Rustic Unique - Bush Glamping Retreat

The place itself was very magical and provided all the needs I required from a camping trip (hiking, bon fire, splash pool and great guests that joined in our little fun). Derrick went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. Thank you for the five star service! 😁

The long road from the main gate to the property.

Our stay can only be described with the word "magical". This may sound like an exaggeration, but it is true. We spent a very rainy, windy, and stormy weekend herr and had the best time. We were well sheltered from the elements, yet still immersed by them and I am so glad we did not cancel our trip because of the weather forecast. Derrick was an incredible host - he respected our privacy greatly while also ensuring we had everything we needed. I very highly reccomend Rustic Unique.

I'm trying very hard to think of something I didn't like - but this place really was perfect.

Perfect getaway! Beautiful & quiet- Amazing Stay!

Beautiful location. We loved sitting under the stars and hearing the jackals and lions. It was a lovely time of peace and reconnecting. Thank you Derrick for seeing to all our needs.

I liked the peace that came with the place, the gentle welcome... The Derrick was just exceptional, his advices, knowledge passed on to us and not forgetting the jokes of course. It was one of the best stays I have had in a while. I must not forget Raven he was brilliant, amazing and the sweetest wolf. My girlfriend and I really enjoy our stay there and thank you for that it was beautiful

There was nothing not to like so we had a great time

We had a lovely stay at Rustic Unique – Bush Glamping Retreat. The location is peaceful and beautiful, with an authentic bush feel; you can hear lions, birds, and baboons at night, which was a highlight. Derrick was very welcoming and attentive, always checking in to make sure we were comfortable. The kitchenette is spacious and makes self-catering easy, and there are nice walking areas to relax and unwind. The road is manageable with a city car, but a higher-suspension vehicle is recommended.

That said, the property could benefit from better tidiness and overall upkeep, which would really elevate the experience.

I loved everything about this place. It is beautiful, tranquil and a unique experience. You're 45 minutes away from Jhb, but you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. It really lives up to its name, so if mildly rustic living isn't for you, then book elsewhere - otherwise, this is the perfect place. We stayed in tent 2, and my top three favourite things (amongst many) were the view, the bathroom, and the hammock nearby. Thank you Derrick for your hospitality. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

The moon was too bright, so I couldn't see the stars :). Just kidding - everything was perfect.

The peacefulness and the sounds of nature, total unwinding experiences, relaxing rejuvenating, you feel part of the family as the atmosphere, out of this world customer service and the way you are becoming part of nature something we've lost a long time ago.

Loved it all

Beautiful location and such a wonderful place to reset. It's a great escape from Joburg. It's a pitty we only stayed one night, it's definitely worth staying longer!

We recently spent time at Rustic Unique… and what an extraordinary place it is. A sanctuary of peace and stillness, where the world seems to soften and your thoughts are finally free to wander. It’s more than just beautiful — it’s deeply healing, the kind of place that gently restores your soul without you even realising it. Especially now with my daughter's breast cancer. It's as if she sees everything in a different light now. She went for a short walk to do her prayers and speak to God, and came back a totally different person🥹 Derrick, our host, your warmth and wisdom truly touched us. Your words will stay with us long after we’ve left — they meant more than you know. This wasn’t just a visit, it was an experience we’ll carry with us. And one thing is certain… we will be back very soon 🤗 Ronél my daughter Monica and granddaughter Leah

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Filthy, unhygienic and disgusting. My unit looked like it had not been cleaned for ages. I had to go buy cleaning stuff and try clean the place myself. There was an obnoxious smell in the bathroom which I could not get rid of though. (The rating was around 8.5 when I booked. The place doesn't deserve that rating because of how dirty it was. I think it must be cos of self-ratings by the owner. Sort reviews from lowest score to highest and read them to get a true reflection of the place. Only did that after my stay unfortunately.)

