We invite you to come visit our little slice of Sanctuary, our very own heaven on earth, for a completely back to mother earth experience, to leave your hectic city life behind and to come re-ground yourself and reconnect to nature and yourself, on our working farm.
The Gaia Sanctuary is for nature lovers, and Eco warriors, set along the banks of the Breede River, with breathtaking views of the Langeberg Mountain Range, and the most magical sunsets you have ever seen. Perfect for romantic weekends away or family getaways.
Our farm is situated in Buffeljagsrivier, Western Cape, a 20 minute drive from the Swellendam town centre, a mere 2 hours from George and 2.5 hours from Cape Town.
Come visit for the day, or choose to stay in our off grid campsite, or our gorgeous and bespoke A-frame cabin, or our boho River cabin, all with river views. We are pet friendly, after all, what would a holiday be without your best friend.
Book your special occasion or event for an unforgettable experience and beautiful setting. Or choose to attend one of our beautifully curated healing retreats. Either way we know you will leave feeling refreshed and revitalised.
Excellent rating
Based on 42 reviewsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have camped at Gaia Sanctuary multiple times, and it’s also where we chose to have our wedding which already says so much about how special this place is to us 🤍✨🌺 From the very first visit, we felt completely at home. Camping right on the river is just magical, and the whole space is so thoughtfully set up. The outdoor kitchen has everything you need, the bathrooms are always clean and well cared for, and you can really feel how much love goes into maintaining the land. We especially appreciate their eco-friendly approach and respect for the environment.🌾 Taryn and Gareth are truly incredible hosts. They are so kind, helpful, and always willing to go the extra mile whether you need something small while camping or something big for an event. Communication is always quick and easy, which makes everything feel stress-free. For our wedding, they helped bring our vision to life in the most beautiful way. From building a teepee for our ceremony to providing decor ideas and recommendations for food and flowers, they made everything feel possible and supported every step of the way. Our families had the best time swimming in the river, floating on tubes, canoeing, swinging into the water, and just enjoying nature together. It created such special memories for all of us. ⛺️ ⛰️ 🛶 🏊 🐟 🐦 I would recommend Gaia Sanctuary to anyone whether you’re looking for a peaceful camping getaway, a glamping experience, or the most magical riverside wedding venue. It truly is a gem. Words are not enough to express our gratitude! Our experience was 10/10 and whether you’re camping or staying in their a/frame / river cabin, you won’t be disappointed! Jessica van BelkumTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had the pleasure of attending the first wedding Gaia had hosted, and we were so pleasantly surprised! What a stunning venue, in the most beautiful setting! It certainly was a unique wedding that we'll never forget. The hosts were wonderful, ablutions amazing - we'd love to return. The only comment I'd make - we arrived in a half-ton loaded cruiser bike, and parts of the dirt road (particularly the pebbled section), were a little hairy / exciting, depending on which way you look at in. All-in-all, we enjoyed a fabulous stay at Gaia Sanctuary! Lynne Mac NeillTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Einer der besten Camping Plätze auf denen wir je waren. Super sauber und in top Zustand. Mit viel Liebe zum Detail und unglaublicher Natur. Linus KarstädtTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great off grid experience, camping facilities, chalets, swimming, braai facilities, very neat and clean. Well maintained facilities. Nicolas OlivierTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We stayed in the Top Deck Bus. WoW. It was amazing. Had such a lovely chilled night and slept very well! It is lovely and rural and it was great to listen to the birds. Very peaceful. The bus has been decorated with thought and care. It was sooo much fun. Highly recommended for something different. We will definitely be back 😁😁 chontelle cummingsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had the most relaxing days at the Gaia Sanctuary! The cabin was amazing and it looked even better in real life than on the photos. Taryn was super helpful, we are travelling without a car, she took us to town so we could buy groceries. The place is magical: swings everywhere, a slowly flowing river, happy birds. if you love nature, this is the place to be. And don’t worry about being off grid. Everything is well-lit at night and you can easily have a bravo in the big outdoor kitchen. You can see that the place is really well taken care of and clean. Highly recommended! Sandra WinklerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Beautiful place, off grid and lovely to escape the hustle and bustle, we stayed over new years with friends who booked the whole campsite out, we booked the riverside cabin as a family of 4 where the two kiddies slept in the bunk beds and we slept on the double bed, only downside was the heat and lack of cooling or fans because of the no power, also the double bed was not very comfy the mattress and bed were not great which made for poor sleep , but overall the lady who runs and owns the place is lovely and is very helpful. claire noyes-smithTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our school camp at Gaia Sanctuary was nothing short of magical! We absolutely loved every moment of our time there. The whole space feels alive, peaceful, and beautifully cared for, just the perfect setting to unwind, explore, and reconnect with nature. The highlight for all of us was definitely the swims in the river. Beautifully refreshing water, surrounded by trees and birdsong… it felt like stepping into another world. The kids were in heaven! We stayed in the river cabin, which was not only adorable but also had everything we needed, cozy, clean, and perfectly positioned between campsite, bathrooms and river fun. The entire atmosphere at Gaia is incredibly tranquil. From sunrise to sunset, there’s this deep sense of calm and connection to nature that every single person in our group felt. It’s the kind of place that slows you down in the best possible way. We left feeling grounded, joyful, and so grateful for the experience. Highly, highly recommended and can’t wait to return! Aleksandra Djordjevic-DomagalaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolut weiterzuempfehlen, Es ist so unglaublich schön hier, direkt in der Natur gelegene kleine Hütte mit allem was man benötigt! Wunderschön! Christina SchäferVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Our Glampsite is situated on the Breede River, just 20km outside of Swellendam, with breathtaking views of the Langeberg mountain range, the most magical sunsets over the river, and has all you ever needed for an off grid glamping experience, to reconnect with nature and leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
We will offer a wide array of healing retreats & workshops from yoga, Pilates, breathwork, meditations, cocao ceremonies, crystal healing, energy healing, and plant medicines.
Healing Retreats set outdoors in nature, hearing the river flowing past and sounds of nature; we also host retreats set in our Milkwood forest.