Hidden away, not so far from the center of SA, is a family-friendly game farm, with a treasure trove of soft adventure activities for young and old, to choose from.
Eingedi Retreat
is a 2-star self-catering exclusive establishment, situated on a 530Ha game
farm, in the Eastern Freestate between Ladybrand and Hobhouse. The beautiful views
of the Maluti Mountains, together with the wildlife, numerous birds, natural
forest, plains, mountains and valleys, tucked away from the hustle and bustle
of everyday life, all work together to create a space of tangible peace,
tranquillity and quietness to refresh and restore the body, soul and spirit.
We definitely
love families and children. We have gone the extra mile to create a place where
different generations can get together and enjoy
building relationships, by spending time together playing, resting, and sharing
experiences. Eingedi endeavours to
provide a family-friendly environment based on biblical principles.
Eingedi
offers numerous activities and experiences for guests of all ages to enjoy: From relaxing
around the pool or braai fire, and going for a gentle stroll; or a self-guided
game drive, taking along a flask of coffee for a picnic on the plains while
bird-watching; to exciting and breath-taking routes for the avid cyclist; or hiking up and down
ladders and across game-filled plains; or enjoying an adventurous 4x4 trail
down Skeleton Ridge; or booking for our top experience - a 4x4 guided game drive on Caleb our Unimog!
We also offer a 5-star buffet breakfast to enjoy.
You are sure
to keep your days filled with many memory-making undertakings, in-between just
doing nothing and soaking in the peace and tranquility of our valley.
Eingedi is a haven for children. We have 2 swimming pools, a playground with swings, a roundabout, large trampoline and exciting new jungle gym; our Jolly Farmyard; domestic animals to be fed and milked; dams for fishing; walks and hikes.
Accommodation is offered in a variety of cabins, chalets and cottages, all of which are well equipped for self-catering and have their own private bathrooms. Camping sites with electricity are also available for those who wish to bring along their own camping equipment.
Come and discover this concealed and wholesome gem in the heart of the Eastern Freestate.
What is the condition of the gravel road like? There is a 2,5km stretch of gravel road from the R26 tar road. This road, as well as the 800m driveway to reception, is suitable for sedan vehicles. No need for a 4×4 unless you would like to explore the 4×4 tracks on the farm.
Establishment Facilities: * Guided 4x4 Unimog Game Drives * Official Hiking Trails * 4x4 Driving Trails * Cycling Routes * Walks * Picnic and Braai Sites * Large fire-pit & boma for hire * Recreational Fishing * Paddle Boats * Playground with Trampoline &
Jungle Gym * Farmyard Animals * 5-star Buffet Breakfasts * Free Parking * Wifi * Pre-booked Meals in the Dining Hall or
outside in the Pavilion * Games room with pool table, table
tennis, darts and board games * Conference venue
Area Info:
Eingedi
Retreat is located 30km from Ladybrand, our nearest town, 2,5km off the R26, on
the way to Hobhouse/Wepener. The R26 is a link road from Mpumalanga, Gauteng,
& KZN to the Western & Eastern Cape provinces.
You can find
us in the Eastern Free State, South Africa,. We are approximately a 3,5 hour’s
drive from the Kwa-Zulu Natal Drakensberg border; 2 hrs from the Eastern Cape
border, and 1 hour 30 min from Bloemfontein, the capital city of the Free
State.
We are
literally situated not far from the center of South Africa.
Eingedi is
strategically located 35 km from Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho, and is
ideally situated for exploring Lesotho with day trips to the Mountain Kingdom.
