In the Cederberg mountains of South Africa, on a right turn from the Algeria Campsite gravel road we can find a hidden gem. Gecko Creek is a paradise in the middle of nowhere.
My first impression was of laughter when, after driving through the first gate, the below sign appeared. Arriving around sunset time the sky looked every type of red and pink while I drove.
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Quick facts:
- Good for: families, couples, friends
- Starting from: 370 ZAR per person per night (20€)
- Location: Cederberg, Western Cape, South Africa
Accommodation at Gecko Creek
I had booked one of Gecko Creek‘s chalets (they also have tents).The chalets are high on wood decks and have a little area in the front with a hammock and a bench.
The inside is quite tiny, featuring the bed with two bed tables on each side and a box for your belongings.
The chalets overlook the valley and have great views of the surrounding mountains. Enjoying sunset from the deck was one of my favourite things to do.
The hammock just makes for the perfect spot to read a book or just listen to the birds.
The chalets and tents do not have electricity or lights. There are charging points in the kitchen for devices. You have bring your own lanterns to go to your tent/chalet when the sun has set.
Facilities at Gecko Creek
Rules at Gecko Creek are strict around noise. Their motto says “The silence that speaks”. It is a place ideal to listen the mountain sounds. The camp is strictly no noise (no speakers allowed) and the only two areas where you hear people are the communal area and boma (outdoors fire area).
Ablutions are communal and close to the main area. The distances between any tent/chalet and communal area are between 10m-50m.
There is a thatched big room without walls that comprises the kitchen and dining tables. Next to the kitchen and dining area we can find the boma, with braai facilities and bean bags surrounding the fire. There is charcoal available for purchase at the office. They also have a pool.
Although I wanted to explore the Cederberg and Gecko Creek was just a recommended place to stay, the complete silence and the hammock in my chalet were the perfect down time combination after a day of hiking and exploring.
What to do at Gecko Creek
1. Leopard rock:
This rock is located less than 200m away from the main area. There are very watered-down bushman paintings dated of 20.000 years ago and from the top it is a spectacular sunset spot.
John takes groups every day at 18:00 for R10 and tells the story of the paintings.
2. Elephant rock:
This rock is called elephant rock because you can clearly see an elephant on its shape.
There used to be two, one behind the main one you see on the picture below, but the rock cracked. This rock is about 20 minutes away walking from the camp, and can also be reached by 4×4.
3. Scenic Flights:
Those can be organised from the office and take 1 or two passengers at a time. They fly over the lodge and surrounding Cederberg areas.
4. Algeria Waterfall hike
This one is one of the most famous waterfalls hikes in the area. Read here the full guide for Algeria waterfall and hike.
What’s to love
The tranquillity. It was seriously relaxing to have an atmosphere built around silence.
The lodge can host more than 25 people when it’s full with chalets, tents and safari tents available. It was still totally quiet away from the main area.
Random fact: for those who personally know me and have been with me on any summer night, you all know mosquitos love me. Like they must have an altar with my name. I was sceptical when I read on the website mosquitoes were few, and I can prove I wasn’t bitten once while wearing summer clothing!
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