Nothing, the place is horrible

The place is dirty, it looks like it hasn't been cleaned for months. The tent is so dirty it was so uncomfortable to sleep in there. It smelled pee at night. The bathroom looked disgusting, like it has been used multiple times. We found used soap with hair in the bathroom. The shared kitchen and places are so dirty. I have no words what goes through that guy's head. We had booked 2 nights but we only slept there for 1 night. We just couldn't sleep in that filthy place again.

Great camping experience

Alot of spiders, but harmless. First night with the crickets and frogs is something you have to get use to. Can be a bit cleaner

It’s so peaceful and relaxing. Well maintained and organised.

Nothing. Was just as expected.

We had an absolutely incredible stay and loved every moment. From the start, Derrick welcomed us warmly and set the tone with his “checkpoints to destination” game. It was genuinely exciting, added a fun sense of adventure, and immediately made the experience feel unique and personal. Being out there felt like a reset. We reconnected with nature in the best way, surrounded by beautiful scenery and a thoughtfully maintained landscape. The property is alive with sound and movement: flowing rivers in the background, birdsong throughout the day, and plenty of wildlife to spot along the way. We saw tortoises, and even baboons, and in the distance we could hear calls that reminded us there was even more out there beyond what we could see. Our tent was genuinely luxurious, with excellent facilities all around. The standout for us was the outdoor viewing shower, which became an instant favourite. There’s something special about ending the day like that and then falling asleep to a peaceful, uninterrupted view of nature. It felt completely blissful. We also enjoyed exploring the property on foot. The pathways are well-kept and easy to follow, and the little lamps at night added such a thoughtful touch, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere after dark. Most importantly, we felt safe and secure throughout our stay. Knowing there’s a well-maintained perimeter with electric fencing gave us real peace of mind, especially at night. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience and we’d gladly come back.

Everything was amazing. There's nothing not to like.

The views are gorgeous. Stunning little retreat just outside the city. You can hear the lions roar at night, plenty of bird sounds, jackal and baboons chatting in the distance. The space is comfy and secure. Private. Great option for families sharing, the tents really are big enough to not feel crowded. Definately kid friendly. The kitchenette area has ample space to self cater easily. Property offers nice walking areas and spaces to unwind, with fresh water fountains as you wander. The host is very hospitable, easy going and helpful. Some things are still a working progress, but the vibe is great. You have to like dogs. They will "adopt" you, follow you everywhere, and guard your tent fiercely. The shower area is lovely, but brisk - be prepared for a bush experience.

need a toaster

The tranquility of the surrounding and the layout of the place a very good experience.

Nothing as we even had the perfect weather

Absolutely superb stay — exceeded our expectations! Private toilets and showers were spotless, the natural surroundings were truly a bush experience, the overall experience was peaceful and well-maintained. A truly outstanding campsite! Highly recommended!

Nothing - we loved everything

Derrick was friendly and helpful

Cleanliness was a disappointment

The quet... the birds... tje palnts and trees and tje mountain surroimding you.. Awesome

The location and peaceful environment.

n.a

Derrick the owner is a great guy and the place a nice peaceful. The view was breath taken, for a person that scared of dog's I really fell in love with his dogs . Love the privacy.. We could not ask for a better way to celebrate our birthdays

The view, the fact that is was so deep in the bush away from city life

the entire experience. Derrick is a great host

Very clean and comfy

No Wifi

The place is very peaceful.

Its location and the fact that we didn’t need to leave our tent until check-out.

Off the beaten track

It was refreshing and peaceful

Absolutely nothing

Mr derrick was the goat and the 3 dogs 🤌

The owner was very welcoming, and He kept checking up on us and made sure we were comfortable. The place is so peaceful. Perfect Place to clear your mind.

The place does not have the river view

I loved EVERYTHING about this place. The perfect escape for peace. The host, Derrick, is an amazing human being we got to become weekend buddies, he made us feel at home. The dogs, Raven, Tazz and Domino is so sweet and such protectors I felt safe and comfortable around them.

I don't like that I had to come back home. I wish I could stay there.

