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Doring River, Northern Foothills of the Cederberg near Clanwilliam, Cederberg 8135 South Africa
No fees just great deals
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Oudrif is a fully catered lodge situated on the banks of the Doring River at the Northern foothills of the Cederberg. Providing stylish accommodation in 5 individual straw bale cottages, for people who relish peace and quiet. Winter rains bring the largest outdoor flower display in the world; the pristine river provides opportunity for paddling, swimming, fishing and sun bathing on secluded beaches. The area whispers of our past from Stone Age tools to San rock art. Our rates include - all meals, beer, wine and soft drinks served in the central boma; daily guided walks and excursions. You just need to jump in your car with your clothes and toothbrush, we provide everything else. Our eco-friendly lodge accommodates a maximum of ten guests. We are solar powered so you can turn off all your devices and enjoy true peace and quiet. The straw bale cottages are environmentally friendly, providing excellent insulation in both hot and cold weather thus reducing the need for conventional power; there are fans for summer and gas heaters in winter
Superb accommodation, actually more than superb. Everything is done in a deeply caring and environmental consideration way. This place carries a healing energy. It will do you good to go! Excellent, simple and very tasty food to nourish your sole!
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Date of stay: April 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Contact Oudrif before you leave about how to get there
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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.
Definitely, the right place for an awesome getaway and to feel taken care of. Brilliant food, excellent accommodation, superb care by Jeanine and Bill, and beautiful pristine surroundings. Be welcomed by excellent and clean accommodation, and nourished by superb meals prepared by Bill and Jeanine. Learn about the diverse fauna, flora, and the many bushman paintings on the morning walks, and be nurtured in this pristine valley. So glad we finally went!!! Thank you
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Date of stay: April 2023
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Trip 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.
What a fantastic experience. No mains electricity, no internet or wifi, no phone signal, totally off- grid. The only battery recharging that was possible was my soul. A perfect opportunity to relax at the end of a busy South African tour. Bill and Jeanine are wonderful hosts and cooks and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area. The night sky alone makes this a place worth visiting. Interesting and very comfortable straw bale constructed cabins have comfortable sitting areas, a stoop with shade and mosquito nets on the bed. Room lighting is via solar panels and hot water via a gas boiler, that's all you need - apart from some good books.
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Date of stay: February 2023
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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.
Bill and Jeanine were perfect hosts. They were welcoming, warm and wonderful. We looked forward to the meals - breakfast, lunch and supper was served at a communal table where we could meet and interact with other guests. All freshly prepared by our hosts. The straw bale cottage was comfortable and clean, with fantastic views of the river and mountains. This has been our most memorable two night holiday for all the right reasons. We’ll be back!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip 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.
We loved our two nights at Ou Drif and only wish we could have stayed longer. But we know for sure that we will be visiting again. It is in a breathtakingly beautiful position and despite being so remote and being "off grid", all creature comforts are taken care of. The spacious cottages are stylishly decorated and blend perfectly into the landscape, and are spaced apart to ensure total privacy. The food is absolutely delicious and I'm sure that even a usual meat lover would be completely won over by the tasty vegetarian fare that is so beautifully presented. We looked forward to every meal. In advance of our stay my husband was slightly hesitant about the communal dining arrangement but in the end we loved spending time talking to our hosts Jeanine and Bill and the other interesting guests. We were also wondering if we meet find it difficult to adjust to the digital detox but in the end that was one of the highlights of our stay - so liberating to be off devices for the duration of our stay. just wish it had been for longer. We used our stand up paddle board on the river which was a real bonus and while I was supping my husband could doze in a hammock under the trees on the river bank. We had the benefit of a full moon, lunar eclipse and mini heatwave to add to our wonderful stay - so blessed. The guided walks with Jeanine to see the rock art in the nearby caves was also one of the highlights of our stay. She is a brilliant guide and her love for the area is contagious. The trip was a birthday gift to myself and I couldn't have asked for a better one.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
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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.
We enjoyed a 2 night stay at Oudrif and loved everything about it. Its location is remote and it is completely off the grid with no cellphone signal, wifi or electricity. Exactly what we wanted! Bill and Jeanine and all their adorable furry children were excellent hosts. The food was delicious and even though they are vegetarian, they provide meat for the meat eaters, expertly braaied by Jeanine on the fire. We hiked with Bill to see the Bushman paintings and even though I found the hike a bit challenging, we can highly recommend this. It was very hot during the day, but a refreshing swim in the river was the perfect cure. The cottage we stayed in was beautiful and private and the straw bale building method ensured that it was not too hot and it was very comfortable.
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Date of stay: March 2021
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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.
Just the sound of the river over the rocks, otherwise total silence in this blissfully tranquil place. Add the deliciously healthy, simple meals, Jeanine's passion for the environment and her knowledge of their environment, their menagerie of dogs and cats, this is just the most idyllic place to be. Bill and Jeanine are a great team and wonderful hosts.
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Date of stay: September 2020
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Room Tip:All 4 (or was it 5) Cottages have a view over the River. They are lovely.
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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.
Once you get over the 30 odd kilometre rough road drive you are swept into a haven of peace , tranquility and relaxation in the hands of Bill & Janine who are excellent hosts. Bill also stepped into have my tyre repaired in Clanwilliam as I picked up a nail on route. The cottages are immaculate,comfortable and very well spaced between each other. The food is superb, so fresh , tasty and healthy. For meat eaters there is meat cooked on the brai each evening if you feel the need. All drinks are included with generous offerings including beer and wine. We loved our accompanied hike with Janine and then swimming in the river in the late afternoon sunshine. I actually enjoyed not looking at my phone or I pad. No contact with the outside world - bliss. If you are in a hire car that is not 4x4 beware of the occasional sandy bits of road - don’t stop if you can help it ! …
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
We just came back from our anniversary weekend at Oudrif. What a truely peaceful place. The cottages are simple and comfortable, with spaces to read or relax on the 'stoep'. Solar energy only. Interesting how that helps with unwinding. Exactly what my husband needed to relax!! Bill and Jeanine are the best. Content in themselves, they are wonderful hosts. We LOVED the food! It is such a treat to have all meals prepared FOR you. For me, THAT is rest!! They are vegetarians, but sneak in some meat for the guests. Everything is so simple and fresh! We went for a walk with Bill, who is very knowledgeable about the environment. Everybody deserves a weekend or more at Oudrif. We will be back!! (I have to mention the super cute dogs, especially Mafoeta, who was literally our shadow....)
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
We spent 4 nights at Oudrif on our annual July/August pilgrimage and as always - it was perfect! There is no substitute for the peace and quiet, the comfort, the food and the great company. It is a highlight for us every year when we go and as you turn off at the white rock - you can just breathe and relax. Jeanine and Bill have created something really special - long may it last!!!
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Date of stay: August 2019
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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.