South Africa - Places To Stay

Oudtshoorn - Swartberg Country Manor is a 4 star guesthouse situated on the working farm `Voorbedacht' near Oudtshoorn, offering guests the unique opportunity to explore and experience the true essence of subsistence farming in the Little Karoo. Swartberg Country Manor offers comfortable en-suite rooms in the 2 original farmhouses that have been beautifully restored. The Historical House (1865) has 5 enchanting rooms overlooking a fig orchard. The Main House offers 11 stylish rooms, with breathtaking panoramic mountain views from the open lounge. A further 9 rooms are set in true Karoo style cottages, with a dreamy honeymoon suite to top it all.

Who would have thought that an old tobacco sorting shed could be turned into the stylish Patat Restaurant? The Oregon woodwork adds a warm ambience to the fynbos paradise at the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. Enjoy breathtaking sundowners on the open wooden deck, while the Karoo sun paints the mountain in various shades of crimson. The seasonally fresh a la carte menu and hand selected wines compliment every special occasion.

Situated on a working farm near Oudtshoorn in the Karoo

Accessible by car, directions available on request. Transfers can be arranged.

16 - Standard Rooms

£40 per person sharing in Low Season (May-Jun)
£53 per person sharing in High Season (Jan-Apr & Jul-Dec)
Rates for the 2010 World Cup period may vary from the above prices - rates on request.

Breakfast, sherry & Amarula in the room

Children of all ages are welcome

On site stargazing, various Swartberg excursions undertaken from the guesthouse, guided hiking trails and adventurous activities. Nearby attractions include the Cango Caves, Ostrich Farms and Garden Route.

The financial and social needs of the local farming community motivated the management of Swartberg Country Manor to initiate a social upliftment programme in the Cango Valley. Priority was given to training of unemployed local people and to offer them employment in the guesthouse. To date 30 people from the local community have been trained and they are now working at the lodge.

Since then, they have established the H.O.P.E Foundation focussing on the social and economical upliftment of previously disadvantaged individuals in the Cango Valley. The most significant achievement is the recent opening of a computer training facility for students of Voorbedacht Primary School. The H.O.P.E Foundation has also identified itself with the needs of the students of Karatara Primary School in Knysna. This school has 158 students and serves the needs of the local farming community.

Cash in South African Rands is accepted. All major credit cards are accepted.