Gibaland was certainly an adventure for me as I've never been on a glamping experience before. The place in itself is scenic even boasts many Jaboticaba miracle trees and has some really stunning views especially the waterfall which is about a 10 minute walk from the teepees. There are however longer hikes as well for those built for the long haul. The staff are pleasant and polite. The ablution facilities were not up to standard and the showers really untidy. However we were told this was due to their staffing issue. After bringing this to the attention of the owner it was then cleaned. The pizzas and breakfast was really not up to standard. The owner was kind enough to buy us Chinese food for supper on the 2nd night of our stay. At night a bon fire is lit and this gives the place a cosy atmosphere. Whilst trying to get some sleep in the teepee you get to hear the night sounds of chirping insects, the flowing river chatting to the swaying trees, sounds a bit eerie. It was a cold and windy 2 nights so definitely the howling wind got to me. Glamping I suppose is for the adventurous kind of people..will I do it again... highly unlikely.. but I do recommend it for those that are not faint hearted about vacaying in the bush
Rooms: 3
Service: 2
Location: 4

Don't suggest eating here on a Sunday. We ordered two pizzas on Sunday at 2pm, they are pricey but that was not a problem at all, what was the problem was the absolutely dismal pizzas that arrived. They were lacking almost all the ingredients, and we were served them with no forewarning. We first noticed all the micro greens were missing, and then it was obvious that so we're most of the other core ingredients. We took them back to the kitchen, and the very nice staff confirmed they were low on, and out of most ingredients. We had waited a while, so we agreed to eat our sparse pizzas. We thought we would then rectify the poor experience with a milkshake after the meal, but same story, no ice cream. OK we said, malva pudding? No can do was the response. We are out of malva pudding too. What a debacle. The owner will probably say they were unusually busy being the first weekend of school holidays, to which we would answer, really..... So this is the first time you have catered at the beginning of a school holiday?? The answer is rhetorical. Poor show guys! A long way to drive for a disappointing lunch experience.
Travel group
Family

We would love to keep this beautiful spot all to ourselves, but its just too good not to share, paying forward the kindness of the hosts and all the staff at GibaLand! This is a place to recharge your soul and clear your mind, nestled in a forest, with a beautiful waterfall and riverside walks. When you are tired, hungry and thirsty after your hike, you can have an ice cold beer, the best pizza, prego rolls and falafel salad in KZN (these are our favourites, their menu is full of deicious options)! Pets and children are welcome. A day visit is simply not enough - a stay-over in die Teepee tents with a fire pit in the middle to enjoy a drumming circle guided by the best drumming teacher makes for the perfect celebration with close friends. Book the 5 tents and share an unforgettable experience under the trees and stars. We can't get enough of this place and the amazing vibe created by Luis, Serge, Adré, Gavin and all the beautiful people of Umfula Cafè! ♥️️⭐

It took us a while to find the right way as our navigation mislead us. But then we were surprised to find a beautiful piece of remaining domestic forest and a clean and friendly camping site. We enjoyed three nights close to the river, gathering in the evenings around the fire place getting in touch with other guest families. We enjoyed good food sitting under the roof with monkeys on top of it. Very relaxing atmosphere. We undertook an outride to the waterfall with well trained horses from the nearby farm (not cheap, actually). All in all we had a very good time, even we had one day full of rain that we used to escape to a mall in Durban. (We stayed there end of December 2022)
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

I loved every minute of my stay at Gibaland! The Teepee’s are very clean, great experience for reasonable price. Cafe Umfula staff were very friendly and accommodating, kudos to MLU for excellent service. It really felt like home! My son and I had the best experience this past weekend. Great escape from normal life! Just go there and connect to nature, relax & unwind! Would definitely recommend
Trip type
Vacation
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Rooms
Teepees were clean
Nearby activities
Quite a bit of free activities to do, especially for kids.
Food & drinks
Food was nice, at reasonable price also.
Hotel highlights
Kid-friendly, Great value

I booked the teepees for the family to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday. Lee went above and beyond to accommodate us and all our requests. Mlu was a machine, running up and down to serve each person, and even taking a couple minutes in between the madness to play drums with my kids. The food was amazing! Teepees were well serviced and clean. The bonfire was kept going with fresh wood all night. We were just super impressed throughout it all, and my worries leading up to the day instantly went away when we arrived. Thank you guys so much!
Trip type
Vacation
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great view, Kid-friendly, Great value

The owners are cutting a new road to the venue which is devastating the natural environment on the hillside, and which when finished will in practice be too steep to be of much use. Updated 14 May: just traversed the entire length of this scar on the hillside. No vehicle other than serious 4x4's will ever be able to travel this "road". And I see it has stalled anyway as the landowners now realise this. Meanwhile their bulldozer plowed off extents left and right as they tried to figure this out on the fly. Updated Sept 23: the scar Gibaland tore through the hillside remains, and as I predicted no further progress on making it passable for anything other than a Landrover Defender.

