Over this past long weekend, we took a road trip out along the Garden Route up to Nature’s Valley, where my friend
Roxy was getting married. We left early on Thursday morning, up and on the road by 5am, in order to cash in on the long weekend.
Along the way, we stopped for a traditional South African road trip breakfast at Wimpy, a lunch of oysters in Knysna and a walk through the most beautiful Garden of Eden. There is nothing as good for the soul as some peaceful time in nature. Even just breathing in the oxygen-rich air in this dense and vibrant green tropical forest does wonders for your mood and wellbeing. I’m sure I was getting younger with every step I took. We stopped to do a little yoga in the middle of the forest and I have to say, it was pretty special.
We checked into our accommodation for the next two nights; Wild Spirit Lodge in Nature’s Valley. This backpackers is any traveller’s dream. The friendly staff are super welcoming and even if they weren’t, the view from the deck as you walk into the reception area is enough to take your breath away.
The view from the deck at Wild Spirit Lodge
There are a few different accommodation options, but we had chosen the safari tent – a permanent tent with a comfortable double bed and bedding. The tents are sheltered under trees so they don’t get too hot in the morning and the communal bathroom is just a little way away. The public areas have free wifi and a communal computer for the use of guests. They serve dinner every night for around R60 and breakfast in the mornings. They also have bar that serves beer, wine and a few spirits. If you prefer cooking for yourself, there’s a fully equipped farm kitchen where you can keep and cook your food.
Just outside of the lodge is a farm stall that sells fresh bread, local cheeses, organic salad veggies, farm milk, jams and preserves and baked goods. We rounded up a picnic basket full of treats and had a picnic in the shade before taking a walk down to the waterfall and natural rock pools. I slipped on the way down and broke my left butt and now I have a huge bruise to remember the hike by.
In the evenings, everyone gets together on the deck to eat, listen to/make music, get to know each other around the fire and take in the stars above. If you can’t afford food or accommodation, put up your little volunteer hand and work the bar or kitchen or if you have any musical talents, offer to play a gig for the other guests.
Wild Spirit is located on the
BazBus route and is such an amazing spot to stop. It would be very easy to get sucked in and spend a couple of weeks soaking up the good energy in the air. There are hiking trials, rock pools and a yoga room at the lodge and a beach nearby to keep you busy but if that’s not enough, the
world’s highest bungy bridge is 20 mins away.
I can’t wait to go back to Wild Spirit in July. But more on that later…
