knysna Lagoon to the Western Head while feasting on lunch and spectacular views; exploring Leisure Isle, Bollards Bay and Brenton on Sea is a must; and, if shopping and a peaceful meal is what you’re after, then The Waterfront should be your first stop.
In Plettenberg Bay your time will be well spent in the small Artisan coffee shops and at any one of the local markets; get up close and personal with whales and dolphins by boat; enjoy the famed Robberg Nature and Marine Reserve with its pristine beach, 200 metre sand dune and 300-strong seal colony; lunch in the vineyards at award winning wine estates; or sip on sundowners in one of the restaurants perched on the rocks or right on the beach while possibly watching the antics of the dolphins frequenting the bay.
With endless stretches of pristine beaches immediately at hand, lazing on the beach could be the pastime of choice; but for those who wish to do a little exploring or adventuring the area’s multitude of activity and leisure options are readily accessible.
Regardless of your leisure time preference, Laird’s Lodge and its diverse surroundings will keep you coming back for more, time after time
STANDARD DOUBLE ROOMS ? (Smallest bedrooms and bathrooms)
En-suite bathroom, air-conditioned and private terraces
Luxury Room - King/Twin, en suite bathroom with bath & shower, airconditioning, private terrace, mini bar fridge, & heated towel rails
DELUXE ROOMS - King/Twin - en-suite with bath and shower and private terrace,aircon.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Business Centre, Communal Dining, Disability Services, Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Laundry Service (Available), Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Verandah
Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service, Travel Desk
Your Stay
4 Nights
Bed and Breakfast
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge | Kwandwe Private Game Reserve
Set in thick vegetation overlooking a dense valley, Ecca Lodge offers breath taking views onto an escarpment of steep shale cliffs Featuring six suites, of which three are dedicated to families. The double suites can accommodate 2 adults each and the family suites accommodate 2 adults and 2 children (under 16yrs on day beds in the lounge).
The family suites also include a private vehicle and ranger. Private vehicle is available at an additional cost for guests staying in a double suite.
The lodge is intimate, relaxed and trendy with décor inspired by the vibrant colours and textures of our nearby villages.
The suites of Ecca Lodge are airy and open with flowing interiors that extend outwards to the wilderness. Wraparound decks, complete with private plunge pools and outdoor showers, offer sweeping views and complete relaxation. All ages are welcome.
Set in thick vegetation overlooking a dense valley, Ecca Lodge offers breathtaking views onto an escarpment of steep shale cliffs.
Six spacious and private suites are located a short distance away from the main lodge area, each in its own position away from the other suites. Each suite features a bedroom with en-suite bathroom, indoor and outdoor shower, separate w.c, twin hand basin and a private deck with plunge pool.
Interior design reflects the vibrant colours and textures of Africa. Main guest areas feature a spacious sitting room with fireplace, dining room and bar area as well as a deep veranda with expansive wooden viewing deck overlooking rolling spekboom valleys.
Room Facilities:
Fan
Aircon
Private pool
Bath
Indoor shower
Outdoor shower
Television
In-room safe
Double vanity
Mini bar
Telephone
Hairdryer
Laundry included
Family Suites accommodate 2 adults and 2 children and includes a private vehicle and ranger. Each suite features a bedroom with en-suite bathroom,a lounge with two day beds which are turned into beds for the kids, indoor and outdoor shower, separate w.c, twin hand basin and a private deck with plunge pool.
Interior design reflects the vibrant colours and textures of Africa. Main guest areas feature a spacious sitting room with fireplace, dining room and bar area as well as a deep veranda with expansive wooden viewing deck overlooking rolling spekboom valleys.
Room Facilities:
Fan
Aircon
Private pool
Bath
Indoor shower
Outdoor shower
Television
In-room safe
Double vanity
Mini bar
Telephone
Hairdryer
Laundry included
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Kiddies Club, Laundry Service (Available), Malaria Free, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, TV Room
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Heater, Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Underfloor Heating
Services
Babysitting Service, Credit Card, Room Service
Explore the natural splendour of Kwandwe on early morning and late afternoon / evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. An armed ranger and tracker team share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you as you track the Big Five, as well as a variety of other wildlife.
