Feature: Farm to Table

Granny Mouse Country House, Balgowan

Luxurious Old World Charm set in the scenic Natal Midlands

Set in beautiful gardens, this attractive thatched country house has a variety of luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Accommodation is provided on a B&B basis but the property has two well rated restaurants. One is a bistro and the other boasts fine dining.

About the Location

This is a very convenient location for those arriving at Durban Airport. This is an easy 1 1/2 hour drive and breaks any journey to the Drakensberg or the Battlefields. This is probably one of the most English of all locations in South Africa. The area is full of craft locations, great restaurants, trout fishing and one of South Africa’s premier schools, Michaelhouse, is close by in the village of Balgowan


Rozendal Guest Farm, Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

Rozendal Guest Farm is a well priced alternative set among the vines for families!

Rozendal Guest Farm is a well-kept secret in Stellenbosch, nestling beneath the Jonkershoek mountains. A key feature is the cottage style breakfasts complete with organic produce from the farm. The accommodation is set a little apart from the main house, across a farmyard, which reminds you that this is also a working (vinager) farm. The 16 bedrooms are contained in cottages, which are situated like a small village street. The decor is simple rather than luxurious but all the rooms are a good size with well-appointed bathrooms. Each bedroom has a stoep with a mountain or vineyard view. This is a quiet location but a good one for children who are encouraged to look at the farm.

Aboutd Rozendal’s Location

Stellenbosch is only 10 minutes drive away with its delightful historic centre, small shopping mall and restaurants. This is a good location for exploring the Cape Winelands with Franschhoek and Paarl just a 30 minute drive away. Cape Town, too, is just a 45 minute drive.


Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Spier Village, Stellenbosch

Village style accommodations set in a large wine estate

Spier is a long established winery, which has developed substantially in recent years initially as a restaurant and a small cheetah conservation project to a fully-fledged resort, with a distinctly African feel, in beautiful grounds overlooking the Jonkershoek Mountains. Accommodation is located in the Spier Village, which extends to 155 rooms encompassing luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Here you can hold a raptor, go for a segway tour, have a picnic by the lake, relax by one of the seven pools or indulge yourself in a wine tasting only a short stagger from your room.

About the Location

There are three rated restaurants and delis to cater for every taste. Horse and pony rides can be arranged and the property also boasts an 18 hole golf course. The property is conveniently situated 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport and it will only take you 30 minutes to drive into the centre of Cape Town. Stellenbosch is 10 minutes away by car, The Strand with its excellent beaches is close by as is the Somerset Mall in Somerset West for shopping.


Jan Harmsgat Country House

Jan Harmsgat Country House, Swellendam

Jan  Harmsgat combines out of the way rural charm with beautiful rooms and great cuisine

This is real country living! Set beneath the imposing Langeberg Mountains this property has four large bedrooms mainly set in a thatched converted barn . The property also has a family sized, self catering cottage on a working farm approximately 5 minutes’ drive away, This can be used to accommodate families with children under 12. The rooms are spacious and have a calm, cooling country feel with thatched or cape reed ceilings. Dinner in the main house is a feature of any stay at Jan Harmsgat. The cuisine ranks among the best we have encountered in South Africa, the wine cellar features some of the top South African wines with an emphasis on local wineries and some lesser-known labels, which are excellent.

About Jan Harmsgat’s Location

You can relax beside the pool soaking up the sun, walk among the fruit orchards which include grapefruit, apples and quince. You can also hike into the Langeberg Mountains. Explore historic Swellendam, just 25 kms away, where you will find some fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture, There are  interesting museums and a good craft complex in the Old Gaol, which is part of the Old Drosdty museum. Robertson, which is home to some excellent wineries, is just 60 kms along the road. In fact the entire road up to Worcester is dotted with vineyards. Both towns have excellent restaurants. The Bontebok National Park is an easy 15-minute drive and it is one of the most successful conservation stories. The park was established in 1931 to protect the remaining 60 bontebok. There are now well over 2,500 bontebok throughout South Africa.  You can take a short drive to Montagu, which has hot springs and dramatic scenery through the Kogman’s Kloof Pass. The southernmost tip of Africa (Cape Agulhas) is an hour’s drive. For those looking for a truly unspoilt wilderness the drive to the De Hoop Nature Reserve. The spectacular pristine beach at nearby Witsand will reward you with wonderful sightings of Whales in season (June to December). You will also find examples here of the unique Cape Fynbos vegetation at its best. Rather than just a stopover on your way to the Garden Route, we believe you will be enchanted by a two or three day stay.