Besides the windy dirt roads getting to GibaLand is quite fun. GibaLand itself is packed with stunning sceneries, waterfalls and African bush. It is a great place to go hiking, it also has a play area for the kids to keep entertained. Cafe Umfula offers KZN's best pizza and exceptional staff, with a world class menu. Picnic, hike, hangout, watch Rugby, watch live volley ball, attend events, camp and relax; whatever your fancy. The venue is large and often hired for events, GibaLand is home to some of South Africa's most spectacular events as well.
Trip type
Business
Travel group
Family
Service: 5
Location: 3

So it starts with a quick hike from Giba Gorge to the first waterfall. Well we spotted this place across the river and went to checknit out. We were then "accosted" to join in the volleyball and landed up playing a couple of matches (and winning) We got to meet the host, Loius and some of his team. This place got hammered in the floods but he has done wonders in getting things going. That have a restaurant with super pizzas and ice cold beer . And the 5th cause you can see the passion in Loius eyes for what he wants to do. Go check him out. From Tom and Sam

My partner and I had a really good time at Gibaland. The hike to the waterfall was really beautiful. We enjoyed our breakfast at Cafe Umfula, which had great service. We have to give thanks to Lee, who was always helpful to us, and always willing to make a plan. Even when we arrived abit late into the evening, he still welcomed us with a big smile and made sure we were comfortable. Thank you to Lee and the Gibaland team, would definitely recommend this place to our friends.
Service: 5
Location: 5

I rate place a one. We got ripped of for R700 additional to the Tupi that was R500 the supper and breakfast was horid basic cheese pizza only. Staff was not welcoming at all they were having their own personal issues we had to wait 2hours for our supper. Totally Unhappy with the experience
Travel group
Couple
Rooms: 1
Service: 1
Location: 1
Food & drinks
Basic pizza they didn't have most of the toppings so it was just plain cheese with mushrooms

I've been coming to this beautiful place for just over a month, the management are out of this world. Cecelia is one in a million at the umfula cafe as she goes out her way to make you feel like this is home. Food is amazing too. Good prices and can't forget the teepees and camping. I will definitely recommend Giba land to anyone who wants to get lose . Well done to Cecelia, and staff. If I could rate more then 5 stars I would.

Myself and partner stayed there for almost a week in June 2023 and service, ambiance, and experience was absolutely amazing. Their staff is willing to bend over backwards to make your stay as it should be and we were truly spoilt rotten the entire stay. Thx to Lee especially who is a major asset to their business and would be the main reason for my return. The food is also amazing in every way

Today we took the learners on a day trip to Gibaland.....it was amazing . Lee and his staff was amazing...was at our service all the time. The learners had an absolute amazing time. The whole place is sooo tranquil and serene....the horses loved us and we loved the horses. The food was divine as well. A place well worth the visit.
Service: 5
Location: 5

From arrival to departure there were smiles all round. We were pleasantly surprised with the 2 man tents that we booked, we woke to the sound and sight of the beautiful river, and later ventured out for a very scenic and rewarding hike to the beautiful waterfall. Overall experience was great, would love to try the Teepees the next time we visit.

This accommodation is hidden gem... My family and I have gone on lots of little get aways ... And this is by far the best ! We have already planned our next trip to Gibaland
Travel group
Family
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Luxury, Great view, Kid-friendly, Great value

Amazing experience. The service, hospitality and the food was amazing. Staff and Owners are wonderful people, always willing to help and make your stay a wonderful experience. Awesome hikes available restaurant food amazing. We will definitely be back. Thank you so much. All the best and will be back very soon. @ Shireen Riviere.

