If waking up to the sounds of roosters and donkeys and the fresh feeling of early morning mist sounds enticing, then Fynbos Guest Farm, a short distance from the town of Tulbagh, is the perfect place to escape to.
Time out in Tulbagh
Lying 13 km from Ceres and 12 km from Tulbagh in the Western Cape, this great family vacation spot is ideal for anyone looking to forget the week’s worries and indulge in a little one-on-one time with nature. Proudly boasting some of South Africa’s most beautiful farmland, fynbos and renosterbos, Fynbos Guest Farm has come to be known as a much-desired spot by nature lovers.
An avid nature lover himself, our editor, Mark, was excited to see the many improvements that had taken place on the 57-hectare retreat since his previous visit back in 2006.
Graciously welcomed by owners Peter Nel and Maurice Lancaster, we were instantly made to feel at home in the spacious yet cosy camping resort. The many friendly geese, goats, donkeys, pigs, ducks, tortoises and emus (some of them, perhaps, not so friendly) add a natural authenticity to the farm atmosphere.
Rustic partitions made of logs separate the individual campsites, allowing visitors to feel safe yet secluded when camping or caravaning on the property. The nine caravan stands are maintained regularly, and all are equipped with electricity points. Water is not available at all of them, but can be collected from the clean ablution block nearby. Visitors can choose to enjoy their own intimate braai area or join any festivities taking place around the communal lapa. The two small plunge pools are a valuable extra, especially if you decide to visit during the hotter summer months (but the pools have recently been closed due to dust from road works, so call ahead to find out if they’ve been reopened). If you head to Tulbagh for the weekend on a whim, without tent or caravan, Fynbos Guest Farm has three charming, character-filled cottages as accommodation options. These provide all the creature comforts of home, while maintaining the farmstead feel.
After a day taking part in some or all of the activities on offer (horse riding, birding and hiking to name just three) you might develop an appetite for some good old home-style country cooking. Take an amble along the path past the donkeys to the Grain & Grape, Peter and Maurice’s country coffee shop and farm stall. It’s at this popular roadside spot that ‘singing chef’ Michael Kenny will feed your indulgence with farm breakfasts, freshly baked breads and delicious homemade soups, and more. The Grain & Grape also serves as a venue for private functions. If you’d prefer to drive, you can reach this little spot via the adjacent public tar road (R46).
Tulbagh is a great destination all year round: the summers offer balmy evenings perfect for sipping sundowners around the campfire, while the winters treat visitors to vistas of snow-capped mountains (mainly during June or July) and a wild flower display that rivals the best (from July to September).
Peter and Maurice can often be found in and around the farmyard, and will be more than happy to assist you with any what-to-do-and-where information that you might need. But if you’d rather just amble about the property, we can vouch for the fact that the pigs love a good back scratch with the brushes provided.
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