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No Plans, No Problem: A Stay at Leopard Valley Eco Retreat

Tucked away between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam in the Western Cape, Leopard Valley Eco Retreat is the kind of place you go to when you want to truly switch off and slow down. Off the grid and surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Cederberg mountains, it offers a warm, down-to-earth escape into nature, surrounded by rocky hills and open sky, with a range of unique accommodation options for every kind of traveler, whether you’re after comfort, adventure, or a bit of both.

Cabins, Caravans & Camping in style

The eco-cabins at Leopard Valley are a perfect mix of rustic charm and modern convenience. Built from repurposed shipping containers and spaced out for maximum privacy, each cabin has its own character. You’ll find little touches that make all the difference: wood-fired hot tubs, both indoor and outdoor showers, and even an open-air bathtub for those who want to soak under the stars. Everything runs off solar power or gas, so while you’re totally off the grid, you won’t be missing out on comfort.

If you like the idea of camping but want a little more luxury, the glamping tents might be your vibe. There are four in total each with its own deck, outdoor kitchen, and cozy bed. Some even have private bathrooms, while others share facilities that are just a short walk away. Every tent has a wood-fired hot tub, which is the perfect way to end the day after hiking or swimming.

For something a little quirkier, the retro-style Cape Hare caravans offer a cozy and nostalgic option. With no electricity or Wi-Fi, they’re a great way to unplug and enjoy the simple things; like cooking over a fire, taking an outdoor bath, or watching the stars. Each caravan has a kitchenette, comfy bed, and its own private space in nature.

Embrace the Space

The retreat isn’t just about where you sleep, it’s about the experience. There are self-guided trails to wander, rock pools and spring-fed dams to swim in, and plenty of wildlife to spot if you’re lucky. For short trips out, places like Citrusdal’s hot springs and the Biedouw Valley’s seasonal flowers aren’t too far away.

Easy to love it

Leopard Valley doesn’t feel like a resort in the usual sense. It’s quiet, mostly self-guided, and not especially curated; which, for some, is exactly the point. It’s a place to rest, read, cook outside, and maybe get a bit sunburnt. No fuss, no crowds, and no pressure to do much at all. Leopard Valley Eco Retreat keeps things simple and sustainable, offering an honest, peaceful break from the busy world, whether you’re soaking in a hot tub or just sitting with a cup of coffee, surrounded by mountains and birdsong.

Contact

Email: hello@leopard-valley-eco-retreat.com

Phone: 060 541 0828

Location: Markuskraal Road, Clanwilliam, Western Cape 7340, South Africa

Instagram: leopard_valley_eco_retreat

Facebook: Leopard Valley Eco Retreat

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About us

Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.  We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.

Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa.  Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,

Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation

So what is the right accommodation?  Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose. 

Expensive is not always better.  Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday.  They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.

The reason for your travels will also affect your choice.  A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday. 

Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.

Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance

To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance.  Of these, service is the most important. 

No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion.  However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.

We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review.  We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.

However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.

Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid

How do you know when you have had a great spa experience?  The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table. 

Well that’s our theory anyway.  It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good

A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced.  However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.

Adventure!

You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience.  In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.

Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe.  It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.

On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities

If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.

If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.

We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.

See you on the road!

 

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