Let it all hang out at naturist getaway

By Lynne Gadd-Claxton

VERY often the best holiday breaks are those where all you need are the bare necessities and a lot of sunshine, elements that a naturist resort near East London are taking to the extreme.

Situated 30km from East London, Buff Lodge is the ultimate naturist getaway in South Africa, a place where "letting it all hang out” is the order of the day.

However, owner Colleen MacNamara says they have mastered the art of keeping  naturist holidaymakers and non-nudists - also known as "textiles” - separate from one another.

The first weekend of every month Buff Lodge is transformed into a sanctuary where naked ambition can be seen just about everywhere, while during the rest of the month the self-catering accommodation cater to "textiles” under the  Lazy Haven banner.

"We have no permanent staff, and especially no staff over a weekend. We want our naturist guests to feel comfortable to strip down, knowing that no one will disturb them,” MacNamara said.

Naturists can enjoy a stroll among small antelope on the 42- hectare farm, but MacNamara warns nudists not to walk along the roadside, even though the farm has a large earth wall.

The nudist resort only caters for couples and families,  and management is selective when choosing which guests are allowed to stay.

"We are like any other holiday accommodation. The lodge has a few ground rules and we do not permit bad behaviour. There have been incidents in the past which resulted in us blacklisting certain people, but this is to ensure that our guests are comfortable and their privacy is protected.

Even the winter chill was not enough to  deter visitors wanting to walk around in their birthday suits, added MacNamara.

"Most weekends - especially the naturist weekend - we are 90% booked. The lodge boasts a large, indoor spa pool alongside the braai and pub area, which means holidaymakers seldom have to go outside in the colder months.”

The lodge offers bird watching, game viewing, fishing or swimming in the mineral spring, or guests can soak up the sun at Kidd’s Beach, 6km from the lodge.

"The resort is created so that naturists can mingle with each other and they are free to enjoy themselves in the comfort  of the resort.”

This is a shortened version of an article that appeared in the print edition of the Weekend Post on Saturday, August 4, 2012.