Old Joe's Kaia
N4 Schoemanskloof Road Btw. Machadodorp and Nelspruit, Schoemanskloof South Africa
Agoda.com
Vio.com
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Full view
View all photos (339)339
Room & Suite (55)
Dining (47)
About
#1 of 1 B&B in Schoemanskloof
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
OLD JOE'S KAIA is a unique and small family owned and managed vegan venue destination situated in the magnificent malaria-free Schoemanskloof Valley. It specialises in hosting small groups of up to 20 guests. This is a little oasis full of surprises. Expect fresh and unpolluted mountain air, fabulous scenery, prolific birdsong, and a wonderful relaxing, homely atmosphere. Known for its excellent vegan cuisine and fabulous wines, this is the perfect destination to celebrate anything in a group, be it a birthday, yoga retreat or simply a family and friend stopover en route to The Kruger National Park, Mozambique, Swaziland, The Panorama or the Lowveld.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Board games / puzzles
Books, DVDs, music for children
Indoor play area for children
Head massage
Internet
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Shallow end in pool
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Highchairs available
Massage
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Umbrella
Show more
Room features
Housekeeping
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Safe
Coffee / tea maker
Electric kettle
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Seating area
Private bathrooms
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Mountain view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German
Location
N4 Schoemanskloof Road Btw. Machadodorp and Nelspruit, Schoemanskloof South Africa
Getting there
Car HireSee all Schoemanskloof car hire
420Reviews0Q+A94Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 321
- 87
- 9
- 1
- 2
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
My younger brother Dashen is an adventurous type of person who is always looking for an elevating experience in his explorations of the natural beauties of our South African country side.Being a Vegan he was absolutely thrilled to be introduced to “Old Joe’s Kaia”nestled in the Schoemanskloof area near Nelspruit.He wanted to give me a special treat for my 60th Birthday and booked a 4 day getaway for the 6 of us,Himself,my eldest brother Raam,my two sons Kemeshan and Dhiveshan and my best friend Dhiraj.We arrived late in the evening and were warmly welcomed by our hosts Marian and Paul.Despite the ravings of my brothers Dashen and Raam who had been guests at Old Joe’s Kaia previously,my initial impression of the place far exceeded my expectations.The place has a rare rustic charm with a cheerful fire in the common area of the open plan lounge dining area.Ones immediate impression is one of being embraced in a bubble of love which is evidenced by the loving and welcoming nature of both the hosts and the 4 cats and an aging dog.We were treated to a delicious,sumptuos and exquisitely prepared 5 course dinner.For the entire duration of our stay not one of the breakfast or dinner menu items were repeated and it was an unforgettable Vegan gastranomic delight.Our bedroom was charming and welcoming and brought back fond memories of my stays at Grandma’s house.It was so lovely to wake up to the sounds of birds chirping and the thrilling of insects.There is a beautiful walking trail which includes a Labyrinth which is a must have experience.It is a truly magical environment which invokes an impression of falling into an alternate reality which is a mixture of all the wonders of Peter Pans Neverland,Alices adventures in wonderland and a sojourn at Hogwarts.On the walking trail there is a breathless expectation of stumbling across a Dryad draped across the greenery or a water nymph gamboling in the pool or some michievious pixies peeking at you from the boughs of the overarching trees.Being an avid bookworm I had great difficulty tearing myself away from the cosy reading nook which has an eclectic collection of interesting,entertaining and inspiring books.This getaway is only for the discerning traveler who can appreciate an experience out of the ordinary.It is a place to get in touch with ones inner self ,to recuperate from the wounds of wordly life and to rekindle ones inner chi.A fantastic place of spiritual healing perfect for family bonding and even for an intimate getaway with that special person in your life.Marian has a comforting nurturing motherly presence and is an embodiment of Love whilst Paul is a dependable unassuming character who keeps everything running smoothly with the minimum of fuss.A Big thank you to Marion and Paul for making my 60th Birthday such a special and memorable event (Marions specially prepared Vegan Strawberry cake was the icing on the top).I can’t wait for my next visit to Old Joe’s Kaia! Amaran Naicker – Scottburgh KZN …
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: The venue is accessible to many interesting sites of interest but on hindsight it would have been...
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
"An absolute must have experience. This is a unique experience in all the right ways. The atmosphere is serene and beautiful. I highly recommend giving Old Joe's a visit, be it a family trip or a simple get away for couples or yourself! The hospitality of Paul and Marian far exceeds what one would expect. The food experience is a taste of heaven, despite myself not being vegan... I never once wondered where the meat was! Marian is a magician in the kitchen with a deep understanding of flavours and their amalgamation to create perfection. Please do yourself and your family a favour and embark on this journey of the palate and soul!"
