When Gerhardt and Ria Breytenbach moved to Modimolle, Limpopo, in 1998 to establish a law firm, they never guessed that one day they would be running a guest farm instead.

Their motivation for buying the property on which they now run RusteVinde Gasteplaas kicked in when one of their children got involved in horse riding and they needed a suitable place to stable their horses.

The couple purchased the 18ha property, a 15-minute drive from Modimolle, in January 2020 and moved in during May that year.

Their initial plan for the property, which was originally used as a wedding venue, was not to use it as a venue but rather as a family home. They also renamed it RusteVinde.

However, overflow guests from a nearby wedding place already had reservations for August that year, and the Breytenbachs decided to honour the previous owner’s agreement with the guests.

And that was the end of their original plan. They loved hosting so much that they immediately decided to continue doing so, only without the venue part of the original business.

RusteVinde still offers accommodation to overflow guests at wedding venues in the area.

Where you’ll stay

Six self-catering units are available for guests to choose from: The Boshuis; Chalets One, Two and Three; Papierbas; and Uitsig.

All units have DStv connections, and one can at least make coffee during load-shedding thanks to gas facilities, either as the primary cooking facility or as a backup.

The Boshuis has a generator for backup electricity, and Papierbas and Uitsig run on solar power. Water is drawn from a borehole, but it is safe to drink. Laundry services are also available if needed.

Some units have hot tubs and access to either private or shared braai areas, some outdoors, others inside. Board games and books are available in all the units. All guests share a swimming pool.

The friendly and respectful staff cleans braai facilities to a sparkle on Monday to Saturday mornings, and guests may request cleaning services beforehand if they need them.

Farmer’s Weekly stayed in The Boshuis, which sleeps five people in three bedrooms.

The main bedroom has an en suite bathroom and queen-sized bed, the second bedroom has a double bed, and the third bedroom has a single bed. The unit features an outdoors hot tub and a braai area.

The only unit that boasts a fireplace, The Boshuis is pet-friendly, has a fence around it and is also the favourite unit for the nyalas to pay a visit to.

Uitsig is a double-storey unit with a view over Kranskop in the distance. It can sleep six people in three bedrooms. The main bedroom has an en suite bathroom, a queen-sized bed, and a sleeper couch for use by children if needed.

The second bedroom has two single beds and a sleeper couch, while the third bedroom has a queen-sized bed.

Electricity supply comes from solar. It has air conditioning, a hot tub, an inside braai area and a gas stove.

Papierbas, one of the more private units, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Guests will find a hot tub and both an outside and indoors braai area.One room has a queen-sized bed and a sleeper couch, and the second bedroom has two single beds with a sleeper couch.

Three chalets are available, all in the form of open-plan bachelor flats. Chalet One has a queen-sized bed, with a private braai available. Chalets Two and Three each have double beds.

All three have air conditioners, small Primus stoves with kettles for backup during power outages, and self-charging fans and lights available.

What to do

There are a few hiking trails around the property, all marked clearly, and guests will find maps in their units. During hikes, guests may cross paths with nyalas, impalas, warthogs and, if they’re lucky, a roaming kudu.

Monkeys are also frequent visitors to RusteVinde.

Birdlife is plentiful, and some of the most often seen are guinea fowl, red-chested cuckoo, woodpecker, woodland kingfisher and several varieties of finch.

So make sure you pack your binoculars and bird books!

Some trees along the hiking trails are easily identifiable by their tags.

Koro Creek Golf Estate is close by for the golfers, and the area offers boating, fishing and nature reserves. Loebies Predator Park, Cheetah Experience and Elephant Interaction are within easy reach. Baobab Spa and Beauty, just up the road, is the ideal place to visit for a bit of deserving me-time.

Where to eat out

The area offers several eateries when self-catering needs to become catering. Ria recommends Lilies & Limes Country Shop and Farm Kitchen on the Vaalwater Road, and Dorsland Restaurant & Craft Bar in Modimolle.

Guests will find a few more places to have a meal as listed in the comprehensive and very impressive welcome pack made available to guests of RusteVinde.

Visit rustevinde.com, email [email protected], or phone 073 221 2930.