Port St Johns Accommodation / Khululeka Retreat Port St Johns Accommodation / Self Catering in Port St Johns, Wild Coast

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.

Khululeka Retreat - Paradise. Right Here, Right Now

Khululeka retreat is 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 inexhaustible list of "Things To Do".

SELF CATERING ACCOMMODATION


We offer self catering on a grand scale! Book out the entire inn complex for yourself, your family and/or your friends. Or, yes, you can book just one room.

Rooms
• Rondawels / Traditional Huts: Comfortably furnished traditional Pondo style hut with thatched roof.
• Single / Double Rooms: In and around the main building we have a number of furnished rooms.

Facilities
• Kitchen: The kitchen comes fully equipped. We make use of gas for kitchen appliances and candles for light which creates a fantastic, calm, relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
• Dining Hall: Grand, spacious thatched dining hall / living space that opens to the verandah.
• Boma: Spacious thatched braai (barbecue) area - also with the awesome view of sea and estuary
• Verandah: Breath taking sea view and sunrise.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES


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).

Beach:
The distance to the beach is about 2,5km. Drive or walk down to the river +/- 1km. Take our 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 10 to 45 minutes depending on your mode of transport. Our beaches are wide, unspoilt and great for swimming and surfing. In season we have lifesavers from Port St Johns on our main beach. Out of season it is all yours - Pure Paradise.

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.

River Fishing and Canoeing:
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.

4x4 Trails and 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 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 and Fauna:
Khululeka Retreat is set in the Mtambalala Indigenous State Forest and Pondoland Marine Park. This Wildcoast area is internationally labelled as the Pondoland Centre of Plant Endemism. These Pondoland forests have a unique biological composition with more than 1,400 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 and Small Spotted Genet.

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.

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.

ACCREDITATIONS

Eastern Cape Tourism Board

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