EcoTreehouse luxury off-grid cabin

Treehouse in Swellendam Local Municipality, South Africa

  1. 3 guests
  2. 1 bedroom
  3. 2 beds
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Johan
  1. Superhost
  2. 6 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 5% of homes

This home is highly ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Your very own spa

Relax with the outdoor shower and jacuzzi.

Exceptional check-in experience

Recent guests gave the check-in process a 5-star rating.
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Tucked into the lush Hermitage Valley just outside Swellendam, the EcoTreehouse is a peaceful off-grid cabin designed for comfort, simplicity, and connection to nature. It’s perfect for couples, solo travellers, or small families wanting to unplug without compromising on comfort.

Wake to mountain views, fall asleep to frog-song, and soak under the stars in your private wood-fired hot tub. Swim, stargaze, wander the trails, or meet the horses — this land invites you to slow down.

The space
Sleeps 2–3 (and a half) in comfort:

The Treehouse is designed for couples or small families who want both simplicity and softness.

- Beautiful bedroom with queen-size bed and forest views
- Built-in sofa bed in the lounge for one additional guest (adult or child)
- A camp cot is available by request for an additional baby/toddler
- Cotton bedding, plush bath towels, and eco bathroom products included
- Indoor shower and outdoor shower under the open sky
- Please bring swimming towels for the dam and hot tub

Inside the cabin:

Natural, pared-back decor creates a grounded, inviting space where every detail is thoughtfully chosen.

- Sunny lounge and dining nook with sweeping views of land, mountains, and sunsets
- Books, puzzles, and games for cozy indoor time
- Large deck for reading, stargazing, meals, or doing absolutely nothing
- Load-shedding free
- Fast WIFI perfect for working from the treehouse

Kitchen & Essentials:

You’ll find everything you need to settle in and cook like you’re home:

- Gas stove, microwave, bar fridge, coffee plunger
- Quality knives and utensils
- Pantry staples: salt, pepper, olive oil, tea, coffee, sugar, rusks, small milk, and dish soap

Guest access
The EcoTreehouse sits privately on the top corner of our 1.4-hectare smallholding — a tranquil patchwork of gardens, dams, paddocks, and trees. You’ll share the land with horses, frogs, birds, and a family of four who left the city to live out their dream here, at a place we call The Well.

Expect:

- A peaceful swimming dam with cool, fresh water
- A small natural pond and shaded picnic spots
- A private wood-fired hot tub
- An infrared sauna (if weather permits as it is solar powered)
- Horse paddocks and horses you can meet and greet, and join in their feeding and grooming- or book lessons or outrides (inquire when booking)
- The ever-changing beauty of the Langeberg Mountains
- A sky full of stars, frogsong at night, and the occasional neigh from the horses
- A playground complete with trampoline and small zip-line
- An outdoor shower under the stars

Other things to note
Off-the-grid, but not off-comfort:

Sustainability is woven into everything here — not as a compromise, but as a way of life.

- 3000kW solar system powers all lights and appliances
- Gas for stove and hot water
- Greywater and septic system nourish the land
- Only biodegradable products used (all provided)

Optional extras available on request:

- Braai setup
- Double hammock or lilo for the dam
- Artist’s easel
- Baby cot and stroller

Things to do nearby:

- Walk, run, or cycle from the property along the main dirt road or explore newly built trails in the plantations

- Visit Marloth Nature Reserve: explore Afromontane fynbos, indigenous forest, rich birdlife, small mammals, and cool off in mountain streams and waterfalls. Trails start at the reserve office; go solo or book a guide (additional fee — please enquire when booking).

- Guided hikes with a local hiking guide can also be arranged.

- Play a round at the nearby 9-hole golf course.

- Swim or paddle in large nearby dams (bring your own kayak or canoe).

- Visit Berry Guest Farm and Wildebraam: enjoy liqueur tastings, pick fresh seasonal berries, buy frozen produce, or explore their family-friendly activities.

- Explore the historic town of Swellendam (5 minutes away), with its Drostdy Museum, “Under the Oaks” Saturday market, local shops, and wide variety of restaurants.

- Visit Bontebok National Park for fynbos walks, game viewing, and riverside picnics or braais along the Breede River.

- Take scenic day trips to Buffeljagsrivier, Suurbraak, Barrydale, or the wine farms of the Bonnievale/Robertson Valley.

- Drive just 1 hour to reach the coast at Witsand, Arniston, or Infanta.


Please note that the owners take no responsibility for any loss or injuries incurred while using the facilities provided.

Where you’ll sleep

What this place offers

Garden view
Mountain view
Waterfront
Kitchen
Wifi
Unavailable: Carbon monoxide alarm
Unavailable: Smoke alarm

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Rated 4.98 out of 5 from 288 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 5% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability
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Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 98% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 2% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Where you’ll be

Swellendam Local Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa

The picturesque Hermitage Valley is situated just 2 km’s outside of the town of Swellendam at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains. The valley consists of dairy and berry farms and other smallholdings, on the doorstep of Marloth Nature Reserve. Besides our horses, chickens, ducks, dog and cat, we have sheep and cows for neighbours and we are visited seasonally by peacocks, guinea fowl, blue cranes, owls, storks, birds of prey and more. You can walk, run, cycle or horse ride from here into surrounding plantations, or take a 5 minute drive to Marloth gate to get into indigenous forest.

This is the place to stay if you want to enjoy spectacular views, be close to nature and experience the romantic countryside, while still being a convenient 5 minutes' drive from the centre of town.

Meet your hosts

Born in the 70s
My work: Designer, educator, environmentalist, father, husband
We left Cape Town for a life and adventure of small-town living. In this latest chapter, my little family and I are living off grid on our dream piece of land and are blessed to share it through the EcoTreehouse.
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Johan is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.
Response rate: 100%
They typically respond within an hour
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.

Things to know

House rules

Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
3 guests maximum

Safety & property

No carbon monoxide alarm
No smoke alarm
Exterior security cameras on property

Cancellation policy

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