The Unbound Guest Guide
2:00 PM
11:00 AM
How to Get There
Getting Up the Mountain
The road is rough. You don’t need a 4×4, but high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. A shuttle service is available—contact us if you’d like details.
Directions:
- Navigate to the start point: Drive to Rivers Edge Accommodation on the Wolseley side of the Bainskloof Pass (±1 h 30 min from Cape Town).
- Open the Start Location pin.
- Before heading into the mountain: Download our offline map (Google Maps can misroute).
- Here’s a Map.
- At the gate: Enter through the two large stone pillars at Rivers Edge. Immediately veer left onto the jeep track.
- Stay on the main track: Keep going straight—don’t turn off—until you reach a T-junction against the mountain. Turn left.
- Cross the small concrete bridge: After the bridge the road twists and climbs steeply for about 40 m. Drive carefully and watch for rocks on the edges.
- Final stretch: At the top of the paved section you’ll see Skaam Cabin on your left. Do NOT stop here. Veer right and continue another 100 m up until you reach The Unbound—that’s it!
You’re in for a treat. Drive carefully.
Checking In & Out
Check-In
- Check-In: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Self check-in with a lockbox
- We will send the lockbox code on the day
Check Out
- Check Out: 11:00 AM
- Lock all windows and doors.
- Return the key to the lockbox.
House Rules
We’ve kept our rules simple so everyone can relax and enjoy their stay. Please treat our home with the same care you’d expect for yours.
Off-Grid Living
The Unbound runs entirely on solar power with no backup system, so please manage electricity carefully.
- Check the battery charge level on the control panel located on the side of the kitchen cupboard.
- When power is low, avoid using high-consumption appliances such as air conditioners, hairdryers, and the dishwasher.
Wi-Fi
There’s free reliable Wi-Fi at the house. You can comfortably work from there, take Whatsapp calls and even stream a movie. We’ll share the login information once you are there.
Smart House Features
The Unbound is a smart home, equipped with Alexa devices in most rooms and motorized blinds throughout (except in the showers). You can control lights, open blinds, ask questions, or stream music from Spotify — just say, “Alexa, play some smooth jazz.”
To operate the blinds manually, give the small cord a gentle tug to open or close them automatically. Please handle them with care.
You’ll also notice QR codes placed around the house — on appliances, the hot tub, fireplaces, and other key spots. Scan them anytime for quick, step-by-step info on how to use that specific item.
Respecting Others’ Privacy
We kindly ask that you don’t approach private homes within the estate. Just as you value your privacy during your stay, so do our owners and their guests — thank you for respecting this at all times.
Many homes in the estate have cameras and perimeter alarms. You’ll pass Skaam Cabin on your way up; please simply continue past without stopping or returning later for a look.
Air Conditioners
Our air conditioners are here for your comfort, but they’re also high-energy appliances. To keep the system running smoothly, please reserve their use for very hot days and only for short periods.
We recommend limiting use to roughly 11 a.m – 3 p.m, when sunlight on the solar panels can better support the power demand.
Please keep an eye on the house’s power levels while running an air conditioner. For your own comfort and to avoid waking up without electricity, don’t leave an air conditioner on overnight — the system will almost certainly run out of power by morning.
High Fire Risk
Cape Fynbos is an extremely fire-prone ecosystem. Each year wildfires destroy thousands of hectares, causing severe property damage and sometimes loss of life.
No Open Fires: Absolutely no open flames are allowed outdoors. This exclusion only covers the braai and hot tub—please exercise extreme caution when using either.
Cigarette butts are a leading cause of wildfires. If you smoke, dispose of butts safely and responsibly.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are located in the living room (behind the fireplace) and in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you book
We’ve kept our rules simple so everyone can relax and enjoy their stay. Please treat our home with the same care you’d expect for yours.
Unfortunately not. The mountain terrain and presence of wild animals make it unsafe for pets.
If you have a special request or unique circumstance, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to chat and see what’s possible.
No, a 4×4 isn’t required, but the road up the mountain is rough. We recommend using a high-clearance SUV or similar vehicle. If you drive slowly and carefully, you’ll manage just fine in something like a VW Tiguan, Audi Q3, or BMW X1.
Please don’t attempt the drive in a sedan, as the clearance is too low. If you’d rather not drive up yourself, we recommend using the shuttle service — it’s convenient and stress-free.
The Unbound is not specifically childproof, and close supervision is essential for young children. The deck has an unprotected drop of about 1.5 meters, and there’s a hot tub (open water) as well as seasonal streams around the house.
The property is also set on mountain ridges with steep and potentially dangerous rock faces. For safety, babies and toddlers must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Please note that The Unbound accepts no responsibility for any injury to guests.
After you’ve booked
The shuttle is managed by Suzanne, my co-host and the owner of Calabash Bush Pub. Let her know a few days before that you’ll need a shuttle amd WhatsApp her at +27 (0)84 508 4829 with your ETA on the day.
You can leave your car at Calabash, where it will be safe.
The nearest grocery store is OK Foods in Wolseley, about 12 km away, where you’ll find all the basics you might need.
On your way to The Unbound, you’ll also pass several charming farm stalls along the road from Worcester — including Rietdakkie — where you can pick up fresh fruit, braai packs, and other local farm products.
No, there’s plenty of wood for the braai, hot tub, and fireplaces. We recommend you bring a bag of charcoal to support your braai since some batches of wood yield weak coals.
There are a few hiking options ranging from an informal meander on the jeep tracks around the estate, to longer hikes in the Cape Nature Reserves around Mount Bain.
No, The Unbound is 100% off-grid, and an oven is a high-consumption appliance that can quickly drain the battery system. There’s a gas stove, air fryer, and microwave.
Yes, the kitchen is fully equipped with olive oil, vinegar, and a collection of more than 15 spices.
No. There are three ways to make coffee at The Unbound: French Press, Moka pot (Bialetti) and a Nespresso machine. We provide coffee for all of these. The first 10 Nespresso pods are on us. Bring more if you drink coffee like we do!
While you’re there
Yes. There’s an information panel on the side of the kitchen cupboard that shows the solar battery status. Press the button, wait a few seconds for it to refresh, and you’ll see the current state of charge along with other useful details to help you manage your power use.
The Unbound runs on a powerful solar system, but like any off-grid home, it depends on smart energy use. If the batteries drop below 40%, please switch off all high-consumption appliances to help conserve power.
Air conditioners draw the most energy and should only be used on very hot days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when there’s strong sunlight on the panels. Also avoid anything that generates heat — such as the dishwasher, hairdryer, or similar appliances — until the battery level recovers.
Important: If the batteries reach 15%, the system will automatically power down to protect itself. The batteries will begin recharging as soon as there’s sufficient sunlight on the panels again.
Yes and no. Snake encounters are rare, but they do live in the area. They’re generally shy and avoid people, yet they are the most potentially dangerous animals on the reserve.
Be mindful when walking in the mountains or through thick vegetation, and watch your step to avoid accidentally disturbing one.
In the unlikely event of a snake bite, you’ll find an emergency contact number specifically for this situation on the information panel beside the kitchen cupboard.
Baboons occasionally pass through the area around the house. They’re not usually aggressive, but please don’t approach or feed them.
Important: Always close and lock all doors and windows when you head out to hike or explore — baboons are curious and can cause serious damage if they get inside.