Morning drives begin as dawn breaks over the Great Fish River, providing the opportunity to see predators winding up their nocturnal hunts and settling in for the day. Many animals take advantage of the cool morning hours to graze before the heat of the day. In the late afternoon wildlife can often be spotted coming down to the river to drink. Night drives produces some unusual sightings, including aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox and porcupine.
Experience the thrill of tracking big game (white rhino, black rhino, elephant and buffalo) on foot, accompanied by an armed specialist ranger and tracker team. The walk lasts 3 to 4 hours and ends with a picnic lunch on the banks of the Great Fish River or at a scenic spot in the bush. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.
Kwandwe offers a variety of fishing options, either in still water or in the Great Fish River. Try your hand at catching Large Mouth Bass on artificial lures or fly rod in the reserve’s largest dam. Coarse (bait) fishing can also be tried in either the Great Fish River or one of the other large dams to target Yellowfish, Carp, Sharptooth Catfish and more. A fun activity for children as well as for adults.
In between game drives, take a closer look at the subtle, unseen wonders of the bush on a leisurely walk within easy reach of your lodge. Dense euphorbia thickets are best explored on foot, revealing a secret world of lichen, mosses and ferns. Various birds of prey and other species nest in the taller trees or in the spiny canopy. An armed ranger guides guests through ‘up close and personal’ sightings of various antelope species, giraffe, warthog or zebra. Not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
Spend 3 - 4 hours tracking rhino with a specialist ranger and tracker team. Learn about the habits of this threatened species, the issue of rhino poaching as well as Kwandwe’s own conservation efforts. The experience ends with refreshments at a scenic spot in the bush. All ages welcome.
Tailor-make your own safari led by a dedicated specialist ranger and tracker team, ensuring a private game viewing experience (subject to the availability of a private vehicle being available at the time of booking). A private safari vehicle has to be booked for the duration of a stay; a safari day runs from 12h00 (check-in time) to 12h00 the following day.
A recommended three night, four-day safari offers you the opportunity to participate in Kwandwe's exciting rhino-darting and notching programme. Under the supervision of experts, the rhino is darted in order to plant microchips into the horns and perform ear-notching for future identification - an essential task to ensure the preservation of this endangered species.
The best time is generally 1 May – 30 September due to cooler weather conditions, however it can be done all year. The procedure is always subject to the availability of the wildlife management team as well as the availability of rhinos that need to be notched for conservation purposes. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.
Kwandwe offers a variety of fishing options, either in still water or in the Great Fish River. Try your hand at catching Large Mouth Bass on artificial lures or fly rod in the reserve’s largest dam. Coarse (bait) fishing can also be tried in either the Great Fish River or one of the other large dams to target Yellowfish, Carp, Sharptooth Catfish and more.
Spend as much time as you like fishing with your private guide while surrounded by the beauty of Kwandwe’s big 5 wilderness. For a fully private experience this must be booked for the duration of your stay.
Tailor-made to suit the experience level of participants, the photographic guide advises guests of appropriate camera settings at different scenarios, providing compositional ideas and to answer any questions relating to photography. Alternatively simply sit back and enjoy the connected experience of your safari while your specialist guide takes the pictures for you. Includes a private vehicle, edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photobook.
Must be booked for the duration of your stay and includes a private vehicle, edited photographs in electronic format along with a complimentary Kwandwe digital photobook.
A professionally qualified and experienced trails guide will enable you to experience Kwandwe on foot. Choose whether to view large game such Black and White Rhino, Elephant or Buffalo on foot, or simply absorb the beauty of nature while walking through the fascinating environments with your armed guide. You decide when to walk, or when to drive as your heart desires. For a fully private experience this must be booked for the duration of your stay. Not suitable for children under 16 years of age.
Image: Scott Ramsay
Spend as much time as you like looking for those elusive specials and add to your knowledge of South Africa’s birdlife. Your specialist guide has detailed knowledge of where, when and how to find what bird you are after with their intimate knowledge of Kwandwe’s 315 recorded species of bird.
