Quick Facts
E 19°00'38''
Budget Getaways Review
Appointed 7km from Citrusdal, Elephant Leisure Resort offers a a unique setting and wonderful views across the Cederberg mountains and Sneeuberg conservancy (often covered in snow in winter). Although a 'resort', the result is a relaxing and calm atmosphere.
It comprises a total of 10 neat chalets, of which four are two-bedroom ensuite units, the balance made up by one-bedroom units. The larger cottages have open-plan living areas and gas fireplaces - gas can be bought on site. The smaller units are also open-plan, with double doors opening onto a terrace that's tailor-built for sundowners, braaing and wallowing in your private Jacuzzi.
All the cottages are fully equipped, with linen and towels supplied, as well as telly, gas fireplaces, air-con and equipped kitchenettes. What's more, all spill out to excellent views and are adequately private. Did we mention that each cottage comes fitted with its own Jacuzzi?
Now for the activity list, which runs long. While most of your day is likely to be spent on the stoep, between nursing your braai and navel-gazing in the Jacuzzi, the fact that the resort is situated in a wide valley between beautiful mountains and weird and wonderful rock formations lends it to excellent walking opportunities. There are apparently over 850 fynbos species in the area, which in turn attracts an array of bird species, which in turn attracts doddering species lugging cameras and binoculars, which in turn... "And so the slow gentle cycle of life is perpetuated" - uttered in your best Richard Attenborough accent.
Back at the ranch, there's a jungle gym for gran and the kids, as well as a communal swimming pool fed by 30-degree pure spring water that's forced under its own pressure through a calcium formation below - never imagined you would be swimming in Evian, did you? Venturing further afield Citrusdal has one or two decent eateries and a host of outdoor attractions.
"Very good."
(visited October 2011)
"Fantastic. Will definitely come again. Thanks."
(visited October 2011)
"We have been coming here for 8 years and we always recommend the place to everyone."
(visited October 2011)
"Baie dankie. Dit was baie lekker en rustig."
(visited October 2011)
"We enjoyed our stay very much. We got a very good first impression. The facilities were very good and of good use. The Resort overall is very beautiful and we enjoyed the quietness. I think our stay was worth the money we paid. The service we received was excellent and we won't hesitate to make use of the resort again in future. I will certainly recommend other people to your resort."
(visited October 2011)
"Very nice - will come again."
(visited October 2011)
"I didn't se any negatives in the way, the place is very nice, everything is clean - around the chalet very clean - please tell the owner he does have a gold mine - could not ask for a better place in Citrusdal area. The people working there, thank you. Anja, you and Harald made our stay very very nice - so peaceful - will defnitely come again, for sure."
(visited October 2011)
"Dankie Anja - vir al jou moeite en reelings. Ons kom defnitief weer."
(visited October 2011)
"It was very nice to stay here. Excellent venue and quietness was appreciated. The children maybe need more activities - we have a boy (14 years) and a daughter (18 years). Maybe you can put a broom/mop just to clean up if the children had messed! Your rooms were very clean and LOVELY. Overall the experience was GREAT. Thank you."
(visited October 2011)
"Had a nice stay by all nice to have some peace and quiet."
(visited September 2011)
"Beautiful accommodation. Only downside was the confusion when booking and ordering gas, but it was not available upon arrival."
(visited September 2011)
"Ons het dit regtig terdee geniet en ontspan en weer baie moed geskep, baie dankie dat ons kon kom. sal beslis 'n plan maak om weer te kom en vriende saambring. Die jacuzzi is natuurlik 'n wenner."
(visited September 2011)
"Absolute the best ever, been to many destinations, you can not value a place in the mountains, natura around u, to site and relax in the jacuzzi and all u see is nature, totaly private, the staff is absolute wonderful, not once I missed the TV or my cellph, this is defnitatly a place to go and just relax, enjoy your friends,family and found yourself, absolute fantastic I acualy cant found the words to discribe Elephant Leisure Resort. Amazing - will defnite will see us again. Thanx a mill."
(visited September 2011)
"I agree with the previous person who posted here. We stayed in Dec 2010 as well, we had two chalets and were very dissapointed. I don't think this should appear in budget getaways as it is very expensive. The chalets were not very clean - the whole "resort" if you can call it that - is in need of a LOT of TLC; the pool is murky, we didnt have sufficient crockery and cutlery in the one chalet despite complaining, the jacuzzi's weren't set properly and more. I sent them an email on my return - telling them of my unhappiness - but never even received a reply :- Definitely won't go back and don't recommend it. The owner needs to jack up this place - it COULD be SO awesome!"
(visited December 2010)
"My husband and I have stayed at many places listed on Budget Getaways and have always been very happy with the places we have visited, but Elephant Leisure Resort was a BIG disappointment. Our cottage was filthy when we arrived... stinking of stale cigarette smoke, floors dirty, fridge not wiped out, toilets that run constantly, taps that could not be turned off without literally breaking a hand! The general maintenance was poor to say the least. No info on what to do on the farm was provided. As there was no one there when we arrived, as it was a public holiday, we had to wait until the next morning to complain. The manager suggested we move into another chalet... which was clean but just as badly maintained. At no point was an apology given; she just muttered that she was having staff problems. I would like to add that we were paying R1300 a night for a two bedroomed cottage... which is way too much for the standard of accommodation. We will definitely never ever go back or recommnend it... there are far better places to stay in the area. It's only redeeming features is the natural environment and Spot the friendly Dalmation. I would suggest that Budget Getways review this getaway again as it is not up the normal budget-getaways standard."
(visited December 2010)
Getaway Reply
"Thank you for your feedback, we really appreciate it.
I take notice 3 people stayed in Chalet no.5 booked by Jeanette Gibbs, our practice is that on public holidays and weekends our staff come in to clean the chalets depending on the needs of our guests. Our maintenance program is based on observation from the maids to the manageress, so if there are faulty taps, leaking toilets or whatever it gets addressed. However we are in the process of replacing broken-cracked floor tiles, we are struggling to find the size of the tiles and exterior paint which are needed. Our policy about cleanliness goes beyond any doubt, therefore this complaint will be investigated. Chalet no.5 does not have very good cellphone and TV reception so we have no control over the situation. We have guidelines laid down by the owner, and follow them every step of the way to make the resort a lovely place to stay. After the departure of the Gibbs family we had people staying in chalets no. 5 for the weekend and we did`not have any complaints. If you need any other information feel free to contact me. I want to make it very clear that this resort always tries it`s best to make our guests feel welcome and enjoy their stay and the natural beauty."
(Anja Smit)
"WOW! What can we say we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Elephant Leisure Resort! These great self catering cottages are tucked away in the Citrusdal mountains and situated behind the beautiful orchards. We were happy to find that even the kitchen was equipped with crockery as well as all the basic kitchen equipment. We loved the jacuzzi and the fact that each chalet had its own private one on their patio. The staff were kind and always came to clean our chalet and change the towels daily. What more could we have asked for than excellent service, an amazing view of the mountains, the peacefulness of the natural surroundings and sweet sounds of nature all around us.And being able to relax in our own jacuzzi while enjoying a braai. We got engaged during this week and we have the most beautiful memories from this getaway and highly recommend this resort to anyone who wants to either have time out to relax, have a romantic trip or a weekend away with friends. They also have a reception area for functions and parties and a pool with a play area for the kids.. We will definitely return to this resort to have another romantic getaway. Thank you so much to everyone at the resort for making our stay so wonderful and for the friendly service. We appreciate it!"
(visited February 2010)
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Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland