May 2024

Our accommodation – Canisp Chalet

In the past few months we have shared posts with the most beautiful sea views, but now it is time for a change of scenery. We are going to take you into a forest where we stayed in a unique chalet. It was such a wonderful experience that we are going to share our stay at The Shire in three posts.

In today’s post we will tell you more about our accommodation, while the next two posts will be about our walks in the forest.

Where is The Shire?

The Shire is an eco lodge just outside Stutterheim, a small town on the N6 national route and just 85km/53 miles from East London. Stutterheim lies at the foot of the second largest native forest in South Africa (second only to the well-known Tsitsikamma forest in Knysna).

In a post last year (read here) we told you about our short walk in the Kologha forest. We have been looking forward to returning to this forest for a long time and were very happy when we came across The Shire in our search as a place to stay while we explored the forest more.

Canisp, our chalet at The Shire

Inside our chalet

Relaxing nook and comfy bed

The Shire is named after JRR Tolkien’s hobbit village in The Lord of the Rings and the four chalets (Quinag, Suillven, Canisp and Tinto) are named after mountain ranges in Scotland. Each chalet representing a different peak. (Source: The Shire)

We arrived at The Shire just before sunset, in time to light a fire and prepare dinner.

Outside braai area next to the chalet

We grilled chicken breasts on the fire and together with a slice of fresh pineapple, lettuce, tomato and cheese, we enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian chicken burger.

Dinner time

Sunrise couldn’t come soon enough for us to properly explore our surroundings. After enjoying coffee/tea and rusks on the veranda of our chalet, we went for a stroll. (Oh, by the way, there is tea and freshly ground coffee in the fully equipped kitchenette).

A great way to start the day

At each chalet there are large logs that one can use to make a fire. We brought our own fire wood, but towards the end of each evening it was nice to throw one of these thick logs on the fire while watching the stars and listening to the night sounds.

Thick logs

The four chalets are quite far from each other and while we were there, there was only one other family staying in the farthest chalet from us. It was so peaceful and we enjoyed the lovely view over the vast lawn towards the forest.

Chalet next to us

Our chalet is on the left

Behind this tree is a path that leads into the forest

The same tree illuminated by the morning sun

The view from our chalet

It is very interesting to read on The Shire’s website how many challenges there were in building this type of structure. For example, it took them over a year just to complete the shell of the first chalet. It has a truly unique look and offers everything you might need – there’s even an en-suite bathroom at each chalet. The chalet we stayed in also has an outdoor shower – a wooden path leads to the forest and the shower has a lovely view of the river.

A unique design

The chalets are surrounded by lovely flowers

After walking for 2 hours in the forest (you can read about our hike here), we enjoyed a bowl of fresh fruit salad and yoghurt on the veranda of our chalet.

Perfect breakfast after our morning walk in the forest

We had read earlier about the Gubu Dam which is in the area and decided to drive there. We followed the GPS and suspected we might have been driving on roads that were really only meant for the foresters because when we finally got to the dam there was a much wider road leading back to The Shire.

When we left The Shire, we saw this lovely horse grazing

Pretty flowers next to the road at The Shire

Gubu Dam

Gubu Dam

We also read that there was a camp site and picnic areas at the Gubu Dam, but that it closed during Covid and has unfortunately not reopened. We followed the sign to the camp site, but had to stop in front of a locked gate. We left our ‘bakkie’ in front of the gate and walked down the road, but eventually turned around as it seemed that it was quite a long way to the dam – the views of the mountains were beautiful nonetheless.

Mount Kubusie and Mount Thomas are towering over Gubu Dam

Back at The Shire, Berto dropped me off at the entrance and I walked back to our chalet. I followed the road, past the camping site to the chalets. It’s really so beautiful here – you feel worlds away from your busy and everyday life.

Road leading to The Shire

Camping site at The Shire

Road to the chalets

Beautiful chalet

The sun lights up the trees

We made another fire and prepared the ever-popular Braai Pie (Dish of the Week #28 – read here).

Braai Pie

After we ate we made a big bonfire and sat by the fire until the sun went down. It was another night of tranquility – we were happy and content.

Tranquility

Sunset at The Shire

The next morning, we were greeted by a lovely sunny day. We immediately put on our hiking shoes and went for another long walk through the forest (you can read about this hike here).

Sunrise at The Shire

One last look at the lovely chalets

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at The Shire. Rob and his team have built a gem here in the woods and we can’t wait to come back.

Panoramic view of all four chalets