Our Story
A family story of courage, recovery and the dream of sharing Ultreya Farm with others
A Story of Courage, Recovery and Fellowship
Buff & Fellow began with a family, a farm and the belief that even the most difficult seasons can lead to something beautiful.
The story started long before the first guest arrived.
In 2017, Frikkie du Toit became seriously ill with a lung virus. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he spent a month in intensive care on a ventilator. The illness caused lasting damage to his lungs and began a long road towards recovery.
During the same period, Frikkie’s father, Pieter du Toit, suffered a serious heart attack.
For the Du Toit family, life changed almost overnight. What followed was a year of healing, reflection and rebuilding. It was a difficult chapter, but it also reminded the family of what matters most: time together, courage during uncertainty, the peace found in nature and the strength that comes from fellowship.
Out of that season, a new dream began to take shape.
The Dream Behind Buff & Fellow
The Du Toit family had always loved their farm, Ultreya, near George on South Africa’s Garden Route.
It was a place where mountains, water, wildlife and open landscapes created a sense of peace that was difficult to describe. The family dreamed of sharing that experience with others—not simply by offering accommodation, but by creating a place where people could slow down, reconnect and move forward feeling restored.
In 2019, that dream became Buff & Fellow Eco Game Farm.
Buff & Fellow was created to give guests the opportunity to experience the beauty of Ultreya while enjoying privacy, comfort, wildlife and meaningful time with the people closest to them.
What began as a family’s story of recovery became a place of rest and renewal for others.
The Meaning of Ultreya
The farm’s name, Ultreya, carries a message that has guided the Du Toit family through both hardship and new beginnings.
The word has medieval roots and is closely connected to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain. It appeared in the Codex Calixtinus, a 12th-century guide for pilgrims travelling towards the shrine of Saint James.
Derived from Latin roots, Ultreya is commonly understood as an encouragement to:
Go beyond. Keep moving forward. Have courage.
Pilgrims traditionally greeted one another with:
“Ultreya!”
The response was:
“Et suseia!” — “And upwards!”
It was more than a greeting. It was a way of encouraging fellow travellers to continue, even when the road became difficult.
Today, Ultreya remains a message of hope, perseverance and shared purpose. It reflects the journey of the Du Toit family and the spirit they hope every guest will experience at Buff & Fellow.
Wherever life has brought you from, keep moving forward—with courage.
Why the Name Buff & Fellow?
The name Buff & Fellow represents the two sides of the experience we wanted to create.
Buff
“Buff” represents the bold, refined and polished side of the farm.
It reflects the Cape buffalo that roam the property, as well as the luxury and attention to detail found throughout the accommodation. From private wood-fired hot tubs and outdoor showers to carefully designed interiors and scenic wildlife views, every stay is intended to feel distinctive and memorable.
Fellow
“Fellow” represents fellowship.
It is about people gathering around a fire, sharing a meal, watching wildlife together, laughing in a hot tub or simply enjoying an uninterrupted conversation.
Buff & Fellow was created as a place where couples, families and friends can reconnect—with nature, with one another and with themselves.
Together, the name represents polished luxury grounded in genuine human connection.
More Than a Place to Stay
Buff & Fellow is not simply a collection of cabins.
It is a private eco game farm where guests can wake to birdsong, watch wildlife from their patios and experience the peace of the Garden Route landscape.
The accommodation includes eco cabins, pods, cabanas, coconuts and safari villas. Each unit has its own character, but all have been designed to bring guests closer to nature without giving up comfort.
Depending on the accommodation selected, guests can enjoy:
-
Private wood-fired hot tubs
-
Outdoor showers
-
Fireplaces and braai areas
-
Dam, mountain and wildlife views
-
Fully equipped self-catering kitchens
-
Romantic accommodation for couples
-
Spacious family-friendly villas
-
Private patios and outdoor living areas
Every detail is intended to help guests slow down and become present in the moment.
