Cape Town Private Game Reserve and working farm

The Reserve is 75 minutes drive from Cape Town and half an hour from the winelands of Paarl and Stellenbosch and offers one of the most exciting new options for travellers to the region. Situated on one of the biggest wheat and sheep farms in the Western Cape and a 4000 hectare private nature reserve, offering guests the opportunity of experiencing gracious country living and the thrill of evening game viewing from an open landrover combined with the excitement of the daily operations of a large working farm.

Late afternoon game drives in the well-established reserve (over 1000 head of game) introduce guests to Black Wildebeest, Bontebok, Burchell’s Zebra, Cape Mountain Zebra, Eland, Gemsbok, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Grey Rhebok, Duiker and Steenbok. Guided walks in the mountains reveal a superb array of birds, including Fish Eagles, Black Eagles and the endangered Blue Crane, which can be seen in flocks of up to sixty. The Nature Reserve is a Natural Heritage Site and one of the most ecologically important conservation areas in the country and conserves the last example of a unique type of fynbos.

Guestfarm Accommodation

The beautifully appointed Victorian farmhouse has been luxuriously renovated in true Victorian style. The homestead, located on the hill overlooking the farm and private nature reserve, has four en-suite bedrooms, a private suite, comfortable reading room, large lounge with fireplace, intimate bar, cosy dining room and spacious verandas to sit on and enjoy the country air.

Also available is Wild Olive House, with open-plan sitting room, dining room and kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a separate cottage for two. Both of these can be hired on a self-catering or full-board basis and altogether seven people can be accommodated. Children are welcome. The house has its own swimming pool and leafy verandah, and is fully equipped, with bedlinen, towels etc provided. The style of décor here is more informal than at the farmhouse, but is stylish and comfortable. Television, video, books, games etc are provided, and meals are available on request.

The cuisine is exceptional and reflects the many virtues of country life, afternoon tea is a grand affair served in the heirloom family silver whilst lunch time picnics are a feature of living in the country. Wherever possible meals are prepared using as much farm fresh produce as is available with ingredients and dishes being sourced from the surrounding areas and complimented by wines from local estates.

Daily guided excursions expose guests to the variety of features associated with a large and diverse farming operation. Watch the sheep dogs working with the flock of over 3000 Merino sheep, observe the skill and speed employed in the shearing of wool sheep, or visiting the lambing pastures where, if you wait a while, you may see lambs being born. Walk in the fields and experience first hand the cycles of ploughing, fertilising, sowing, harvesting and spraying of the various grain crops grown on the farm. In addition guests gain an understanding of how large scale commercial farming and long term conservation work together for mutual benefit.

Rare habitat and endangered species

West Coast Renosterveld (Renoster is Afrikaans for rhino, because of the black rhino that used to occur here) is a rare type of fynbos vegetation containing a number of endangered plant and animal species, the largest remaining population of the Geometric Tortoise, one of the worlds most endangered reptile species occurs on the reserve. In addition the farm has over 650 plant species and a spectacular diversity of spring flowers and bulbous plants, many of which are endemic to the area and exist nowhere else in the world.

Please ask us about our seasonal activity list!!

BUFFALO BREEDING PROGRAMME
Our animals are the only disease free buffalo in South Africa and our programme aims to breed them to help with the restocking of areas where buffalo have died out.

QUAGGA BREEDING PROJECT
Visit our Quagga Breeding Programme aimed at re-establishing this extinct species.

GEOMETRIC TORTOISE TRACKING
The 4500 hectare Private Nature Reserve contains the last ecologically viable population of Geometric tortoises, Africa’s rarest tortoise species and one of the worlds most endangered reptiles.

SPRING FLOWERS
The reserve produces a spectacular diversity of spring flowers, many of which are endemic to the area.

GUIDED WALKS IN THE MOUNTAINS AND RESERVE
Morning or evening walks in the reserve to view game, birds, flora or track the rare Geometric Tortoise.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain bikes are available for guests to use in the reserve or through the wheatfields.

WATER SPORTS
The large farm dam offers guests canoeing, windsurfing, rowing and wonderful birding opportunities.

COUNTRY TRANQUILITY
Swim in the salt water pool, row on the dam, picnic in the forest, or simply relax under the oak trees in the farm gardens.

WINELANDS
The guestfarm is centrally located, allowing guests to explore the winelands of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, which are half an hour away, or the west coast which is only an hour’s drive.

FARMHOUSE Accommodation - Rates per person per night including full board & activities 2008/2009

Rates include:

• Full country brunch and 3 course dinner
• Generous afternoon tea
• Morning & evening excursion - game drives, bird watching
• Use of mountain bikes, canoes & other facilities

Rates exclude:

• Bar purchases
• Telephone & telefax
• Gratuities
• Laundry and valet services
• Shop purchases

General:

• Kindly no children under the age of 16 years at the Farmhouse
• Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is before 12:00
• Transfer rates available on request

WILD OLIVE HOUSE Accommodation - Rates per person per night including game drive and servicing 2008/2009

Rates include:

• Morning excursion-game drive
• Use of mountain bikes, canoes and fishing equipment
• Servicing of cottages daily

Rates exclude:

• Bar purchases
• Telephone and telefax
• Gratuities
• Laundry and valet services
• Shop purchases
• Child Minder
• Meals

General:

• Meals can be reserved at the Main House prior to arrival
• Child minders can be arranged for evenings
• Transfer rates on request
• Children are welcome at the Wild Olive House, but cannot be accommodated at the Main House

We are certain you will enjoy your stay with us tremendously and look forward to welcoming you!

Your Safari Lodge

INFO Telephone: +27 21 975 3103 / Fax: +27 21 975 3107
(Mo till Fr from 09:00 to 17:00)