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
After enjoying a wonderful Gut Health course at Old Joe's , we decided to host my brother's 60th birthday at this venue. I couldn't wait to get back there. The hospitality of Marian and Paul are second to none. What a beautiful get away this is. The highlight of course is Marian's meals. A gourmet chef who's creativity and attention to detail is awe inspiring. She is in a league of her own. It's about presentation, taste sensation, aroma, portion size and choice of dishes that will leave you satiated and grateful that you visited this treasure trove. It's all vegan, but no matter. I promise you, regardless of your food preference, you will be pleasantly surprised. Please make a date and visit Old Joe's Kaia.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We needed a stopover on the way to Kruger and found Old Joe's Kaia by chance. We were blown away by the warmth, kindness and generosity of the owners. We had comfortable rooms but what really impressed us were the two meals we had - dinner and breakfast. They were both feasts to the eyes and incredibly tasty and it was clear that Marian and Paul had meticulously prepared our meals. The atmosphere of their place with its amazing verandah overlooking the lush green valley added to the wonderful brief experience we had at Old Joe's Kaia. We had three young children with us and Marian bent over backwards to adapt her vegan cooking to suit their needs. The adults thoroughly enjoyed everything.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Beautiful scenery; wonderful service; amazing vegan food even if you’re not a vegetarian/ vegan- even my meat-loving husband gave the meat-less menu a 5-star! The food lovingly prepared by Marianne is top-notch and made with every detail in mind. Definitely worth a stop-over in the beautiful, fertile valley of Schoemanskloof.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 01 Oct 2023
What a beautiful way to say thank you, Laurie - such a pleasure hosting you here! Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Quiet, peaceful, clean and friendly. The thing that totally and utterly blew me away was the vegan food. I’m not a vegan but do not let this stop you as it’s amazing. A great stopoff on the way to Kruger Park It was great value with very charming hosts who went out of their way to help. 5 stars
Read more
Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Go there even if you are not a vegan. It’s well worth it
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 01 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your kind and inspiring words, Tony! We are so glad we could give you something to remember. Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wonderful oasis on the way to or from Kruger. The home made food was spectacular, the maze at the bottom of the garden, lovely Rondavels and a drink from the bar on the terrace. I wish we'd arrived earlier and left later😊 The food is locally and plant based with herbs from the garden- a highlight!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 01 Oct 2023
Thanks so much for your inspiring comment, Kerryn - it was great hosting you here and we trust you will have a bit more time with your next trip! Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The food was excellent and it was prepared with great care. It is all vegan or vegetarian, but it is so delicate. Paul, the owner, is a very pleasant guy, helpful and full of good suggestions. We loved the stay. The place is located half way from Johannesburg to Kruger park, so it is an excellent place for a stop over. We highly recommend it.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: The owner Paul has 4 adorable cats. It is so nice to watch them play and to nurse them.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 01 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your appreciation of what we do. Thank you also for recommending Old Joe's Kaia as a convenient stop over! Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovely hidden retreat, very rustic atmosphere and owners and staff very friendly and helpful. Rooms a little dusty & dated but adds to the ambiance. Food was good, but maybe not for teenagers. East enough to find from main road.
Read more
Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 02 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your lovely review. Feeding teenagers is not always easy... but we will keep exposing them to the diversity and splendour of food. Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
I needed a place to go to where I could relax and unwind away from the busle of the city. Needed to meet my dietary requirements being plant based only. Having heard rave reviews from the community, I decided to book the recent long weekend at Old Joes Kaia. I arrived late at night due to unexpected work commitments and met Paul(owner manager), who cheerfully and kindly led me to my quaint bungelo for my rest that night. Immediately fell in love with the whole setup. I'm a nature lover and even at night, could see that the the property was absolutely lush with plants and trees. After a good sleep, got up for breakfast which I was ravenous for. The magic began! Marian is the other half of Paul, is an absolute gem! Her love and passion for hospitality and her choice of diet to nourish us unfolds in the most wonderful way. I had never tasted such amazing food, let alone plant based food until that moment. A lot of thought and care is seen on how the food is presented and on combinations. I was in gastro heaven! I sincerely think most meat eaters won't notice that they are not having meat - the food is that good! Aside from this is the four legged furry people on the premises. I adore bonding with pets wherever I go - what absolute characters Old Joes hosts! I looked forward to playing with and cuddling all of them at every occasion - 4 cats and one darling doggo. On my last night, had hearty soup at fire at a magical place at the bottom of the plot, under the stars which seemed endless and beautiful across the sky. I came back from break absolutely refreshed and recharged. I am definitely going to be a regular and recommend this to anyone who is looking for the same described above. Try Old Joes - you will be blown away!…
Read more
Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be aware that food served by establishment is strictly plant based.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Marian Cottle, Owner at Old Joe's Kaia
Responded 02 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this extensive review! Thank you for noting the smallest details, the beautiful descriptions and the many compliments, your deep understanding for what and why we do it - it truly means sooooo much to us and is the most encouraging gift you could leave us with - thank you! Kind regards.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
R 883 - R 1,052 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaMpumalangaSchoemanskloof
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingOLD JOE'S KAIA - Now R 768 (Was R̶ ̶8̶2̶4̶) - UPDATED 2023 B&B Reviews & Price Comparison (Schoemanskloof, South Africa) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Old Joe's Kaia
What are some of the property amenities at Old Joe's Kaia?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Old Joe's Kaia?
Top room amenities include a view of the mountains, a seating area, and a walk-in shower.
What food & drink options are available at Old Joe's Kaia?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Old Joe's Kaia?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Old Joe's Kaia?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, German, and Afrikaans.