Wildlife on your Doorstep
Buff & Fellow offers an opportunity to experience African wildlife while remaining close to George, the coast and the wider Garden Route.
The farm is home to wildlife including Cape buffalo, rhino, zebra, eland, springbok, impala, nyala and waterbuck.
Guests may see animals near the dams and waterholes, from their accommodation or during a guided game drive.
Birdlife, farm animals and the changing rhythms of the natural environment form part of everyday life at Buff & Fellow. No two stays are exactly the same because nature sets the schedule.
Experiences That Bring People Together
The Buff & Fellow experience extends beyond the accommodation.
Guests can explore the farm, share meals and enjoy activities designed to create lasting memories.
Experiences include:
-
Guided game drives
-
Canoeing on the dam
-
Catch-and-release bass fishing
-
Walking trails
-
Wildlife viewing
-
Farm picnics
-
Meal-in-a-Box experiences
-
Private chef dining
-
Wood-fired hot tubs
-
Braais and evenings around the fire
Some of the most meaningful moments are also the simplest: morning coffee overlooking the water, animals arriving at a nearby waterhole or a quiet evening beneath the Garden Route sky.
A Working Farm with a Bigger Purpose
Buff & Fellow remains connected to authentic farm life.
The property is home to wildlife, sheep, chickens and other animals that form part of the daily rhythm of Ultreya. Produce from the farm is incorporated into selected guest experiences, including eggs in breakfast boxes and farm products available through The Fellow’s Farm Shop.
This connection between accommodation, agriculture, conservation and hospitality allows guests to experience something genuine.
The farm is not a manufactured safari setting. It is a living, working environment shaped by nature, animals, people and the seasons.
Eco-Conscious Hospitality
Buff & Fellow was developed with respect for the landscape around it.
Its eco-style accommodation, solar infrastructure and close relationship with the natural environment reflect the family’s desire to create a tourism experience that works alongside the farm rather than replacing it.
Guests are encouraged to appreciate wildlife responsibly, conserve water and energy and respect the natural environment throughout their stay.
For us, eco-conscious hospitality does not mean sacrificing comfort. It means creating luxury with greater awareness and purpose.
Close to George, Yet Far from Ordinary
Buff & Fellow is located near George on South Africa’s Garden Route, approximately 10 kilometres from George Airport.
Its location makes the farm convenient for travellers while still offering the peace, space and wildlife experience of a private game farm.
Guests can easily explore nearby beaches, restaurants, golf courses and Garden Route attractions before returning to the tranquillity of Ultreya.
It is close enough to reach with ease, yet peaceful enough to feel removed from everyday life.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to create a place where people can rest, reconnect and leave with renewed courage for the road ahead. Buff & Fellow grew from a difficult chapter in our family’s life, but it was never intended to remain a story about illness or hardship. It is a story about what came afterwards. It is about recovery.
It is about continuing when the way forward is uncertain.
It is about family, faith, courage and fellowship.
Most importantly, it is about sharing the beauty and peace of Ultreya with every person who passes through our gates.
Buff and Fellow Fact Sheet
​​
-
Business Name: Buff & Fellow Eco Game Farm
-
Established: 2019
-
Location: George, Garden Route, Western Cape, South Africa
-
Farm Name: Ultreya
-
Founders: The Du Toit Family
-
Business Type: Luxury Eco Game Farm
-
Accommodation: Eco Cabins, Eco Pods, Eco Cabanas, Eco Coconuts, Safari Villas
-
Signature Experience: Luxury accommodation with private wood-fired hot tubs and wildlife
-
Wildlife: Cape Buffalo, Rhino, Zebra, Eland, Nyala, Springbok, Waterbuck
-
Activities: Game Drives, Fishing, Canoeing, Walking Trails, Picnics
-
Closest Airport: George Airport
-
Ideal For: Couples, Families, Honeymoons and Garden Route Getaways
-
Philosophy: Fellowship, Courage and Conservation
-
Motto: Ultreya – Go Beyond. Keep Moving Forward.