Gecko Rock - February 2026

Our requirements for an anniversary weekend are simple. Quiet, secluded, remote, beautiful and surrounded by nature but not too far from Cape Town. Opportunities for easy hikes, swimming, hot tubs and photography.

We found Gecko Rock through Bookings.com and it ticked the boxes.

It is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from Cape Town with some dirt roads at the end, which is even better.

Our choice, the Rhebokvlakte Cabin, was undoubtably the most secluded and private of the many options available and the views of the blue mountains across the Karoo Plains were breath taking.

View from the Rhebokvlakte Cabin porch

The hot tub was an important factor in our trip and this one did not disappoint. it was clean, well-positioned and, with a big enough fire, takes about an hour to warm up.

It is not sheltered from the wind, but under the water may be the best place to hide once it picks up as it did with a vengeance every afternoon/evening of our trip.

Stay under the water when the wind sweeps past the Cabin

The braai is somewhat moveable and can be placed strategically to limit the wind exposure, but it is best to just embrace the warm desert gusts.

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Baking bread on open flame with a gusting wind

The morning sunrise is a drawn-out affair with the sky lightening and the distant blue mountains turning pinks and oranges long before the sun peeps through a gap.

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There are a number of hiking and MTB trails on the property, one of which starts less than 100 metres from the Cabin.

The wind and bright moon did discourage evening astro-photography, but I managed to take this somewhat muted star trail picture that benefits from black and white conversion.

Star trails overshadowed by a bright moon

The moon bathed the Karoo with light