Budget Getaways Review
Ever dreamed of escaping into the gut of the Cederberg with your loved one, surrounded by nothing but mountains, fynbos, cascading streams and tortured rock formations?
How about adding to this office fantasy a dollop of simple luxury: dangling in a hammock on your deck, catching the dying embers of the day, taking a once-in-a-lifetime plane flip over the surreal moonscape, passing the summer heat in a crystal pool, pretending you're at work with free high-speed wifi…
Well, if you’re not calling in sick already, best dust off the oars and pull in the email sail, for Gecko Creek here we come.
Set on 517 hectares of private reserve, bordering the gobsmackingly beautiful Cederberg Wilderness Area, it’s hardly surprising that Gecko Creek Lodge is Lonely Planet’s “pick of the Cederberg".
Go for either safari tents or wooden cabins, depending on what takes your fancy.
The three wooden cabins offer king, double or twin-bed options, each spilling out onto spacious decks with mountain and fynbos vistas second to none.
Four sturdy canvas dome-tents with twin beds are set out on a spacious grassed area with equally appealing views. What’s more, you don’t need to bring your crusty old sleeping bag - all beds are made up and ready.
Nearby ablutions sport solar-powered hot showers with ample hot water.
If you can't resist regaling your traveller's tales and sharing a beer and some grid space with fellow adventurers, there’s a communal thatched cooking and dining lapa, and a large braai lapa.
While your vegetarian kebab browns over the coals keep looking skyward, as it's claimed that a shooting star fires across the Cederberg night sky every 15 minutes.
Horse riding, fishing, hiking, a scenic plane flip or a visit to nearby caves are only a few of the reasons you’d need to drag yourself away from the lodge’s swimming pool and it’s long views over the valley.
Before we forget, Gecko Creek is only for kids over 16 years - great news for couples, bad news for families.
All in all, a good spot for some down time in the Cederberg; in fact, in the words of one guest, Gecko Creek is “The best gateway to the Cederberg.”
Offering fair value, social ambience, spotless facilities and quality a notch above the camping norm, this is one Creek you'd be quite happy to lose a paddle in.