Our stay was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, we were swept away by the beauty and peacefulness of the place. We glamped in a cozy, well-appointed tent that stayed perfectly warm at night thanks to the luxurious electric blankets on the bed, such a thoughtful touch! The sounds of wildlife all around us made the experience feel even more special. Hearing lions roar in the stillness of the night and again in the early morning was truly majestic, something we’ll never forget. It felt like being part of nature, but with all the comforts we needed. Although we didn’t have time to try the hike, we’re already planning to do it next time, it looked amazing. And speaking of "next time," we absolutely can’t wait to return in the summer with our children. The pool looked stunning and we know they’ll love it. A special mention to Derrick, the most wonderful host you could ask for. He is truly a beautiful and kind soul who made us feel so welcome and cared for throughout our stay. Thank you for such a memorable experience, we're counting the days until we can come back!

The facilities were exactly what I expected, and the accommodation was excellent for what we were looking for. We wanted to take our son camping, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The garden and overall premises were beautiful, with enchanting lighting that made it feel like we were in a fairy garden.

That we couldn't stay longer.

Atmosphere, location, amenities - all were perfect for our little get away, reconnect and reset. It’s an incredibly peaceful place, where you can actually breathe and feel reset and recharged. We stayed in one of the tents and it was genuinely perfect. Everything you could need at your fingertips, warm and cozy, and the views both morning & evening were so calming. My husband and I can not wait to return.

Absolutely nothing.

Peaceful and rustic stay 😊

Could be better cleaned and maintained.

Everything about it is beautiful

N/A

The bed was amazing. Even in freezing cold we were hot under the bedding! Derick is a fantastic host and made us feel at home. What a wonderful person!

What’s not to like. We had the best time. It’s an experience. We will definitely be back!

We loved the bush feel and the beauty and signing of birds.

The road to get to the location.

The energy that needs to find this place will. Only souls with good intentions and a pure heart will find the beauty and magic in this place. It speaks to your heart when your mind doesn't want to listen.

Absolutely loved every single moment of the entire experience. Derrick and his 3 guardians went out of their way to make this trip unforgettable.

We had the most amazing stay at Adorable Unique, Derrick’s beautiful glamping bush experience! The setting was absolutely stunning — surrounded by nature sounds, fresh air, and peaceful vibes. It was the perfect escape from the busy world. A huge highlight was meeting Derrick’s three adorable doggos — Taz, Domino, and Ray Ray! They were so friendly and sweet, making the stay feel even more welcoming and special. The place itself is thoughtfully set up, and really lives up to its name — truly adorable and unique, from fairy lit pathways, to the cries of jackals in the evening. We loved every minute and can’t wait to come back. Highly recommend for anyone wanting a relaxing nature getaway with a little extra love from some gorgeous pups!

Made camping WAY easier. Not setup or breakdown needed - and no sharing public bathrooms. Plus, it has a lovely little sitting spot overlooking the trees. Lovely pathways all lit up at night, too. Quiet and serene. The dogs were beyond thrilled with so much space to explore. It's also pretty close to some nice restaurants and outing spots, and super close to Joburg if you're looking for a quick weekend getaway.

The road in and out was fine for my low little city car, but there were multiple spots where I needed to drive off to the side to avoid scraping my undercarriage. You don't need a high-suspension car to get in and out, but you'll have more peace of mind if you do. It wasn't expected, but WiFi access at the tent would have been helpful for my 9-year-old. Internet reception isn't great otherwise. But this could also be a plus for many people.

This African Bush feel was an absolute breather from the city. We enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, fresh air, immersive nature experience during our stay. We enjoyed the hiking trails and scenic walks. The host Derrick was fantastic - welcoming, attentive and ensuring that we feel at home away from home. If you are looking for adventure or relaxation, this is the place for you. It is highly recommended for those who enjoys nature and dont want to travel too far from JHB/PTA.

