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Self Catering in De Rust

The Travelling Tortoise Retreat

4.8

See 358 reviews

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your stay!
22 guests
All ages welcome
Check-in: 14:00 to 19:00
Check-out: 10:00
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Travelling Tortoise Lane, Middleplaas, De Rust, 2000, Western Cape See Map

Description

The Travelling Tortoise Retreat is an off-the-grid eco-retreat that offers self-catering chalets, situated just 10 km from the pretty town of De Rust in the Western Cape. The retreat is set in a natural Klein Karoo veld; each mountain chalet boasts outstanding views of the Middleplaas valley, with the Redstone hills and Kammanassie Mountains in the background.

Accommodation is offered in a variety of wooden chalets. The elevated chalets have been built largely from renewable materials, with farmed pine trees being the main material. Although rustic, comfort hasn’t been compromised. The chalets are self-catering, and solar power provides electricity and hot water. Each chalet contains a large fridge-freezer, a gas oven with a hob for cooking, and a braai on the deck.

The Jackals Den and the Hares Lair are a departure from the elevated chalets; they are Hobbit homes - burrows within the red hills. There are 2 swimming pools, one of which is solar heated.

Only the Angulate, The Hinge-back and The Geometric chalet have private hot tubs, Jackal’s Den and Hare’s Lair do not have a hot tub.

On the level ground, within the bush, there is a camp with shaded pitches and clean drinking water. There is power, but being off-the-grid, power is restricted to small appliances.

Reserve

What you'll find here

Tea and Coffee

Free Secure Parking

Swimming Pool

Pets by Arrangement

Reviews

4.8/ 5

Based on 358 reviews

Excellent

Cleanliness

4.8

Location

4.7

Value for money

4.8

Service

4.8

Safety

4.9

Guest highlights

Eric B

With partner

5.0

An extremely pleasant experience. Can recommend with the greatest confidence. Special experience. Very spacious and fully equipped guesthouse. Beautif...

Nov 2025

Nathan C

Family with young children

5.0

A delightful rustic getaway! From the moment we arrived, Jeff and his team made us feel incredibly welcome. The accommodation has a charming rustic vi...

Nov 2025

Trudy K

With partner

5.0

Peaceful and well equipped. This was an amazing experience! The owner and staff were incredibly friendly. Upon arrival, the hot tub was already heated...

Nov 2025

Stephen A

Family with teenagers

5.0

We can't wait for our next visit. Our whole family enjoyed it very much.

Oct 2025

Louise E

With partner

5.0

Amazing! Rest for the soul and value for money! We had a great stay. There was a problem with the hot water, but it was looked into and they didn't ch...

Sep 2025

See all 358 reviews