Bush getaways aren’t always at the top of the list when exploring the Sunshine Coast, but Sebumo Tude, southwest of Port Alfred off the Southwell road, provides the perfect secluded wilderness getaway.
Whether you’re travelling the coast along the R72 and looking for a quick stopover, or if you need a weekend getaway from East London, Grahamstown, or Port Elizabeth, Sebumo Tude is the ideal destination. Surrounded by forested hills, far from the highway hustle and the busy beaches, you’ll be grateful for the forced isolation of weak mobile signals.
Enjoy your dinner in the cathedral-like main lodge, or curl up with a pot of tea on one of the many welcoming couches.
Kick back and relax in the main lodge, where delicious breakfasts are served on the porch and mouthwatering dinners plated up inside. In my travels across South Africa, this is without a doubt some of the best catering I’ve enjoyed. And, while I’m always aware that my restrictive food allergies put most cooks at a loss, the kitchen served up feast after feast of food planned specifically to meet my needs.
Each chalet feels like its own oasis in the wilderness. Relax with a book in front of your fireplace, or watch the springbok stroll by as you lounge on your deck. Wake up with the fresh air of an outdoor shower, and spend your evening gazing at the stars of a sky absolutely uncluttered by artificial light.
Put your feet up by the fire as you relax in the solitude of your thatched chalet.
Activities around the lodge include mountain bike trails and hiking paths, and the beaches of Kenton-on-Sea are only a short drive away. While I arrived with great plans for long walks through the bush and a trip to the seaside, I embraced my weekend lethargy and spent hours reading by the pool and in the cool shade of my chalet.
Time slips away at Sebumo Tude, and before you know it you’ll be back on the road. I find comfort in knowing that while I’m caught up in my day-to-day rush of work, there’s a place waiting for me just down the coast when I need my next escape.