The owner Derrick was very passionate about his property and his guests..... Awesome owner from the first time I called to make the booking

Nothing

The pool was very clean, dogs are friendly. When I went there, it was raining but I had so much fun, hiking, swimming, braai and bornfire. Would go back again.

It feels as if you are camping in someone's backyard. I have been in way better for less price. Some positive critiques to the owner. Separate entrance, comunial kitchen feels as if it is your kitchen just being shared. Rather have private kitchens. Some sort of visual barrier between tent area and that of your living space, comunial kitchen and pool.

Derrick was a great host. He really have a good knowledge of nature!! Its so peacefull, we really had a good time and rest. We will come back for sure!

The only thing is the kitchen need a womens hand. A kettle and coffee in the room will be a bonus! The bathroom specially the shower is small.

beautiful location

They could work on fixing the road to the place

Upon arriving the host approached our vehicle with 3 dogs and indicated that he had to introduce the dogs to our dog. He indicated that if our dog showed signs of anxiety that there is going to be a problem. We immediately felt uncomfortable as we had a little dog and he had 3 large dogs. We entered the gate for the host to show us around. the host merely walked, not waiting on us, the host then stood in the kitchen when we saw him again. I had to ask the host whether we have to climb over the people sitting in the area as there was no way around the people. The lady said that she would get up for us to enter the kitchen. We were shown a kitchen area and a freezer standing on the side that is ours to use covered in duc-tape. We then moved through a passage to our allocated room. Upon entering the room the host explained the layout of the room and the positioning of the TV. The host requested whether we brought a blanket for our dog as she is not to mess on the bedding. We indicated that we did bring a blanket as well as her own bed. The host insisted that we cover the bed with the blanket he provided, which he then proceeded to pull over the bed. This once again made us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. There was hair of the hosts dog in the room. We proceeded outside to the pool to relax, I sat with my feet in the pool. At this point our small dog was so anxious because of the big dogs that she was drooling strings. We made the choice for the sake of our dog to leave as it was clear that she was not coping. We started to pack our stuff. The host appeared and inquired why we are leaving, i indicated that our dog is not coping, his answer was for us to put out dog up in a kennel, which was extremely disrespectful as our dog is our child.

We liked everything- swings, tent, shower, pool, beautiful hike. Very nice rustic place where you can relax and unwind. Owner of the place very friendly and truly love nature and his amazing dogs.

Nothing

What a great host. Derrick you and the puppers made our weekend worth while! It was amazing, and we are definitely coming back for the new tented camp!

You know you've found somewhere special when you go for a weekend of camping, it rains 70% of your stay, and you have such an incredible time. I have always believed that life has too many adventures to offer to return  to the same place. But literally the day we arrived back. Me and my son looked at each other and both were like " Can we go back tomorrow". We've already planned for another trip. Derrick was a fabulous host and the dogs added an extra special touch guiding our mountain walk and making us feel extra safe at night sleeping by our side. The property itself offers days of exploring. Refreshing dips in the pool and just perfect path lighting at night. Safe. Calm. Just a gem. The perfect balance of camping experiences but amenities to make it that touch easier. Warm shower. Private toilet. Electricity. Was provided a wifi password but chose to not use it. Was beautiful to off-line for a while and just enjoy our surroundings. Live in the moment more. The location is unbeatable. So much to do. Lion and Safari. Elephant sanctuary. And next time we hope to do the Cable car and hot air balloon adventures. Even planning for next year when my boy is older to try some river kayaking. Thank you Derrick for creating such a special place and sharing it with us. Hope to see you soon again.

I forgot to pack enough towels for all our swimming. Rain meant nothing dried.

We loved the pool, the braai and the maze like pathways on the property and the fact that we could bring our two dachshunds with us. There are other dogs on the property who are very friendly. We stayed in the rondawel, which is right next to the pool, main braai area and shared kitchen. The bed was very comfortable and the ceiling fan kept us cool. There is a TV mounted in the perfect spot if you want to lie in bed and watch, but we were there for the nature. On our drive out we saw Sable on the other side of the fence, which was quite a treat. It feels like you are miles and miles away from the city. There was little to no reception but thanks to the free Wifi that was not an issue. Would love to stay in the Tented Camp next time. They are very private with their own, albeit pretty rustic, ablutions and braai area.

