The Retreats: A tranquil farm stay near East London, South Africa
I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Retreat’s log cabin near East London. This cozy, affordable, and eco-friendly accommodation is located on a beautiful working farm just a 15-20 minute drive from East London’s center. Not only is it a great place to visit when you just need a break from life’s stresses, but you’ll also be supporting a wonderful cause. All proceeds from your stay go towards raising funds for Greensleeves Place of Safety, a childrenโs trust that supports over 76 foster children across 15 different foster homes.
So, keep reading to hear about our stay here and why you’ll love it too.
A warm welcome at The Retreats
On our arrival, Davin was quick to guide us to the cabin from the main farm gate. Before settling us in, he took the time to explain everything we might need to know to make our stay as comfortable as possible. The cabin is a little gem, nestled about 300 meters from the main farmhouse, overlooking a peaceful dam. It’s completely off the gridโno Wi-Fi, no TV. But honestly, thatโs what made it perfect for us. We could finally unplug and unwind.
Cozy cabin comfort
The cabin accommodates up to 5 guests in a fully self-catering, open-plan living room and kitchen area (with a gas stove). The bathroom includes a toilet and basin inside the cabin, while the shower is in a small adjacent building. It’s eco-friendly, so it doesn’t have all the luxuries of a 5-star hotel. What you get though is far better โ it feels like a home away from home, with a peacefulness that is hard to find in today’s busy world.
Tranquil views
After checking in, we settled on the back porch, which has views over a small dam. It was magical seeing the horses coming down to the water to drink. We also spotted many different kinds of birds right from our porch, which we thought was really cool! If you like fishing, make sure to bring your rod. The dam has bass and tilapia, with a catch and release policy, making it eco-friendly but still a fun activity.
Exploring the farm area at The Retreats
Eventually, we pulled ourselves away from the back porch to wander through the farm. Just steps from the cabin, there’s a well-maintained walking trail. It meanders through the farm, offering a lovely walk to soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
Davin also encouraged us to explore the rest of the farm area, so we took a walk around to see what we could find. Since it’s a working farm, you’ll come across plenty of adorable farm animals like pigs, horses, and a donkey. Kids, in particular, will likely enjoy watching these animals going about their daily routines!
Relaxing evenings and curious visitors
After exploring the farm, we headed back to the cabin to start dinner. Suddenly, we heard hooves on the stone path outside. When we opened the door, we has some unexpected visitors! Just look at those cute little faces – couldn’t resist going out to give them some attention.
The horses and donkey frequently came right up to the cabin door during our stay, inquisitively poking their noses at the gate. I loved seeing them and they added even more of a special touch to our time at The Retreats.
After spending time with the animals and preparing for the evening, winding down by a cozy fire in front of the cottage was the perfect end to a beautiful day.
Beautiful mornings and farewells to The Retreats
Davin mentioned that the sunrises here can be phenomenal, so naturally, I set my alarm for 5am to catch the first light. And it was definitely worth waking up early. The sun rises beautifully over the dam, making it a perfect spot to enjoy with a cup of coffee on the back porch. Later, as it got brighter, we even saw the horses swimming through the middle of the dam, which was a beautiful sight.
Saying goodbye was tough, but hey, all good things must come to an end, right?
So, if you’re looking for a unique getaway that’s easy on the wallet and good for the soul, The Retreats is worth checking out.
Important Information about The Retreats
- Location: Farm G116, Brakfontein, East London
- Cost: R550 per night for the whole cabin, regardless of number of people
- Contact: To make a reservation or for more information, contact The Retreats at +27 67 647 7452 or visit their Facebook Page.
Looking for more things to do in and around East London?
2 Comments
Talya
This looks the most chilled place ever, so keen to stay! Saved for future trip accommodation! ๐ฅ๐
Samantha
Aww thanks for your comment, Talya. It was so stunning!