Olivewood Wildlife Estate East London is one of the Eastern Cape’s most complete lifestyle and hospitality destinations — a magnificent 1,000-hectare private estate on the southern banks of the Chintsa River, just 30 km from East London, where an SA Top 100-rated 18-hole golf course, a 4-star boutique hotel, a dedicated spa, two restaurants, a 4-star conference centre, and an elegant wedding venue coexist within a fully secured wildlife estate home to free-roaming impala, nyala, zebra, and giraffe. Set along South Africa’s “Mild Coast” — the Eastern Cape’s warm, subtropical coastal belt — Olivewood combines the tranquility of a bush retreat with the sophistication of a luxury resort and the community of a premium residential estate.

The Estate: 1,000 Hectares of Eastern Cape Coastal Forest

Olivewood occupies a spectacular 1,000-hectare tract of rolling green hills and indigenous coastal forest on the north-eastern edge of East London, accessed via Schafli Road in Chintsa East. The estate is fully enclosed by an armed, zoned electrified perimeter fence with 24/7 monitoring from the Olivewood Control Room — a security infrastructure that underpins both the residential and hospitality appeal of the property. Within this boundary, the natural landscape is largely intact: indigenous trees, abundant birdlife, fynbos-adjacent vegetation, and the Chintsa River providing a natural boundary and recreational corridor.

Wildlife is not a decorative feature at Olivewood — it is a living presence. Habituated herds of impala and nyala move freely across the estate, appearing at the golf course, on the hotel grounds, and along the walking trails. Zebra and giraffe roam the broader estate. One guest, G. Nel, captured the experience perfectly: “Olivewood combines a day of golf with a nature drive experience with game animals at almost every hole.” A short drive from the estate leads to the pristine Chintsa East village and beach, and the Chintsa Lagoon provides access for paddling and relaxing at the water’s edge.

Hotel Olivewood: 4-Star Boutique Accommodation

Hotel Olivewood is the estate’s 4-star boutique hotel, rated from approximately R3,800 per night including breakfast. Set among indigenous trees with fairway and valley views from every room, the hotel offers what regular guests describe as a genuinely special combination of modern finishes, generous room sizes, and the kind of peace that only a secured wildlife estate can provide.

Hotel guests enjoy exclusive access to The Residence Club — a members-only facility with a private gym, lounge with DStv, and swimming pool. In-room amenities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and room service. Algoa FM’s Kaycee Rossouw described her stay as “an incredibly breathtaking resort all-round — great service, stunning rooms and delectable meals.” S. Koliti, a repeat visitor, described the hotel as “peaceful” with “amazing food, great room service, nice and friendly staff who go far and beyond to give you the best stay,” singling out the spa and bar as additional highlights. J. Whyte called the hotel “stunning, lovely layout — peaceful and quiet.”

The estate’s dams are stocked with bass for fishing, and access to the Chintsa Lagoon for kayaking and beach visits is available from the hotel. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve is 0.5 miles from the estate, and Cintsa Beach is 1.7 miles away.

The SA Top 100 Golf Course

Olivewood’s 18-hole championship golf course has been rated among South Africa’s Top 100 golf courses — a distinction that places it in the upper tier of layouts nationally and makes it one of the finest courses in the Eastern Cape. The course winds through indigenous forest along the Chintsa River valley, incorporating water features, mature indigenous trees, and pristine greens, with the wildlife-rich estate landscape visible from virtually every tee box and fairway.

A driving range and private PGA-professional instruction for both junior and adult players complement the course itself. Stay-and-play packages are available for visiting golfers. Golf day bookings for corporate groups, golf societies, and tour operators can be arranged through the dedicated golf bookings team at golf@olivewoodestate.com. One reviewer, A. Goosen, described an “excellent golf experience — everything was of the highest quality from service to course and facilities.” G. Nel wrote: “Absolutely unbelievable golf course — stunning views and really challenging course layout.”

Two Eateries: The Clubhouse and The Governor’s House

Olivewood operates two distinct dining venues on the estate.