We have a variety of children's activities at our properties:
- Children receive a welcome gift on arrival which includes an Eco-nect Guide comprising animal
checklists, themed games and activities, and a pledge to ‘live green’ (‘Junior’ for under 6’s and
‘Senior’ for ages 6 and up), crayons/ pencils, and an age appropriate gift from our gift shop.
- Families can participate in fun and adventurous activities on the reserve, including kite building,
scavenger hunts across the reserve with thought-provoking clues to seek hidden items which will
help you in your next task... or treasure hunts during a game drive which teach basic navigation
using a sun-compass and how to use major landscape features in order to find the treasure!
- Giving back: families have the opportunity to plant Spekboom, a type of thicket vegetation that is
native to the Eastern Cape and prolific on the reserve, and one of the top five carbon-storing
vegetations on the planet. In this way they are encouraged to offset their carbon footprints.
Families can also participate in Kwandwe’s voluntourism activities through the reserve’s Ubunye
Foundation, which works with communities living in and surrounding the reserve.
- Activities are tailored according to individual and family interests and skillsets. For young guests
this includes assisting with gardening projects at the local Mgcamabele Community; participating
in arts and craft activities; and toddlers are invited to join in playtime at the pre-school.
- Children are also welcome to participate in Kwandwe’s ‘Knit a Bit’ program. The knitted squares
are joined to make blankets and given to the Ubunye Foundation that distributes them the
communities surrounding Kwandwe.
- Other activities for children include ‘crumpet creatures’ (using a variety of coloured crumpet
mixtures in squeezy bottles, the ranger and kids will create animal shaped crumpets); sand art,
making moulds from Plaster of Paris, beading, Minnow’s fishing trip with a ranger, baking and
pizza making with specially designed ‘Chefs in Training’ aprons and toques, DVDs and popcorn,
eco educational board games (learning about recycling and the how to care for our planet in a fun
way) and African bedtime stories.
A variety of wellness treatments are available to be enjoyed in the privacy of your suite. Since the earliest time, Africa's original inhabitants lived in harmony with nature. Our treatments and rituals were inspired by, designed and based on Africa's rich heritage and created to celebrate mother earth and her connection with life. Only the finest natural ingredients available from nature are used in our products, including oil from the Marula fruit, Mongongo nut oil, healing Shea butter, oil from the Baobab tree, ointment from the African sausage tree and Mafura butter, to name but a few.
Learn to master the art of barbequing while on safari! Kwandwe provides an exciting opportunity to learn about preparing and cooking authentic South African ‘braais’ and favourite dishes with local ingredients. A well established social custom and a traditional way of outdoor cooking in South Africa, a ‘braai’ involves barbequing meat over an open fire.
The Ubunye Foundation is our social development arm. Established in 2002, the Foundation is an independent, non-profit, charitable trust that currently invests in the development of nine rural communities, two of which are located in the Kwandwe reserve.
Guests at Kwandwe have the unique opportunity to participate in volunteering towards the Ubunye Foundation by donating items, getting involved in activities and/or financial donations.
Kwandwe’s cooler months offer the perfect opportunity to connect to the wilderness whilst on foot. Walk out from your room at the lodge or villa and explore the vast expanse of Kwandwe's wilderness on a journey to a private fly-camp for the evening. Move through the dynamic landscape on foot alongside a private guide and be part of the land's story. Sit around the fire and cook a meal over the open flames, share stories and listen to the sounds of Africa. Spend evenings beneath the stars for an authentic bush camp experience.
A minimum stay of 3 nights is required at any of Kwandwe’s private villas or lodges in order to book the Winter Wilderness Walk experience. Guests’ rooms will remain available to them should they wish to return to the comfort of their suite at any time. Guests leave on foot and enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing to their private fly camp for the evening. A vehicle is available throughout the experience for guests to choose when to walk and when to drive.
Available May - 30 November | Maximum 4 guests
Your Stay
3 Nights
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities
Fast Facts
5 Star
Spoken Languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa
No. Rooms: 6
Special Interests: Adventure, Battlefields, Big 5, Birding, Fishing, Flora, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Star Gazing, Wildlife