Attractions:
The soft adventure activities offered by Eingedi (See Below) The Eastern Freestate Landscape and historical sites Lesotho Mountain Kingdom with its passes, mountains and dams
Activities:
ACTIVITIES ON EINGEDI
ADDITIONAL COST * Guided 4x4 Unimog Game Drives * Official Hiking Trails * 4x4 Driving Trails * Self-guided Game Drives (additional cost for day visitors - included for booked-in guests) * Games Room * 5-star Buffet Breakfasts and Meals
INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMMODATION FEE * Swimming in our 2 Pools * Cycling Routes * Walks * Picnic and Braai Sites * Recreational Fishing * Paddle Boats * Playground with Trampoline, Jungle Gym, Swings, and Roundabout * Farmyard Animals
Clothing and Accessories:
WHAT DO I NEED TO PACK TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MY VISIT? ·
Binoculars ·
Swimming Towels ·
Hiking and walking shoes (the
terrain around the chalets is uneven) ·
A hot water flask for coffee
picnics at various spots – to watch a sunset, enjoy the wildlife, relax next to
the dam while fishing, or soak in the stunning views. ·
Mosquito repellent (summer) – we
provide a mosquito net for each bed as well as outdoor Zappers ·
Additional warm clothes (winter) –
we provide you with a cosy hot water bottle ·
Some extra lighting for
loadshedding ·
We have LED lights, and gas
cookers to lend out if necessary
Health and Climate:
Our summers are
warm and vibrant, and winters crisp with cozy nights and mild days. This makes
it ideal for all year round visits, depending on whether you are coming to
swim, hike, braai, cycle, fish, do some birding or game viewing, or sit around
a roaring fire with a cozy warm water bottle and go for early morning walks
through the crunching frost.
We are a malaria-free region.
Rooms and Units Available:
Buffalo Base --
This chalet sleeps 4 and contains 1 bedroom with a double bed, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a kitchenette, a dining area, 2 single beds, and a patio. It has an outdoor dining area and braai facilities.
Sleeps 4 Adults
Camping Sites with Power --
Each stand offers ample space for caravans and tents and has electricity. The ablution offers hot showers for ladies and gents. Hot water is provided by a wood-fired ‘donkey’ heater. Washing-up areas are available.
Amount of similar units: 8
Sleeps 10 Adults
Chai Cottage --
This open-plan studio cottage contains a queen bed and a single bed, a bathroom with a bath, a kitchenette, a dining table and seating area, and a patio. The cottage has outdoor dining furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 3 Adults
Cosy Cabin --
This free-standing log cabin contains 1 bedroom with a double bed, private bathroom with a shower-over-bath, a kitchenette, dining and living area with 3 single beds. The cabin has a patio, outdoor dining furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 5 Adults
Eli's Shofar --
This free-standing chalet has 2 bedrooms. The 1st bedroom has a double bed and 2 single beds. The 2nd bedroom has 2 single beds. It has a bathroom with a shower, a kitchenette, dining and living area, as well as a patio and braai facilities.
Sleeps 6 Adults
Fountain of Joy --
A caravan forms the rear end of this chalet. The front of the chalet has a double bed, dining table, a kitchenette and a bathroom with a shower. The attached caravan part has 3 single beds. The chalet has a patio, outdoor furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 5 Adults
Leopard Sanctuary --
This free-standing chalet has a large bedroom with a double bed and 2 single beds, a bathroom with a shower-over-bath, a kitchenette, dining and living area with 2 single beds. The chalet has a patio, outdoor furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 6 Adults
Lion's Shelter --
This open-plan free-standing chalet has a double bed and 2 single beds, a bathroom with a shower, a kitchenette, dining table and seating area, and a patio. The chalet has outdoor dining furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 4 Adults
Petra Hostel - Backpacker Unit
This hostel-style cabin sleeps 11. It has an upstairs loft room with 6 single beds. Downstairs, there is a bedroom with a double bed, a curtained-off room with 2 single beds, kitchenette, dining and living area with sofa bed. It has a bathroom with a bath
Sleeps 11 Adults
Rhino's Rest --
This chalet sleeps 4 and contains 1 bedroom wiht a double bed, an en-suite bathroom with a shower-over-bath, a kitchenette and dining area with 2 single beds, and a patio. It has an outdoor dining area and braai facilities.
Sleeps 4 Adults
Shalom Chalet --
This free-standing chalet has 3 bedrooms. The 1st has a queen bed and 2 single beds, the 2nd has a double bed and a single bed, and the 3rd has a single bed. The bathroom has a bath. The chalet has a kitchenette, dining and living area, and verandah.
