A tranquil nature reserve close to the garden route nestled between mountains and sea.
Our accommodation
All our accommodation is natural and rustic and has been designed to reflect the exquisite natural setting of Pabala Nature Reserve.
The Country House
The Country House is a modern contemporary African Homestead, offering the perfect private setting for family gatherings and large groups reconnecting, family, friends, nature and you. The setting provides breathtaking views and especially of the Gamtoos estuary flowing into the Indian Ocean.
The Country Guest House is a modern contemporary African Homestead, offering guests the luxury of just relaxing as it includes dinner, bed and breakast.
Its perfect for birding community travellers, as it boasts with almost 128 different bird species identified in the past 12 months. (African Black Swift, African Olive Pigeon, Amethyst Sunbird, Bar-Throuted Apalis, Black Collared Barbet, Black Saw-Wing, Brimstone Canary, Cape Bulbul, Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Sugarbird, Cape White Eye, Common Waxbill, Familiar Chat, Fiscal Flycatcher, Fork Tailed Drongo, Greater Double Collared Sunbird, Greater Striped Swallow, Jackal Buzzard, Karoo Prinia, Knysna Woodpecker, Lesser Honeyguide, Olive Bushshrike, Rock Martin, Sombre Greenbul .. and more)
It is also a great nature break for corporate travellers, family gatherings and individual stop-overs. The setting provides breathtaking views and especially of the Gamtoos estuary flowing into the Indian Ocean.
The Guest House offers 3 different room types:
Eland Suite: King size bed that sleeps 2 guests, on-suite bathroom and bonus feature of a bunk bed for max two children 12yrs and younger at an additional supplement of only R350 per child per night. King size bed can also be split into two (2) single beds.
Springbok Suite: King size bed with on-suite bathroom. Can also be split into two (2) single beds.
Impala Family Room: Two seperate rooms (not interleading) sleeping four (4) guests and sharing an external bathroom between the two rooms. Both rooms can be made into four (4) single beds or two (2) King size beds.
Alternatively it can be made up into two (2) single beds and a King size bed. The Country Guest House sleeps eight guests (4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms). *Two (2) bedrooms on-suite and Two (2) bedrooms share a bathroom*. Communal areas includes the kitchen, lounge, dining room, indoor braai and large scenic outside wooden deck with braai facilities.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the house.
Sleeps 8 Adults
4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Comfortable Communal Areas
Braai Facilities & Scenic Deck
Stone Cottage
The Stone Cottage contains 3 bedrooms that accommodates five people. The main bedroom features a double bed with spacious cupboards and offers a beautiful view. The spacious second bedroom features 2 single beds and the third bedroom 1 single bed, ideal for children. 2 Bathrooms with showers. Equipped kitchen with indoor bbq and outdoor boma area. The Stone Cottage is easily accessible for any type of motor vehicle or motorcycle and conveniently located +-75 metres from the tar road or the R331.
Sleeps 5
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Braai Facilities & Scenic Views
Farmyard Cottage
The rustic two bedroom cottage has an open plan kitchen/lounge area opening onto a veranda overlooking Pabala Private Nature Reserve and Cockscomb Mountain Range. The sunny main bedroom has a double bed with spacious cupboards and a beautiful view. A spacious second bedroom has two single beds, ideal for siblings sharing a room. The bathroom has a traditional bathtub, shower and complimentary toiletries. The kitchen area is fully functional with a refrigerator, microwave, small stove and a kettle. Kids can help feed the farm animals in a touch farm style setting, cultivating a new found respect and love for nature. Wake up to the sounds of farm animals, welcoming the new day.
Sleeps 4
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom + Complimentary Toiletries
Kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, small stove and a kettle
Farm-style setting with farm animals.
Tented Bush Camp
Pabala Tented Bush Camp has four camping sites with an ablution block. The camp area is grass terraced with no electricity and has been left as natural as possible. The property is fenced and provides safe parking for vehicles. Imagine open landscapes with breath-taking views of nature at her best. The Luxury permanent tents are nestled in the bush and we offer guests the opportunity to experience the African bush under canvas. The camp is modeled on the heyday of exploration, a golden era when adventure lay around every corner. In order to keep with the authenticity of camping, there is no electricity in our tents. This type of camping can be fun, challenging and adventurous. Our tents are assembled on wooden decks and fitted with two permanent single beds. Fresh Linen and towels are supplied. The shared ablution blocks have flushing toilets, warm water and showers.
Relax at the centralized Boma area and expect to hear jackals calling or even catching a glimpse of the elusive bushbuck.
No Electricity.
Check-In 14:00 Check-Out 10:00
Late check out only by arrangement.