I was there on Sunday till Monday. Managemt is extremely friendly so is the stuff. Definitely will be returning with my friends for a partyj
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Couple
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Great view, Romantic, Quiet, Kid-friendly, Great value

Giba land is the perfect place to go unwind, relax, enjoy good food and music all with a spectacular view. We went for a hike this past Sunday to the waterfall, had lunch and sundowners @CafeUmfula with live music. The staff are also very helpful and make you feel right at home. Will certainly become a regular @GibaLand ❤

The place has a nice winter experience. The Teepees cater 4 people i.e. two single beds and one double bed. The fire night with good music. The play area got me even more excited. From playing to the jumping castle, using the grass car, hammock on Cafe Umfula. The last part is when we rode horses. This is a place to be

My partner and I went for 2 days and 2 nights. Lee and Ray made our stay there so comfortable, anything you need they arrange, truly lovely hosts, they made us feel very at home. It was a lovely experience and a place we'd definitely go back to
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

What an amazing place this is... beautiful views and amazing hiking trail. Our stay at the tee pees was great! Management needs to improve in customer service.... But thanks to Obviously and Mlu for taking care of us and making our stay amazing..t hey are wonderful people those 2....

Had an absolutely wonderful time at Giba Land! We stayed in the teepee's, enjoyed a drumming session around the bonfire and were lucky enough to tie it in with their "Music in the Woods" on the Sunday! Really great spot for a weekend away. Oh, and the pizzas were INCREDIBLE!!!

Definitely recommend this little piece of paradise a stone throw away from the coast. The owners were really accommodating and the teepee's we stayed in were clean, comfortable but overall the experience was just stunning and would definitely stay there again.

A little piece of heaven on earth, I have only had great experiences at this 'hidden' gem of a venue.. from trance party to drumming circle, nature walks and waterfalls.. and they have so much more on offer.. I would stay there in a heart beat..

Everything was nice especially from the warm welcome by Obvious and the lovely hardworking Waiter Mlu,that guy was wonderful, the main issue though is that uber cant get in so i suggest you offer shuttles to fetch people who have no cars :(

What a lovely time we had this weekend. Much needed break into nature. Family friendly
Trip type
Vacation
Travel group
Family
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5
Hotel highlights
Quiet, Great value

Very quiet and peaceful place and the people there are very friendly....they really know how to treat people..Not forgetting their very own pizza l will definitely be back …

Food for the soul! Spoilt for choice with a trail for everyone. Senzo is such a great guy who always greets you with his warm and friendly mannerisms! A must for anyone who loves being in nature!

What a beautiful nestled away spot in Giba Gorge. It is the perfect spot for a weekend long outdoor music festival, with all the lush vegetation and biking paths to explore.

For a Litter Free walk in the Forests with your Dogs, Giba Land is the answer. Just can't get enough of the natural beauty & peaceful atmosphere . Love it

The service and level of professionalism recieved from Louis was phenomenal. A huge thumbs up. He surely thrives for his customers to be be his promoters

Beautiful scenic walks and trails.. waterfalls especially Macintosh falls.. looking forward to all the new exciting attractions

Such a treasure cove of a getaway spot filled with the beauty of nature, amazing people, good food and incredible hikes. …

I had a great time, the service was amazing. Mlu was the star of the weekend, he is friendly and helpful. I loved his service.

Such an AMAZING place, the staff was great Obvious was very friendly Wayne, his wife and the ladies at the cafe so welcoming

Every time I come here, I have a wow moment !! .. Nature lovers paradise.. Food for your soul and peace of mind..

Enjoyed my stay at GibaLand. The staff was really friendly
Rooms: 5
Service: 5
Location: 5

Amazing piece of paradise, great owner who has a lot of exciting plans for the future, can't wait to go back

Very nice trails for walkers and mountain bike riders. A bit muddy in places so wear the right shoes

Phenomenal experience, incredible atmosphere and great people. Looking forward to the next event!

Stunning area , wonderful people and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to have a good time.

Trails needs some maintaining but still enjoyed the hike and the food was good

The walk to the waterfall is fabulous. The waterfall itself, and the stunning

amazing food, amazing music, such a lovely owner Id pack up and live there

Had an awesome evening at the drum circle. Great food and good company.

Sorry abt that, yes Cafe Umfula was shocking on the morning we left

Great vibe great hikes great mountain bike trails food and drink

Slept over in the Teepee tents. What an amazing experience.

Nice quality time to spend with family in a beautiful place

Amazing cycled into a trance fest was an experience.

Always beautiful no mater what time of the year

Very friendly staff and had a good experience

The most awesome natural venue ever

Beautiful as always.

It is so beautiful.

Heaven on Earth

Loved it