Creative self sufficient living

We are an aspiring self-sufficient family that aim to inspire other people to live creatively.

THE CHARACTERS

We tell the story through our precious animals and their experiences, creating a self-sufficient working farm on a shoe string budget.

MEET PATSY

Self-contained accommodation for two in the bushveld with magnificent views and the sounds of nature.

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THE BOXES

Our Boxes offer a luxury stay in a tranquil garden setting with beautiful views and are elegantly appointed. Box 1 is fenced in and is our pet friendly unit.

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Reviews

    
 
 
        
   Semakaleng 
 2024-04-02
 
 
  We had a wonderful stay at Janine’s , the Bus is so cute and cozy… definitely unique and interesting. The views were wonderful, Janine is a very nice person, showed my boys her lovely garden and the snail trail was a cherry on top 👌🏽We would definitely be coming back.
  
 
       
   Christian 
 2024-03-27
 
 
  Thanks guys, you are wonderful hosts and your place is outstanding! Make sure to stay longer than one night
  
 
       
   Lisa 
 2023-12-29
 
 
  Thank you to Janine and Gavin for hosting my family for their short but sweet stay. It was a great stay and an amazing experience with Patsy. The containers also are very functional and well put together. Would definitely rebook. Thank you.
  
 
       
   Phumzile 
 2023-12-23
 
 
  Mama Jay's hospitality is everything.Thank you for hosting us, and may the good LORD continue to bless and enlarge your territory.I highly recommend this place to couples wanting some off the grid experience.
  
 
       
   Moshe 
 2023-12-20
 
 
  what an amazing place, Me and my Wife loved everything about this place, what a special place to relax, our anniversary was worth celebrating here and definately we going back sooooon!!!! Thank you guys for making our stay pleasant and beautiful and yes there is also a vegetable garden the my wife loved too, she picked a fresh apple, so lovely.... i can write a small book about this place❤️❤️
  
 
       
   Lena 
 2023-12-03
 
 
  es war einer der schönsten und liebevoll gestalteten Orte an denen ich je gewesen bin. die beiden stecken unglaublich viel liebe in ihre Unterkünfte und die gesamte Farm ❤️ wir hatten 3 ganz wunderbare Tage dort und kommen ganz bald wieder ☺️
  
 
       
   Eline 
 2023-11-17
 
 
  My mum and I stayed here for two nights, and we had an incredible time. The hosts are so friendly and make you feel right at home. The place itself is gorgeous and so cute! Outside you've got a beautiful, peaceful private area, and you're allowed to pick your food from the vegetable garden, or go on a stroll on the snail trail around the whole plot. I can not think of a single negative thing to say. We had a blast!! Thank you Janine & Gavin, we will be back!
  
 
       
   Iain 
 2023-11-05
 
 
  Our recent marathon weekend at Janine and Gavin's School Bus retreat in Nelspruit was as delightful as ever. Their creative spirit infuses the space with charm and warmth, making each visit unforgettable. It's the perfect complement to the natural serenity surrounding it, providing a restful haven after our marathon efforts. This wasn't our first visit and it certainly won't be our last – we're already anticipating our return. Thanks for another exceptional stay!Thanks - Iain & Jules
  
 
       
   Wendy 
 2023-11-01
 
 
  Janine and Gavin were amazing, Gavin met us at the parking, he was more than understanding at the late hour we arrived, showed us to Patsy and made sure we were all set up before leaving us to enjoy our time there. The Patsy 'bus stop' was a nice surprise, we had our morning coffee there and just admired the beautiful surroundings.
  
 
       
   Marcel 
 2023-10-04
 
 
  Amazing! Gavin and Janine have created magic and are kindly sharing it with the rest of us 🤩😍 nature, off-grid living, sustainability, biodiversity ... a piece of heaven. Not too mention their incredible hospitality. A million stars 🌟

Our Story

Six years ago, Gavin and I decided that we wanted to live a very different life to what we were living, (not that there was anything wrong with our life), we just knew that we could create an adventure and be a little unconventional in our twilight years.

At this stage we were living in an apartment in the city of Johannesburg and we knew that our hearts yearned for a life in the bush and not in a city. With that in mind we purchased a plot of untouched land in Nelspruit and embarked on an exciting adventure. At the time I needed to stay in Joburg and Gav moved down to Nelspruit to set up and begin the build.

The second thing to happen to begin our new life, was we purchased a 1973 School Bus that was in terrible condition, but we saw the potential in Patsy as she is affectionately known and she became our home for five years. Patsy seems to be a very popular destination that we now rent out as a quirky self-catering space at Kokiville.

Late in 2020 after Covid had started to ease up, I made the move to Nelspruit and Patsy was no longer able to offer the space for a home for two grumpy adults, two dogs and two businesses. Previously we had built a cottage for our workers John and Elias but after John passed away, Elias left to go home and the cottage became a storeroom until I claimed it as home, our little cottage.

When we left JHB we took all our possessions to Nelspruit in a 12m container knowing that we would one day create a living space from the container, in 2022 we launched what we are calling The Boxes of Kokiville.

Throughout our journey, one thing has stood out and that is living creatively. We did not have huge heaps of cash, everything we have done has been on a shoestring and we have found inventive ways of creating a beautiful space that we love to share with our guests.

Self-sufficient living is so important to us. We use the beautiful sun to provide us with electricity, we have grey water ponds that also collect rainwater and add a special ecosystem that houses interesting species of frogs and provide bathing opportunities for the wild birds. We have a borehole and are beginning to grow much of our own food.

We are relieved to have a great team to work with to maintain all the special-ness that we create at Kokiville

I would be remiss if I did not add our beloved animal to ‘about us’, they are so much a part of Kokiville. From our chickens (all named) that lay interesting, coloured eggs, to our goose that we thought was a gander that is now raising ducklings we bought, to our bees that produce delicious sweetness for us, to our Khaki Cambell ducks that lay lots of duck eggs and of course our four doggies, that greet our guests with so much enthusiasm and love.

This is us; this is team Kokiville.