Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Fabulous historic homestead with rooms and a self-catering cottage, set on a working farm and nature reserve with a lake, mountains, and vineyards beyond

Bartholomeus Klip is a luxurious and peaceful Victorian guesthouse surrounded by 6,000 acres of rolling wheatfields and a pristine private nature reserve. Numerous plant, bird and animal species are conserved here - some endangered and some totally unique - including the geometric tortoise and the Cape mountain zebra. Guests are spoilt by unobtrusive yet friendly staff, comfortable bedrooms and gargantuan amounts of heavenly country food.

There’s also plenty to keep you busy. In addition to daily game drives, you can explore the working farm, hike in the Elandskloof Mountains, cycle through the reserve, row, canoe or windsurf on the lake, or venture into the famous Cape Winelands (a 30-minute drive away). Fly-fishing and clay pigeon shooting can also be arranged. But if all that sounds too energetic, simply lie back on a deck chair by the pool in the tranquil gardens and enjoy the sunshine and endless vistas.

Highs

• The attention to detail is second-to-none - they have thought of everything, but in a seemingly effortless way
• The endless rolling landscapes and distant purple mountains afford the feeling that you’re in the middle of nowhere
• An incredible amount of mouth-watering food just keeps on coming…
• This is a unique experience in the Cape Winelands - perfect if you want to enjoy African fynbos and wildlife, as well as explore the vineyards and local towns
• It’s so quiet you can hear the flap of a goose’s wing high overhead as it makes its way to the lake to nest

Lows

• If you’re hoping to lose weight, forget it! Afternoon tea includes the most tempting homemade pastries, cakes, scones and lashings of cream
• You won't see any big game here, but you can see zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, fish eagles, blue cranes and rare fynbos
• The temperature can reach 40C in summer, making any activity extremely uncomfortable - happily, all rooms are air-conditioned and there’s a huge lake and a gorgeous pool to cool down in
• Children under 16 aren't allowed in the main house, though there is a separate self-catering house which is ideal for families