Permanent Tents on wooden decks
Each tent fitted with 2 single beds
Comfortable ablution facilities with flushing toilets & warm water
Fresh bedding & towels
Comfortable boma area with kitchen and braai facilities.
Honeymoon Suite
Begin your Honeymoon with tranquillity and soaking up the beauty of Pabala’s Valley. The Honeymoon Suite is a corner unit providing wide views of the Private Nature Reserve with animals roaming freely. Suite is fitted with only a shower and coffee/tea station. Booked on Bed & Breakfast basis (no meal preparation facilities are available in the Suites). Restaurant available on-site for other meals or explore the Gamtoos Valley.
Corner Unit at Valley View Suites
Fitted with a King Size bed
Shower
Fresh bedding & towels
Tea/Coffee Station
(no food preparation facility in Suite)
Valley View Suites
Experience tranquillity at its best when booking our Valley View Suites. Overlooking the Valley and greater Reserve where animals roam freely. Marvel in seeing our GoldenBlueWildBeest, Giraffe, Sable, White & Black Impala and much more, from your balcony. Perfect for a corporate overnight or a small group of guests. Suites are fitted with a shower and coffee/tea station. Booked on bed & breakfast basis (no meal preparation facilities are available in the Suites). Restaurant available on-site for other meals or explore the Gamtoos Valley.
Suite with private balcony overlooking the Nature Reserve
Sleeps maximum 2 guests
Shower
Fresh bedding & towels
Coffee/Tea Station in Suite & Restaurant on-site
Activities and Experiences
Craft Gin & Rum Tasting
Small Batch Distilled
All products – for distilling – are sourced from the local area in the Gamtoos Valley. Enjoy a tasting experience like no other with Pabala Craft Gin & Rum Tasting Sessions. Taste our seasonal gins that are crafted from locally sourced fresh produce that includes Citrus from. Patensie, Strawberries from Hankey, HoneyBush harvested in the Baviaans Mega Reserve and Pabala’s very own Prickly Pear. Our tasting sessions include an educational session on our craft distilled process and all mixes and condiments. An enjoyable afternoon experience for family and friends.
Game Drives
Enjoy a two hour game drive in an open vehicle with our experienced guide.
Timeslots are:
08:00 – 10:00
15:00 – 17:00
EARLY MORNING & LATE AFTERNOON
Revel in this beautiful landscape with wild animals roaming freely in the Fynbos covered mountains between Hankey and Loerie. Appetisers and beverages are included to make this a most enjoyable and memorable experience. Guided Game Drives are dependent on weather.
Romantic Sundowner Experience
Exclusively for the 2 of you!
ROMANTIC SUNDOWNER EXPERIENCE WITH BUSH PICNIC SET-UP
The Romantic Sundowner Experience includes the Romantic Game Drive plus a Bush Picnic. Our great video shows the full Romantic Game Drive with picnic set-up in the bush. Early morning or the golden hour is the best! The Sundowner Experience is priced at R2 750.- per couple.
Romantic game drive
A Romantic Guided Game-Drive with exclusive use of the game drive vehicle with a yummy picnic basket just for the two of you at only R1 750.- per couple. Enjoy a picnic when you reach the view-point with breath taking views of the Valley and nature and open a bottle of bubbly.
Guided nature walks
For those who want to experience nature up close and personal. A great walk through our reserve where you are accompanied by a ranger and guided in unmarked all natural terrain. The distance is tailored to suite your requirements. We have water stops on route with a light lunch to replenish you, served in the bush. Delight in your hike while being surrounded by wild animals.
Addo photo safaris
Join us on our guided adventure to Addo which is home to one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth, and is the only park in the world to lay claim to Africa’s ‘Big 7’ :- Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Southern Right Whale and Great White Shark. The Park extends along the coast from the Sundays River mouth with an offshore marine reserve that includes St Croix Island and Bird Island, both essential breeding grounds for penguins and gannets. St Croix has the largest African penguin colony in the world. Come and experience this diverse wild and sea life conservation park with us. Includes picnic basket with appetisers and beverages. Restaurant lunch available in the park.
Baviaans photo safaris
Connect with the rugged beauty of the Baviaanskloof with our experienced guide. This land of raw wilderness with its rocky passes and rugged gorges can only be travelled from east to west or from west to east. Baviaanskloof offers hours of beautiful scenery – veld, indigenous forests, crystal mountain streams, sheer cliffs and waterfalls, and is home to an amazing diversity of plants and species – from yellowwoods to Karoo bossies and fynbos. Includes snacks, beverages and picnic lunch in the unique African bush setting. Adventure awaits you!