The drive from the gate to the property is quite challenging in places, you don't need a 4 x 4 but don't go in a sports car either.

Very quiet. Lots of birds. Host very friendly. Interesting rocks. Nice rock pool

Shower was small but lovely water pressure. Room was hot but had a ceiling fan. Maybe a kettle in the room for early morning coffee so I didn't have to dress to go and make coffee

The first thing you notice are the dogs(Tazz, Cairo, Raven). Introduction to the dogs, my wife was scared during the process, she literally cried for them when we were leaving the place. Tranquility, all you could hear is the sound of the birds chirping, the sound of the river flowing in a distance and at night you are sure to hear the roar of the lion's in the distance. The place is Therapeutic if you allow yourself to be in nature not with nature, at some point I woke up to an empty tent, I went out to look for my wife. I found her crying and praying, next to her there were 2 companions (dogs) guarding her (her babies now) One baby remained behind to protect me as I slept. I came on a vacation and discovered a spiritual uplifting. I declare this place our Annual retreat place. Thank you Precious and wife, Please to meet you Derrick, see you soon. Much love to my wife's babies

Leaving the place

Home away from home bush feel.

Nothing

Derrick was friendly and attended to all our requests. Beautiful scenery.

Network was bad hence TV didn't work. Road to go in was really bad for our low car.

The environment. Fresh air coming from those trees. The sound of birds in the morning. It is next to Lion safari

Network is poor 😥

There was nothing that I liked. It was the worst experience of my life.

The road to get there was terrible. The photos on Bookings.com do not represent reality at all. The price advertised is not what we paid. We could not stay there-it was horrible. A far cry from Glamping. A very disappointing experience. I want my money back.

I loved the fact that the place is secluded. It’s just you and the singing birds. Derrick gave a warm welcome and showed us around the property, explained how everything worked. Opened the small gate for us to go hike in the morning. I’m definitely going back for a two night stay next time.

Nothing I didn’t like, it is exactly as it is said, it is a bush feel experience.

A bush feel not a 5 star hotel it was Africa I loved it . A quirky great value for money bird life fantastic and lots of animals roaming around on the way. Owner was very welcoming

Wifi in and out but still did the job

It was a slice of Heavenly bliss, a fantastic weekend away, chilled and relaxing vibes only, already panning my next stay

A great getaway in a beautiful and tranquil environment where I could spend quality time with my partner. The host was very friendly and the dogs are well behaved.

I wish we could stay longer.

Like Derrick says, it’s an experience not just a place to stay for a night or few. Picture a home away from home feeling, with the added beauty of bushveld views and opportunity to explore the surrounds navigating thoughtfully curated paths, starry skies of an evening teamed with a roaring firepit, and good hospitality from the start. The 3 resident pups bring an added element of comfort to the place. My 2 year old son took to them (partially domino) from the start, and between that bond, the swimming pool, and safe environment to run around he had the best time! A special place I look forward to returning to. .

The environment on its own, the sound of the lions at night 💕 it's also dog friendly and my favourite dog was Tazz, I miss him already 😘. Oh I also loved our bathroom It was something else real African bush feel 😀

Nothing everything was just amazing 🤩

Loved the dogs, walking the hiking trail with us. Sleeping outside the tent, made us feel super safe. Trails are easy to manage. Loved the sound of the nearby lions early in the morning. Very peaceful. Its my personal view, very rustic. So it depends on the experience you are looking for.

The heat was extreme, no fan in the tent, and no aircon in the chalet. My mom having a heart condition did not do well in the heat, as the heat was above 33degrees even at night. Also the swing being outside, it would be more hygienic to maybe remove all the bedding and supply a clean blanket inside the tent for use on the swing per stay.