WATERKLOOF GUEST HOUSE
Guest Farm Accommodation
in Witsand, Garden Route,
Western Cape, South Africa
Waterkloof Guesthouse, a free range ostrich farm, is situated in the scenic
vastness of the Southern Cape, near Swellendam and Heidelberg. A few minutes
drive will take you to the holiday town of Witsand with its superb beach and
fisherman's paradise. San Sebastian Bay at Witsand is world famous as the
nursery of the Southern Right Whales where they come to breed from May to
November.
History of the farm :
Waterkloof is arguably one of the finest commercial farms in the Heidelberg
district and has been in the family for seven generations. The Uys-family has
its roots in Northern Germany from where they immigrated to South Africa in
1704.
Waterkloof is a commercial farm and boasts a wide diversity of agricultural
activities commonly found in the area. The farm has an excellent Merino sheep
stud of 1 500 animals, 185 cattle including Nguni (indigenous cattle) but it is
the 2 000 free ranging ostriches that take the limelight. The Nguni cattle are a
new addition to the farm. This unique breed of cattle is resistant to internal
and external parasites.
The ostriches at Waterkloof are all free-ranging birds in natural surroundings.
Guests are invited to accompany Hannes around the farm on a guided tour to
experience the mating and breeding of the birds. A visit to the ostrich breeder
camp with 250 breeding birds is an exciting experience. Guests have the
opportunity to help collecting the eggs from the nests under supervision of
Hannes or his sons. Hannes's shadow Josie, the much beloved Boarder Collie,
joins you on this journey to show you her unique style and to impress you with
her charm.
Further farming activities include 500 hectares of cash crops, mainly comprising
barley and wheat. While traveling on the farm you will often see Blue Crane
birds, South Africa’s national bird, Grysbok, Duikers, Steenbok and Vaal Reebok.
Various rare and uncommon birds are also to be observed.
Homestead :
Your hosts, Hannes and Christine, invite you to come and experience their warm
hospitality and charming homestead. The guest house is fully accredited by TGCSA
and has a four star grading. This longest established guest house in the area is
also a member of the new and upcoming Greenwood Guide.
The main house contains various family heirlooms. The interior speaks of days
gone by mixed with a unique artistic feeling. Guests can indulge in the luxury
of ostrich leather chairs and comfortable couches while studying the hand
painted panels on the walls of one of the living rooms. This room invites the
sunlight and garden into the interior via a charming bay window. This room has a
indoor fireplace were Hannes creates his well known barbeques during the cold
winter months.
The communal TV lounge has satellite TV and provides entertainment for the
children while the parents relax with a glass of one of the famous Breede River
Valley wines that Hannes stocks in his celler. The Yellowwood fireplace with its
welcoming fire is the main focal point of this room during winter. Breakfast and
dinner are served in this room's dining area.
Guest Rooms :
The Guest House has four separate guest bedrooms, all with en suite facilities,
tea trays and private entrances. The rooms are decorated in the same style as
the house and contain valuable antique furniture and art collections.
Description of rooms :
- 1 x twin beds with shower only (2 single beds )
- 1 x twin beds with bath shower. (2 single beds )
- 1 x double bed with bath and shower.(1 double bed)
- 1 x double bed with shower over bath. ( Four poster bed )
The four rooms can also be divided into 2 separate units with 2 rooms. Each
unit then has 2 rooms with a connecting door. Ideal for people with small
children.
During winter you get cozy warm rooms, with down duvets and luxurious mohair and
electrical blankets. The en-suite bathrooms have warm towel rails, under floor
heating and lots of fluffy towels. In summer you can enjoy large cool rooms
overlooking the secluded garden which attracts a number of bird species. The
swimming pool area provides a breathtaking view of the vast country side. The
rooms are serviced daily. Laundry service will be provided on request.
The swimming pool area invites the tired visitor to relax with a book or just to
enjoy the beautiful scenery in front of them. During the hot summer months
Christine serves her dinners on the patio next to the pool. A well equipped
barbeque facility makes it ideal for outdoor dining.
Kitchen: Food
Waterkloof Guest House invites the tired visitor to indulge in the superior
taste of local cuisine. The dinners promise an eating experience for those who
love home cooked meals and mouth watering dishes made with fresh farm products.
The menu includes dishes like ostrich "bobotie" , "waterblommetjie bredie" and a
typical meal of mutton/lamb. They also like to introduce visitors to the very
traditional SA "Braai" (barbeque)
The Uyse are renowned for their hospitality and good South African cuisine.
Dinners must be pre-booked and guests can enjoy a typical meal in the company of
their hosts. Wholesome breakfasts include fresh farm produce and the adventurous
can even indulge in ostrich eggs!
Ostrich leather products:
Guests get the opportunity to buy a variety of products in the indoor shop.
Ex. ostrich egg candles, ostrich leather belts, hand bags, wallets etc.
These products are unique in the sense that they use only the leather of fallen
birds. (Birds that have to be slaughtered on the farm because of a leg injury)
All the products are manufactured in Cape Town and some of the products were
designed by the hosts themselves.
Attractions in the surrounding area include:
- De Hoop Nature Reserve
- Pont at Malgas
- Witsand with whale watching, fishing, bird-watching and swimming
- An hour trip to the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve in the Langeberg
Mountains
- A half-hour trip to the historical town of Swellendam
- A half-hour trip to the picturesque town of Heidelberg
- Whalecoast Trails
- Blue Crane Route
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