Booking Terms and Conditions 

All bookings with the Kogelberg Collection (Pty) Ltd T/A The River Retreat Kogelberg are subject to these Terms and Conditions. The guest will be provided with, or given access to, these Terms and Conditions before making payment. By making payment towards a booking, the guest confirms that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions. 

Bookings and Payment

The accommodation is provided for temporary holiday or short-term accommodation purposes only. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to create a lease, tenancy, or landlord-and-tenant relationship between The River Retreat Kogelberg and the guest. The guest may not use the accommodation as their principal residence or for any purpose other than the temporary accommodation associated with the booking. 

A booking is confirmed only once The River Retreat Kogelberg has received the completed guest registration form and the required deposit in cleared funds, and has sent written confirmation of the booking to the guest by email. 

For bookings made more than 14 days prior to arrival, the balance of the booking fee must be paid in cleared funds no later than 14 days before the arrival date. If the balance has not been received by this deadline and no alternative payment arrangement has been agreed upon in writing, The River Retreat Kogelberg may cancel the booking by written notice to the guest. For any bookings made 14 days or fewer prior to the arrival date, 100% of the total booking fee is due immediately to confirm the reservation. 

Rental Charges

Standard bookings do not include daily servicing. For longer stays (10 nights or more), we do offer a complimentary change of bed linen and towels.

Arrivals & Departures

PLEASE NOTE: The area has limited to no cellular signal at the booking location. Guests are required to inform staff of their impending arrival time the morning of their booking, as well as 1 hour before arrival should there be travel delays. This is to allow for a member of staff to be present on arrival. 

Standard arrivals can be accommodated between 14h00 and 18h00. Late arrivals may be accommodated by prior written arrangement only. Guests who arrive outside of these hours without having made the necessary prior arrangements may not be able to access the property. In such instances, The River Retreat Kogelberg accepts no liability for alternative accommodation costs, losses, or inconvenience suffered by the guest. 

Units must be vacated and keys returned by 10h00 on the day of departure, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by The River Retreat Kogelberg. Each unit has its own lock box. On departure, the guest must lock all doors and windows, set the alarm, place the keys in the relevant lock box, ensure that the lock box is securely closed, and scramble the combination lock. 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be requested in writing via email. The applicable cancellation period will be determined by the date and time on which the written cancellation is received by The River Retreat Kogelberg. 

In accordance with Section 17 of the South African Consumer Protection Act, the following reasonable cancellation charges apply: 

  • Cancellation 14 or more days prior to arrival: Full Refund.
  • Cancellation 8 to 13 days prior to arrival: 50% Refund of the total booking value.
  • Cancellation 1 to 7 days prior to arrival: No Refund.
  • No-shows will be charged the full value of the reservation. If a guest has not arrived by 20h00 on the scheduled date of arrival, and has failed to notify management of a delay or make prior arrangements for a late check-in, The River Retreat Kogelberg will make reasonable attempts to contact the primary guest using the details provided. If contact cannot be established by 21h00, the reservation will be designated as a “no-show.” The property may then be released for re-letting, and the full accommodation charge will be forfeited as a reasonable cancellation fee.

Breakages and Damage

We put our property in your care for the duration of your stay and we shall deliver it to you clean and in working order. The guest is responsible for taking all reasonable care of the self-catering unit, its contents, and the surrounding property. 

Except in the case of normal wear and tear, the guest will be held personally liable for making good, repairing, or replacing any damage to the unit, its contents, or the broader property occurred due to their negligence, wilful damage, or irresponsible behaviour. 

The unit and all equipment, utensils, furniture, etc., must be left clean and tidy at the end of the rental period. Should the unit be left in an unacceptably neglected or dirty state, an additional cleaning fee of R500 will be charged to the guest. 

Occupants

Only guests specified by name on the guest registration form at the time of booking may occupy the self-catering unit. The maximum occupancy limits of the unit must not be exceeded at any time. 

Liability, Risk, and Personal Property

The River Retreat Kogelberg takes reasonable measures to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, and premises are maintained in a reasonably safe condition. However, guests acknowledge that the property is situated within a private nature reserve and that the natural environment presents inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, uneven or slippery terrain, rocks, dense vegetation, indigenous wildlife, insects, unpredictable weather conditions, fire hazards, open water features, and other elements associated with a natural environment. 

Guests enter and use the property, accommodation, and facilities entirely at their own risk. Guests are strictly responsible for taking reasonable care of themselves, their minor children, any accompanying persons, and their personal belongings. Guests must comply with all safety instructions, reserve rules, and reasonable directions provided by The River Retreat Kogelberg staff. 

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable South African law, The River Retreat Kogelberg, its owners, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any loss, theft, or damage to a guest’s personal property—including luggage, electronic devices, vehicles, or other possessions brought onto or left at the property—except to the extent that such loss or damage is directly caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of The River Retreat Kogelberg or persons for whom it is legally responsible. 

Additionally, The River Retreat Kogelberg shall not be responsible for any personal injury, illness, loss of life, or damage arising from the inherent risks of the natural environment, or from the guest’s own negligence, unlawful conduct, or failure to comply with reasonable safety instructions. 

Right of Admission Reserved

The River Retreat Kogelberg retains the absolute right of admission reserved at all times.