Surf fishing
Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers. Join us for surf fishing where we enjoy the sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading in the surf, from sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, or even fishing piers. Under the guidance of our experienced Anglers, give surf fishing a try. It is fun, and offers a great day outdoors.
Deep sea fishing
Deep See Fishing is exciting and also referred to as offshore fishing. This takes place at St Francis in waters at least 30 feet deep to expose our pool of deep sea fish which includes Kob, Geelbek, Carpenter, Miss Lucy, Roman Yellow Tail and many more. The act of fishing – for fish, dreams or whatever magic is available – is enough. It transports us to a special world, and a state of mind, where we are free. Join us and our Expert Guides and enjoy this thrilling sport.
Extreme kayaking
Extreme Activities: 9:00 Am – 6:00 Pm This activity is designed for those in good physical shape to challenge their own fitness levels. Meeting at Pabala Private Nature Reserve Reception, we kayak 12 km upstream, with a stop at our bush picnic spot beside the river. Enjoy some time out in nature while having our prepared picnic lunch. We continue with a 10 km hike back to base camp at Pabala Private Nature Reserve. Once completed its time to relax with some refreshments and a Wholesome dinner thats prepared on open fires.
Social kayaking
We begin at our all natural picnic spot next to the Gamtoos River where we kayak 2 km upstream and 2 km downstream. Then its time to relax at our spot beside the River, where we enjoy a bush picnic lunch and beverages. Here we have time to explore nature and cool down in the River. This social activity is wonderful to enjoy with friends and family.
Half day honey experience
Join our professional beekeeper in the field and get to experience how to extract honey from the hives.
When booking the Half Day Honey Experience you will meet our Bee Keeper at reception from there you will get suited up in your BEE Safety gear with boots and head cover. *We offer Bee Safety Suits up to the sizes of Male 36 (XXL) & Female 36 (XXL)*
You will then make your way to the bee hives – in their natural habitat – which are situated in the Nature Reserve.
You will be in the field servicing the bee hives, harvesting honey and learning more about bees.
Experience bees and active beehives in the field
How bees go about making honey
Honey have various undertones, like citrus, fynbos, plum, aloe, etc.; come experience this for yourself
Protecting their queen and how their lifestyles work
You will see bees in their normal habitat making honey
After the honey extraction you will go back to reception, kit off and enjoy a lovely light lunch.
Full day honey experience
Join our professional beekeeper in the field and get to experience how to extract honey from the hives. After lunch you will get the opportunity to bottle the honey that you extracted from the hives.
The Full Day Honey Experience consists of a morning out in the field, in a complete BEE safety kit, lunch @ 13:00 and head to the bottling plant @ 14:00. *We offer Bee Safety Suits up to the sizes of Male 36 (XXL) & Female 36 (XXL)*
You will be in the field with a guide working on the bee boxes, harvesting honey and learning more about bees.
When booking the Full Day Honey Experience you will meet your guide at reception from there you will get suited up in your safety gear.
You will then make your way to the bees – in their natural habitat – situated in various areas, depending on the bees’ food source.
You will then service the bee boxes, extract honey and learn more about the bees and their way of living.
After the honey extraction you will return to reception, kit off and have a lovely light lunch.
After lunch you will head to the bottling plant where you will bottle the honey you extracted earlier the morning. You will get a sample of the honey that you extracted and bottled yourself to take home at the end of the day.
Executive honey tasting
Join us for a Honey Tasting at The Venue @ Pabala (requires 48hour prior arrangement).
Upon arrival you will receive honey tasting samples, be educated about bees, their importance to nature, farmers and our everyday lives, followed by the actual tasting.
Honey comes in different tones, tastes and textures! Pabala Pure Honey are all naturally raw, harvested, spinned and bottled at Pabala. You will never look at honey the same way.
After the tasting and education session, you will make your way to the local Restaurant for a nice lunch with selected menu choices. We may share a few secrets also.
Coffee/Tea station fully available during the tasting session for your convenience.
Tasting samples are yours to take home!
Minimum of 4 people per tasting session.
*Pre-Booking Required*
Express honey tasting
Enjoy 45 minutes at our beautiful Venue@Pabala where we will provide you with some interesting facts about bees, their importance to our daily lives and seasonal tasting samples (samples that you can take home). Coffee/Tea station fully available during the tasting session for your convenience.
Minimum of 4 people per tasting session.
*48hr Pre-Booking Required*
Rates:
Tented Bush Camp
Camping Stand only
2 Sleeper Tent:
4 Sleeper Tent:
Farmyard Cottage
Stone Cottage
Valley View Suites
Honeymoon Suite
Country Guest House
Family Room (sharing)
Double Rooms (on-suite)
Admin Fee:
- R55.00 once off per reservation.
