Stillbay River Lodge is a charming, thatched
Bed & Breakfast hotel in cape dutch style with 10 beautifully
decorated rooms. The Lodge is operated by a friendly German-South
African couple and is situated on a huge nature property reaching
right to the shore of the deep blue Goukou River. On the opposite
side of the river there is Stillbay, one of the most attractive
tourist resorts on the famous South African Whale Coast. The
wonderful sweeping beach
begins only 1,5 km down the river.
Please just take a look around and get
in touch with us using our request form in case you would
like to spend "sustainable adventures"
at a wonderful spot on earth.
It would be a pleasure for us, seeing you
soon at the Stillbay River Lodge.
Stillbay or Stilbaai (afrikaans) was
first mentioned in a dispatch from Civil Commissioner B. Osler
of Riversdale, dated 14th September 1895 to the Surveyor General.
This beautiful seaside resort is also known as the Bay of Sleeping
Beauty. It is one of the most attractive destinations along
the fantastic Whale Coast between Cape Agulhas and the start
of the Garden Route.
The town’s way of life is centred
around the placid sea and river estuary
which are visible from virtually any vantage point creating
a unique ambience experienced by all who visit Stillbay. The
white sandy beaches are excellent
and the absolutely clean ocean and river waters are perfect
for any water sport activity.
Its greater area includes the three municipalities
Jongensfontein,
Melkhoutfontein and residents of the farms along the scenic
Goukou River.
The permanent residents total approximately 4.000. During
the April holidays
the population grows to approximately 14.000 and in December,
the South African high season, to roundabout 32.000.
Nevertheless the character of the town remains laid-back and
peaceful.
Its residents are mostly descendants of Strandloper Hottentots,
former boer trek-farmers and immigrants from the hinterland,
the interior
" and other coastal regions. The main language is Afrikaans
although English becomes increasingly popular as English-speaking
people continue moving
to Stilbay. Provision is made for the majority of religious
denominations
in Stilbaai and environs.
Wonderful examples of the Strandveld architecture
are found in Stillbay
and Melkhoutfontein as well as quaint thatched cottages in
the Bosbokduin
Private Nature Reserve just on top of a commanding cliff
high above the Indian Ocean.
A fascinating highlight is Stillbay’s Strandlooper Hottentot
stone age culture.
In the 1920s Dr. Christoph Heese, anthropologist, first discovered
spearheads
from the Middle Stone Age at Noordkappershoek, 6 km west the
Goukou River estuary. In 1972 a 2000 year old skeleton of
a strandlooper hottentot was found intact, imbedded in the
sand near the river mouth. Just recently even more important
proofs of the past have been brought to light in a cave between
Stillbay and Jongensfontain.
For further information please feel free
to read also the detailed PDF-article
(english, 1.8 MB) about the excavations in the Blombos Caves
near Stillbay
in the Journal of Archeological Science, 2001.
STILLBAY RIVER LODGE - A
UNIQUE BED & BREAKFAST GUESTHOUSE
Stillbay River Lodge is a gracious
thatched bed & breakfast guesthouse in lovely cape dutch
style depicting a bygone era. It is situated 1.5 km upstream
from the perfect Lappiesbaai beach just opposite the seaside
resort
of Stillbay – one of the Whale Coast’s most sought
after destinations.
A home from home with personal attention
from the new
owners, young couple Annette Kotschy from Germany and
Craig Thorne from South Africa.
It is one of the oldest buildings
of Stillbay dating back to the late 19th century.
For a long time it used to be the De Brak farmhouse. After
years of decay
it was carefully restored by former owners Julian and Marge
Wayne.
Later Piet la Grange modernised and extended the homestead
in order
to be reopened as bed & breakfast guesthouse in 1991 which
gained a high reputation being operated by the Irish couple
Pat and Ed Wallis.
Be sure that your new hosts Annette and
Craig will do everything
they can to meet your expectations.
The lodge accommodates 10 beautifully decorated en-suite bedrooms
with bath or shower. Highly appreciated by many guests is
our spacious honeymoon suite with private patio. All rooms
boast spectacular views
of the river and the surrounding coastal countryside.
ONE OF THE BEST WHALE WATCHING
SPOTS OF THE WORLD
Whales have become the latest attraction
for the national and international
tourist. Stillbay is famous par excellence for the large number
of whales,
and in particular the southern right whale and the humpback
whale,
which comes into this tranquil bay for a brief nursery visit
between mid June and October.
Stillbay will benefit greatly from being on the Whale Route
as this will ensure tourism also out of season which in turn
leads to job creation. The Soete-Arbeid Workshop at Melkhoutfontein
was for example commissioned by MTN,
who at present sponsors the marketing of the Cape Whale Route,
to make tablecloths and serviettes with whale motives on them
for the launch
of the MTN Cape Whale Route in Cape Town.
Visitors may delight themselves in the
frolics of these large mammals
from various look-out points. Suitable whale-watching sites
are situated,
amongst others, above the Stillbay harbour in the parking
area, on the harbour itself, at Morris Point, at Lappiesbaai
(the main beach area) and in
Waterkant Street opposite the estuary.
SOUTH
AFRICA - ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
OF THE WORLD.
After the peaceful end of the Apartheid
regime, the "wonder at the cape", South Africa ranges
on top of the most sought after tourist destinations worldwide.
No other African country offers that much variety for such
a small money: You may explore romantic vineyards, vast desert
areas, rugged mountain ranges and an extraordinary fauna and
flora rich in different species. Modern pulsating urban centres
can be found as well as virgin sandy beaches along breathtaking
coasts.
No matter if you laze around in the sun
on one of the numerous dream beaches, you enjoy your favourite
water sport, join the vibrating cultural life of South Africas
black, white, coloured or asian population or whether you
prefer lonely adventures, South Africa offers you everything
for a perfect vacation. Experience the sunny climate, the
well-known hospitality having a tasty Braai or try the superb
wines of the Cape Region.
On the following pages of this section we would like to present
to you South Africa and especially some selected highlights
of the cape province.
HOW TO REACH US:
Please find below our adress and P.O. Box. Your hosts, Annette
Kotschy
and Craig Thorne, will be delighted to welcome you.
Visiting
Address:
Postal
Address:
Stillbay River
Lodge
Mainroad
Stillbay, 6674
Republic of South Africa
Tel.: +27-(0)28-75437-30
Fax.: +27-(0)28-75437-31
E-Mail: info @ stillbay-river-lodge.com