The Clubhouse is the golf estate’s primary social dining hub, serving the golfers, hotel guests, estate residents, and visitors who form Olivewood’s daily community. The Clubhouse’s veranda overlooks the fairways — the preferred setting for post-round drinks, sundowners, and relaxed meals with the Chintsa valley stretching out below. K. Knickelbein described an exceptional Mother’s Day experience at the Clubhouse, praising the “wonderful warm service and exceptional experience” from the staff and management.

The Governor’s House is the estate’s more intimate dining venue, providing a refined setting for private dinners, special occasions, and guests who prefer a more exclusive atmosphere away from the social energy of the Clubhouse.

Both eateries draw on the estate’s philosophy of exceptional local produce and inspired menus, with conference catering available across three tailored menu packages for event delegates.

Beautiful Spa Olivewood

Beautiful Spa Olivewood is the estate’s dedicated wellness facility, offering a full treatment menu including massages, facials, and body treatments. The spa is well-positioned for both hotel guests and day visitors from East London and the surrounding Chintsa community, and is integrated into the estate’s broader wellness offering alongside the gym and Residence Club pool.

4-Star Conference Centre: Rosewood Venue and Nyala Conference Room

Olivewood’s 4-star conference centre provides two dedicated event spaces for corporate clients, training providers, and event organisers seeking a venue that combines professional infrastructure with a truly extraordinary natural setting.

The Rosewood Venue is the estate’s largest conference and event space — a large, open facility with roller blinds for privacy and excellent sound projection, capable of accommodating up to 250 delegates across multiple configurations. It has multiple access points, dedicated toilet facilities, and is positioned close to the restaurant and bar for catering convenience. Equipment includes a projector and free-standing screen, PA system (on request), free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, backup generator, podium, flip chart, and markers. A stage is available on request.

The Nyala Conference Room is a large, modern facility with its own private entrance, ample dedicated parking, and a coffee and food station for delegates. It offers quick access to the restaurant and is ideally suited for large meetings, training days, workshops, and team-building events. Full AV infrastructure mirrors the Rosewood Venue.

Both venues offer scalable configurations and can be transformed to suit different event formats. Separate breakaway sessions and team-building options can be arranged. Three catering package options are available, with menus that cater for most dietary requirements and are designed for freshness and variety across multi-day events. Tour operators receive special group rates via the Events Department at events@olivewoodestate.com.

The Rosewood Wedding Venue

For weddings, Olivewood’s Rosewood Venue doubles as one of the Eastern Cape’s most dramatic celebration spaces — an elegant setting where the estate’s indigenous forest, wildlife, and river valley views provide a natural backdrop that no urban venue can replicate. The dedicated wedding and events team manages bookings, coordination, and catering for all celebrations at events@olivewoodestate.com.

Woodlands Nature Trail and Outdoor Activities

The Woodlands Nature Trail runs through the estate’s indigenous forest, offering guests a structured walking, running, and mountain biking route that passes through the estate’s most beautiful natural areas. Additional outdoor activities include birding, wildlife spotting, bass fishing in the estate’s stocked dams, boma and river access with lapa and braai areas, and kayaking on the Chintsa Lagoon. The estate’s security infrastructure makes all of these activities available at any time of day without restriction.

Location and Getting There

Olivewood Wildlife Estate is located on Schafli Road, Chintsa East, East London, Eastern Cape, 5275 — approximately 30 km from East London city centre and East London Airport (ELS). The estate is positioned on the north-eastern edge of East London, accessible via the N2 East and Chintsa turnoff.

Tel: 087 350 4310
Property Sales: 082 563 2843
General / Restaurant: joinus@olivewoodestate.com
Weddings & Events: events@olivewoodestate.com
Golf: golf@olivewoodestate.com
Property Viewings: concierge@olivewoodestate.com

For full hotel rates, conference packages, wedding enquiries, and golf bookings, visit Olivewood Wildlife Estate’s official website.

Explore more wildlife estates and event venues near East London through our East London event venues directory, or browse all Eastern Cape event venue listings for venues across the province.