Drinkwater Guest Farm

Drinkwater Guest Farm, Southern Mpumalanga

Drinkwater is a  great stopover with wonderfully friendly hosts between The Kruger region and KwaZulu-Natal

Drinkwater is the ideal stopover on a journey from the Kruger Park to KwaZulu Natal. This is approximately four-hours’ drive from the southern Kruger, Johannesburg and Cathedral Peak in the Drakensbergs and the Isandlwana Battlefield. You are assured a very friendly welcome on this working sheep farm. You will enjoy real home cooking with an excellent and inexpensive dinner – if you like good lamb this is clearly the place for you! Accommodation is in 10 comfortably appointed rooms some in the main house and others in separate buildings nearby. Although there is no pool, the grounds are wonderfully relaxing with a shady pool, exquisite plants, ducks and two black swans that are great characters.

About Drinkwater’s Location

The town of Ermelo, to the north and the area to the south is based on coal mining and power production but Drinkwater is a veritable, and welcome, oasis. Ideed, the name dates back to the Boer War when it was named for the clean springs that are found on the farm.


Highgrove Country House Lodge, White River / Hazyview, Mpumalanga

A beautiful location especially when the jacaranda trees are blooming

For clients looking from an ‘away from it all’ experience in total luxury, Highgrove is definitely worth a visit. Set in its own parkland the 10 suites are beautifully decorated with the style you would expect from leading hotels. You are ensured a friendly welcome and the cuisine is regularly rated by our clients among the high points of their visit to South Africa. During springtime (October) you will also gaze in wonder at the avenue of jacaranda trees, which, although not native to South Africa, are almost as much of a floral icon as the Proteas of the Cape. The property is very popular as a wedding destination. As well as the luxurious accommodation, Highgrove is known for its fine cuisine.

About the Location

Highgrove is an excellent base from which to explore the Panorama Route including the Blyde River Canyon, Pilgrim’s Rest and it is also just a 40-minute drive to the Paul Kruger Gate for the Kruger Park. The lodge does arrange game drives into the park. The area around White River and Sabie is steeped in history and the little towns are home to many craftsmen and artists. The Lodge also has beautiful walking trails in the stunning surrounding coutryside. For those who wish to be pampered, visit the Orchard Spa.


The Retreat, Groenfontein, Nr Calitzdorp

The Retreat is one of our favourites for getting away from it all

The owners, who live on site, have developed this property as a farm and a haven for guests who want something a little different. The atmosphere is very relaxed and The Retreat is located along the quiet and almost timeless Groenfontein Valley.  There are 8 rooms including two sizeable suites. 5 of the rooms have wood fires for those cooler winter nights. They are beautifully appointed with the decor harking back to an historic farmstead. The lounge and dining room lead onto a stoep (veranda) overlooking the sweeping gardens and the majestic Swartberg Mountains. Food is a specialty at The Retreat and the owners pride themselves on very high standards of local cuisine. There is a very welcoming pool in the luxuriant gardens that is a haven after the heat of the day. Rates include a three-course dinner and a traditional hearty South African breakfast – vegetarians are particularly welcome.

About The Retreat’s Location

The well-maintained gravel road runs between Calitzdorp and Schoemanshoek. You will be welcomed by the owners who can arrange hiking of all grades in the Swartberg Mountains that dominate the horizon. At certain times of the year, spring and autumn, they can also arrange a three-day hike into the mysterious, hidden valley known as Die Hel!   Calitzdorp is approximately 20kms away and is renowned as the unofficial ‘capital’ of South Africa’s Port industry. The Cango Caves are close by and can afford a worthwhile excursion. The caves can be hot and humid and there is an extended excursion for the adventurous that include some real, if fairly modest, caving. Note that in mid summer (January & February) this location can be exceptionally hot although very dry.