mShumani
Our two guest cottages at mShumani are perfect as an escape to the country surrounded by the natural beauty of the Eastern Cape. Situated on part of an old dairy farm we are perched on 30 hectares of indigenous bush, bordered by the Gxulu River on one side, the Fort Pato Road on the other, and traversed by a few streams, usually dry, and wonderful to explore.
Cottages
The property has a breathtaking view of the Gxulu river and the coastal dune forests that flank the lagoon. The night-sky is alive with stars, especially spectacular with the limited artificial light in Gxulu.
There are five bedrooms at mShumani. The one-bedroomed cottages, are separate from the main house, but neighbour each other. These have stunning views down the Gxulu river and out to sea. Ilithwa, or Trumpeter Hornbill is more rustic and can be made up with a king size or two single beds. Ubikhwe, or Burchells Coucal is a little more formal and has a queen-sized bed. Both cottages are fed by rainwater from nearby water tanks – the hum of the water pump operating serves as a reminder of the scarcity of water, and our goal towards a sustainable lifestyle at mShumani.
There is also a two bedroomed self-catering unit opposite the main house with a third en-suite bathroom adjacent for bigger groups.
mShumani is the ideal location for our Executive retreats or Digital nomads. Note that we don’t accommodate children under 12 and we don’t allow pets.
Activities
The biodiversity of the area means there are over 200 bird species to look out for. In addition to birdwatching from your cottage, the river or the beach, there are also a few walking trails through the forests to experience birds in their natural habitat. Depending on tides you could take a walk along the beach and forage for oysters, mussels, and edible seaweed. You will, however need a fishing license.
You can walk or run along our four kilometres of paths through the forest and to the valley. Or explore the farm roads by bicycle – you may be lucky enough to see a secretary bird or Denham’s bustard in the neighbouring fields. Take a picnic basket and follow our pathway to the Gxulu valley where you can relax, watch birds and go canoeing. The ever-changing forest is a great place to spend a day following dry riverbeds and cleared paths, and having a picnic in nature. When the river mouth is closed, it is a worthwhile experience canoeing to the beach to enjoy the silence of the ravine and catch glimpses of a variety birds. Paddle around to Kingfishers cottage and enjoy a picnic on the floodplain.
Learn more about organic vegetable farming by visiting our organic garden, Le Potager, at Kingfishers cottage and pick your own herbs.
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