- 18 to 20 Guests
- Villa (8 Bedrooms, 12 Beds. 5 Bathrooms) and a Woodlands Studio (including fully equipped kitchen, 1 bed, bathroom, open plan with a closed fire place)
- Check-in between 14h00 to 18h30, unless by prior arrangement
- World-class, awe-inspiring location, with 5-star ratings
Cloud 9
Sedgefield, South Africa
A sentinel over the town of Sedgefield and the Swartvlei estuary.
Set within Southern Africa’s Garden Route, you will find Cloud 9, high above the Swartvlei Lake our 360º views that will take your breath away. Designed by an award winning architect, this property is unlike any other you will find. Your privacy is guaranteed. This property is very well suited for weddings, events, retreats, out of town strategy sessions as well as YPO forum retreats. Pricing shown is for 20 pax. We are able to accommodate slightly larger groups with a private chef available to cater to your every culinary delight. Smaller groups and a private chef are also available. Please enquire for further pricing and details.
Nestled high atop a 2 million year old sand dune and a soon to be local conservancy. Cloud 9’s unique architecture was inspired by the ancient Zimbabwean ruins. Its medieval structure allows for spectacular 360 views, while the villa is surrounded by natural forests which allows for premium privacy, the villa decor enhances its bespoke, and high-end escape feel.
GUEST ACCESS
Our villa offers an exclusive and intimate guest experience, with private access to the Sedgfield lagoon. Guests are invited to enjoy all the facilities of the property which is set in 12ha of natural forest and vegetation bordering down to the Swartvlei lagoon below. This is a bird watchers paradise given the abundance of wild life with over 157 species of bird frequenting the property. In addition, you are sure to come across beautiful bush buck, illusive and nocturnal creatures including wild pig, porcupine, civets, honey badgers, rooikat (lynx) as well as more than 50 thriving and tagged tortoises.
Cloud 9 is the largest single villa along the Garden Route, built to enable families from around the world to come together and reconnect in an intimate and memorable way. We are situated in Sedgefield, in the heart of the Garden Route (National Park) and in close proximity to all the Garden Route attractions as well as the Klein Karoo and our own famous Route 62 to make your holiday truly memorable.
AMENITIES INCLUDED AT CLOUD 9
- Wi-Fi: Continuous access in the listing
- Satellite TV
- Laptop friendly workspace
- Rim-flow swimming pool
- TV/ Television
- Fully equipped kitchen with breakfast bar
- Dishwasher
- Washer, Dryer and Iron
- Heating: Central heating or a heater in the listing
- House Essentials: Towels, bed sheets, soap and toilet paper
- Beach Essentials: Towels, umbrella, beach blanket, snorkelling gear
- Indoor fireplace
- Hot water
- Family: Babysitter recommendation. Bathtub. Pack ’n Play / Travel crib
- Guest Access: Available 24 hours a day to let guests in
- Bed and Bath: Shampoo. Hair dryer. Hangers.
- Outdoor: BBQ grill. Patio or balcony. Garden or backyard
- Logistics: Long term stays allowed. Allow stay for 28 days or more.
- Safety Features: Fire extinguisher. First aid kit
- Facilities: Free parking on premises. Main entrance water feature. Hot tub. Pool Private or Shared.
HOUSE RULES
- No pets are allowed.
- Events and parties: Please contact us for enquiries
- Guests Safety: Observe safe practices for potentially unsafe areas, such as ponds, pool and balconies etc.
- No unruly behaviour.
- Indemnity to be signed on arrival.
- No fires may be lit.
- Strictly no smoking.
GETTING THERE
Centrally located Sedgefield grants easy access to the entire Garden Route and Klein Karoo and being 4 hours drive from Port Elizabeth and 5,5 hours from Cape Town it is the ideal location and base for exploring the Eastern and Western Cape Regions of South Africa.
- Airport: George (40kms). Directions to Cloud 9 from George airport: take the N2 North past George and through Wilderness. About 18km thereafter (and just after crossing the Swartvlei Bridge), there is a dirt road on the left. Follow this winding dirt road alongside the lake. Don't turn off anywhere ... you'll pass by a few buildings and then start to climb a hill. Cloud 9 is signposted at the top of the hill!
- Directions to Cloud 9 from Knysna: Take the N2 towards GEORGE. Travel through the town of Sedgefield. About 1km after town pass the ENGEN on your left. Another 600m along there is a dirt road to the right. Follow this winding dirt road alongside the lake. Don't turn off anywhere ... you'll pass by a few buildings and then start to climb a hill. Cloud 9 is signposted at the top of the hill!
- Own Vehicle: 4km from house to main road (N2) and village (Website hidden by Airbnb) George is 30 minutes away, Knysna is 25 minutes.
- Car Hire: Facilities available in George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
AN ECO BUILDING PROJECT
In January 2000 David Pheiffer acquired Cloud 9 from its then owner Albert Nel with the intent of creating a place to bring his extended family together. Award winning architect Johan Slee was employed and tasked with conceptualising the best use of the site in order to create a family compound. The results are evident.
Owner-built, by engineer David Pheiffer, with the help of a zealous master builder, Abe Rossouw, some 14 labourers brought to site every morning at 6.30am (on the back of a bakkie!), as well as numerous subcontractors, the house was livable in 15 months. Stonemasons laboured for 18 months to hand shape the mountains of raw stone hauled by truck from Vioolsdrift on the Orange River, some 1070km.
The large ancient entrance doors are (I am told) some 200 years old and originate from a walled Chinese village entrance. Cloud 9 is all but self-sufficient. The sun provides hot water and all electricity is solar generated on site. Rainwater is collected and used to supply the house. Brak water is drawn from the base of the hill and purified through a reverse osmosis system as back up. Sewerage and waste is dealt with on site. Gladman and Catherine who live on the property in a cottage, with views to die for, do all maintenance, including gardens.
Numerous wildlife projects have been ongoing since inception. The list of bird sightings has now reached 152 species. Fifty-three tortoises have been tagged and come and go across the length of the Cloud 9 Ridge. A log is kept of animal sightings and this now includes monkeys, baboon, porcupine, bushbuck, bushpig, genet, caracal and honey badger.
GUEST REVIEWS
EXPERIENCE SOUTH AFRICA'S GARDEN ROUTE
From Sedgefield and surrounding areas, Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay.
Breathtaking Beaches
South Africa is littered with some of the most exquisite beaches on the planet. Our stretch off coastline is no different, with incredible indigenous vynbos filled dunes leading onto white sandy beaches.
Markets and fresh produce
Enjoy a selection of local markets, including the award winning Wild Oats Community Farmers Market.
Knysna Oyster Festival
The Knysna Oyster Festival is a world famous annual event celebrating the mighty oyster. The festival now sports a number of events, including cycling and running activities.