Sleeps 8 Adults
Zayin Place --
This free-standing chalet has a bedroom with a double bed, a private bathroom with a shower, a kitchenette, dining and living area with 2 single beds. The chalet has a patio, outdoor furniture and braai facilities.
Sleeps 4 Adults
Facilities & Services available:
Babies Children under 12 Elderly Honeymoon Couples Special Meals on Request Conference facilities Self-Braai / Barbecue Dining room
Fireplace on the Premises Garden Library Parking (off-street - open) Wi-Fi Afrikaans English Xhosa / Zulu
Games Room Hiking / Walking Trails Playground Trampoline Swimming Pool Volleyball German No Pets Allowed
·
No
cancellation fee will be charged for bookings/enquiries cancelled within 24
hours of making a booking. ·
50%
of the fee will be charged for cancellations of bookings thereafter. ·
100%
of the fee will be charged for cancellations within 5 days of arrival.
Terms and Conditions
* No music, portable sound systems or sound systems in cars * No alcohol abuse; substance/drug use, including hubbly bubbly * No unruly or rowdy behavior * Fires only in designated areas with no fires left unsupervised * No littering or damage to the natural environment * No pets
Directions:
From Ladybrand:
- Travel on the N8 towards Bloemfontein for 15km.
- Turn left onto the R26 towards Wepener/Hobhouse.
- Travel 15km and about 1km beyond the Kommissiepoort Police Station, turn left onto the S612 dirt road after the Eingedi signboard.
- 500m later turn left again onto the S616.
- Travel for 2km and turn left into the 800m long driveway to Reception.
- Please be sure to close the gate in order to prevent game from escaping.
From Bloemfontein:
- Travel on N8 for about 125km.
- Turn right onto the R26 towards Wepener/Hobhouse. Follow the above directions.
From Hobhouse:
- Travel 25km on the R26 towards Ladybrand.
- Turn right at Eingedi Retreat signboard. Follow the above directions.
From Durban:
Even though the drive via Golden Gates is spectacular, the 40km stretch of road between Fouriesburg & Ficksburg is not good.
Here is an alternative suggestion:
- N3 to Harrismith.
- Travel via Bethlehem, Paul Roux, Senekal, Marquard, Clocolan, to Ladybrand.
(The 25km stretch between Marquard & Clocolan, is nearly as bad as the Fouriesburg/Ficksburg stretch, but shorter).
From Johannesburg:
1st option:
We would firmly recommend that you travel on the N1 via Bloemfontein, because of the current conditions of the road surfaces on the alternative shorter routes.
Take the first Bloemfontein off-ramp off the N1, and follow the Bram Fischer airport signs, to get to the N8 (roughly 10km).
See above directions ‘From Bloemfontein’.
Please check on Google for an update on roadworks for the following alternative options:
2nd option:
- N1 to Winburg off-ramp.
- Left onto N5 towards Senekal.
- 10km later, right onto R708 to Marquard.
- Continue on R708 to Clocolan.
- Right onto R26 to Ladybrand.
- See above directions ‘From Ladybrand’.
3rd option:
- N1 to Kroonstad.
- R76 to Steynsrus.
- R720/R70 to Senekal.
- R707 via Marquard to Clocolan.
- R26 to Ladybrand.
- See above for directions ‘From Ladybrand’.
4th option:
- N3 to Villiers.
- R26 via Frankfort, Reitz, Bethlehem, Fouriesburg, Ficksburg, Clocolan and Ladybrand.
- See above for directions ‘From Ladybrand’.
5th option:
- N3 to Villiers.
- R26 to Frankfort.
- R34/R707 to Petrus Steyn.
- R707 via Lindley, Arlington, Senekal, Marquard to Clocolan.
- R26 to Ladybrand.
- See above for directions ‘From Ladybrand’.
Click to display the map
Children Policy
Children younger than 2 years stay for free. Children younger than 12 years stay at a discounted rate.
TGCSA Grading:
Accommodation Type: Backpacker, Caravan park, Country Lodge, Guest Farm, Holiday Resort, Private Game Lodge and Self-Catering
