EMBERLINERetreat
A giraffe mother and her calf at Emberline Retreat, Cape Town (artist's impression)Artist's impression
Our story

Two giraffes, one watering hole

Past Melkbosstrand, in Three Fountains, a walled estate of 6.9 hectares is set around a single watering hole. Two giraffes live here with zebra, nyala, impala, waterbuck and eland. Emberline Retreat was built for quiet hours spent watching them.

Nothing like it exists near Cape Town. The estate lies about 35 minutes from the city, and on clear evenings Table Mountain stands on the horizon above the water.

Emberline opens in September 2027. The pictures on this site are artist's impressions of the estate as it will be.

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A giraffe at dawn on the estate (artist's impression)
01
Why it exists

The garden was too small

Patrick and Lauren love giraffes, and their garden was never going to hold one. Most people in that position would settle for a smaller animal. They settled for a bigger garden instead, and Emberline is the result.

They wanted morning coffee with a giraffe outside the window, and they wanted every guest to have that experience. Patrick has built and renovated boutique hotels in Cape Town. Emberline is the first place he has built from the ground up, and it was designed around one rule: wonder, never spectacle.

02
The animals

On their own time

The giraffes, zebra and buck move across the estate as they choose and come down to the water when they are thirsty. Sometimes that happens at first light, and on other days they arrive at dusk while dinner is being served. John Marree, the wildlife manager, looks after every animal on the estate, and their welfare comes first.

A giraffe at sunset on the estate at Emberline Retreat, Cape Town (artist's impression)Artist's impression
03
The people

Who looks after you

Your own host meets you on arrival and is the one name you need for anything during your stay. Your host is supported by the people who made Emberline what it is.

04
The estate

Small, private, light on the land

Each pool suite opens onto its own terrace and private pool. Vegetables and herbs come from the estate's garden, and the bread and juices are made fresh in the kitchen. The estate runs on solar power, and water is captured and reused. The Cape is malaria-free. A car meets you at the airport, and if you would rather fly in, the estate has its own helipad.

A pool suite at blue hour, lit from inside, a giraffe standing beside it at Emberline (artist's impression)
A pool suite at blue hourArtist's impression
Emberline Retreat

Emberline opens in September 2027, and Founding Guests will be the first to stay.

Become a Founding GuestContact us
A couple walking barefoot along the lantern-lit walkway towards the pools at dusk, a giraffe beyond (artist's impression)Artist's impression