KHULULEKA RETREAT
Self Catering Lodge Accommodation
near Port St Johns, Wild Coast
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Paradise. Right Here, Right Now.
If you want to get off the beaten track to a place that is unique for its beauty and unspoilt surroundings, you will love Khululeka Retreat. Set in an indigenous forest, high on the hills with an awesome 180-degree view of the sea and estuary, Khululeka Retreat is just that. Peaceful, private and remote.
We are hidden away in Pondoland on the Wild Coast, 10km up the coast from Port St. Johns. There is no town, no shops or anything else to detract from the beauty of one of the most spectacular and unspoilt tribal areas in South Africa.
A pristine 2km beach, accessible by the Ntafufu River awaits your discovery. With no electric lights to interfere, star gazing on the hill is an easy way to pass laid back evenings. Our Inn is well equipped with all the immediate luxuries of modern day living and rural hospitality. Close to us is one of Africa's few perennial waterfalls falling into the sea. This is also one of the highest in the southern hemisphere. The Magwa tea plantations and the Isinuka sulphur
springs are in our vicinity as well.
And if sinking into the "Transkei Chill" eventually gets to you, take your pick of an almost inexhaustible list of "Things To Do".
Khululeka Retreat - Paradise. Right Here, Right Now.
Accommodation
- Self Catering: We offer self catering on a grand scale! Book out the entire inn complex for yourself, your family and/or your friends.
- Group Bookings: Book out the whole lodge as your private holiday 'house' for yourself, your family and/or your group of friends.
- Singles and Couples: Yes, you may also book only one room.
The facilities available include:
- Kitchen: The kitchen comes fully equipped with gas stoves, fridges and freezer. We use candles and biofuel lamps for light which creates a fantastic, calm, relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
- Rondavels/Traditional Huts (4): Comfortably furnished traditional Pondo style hut with thatched roof. Sleeps 2.
- Single/Double rooms (6): In and around the main building we have a number of furnished single and double bedrooms.
- Dining Hall and Living Room: Grand, spacious thatched dining hall / living space that opens to the verandah.
- Boma: Spacious thatched braai (barbecue) area - also with the awesome view of the valley, sea and estuary.
Services:
- Wake up calls arranged
- Fully Serviced (housekeeping)
- Secure on site parking
- Laundry service
- Child friendly - all ages
- Baby-sitting Service
- Restaurants nearby
- Hiking Trails nearby
- Horse Riding nearby
- Cycling paths nearby
- Fishing nearby
- Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans, German
Activities List: Relaxing, Swimming, Surfing, Hiking, Fishing, Bird Watching, Whale and Dolphin Watching, 4x4 Trails, Waterfall Outings, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Star Gazing, Village and Sangoma Visits, Watching the Sunrise and Sunset, etc. etc.
Attractions:
- Beach and Lagoon: The distance to the beach is about 2.5km. Drive or walk down to the river ±1km. Take the canoes / rowboat to the beach or cross the river and walk the remaining section. The walk is highly recommended for the surrounding natural beauty. It takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on your mode of transport. Our lagoon and beaches are wide, unspoilt and great for swimming (also for surfing). In season we have lifesavers from Port St Johns on our main beach. Out of season it is all yours - Pure Paradise!
- Canoeing: We have two seater (double) Indian Style Canoes available for hire. Canoeing to the beach is our preferred water transport. Exploring the mangrove swamps with these are also quite an eco-adventure. The river is navigatable by canoe for over 6km.
- River Fishing The distance to the unspoilt Ntafufu River Estuary is about 1km. Drive or walk down through beautiful unspoilt tropical forest. The estuary is excellent for fishing, canoeing, birdwatching etc. You might see a mullet jump right into your boat! Exploring the mangrove swamps is quite an eco-adventure.
- Relax - "Khululeka": Just relax and let the world go by - it's called Pondo Fever and most people get it. "Khululeka" in isiXhosa means: Relax, Free and Comfortable.
- Sunrise and Sunset: Witness the awesome sunrise and sunset from the "stoep" / verandah.
- Hiking: A number of hikes ranging from easy strolls before dinner to strenuous expeditions. The hikes take you through tropical forests, mangrove swamps, river valleys, tribal farmlands and along the aptly named Wild Coast.
- 4x4 Trails & Waterfall Day Tours: Day tours to the spectacular Waterfall Bluff, Magwa and Frasier waterfalls and Magwa Tea Plantation - these have to be seen to be believed.
- Mountain Biking: Bring your bike and be adventurous. Explore the wilderness on challenging Pondo trails.
- Horse Riding: We offer horse rides for the whole family. Soak up the beauty and tranquillity of Pondoland on horseback. Bookings essential.
- Bird Watching: The diversity of habitats make this a birdwatcher's paradise, especially from the Ntafufu River. The area is home to over 250 species. Some rare and endangered species are common here such as: Narina Trogon, Cape Parrot, African Fish Eagle & Mangrove Kingfisher
- Flora & Fauna: Khululeka Retreat is set in the Mtambalala Indigenous State Forest and Pondoland Marine Park. This Wildcoast area is internationally labeled as the Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism. These Pondoland forests have a unique biological composition with more than 1400 plant species.
- Wildlife: A wide variety of animals can be found in Pondoland, from leopards to endemic butterflies. Some creatures around Khululeka Retreat include: Tree Hyrax (Tree Dassie), Vervet Monkey, Common Duiker & Small Spotted Genet
- Sounds of the Wild: Weird noises that you might hear at night is the piercing screams made by the Tree Hyrax (Tree Dassie) a harmless small cute furry animal that lives in trees. Accompanying them is the chirping nocturnal song of the Tree Frog. By day the loud wails, braying and squealing of the Trumpeter Hornbills is heard as they feast and hangout in our fruit trees. The "water being poured from a bottle" sound is the mellow call of the Rain Bird to announce the coming rain.
- Dolphin/Whale Watching: Although these mammals can be seen all year round, they are best seen during the Annual Sardine Run in the winter months of June and July. Thousands of Common Porpoise and Bottle Nose Dolphins; rare sightings of Heavyside dolphin and Risso's dolphin during the Sardine Run. Sperm Whales, Humpbacked Whales and Southern Right Whales are fairly common and are often seen breaching and tale slapping. Sometimes we also see the Orca (Killer Whale).
- Pondo/Xhosa Culture: For people wanting to really get in touch with tribal Transkei, arrangements can be made to spend a night with a local family or to see a local Sangoma. The people in Pondoland are exceptionally friendly, especially if you make the effort to learn a bit of their language.
- Arts and Crafts: Visit the local Arts and Crafts workshop and collect your souvenir...
- Live Arts Theater: We will happily arrange an unforgettable evening (especially for you) in our private Live Arts Theater featuring local Pondo song and dance acts.
- Port St. Johns: Port St Johns is 24km (30min) from us. Go to town for: Super Markets, Shops, Banks, ATM's, Post Office, Local Style Trading, Restaurants & Pubs, Golf Course & Fantastic swimming beaches.
Contact Us
OR
See next to main photo for alternative contact details.
Mastercard
Visa
© WHERETOSTAY.CO.ZA 1998-2012
