General Info -

General Info

McBains is situated at the summit of the historic Bainskloof Pass, forming part of the village known as Eerste Tol. We offer Bainskloof venue hire and Bainskloof accommodation for up to 40 people in an eclectic variety of rooms, cabins, and spaces.

Fronting Deviation Buttress and the Witte River, McBains Mountain Retreat is surrounded on all sides by the Limietberg Nature Reserve. As such we are blessed with stunning views and easy access to an abundance of river pools and mountain walks that you can enjoy when you stay with us.

We are a family-run business that places an emphasis on healthy outdoor fun and then enjoying a good night's rest. We are a little bit rough around the edges – just how we like it. We have WiFi capability in the main house but strongly encourage our guests to take a break from their phones during their stay with us.

The real catharsis in coming to McBains is to be found once you get out of the city, enjoy the winding the drive up the pass, jump into the healing waters of the Witte River, catch the sunset, and watch the night stars from the hot tub.
McBains is best enjoyed with a few mates: round up a crew of friends or family and book out a few rooms.
We are ideally suited to school camps, corporate takeovers, digital nomads looking for an affordable midweek getaway, and hikers and thrill-seekers looking for a safe place to make as their base camp while exploring the natural surrounds.

If you come with good vibes, you’ll have a good time. We make no apologies for the weather. Bring your own head torch - the paths are dark at night so that we can see the stars! If you’re staying with us you’ll have your own clean bed in an awesome room.We supply a duvet, pillow, and a blanket as bedding. There’s a shared kitchen, outdoor lounge, and deck area with fabulous views of the mountain and easy access to the river below. Please bring your own towel as well as fire wood if you can. Ice is available for R20 per 2L ice cream tub, and wood is available at R120 per bag (firewood) and R100 per bag (hot tub). Alternatively a R100 contribution fee for water and firewood for hot tub use is levied. Please bring cash for ice and wood.

When it’s time to pack, think: I’m going camping but I’m going to get to sleep in a comfy bed and there is a kitchen there with the basics and modest facilities to keep me clean. Please pack lightly and please assist us with waste management by taking home with you whatever recycling and refuse you are capable of.

We are fully self-catering and have two communal self-catering kitchens with plenty of fridge space. Please consider when packing at home to remove all unnecessary packaging and bring your food up in a cooler box. We have plenty of braai options as well. Upon arrival, guests are requested to pack away their food responsibly. On occasion, we have baboon invasions -- and we'd hate for you to have to watch them eat your chips and treats!

We usually light the hot tub at around 4pm and this is a great way to rinse off the day and soak away your worries. Wood for the hot tub as well as wood for braais can be bought from us for R100 per bag if you don't manage to bring your own wood up the pass with you.

We offer a variety of board and card games which you are welcome to play in the upstairs studio -- or in other communal spaces. The use of portable speakers to play music is strictly prohibited -- unless by prior arrangement.

McBains is about having a quiet drink in the evening after a great day out in nature -- anything more than a quiet drink in the evening is strictly forbidden. If you are drinking from glass, we kindly ask that you take your recycling back with you.

Nature Therapy Thursdays

On any given Thursday, Ma'ayan and Justin set off into the rivers and mountains of Bainskloof in search of adventure, secret waterfalls, good company, and a break from the city's slickness. We round off the day with a TRE (Trauma and Tension Release Exercises) session, followed by a healthy meal.

Ma'ayan is a qualified TRE facilitator and Justin a qualified addiction counselor. And we both love sharing the providence of this beautiful area. Which make us the perfect couple for you and your friends to connect with and show you around for a full day of fun. BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT ONLY.

Ma'ayan & justin

Healthy meal

Included in your stay when you book for Nature Therapy Thursday is a healthy dinner, usually vegetarian and always delicious.

Awesome adventure

Our Nature Therapy Thursdays involve hikes where a basic level of fitness is required – we usually assess the group’s combined fitness and see how the day is looking, and decide where to go from there… you’re welcome to let us know in advance as to any specific requests you may have (i.e. trail versus rockhopping).

General Info

Nature Therapy Thursdays

Healthy meal

Awesome adventure

Property Layout

Cabins

Franklin Cabin

Jonathan Cabin

Sylvia Cabin

Jack Cabin

Rooms

Wilbur

Enid

Hunter Room

K Sello Room

Herman Room

JK Room