Heather Coull from our Cape Town offices enjoyed a visit to
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse with her little girls on the weekend, and shares their experiences with us.
On a visit to Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse you begin to relax before the farmhouse is even in sight. The meandering drive to the farm has a magnificent mountain backdrop and the lush green farmland is visibly calming. We were heading to the farm to enjoy their day visitor game drive. The opportunity to experience the landscape and learn about Bartholomeus Klip’s conservation efforts was not to be missed. The day visit game drive can be coupled with either a sumptuous breakfast or, if later in the day, a delicious lunch.
We were welcomed by Celeste, our guide, and offered fresh coffee served in a silver pot and banana bread still hot from the oven. Who could refuse? We wandered around the farmhouse gardens and were pleasantly surprised at how lush and tranquil the gardens were. Bartholomeus Klip is very fortunate to experience good winter rainfall, which is enough to carry them through the dry summer months.
We climbed aboard the Land Rover and set off. First stop was the disease-free Buffalo breeding project on the farm. Bartholomeus Klip has a very healthy Buffalo population of about 60 animals, which are used to supply other reserves with Buffalo not infected by disease.
Celeste is a very knowledgeable guide and she was an expert at helping us to identify and tick off the beautiful spring flowers on the species list kindly provided.
As it was a very hot day, the animals were cleverly hiding in the shade and were not easy to spot – however we did see Bontebok, Springbok, Ostrich, the highly endangered Geometric Tortoise and lots of bird life.
Celeste took us to see leopard spoor that had been sighted – the leopard, like us, took a chance to cool off at the river.
Bartholomeus Klip advises that its game-drive is not suitable for small children and our nine-year-old was in her element ticking off the plants and animals that she spotted – then advising her little sister! I would say nine years upwards is the perfect age.
We had a fabulous visit. I would certainly recommend a visit. It is only 90 minutes from Cape Town and yet is out of this world!
Stay at Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse
You can visit Bartholomeus Klip for the day, or stay overnight.
Bartholomeus Klip offers 4 star accommodation in an idyllic setting surrounded by mountains, farmlands and a 4 000-hectare fynbos nature reserve alive with herds of antelope, and a dam the size of a small lake – and yet you are only an hour away from Cape Town. You will be charmed by the country friendliness and courtesy of the staff, who take pride in welcoming you to the Victorian farmhouse and showing you to your air-conditioned bedroom, with its period bathroom and beautiful bed linen. The food is special, with lavish brunches and high teas, and a gourmet four-course dinner served in the conservatory. Explore the working farm and nature reserve on foot or by mountain bike, and search for the rare geometric tortoise, or visit the buffalo and quagga breeding projects.also offers stylish self-catering at Wild Olive House, perfect for families with children, with its own pool and outdoor living spaces.
