Weekend Getaway: Rooikloof Guest Farm

Weekend getaway at the Rooikloof Guest Farm

Weekend getaway at the Rooikloof Guest Farm

If it’s just the two of you, spend a romantic weekend in one of Rooikloof’s two restored farm labourer’s cottages, Koesnaatjie 1 and 2. No, it’s not a naughty word – a koesnaatjie is a type of
succulent (Crassula columnaris).

If the whole family’s going, you can stay in the Renosterbos cottage, which sleeps six, or Huis Harpuis, which sleeps eight.
We stayed in Koesnaatjie 2. It doesn’t have electricity, but there are plenty of paraffin lamps and
candles. A gas geyser provides hot water, and the gas heater and two fireplaces ensure that you
stay warm – even in Sutherland’s notoriously cold winter.
Between the two cottages is a screened-off area where you can lie back on a wooden pallet and
watch the stars, and in summer you can swim in the reservoir beneath the windmill.

Facilities? Each cottage has a fully equipped kitchen, hot water and bedding. The bigger cottages have electricity.
We liked: The cottages have been artfully decorated and they arecosy and comfy, despite the lack
of electricity. The binnebraai is great if it’s chilly outside.
Any drawbacks? The gas geyser in Koesnaatjie 2 was a bit temperamental,resulting in a couple of
numbingly cold showers. The main road is also quite close and you can hear the odd truck rumbling into town.
Rates: Koesnaatjie cottages: R300 per person; R250 per person in the bigger houses (minimum four).

Contact: 023 571 2607; www.rooikloof.co.za

Things to do in Sutherland:
• Take a tour of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).
Cost: R30 per person.
Contact: 023 571 2436
• Eat a Karoo lamb shank at Cluster d’ Hote in town. Contact: 023 571 1436

Travel time: About 4 hours from Cape Town (360km).

How to get there: Take the N1 to Matjiesfontein and turn left onto the R354 to Sutherland. Rooikloof is about 2km before town. Look out for a hanging red bicycle.