The Kraal Eco Lodge
Wild Coast Mpande, Port St Johns 5121 South Africa
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About
#2 of 4 hostels in Port St Johns
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The Kraal Eco Lodge is one of those rare finds along the Wild Coast. We are situated in an exclusive cleft between two hills facing the Indian ocean. From anywhere at the lodge you can witness the morning routine of our local superpod of dolphins. Established 20 years ago with nothing but an idea to build a self sustaining, eco-friendly lodge that runs and eats from a successful perma-culture garden. Knowing that idea's don't build themselves, we rolled up our sleeves and built our dream from the ground up. If you get the chance ask Dillion, the owner, about anything to do with living self sustainably, grab an ice one from the bar, and enjoy the knowledge shared. We live and work by a simple ethos, don't be a doosh, be lekker. It's simple and easy to remember so please, #goodvibes only.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Shuttle bus service
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Room service
Kitchenette
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
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HOTEL STYLE
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Location
Wild Coast Mpande, Port St Johns 5121 South Africa
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35Reviews0Q+A6Room tips
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Nomad65058722331 wrote a review Nov 2022
I have been visiting this place for 20 years and it is still one of my most favorite destinations. Like stepping through a portal into a different world. Food for the soul. Dillon is an awesome host too👌😊
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Date of stay: November 2022
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.
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If you are wanting a proper Wild Coast experience you can't go wrong with staying at The Kraal. Great vibe, great views spectacular beaches, good food, beautiful gardens Hopefully we will be back someday!
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Date of stay: April 2022
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.
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Thanks Dylan and Sam, you treated us like family. Thank you for the extra early breakfast and the packed lunch for our hike it helped us travel light. Nice chilled vibes, helpful staff and a view usually reserved for millionaires. Great coffee in the morning. Will be back! Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Phone ahead, they will be glad to help
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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.
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If 5 star hotel city life is what You are looking for. This natural beautiful and humble place is not for You. If however, you want to quickly find natural harmony and beauty away from artificial and superficial comforts, Its still a natural wonder, filled with friendly local people and all sorts of natural wonder. Almost unretouched. Fish eagles. Canoeing.. Pristine beaches and surf...right point breaks. Natural forests, lagoons and the list goes on... We have had a great stay and have another reason for living a real life. Thanks All at the Kraal. You're Legends....
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Date of stay: July 2021Trip 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.
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Spend a couple of days there, very nice place close to an amazing beach. Friendly staff, very relaxed atmosphere. For those who like to be off the grid highly recommended. They serve fresh seafood or you can cook yourself in the big communal kitchen. Whole place was always clean and well maintained.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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+1
I was looking for a total breakaway from the humdrum of life in the city (I stay in Cape Town, South Africa) and was fortunate enough to find this amazing spot on the beautiful Transkei coast. The location is amazing and I immediate fell in love with the wild coast way of life. The Kraal was the ultimate way to experience the rural beauty of the Kei without sacrificing creature comforts like clean ablutions, warm beds and hot meals prepared by my lovely host Sam. She made my stay super comfortable, made sure I was well fed and showed me some amazing spots to snorkel and chill out. Really went beyond the substantial duties of running the beach resort and made me feel very welcome. The food was delicious and well priced, the beers were cold and the darts games were highly competitive! I’d recommend The Kraal to anyone (and have told all my friends about it already!). Ten out of ten!…
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
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.
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This is the Wild Coast -- it's deeply rural, frontier living -- there are no malls, restaurants or fancy hotels -- just mind-blowing, natural beauty and amazingly welcoming locals. So, discovering the Kraal in this rugged region is like stumbling into an oasis. Rustic, yet eminently comfortable. The manager, Sam, is uber friendly and incredibly resourceful. From arranging hikes or canoe trips to serving up sumptuous seafood platters, she's a star. She even lays on daily dolphin sightings while sipping coffee at sunrise :). Don't expect a city-style, five-star experience. Come prepared to rough it. With this open mind, I rate my stay at The Kraal 11/10. My best holiday ever! Thank you Sam, Olwethu and the general magnificence of this little treasure cove!
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Choose one of the double rooms or a twin room
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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.
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Worthwhile if camping or in the dorm rooms perhaps but we booked Eagles Nest at R770 per night for two and were sorely disappointed. The room has no view as advertised and is certainly not private as advertised as access to the room next door is by walking directly past the front windows and the curtains don’t cover the windows. Their is a slight view if you stand in-front of the unit next to the room next doors entrance but no seating at all outside the hut so really no view. Our door handle was broken and the jam jar of aloe leaves in the room was putrid and stank. We emptied them outside and left the jam jar outside the room which is where it stayed for the 2 days we were there. The Led light in the room was broken and no candles or solar lamp provided. Solar lights are put out at night to help you get to the toilets and shower but they were forgotten on our second night which was a pain. There was a single bottle of ‘sanitizer’ at the toilets but nothing else throughout. The meal we had was nice but certainly not value (R160 frozen linefish (Rockcod - orange on SASSI list so not ideal for an eco spot) rice and salad and R140 for a vegetarian curry and rice) and was exactly the same on our second night so we cooked ourselves and were disappointed with the cleanliness of the shared kitchen and the equipment on offer. Half the pans on the shelf were rusted beyond belief and both sinks were full of dirty dishes. Guests obviously wash their own dishes at at a backpackers so it’s not the establishments fault but when the manager is sitting getting stoned rather than managing I think the blame can be shared. Beers were for sale at a rip off R50 a can for castle light which was a nice touch to round out the stay. …
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip 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.
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Stayed at the Kraal as part of a road trip down through the Wild Coast - what an amazing setting, saw dolphins and whales every day from the kitchen/bar area. There is great hiking/trails along the coast from here, and the beach is seconds away and pristine, or just stay at the backpackers and relax with a sea view! The backpackers is very basic, as you'd expect from an off-grid spot in the Wild Coast, but has everything you need, and the setting definitely makes a stay worth it. Dillon is very knowledgeable about the area and a great help, while the local people are very friendly - ask anyone to help you source local crayfish!
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Date of stay: September 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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
thank you guys for making the end of the season special for us!! the venue, location and host was extremely hospitable, not to mention the delicious food thats locally sourced fresh every day. will definitely visit again soon!!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: perfect spot close to the beach and amazing view.
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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.
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FORMERLY KNOWN AS
The Kraal Backpackers
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapePort St Johns
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Kraal Eco Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at The Kraal Eco Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a fitness centre.
What food & drink options are available at The Kraal Eco Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Kraal Eco Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to a fitness centre during their stay.
Does The Kraal Eco Lodge have an airport shuttle?
Yes, The Kraal Eco Lodge offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does The Kraal Eco Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, The Kraal Eco Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Kraal Eco Lodge?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.