Bliss & Stars Retreat

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RETREATS OVERVIEW

EAT & THRIVE

COOKING RETREAT

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Plant Based Cooking Retreat At Bliss And Stars

plant-based COOKING RETREAT

Step into our kitchen by the pool overlooking the river and cook real food. This four-day gathering isn’t about perfect plating or wellness jargon. It’s about fire, knives, the hiss of garlic in hot oil, the sweetness of a ripe tomato split open on the board.

Guided by our chefs, you’ll work with seasonal, plant-based ingredients pulled straight from local soil. Days flow between chopping, tasting, and sharing meals with people you actually want to sit at a table with.

Forget diets and food dogma. Here it’s about the raw pleasure of flavor, the smell of smoke, the crunch of fresh vegetables.

No prior experience needed, just curiosity and a healthy appetite.

THE DATES

9 - 12 OCT 2025

Fire In The Pan Learning To Cook Vegetables

BRING JOY BACK TO COOKING & EATING

Cooking is a craft and sometimes a mess. Every meal is either worth remembering or it isn’t.

Cook, eat, and unwind in the wilderness. Hands-on classes where you taste, adjust, and adjust until the flavors come together.

Take a walk, clear your head, and sleep under a sky thick with stars.

It’s about cooking food, sharing it with people you like, laughing around the table, letting conversations run late, and drifting off under the open sky while time itself seems to pause.
By learning culinary skills from fine dining trained Chef Aphelele and nourishing my body with whole, plant-based foods, I have a new respect and view on plant-based food as well as new skills I am eager to put into practice. Observing the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the universe has inspired a sense of gratitude and reverence for life.
Star Meditation At Bliss And Stars Retreat
Elizabeth

PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

The entire experience is included in the stated prices. We never have extra “hidden” charges.
Eagles Nest Chalet At Bliss Amp Stars
CHALET DOUBLE

R33,500 | 2 PERSONS

Leopards Cave Chalet At Bliss Amp Stars Retreat In Cederberg

CHALET SINGLE

R24,500 | 1 PERSON

Villa Weavers Nest At Bliss And Stars Retreat 1
VILLA DOUBLE

R39,000 | 2 PERSONS

Luxury Bath At Bliss And Stars Cederberg
VILLA SINGLE

R31,000 | 2 PERSONS

Dassies Spot

TENTED CHALET DOUBLE

R27,500 | 2 PERSONS

257 Figtree Blissandstars Teagancunniffe

TENTED CHALET SINGLE

R18,500 | 1 PERSON

THE PRICE INCLUDES
The retreat begins on Thursday afternoon between 4 – 6pm, and we conclude it on Sunday after a celebratory brunch.

4 days | 3 nights private accommodation in our chalets or tented chalets

Mindfulness practices and breath work

Cooking classes with our top chefs

3 balanced and nutritious meals a day

Snacks and beverages served throughout the day

Clean, non-toxic Bliss & Stars Skin Care

‘Goodie for a Foodie’ bag full of deliciousness to take home

Access to 1,350 ha of wild and pristine nature
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Figs
Learn Cooking Techniques

Learn the basics of cooking, from knife skills to sizzling and seasoning.

Learn to Eat Mindfully

How you eat is as important as what you eat. Learn how to bring more attention, love and care to cooking and eating.

Reclaim the Flavors

Learn how to create unforgetable flavors and tickle your tastebuds.

Aphelele Dlungana Teaching At Cooking Retreat At Bliss And Stars

MEET YOUR GUIDE

Aphelele doesn’t talk about food like a lifestyle trend. He cooks it, eats it, and makes sure you do too. For him, food isn’t philosophy, it’s fire and something worth sharing. He experiments because he’s restless, not because it’s fashionable, and the plant-based dishes he turns out are bold, surprising, and sometimes a little messy. Sit with him and you’ll remember why cooking is fun in the first place.
How I miss the serenity! Saying the food was delicious would be an understatement . . . it is simply world-class!
The Valley Of Bliss And Stars
Bradley

CUISINE

Our meals: simple, plant-based, purely crafted. Each dish, prepared by our chefs, not only delights but restores—balancing your nervous system, grounding you, connecting you with Earth.

Ingredients? Only the freshest from our organic garden and local farms. Expect vibrant vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. We keep it clean: no alcohol, caffeine, or processed sugars.

Communal Dining: Gather around the table or under the open sky. Meals here are a shared experience, a moment to connect with fellow travelers. It’s more than dining; it’s a story sharing moment.

We accommodate most allergies and cater to most dietary requirements.
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Hummus Dish Prepared By Aphelele Dlungane
THE BLISS & STARS EXPERIENCE
Rest in spacious chalets that seamlessly mesh with nature

Be amazed by nature and observe the night sky through our state-of-the-art telescopes

Saunter in secluded mountainous areas

Relax and breath deeply with mindfulness practices

Discover Bushmen cave paintings

Build bonds with others in small groups of a maximum of 10 people

Share the living space with eland, baboons, Cape leopards and many more beautiful animals

Travel light and use our daily laundry service

come as you are. we take care for the rest.

FAQ

It is a +- 4.5 hour drive from Cape Town to the Bliss & Stars meeting point. Bliss & Stars is 60km north of Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. It is a 45-minute drive on a gravel road from Clanwilliam to the meeting point however no 4 x 4 or raised vehicle is necessary. At the meeting point, you can safely park your car and will take you the last bit of the way in our vehicle.

You are welcome to drive all the way to Bliss & Stars however: after the meeting point the road is sandy and rocky so a high clearance vehicle and confident driving skills are needed.

If you need a transfer from CPT or Cape Town International Airport then let us know.

Please aim to check in before 2pm. On the last day the retreat ends at 11 am and you will be able to check out from 12pm onwards.

If you are flying back home: we recommend booking your flight after 4pm. Alternatively break your travel and stay in Clanwilliam before you head back. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam.

Once your reservation has been confirmed: you’ll be sent a welcome letter providing lots of useful information about the retreat, including a helpful guide on what to pack.

These experiences are designed to be more intimate. We limit the number of guests to 6 – 10 people to ensure you receive full attention from the team.

Yes, we are very happy to welcome couples at this retreat.

Bliss & Stars is not conducive to children. We have a minimum age requirement of 21.

Please arrive no later than 2pm and plan to leave no earlier than 12pm. Exact arrival and departure times can be arranged with us closer to the time. 

We cater to specific nutritional and dietary requirements including food allergies and food intolerances. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available.

Everyone is welcome at all of our experiences regardless of the meditation and yoga experience or fitness levels. We cater for different levels, so that you will be supported, challenged and encouraged to learn.

No. You can pace yourself to find the perfect amount of activity that suits you. We support you in doing as much or as little as you’d like, depending on how you are feeling. Personally, we wouldn’t want to miss a thing!

Unfortunately not. We ask that you leave by 5pm on the closing day. But sometimes we make exceptions, so ask.

We offer personalized payment plans for all our retreats up to 2 months before the start date of your stay.

Please read our terms & conditions for our cancelation policy

We always strive to make our experiences available to everyone and therefore we have a bursary program. Learn more here.

No, there is no mobile coverage or WIFI available. There is a computer with guest access available in case of emergency and you will be provided with a phone number should you need to be reached while staying at Bliss & Stars.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Please answer the questions below so we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.

We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.

If you are not committed to making a reservation yet and have some questions, contact us here.

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