Unspoilt bush, hikes amongst game, hidden rock pools – and pure serenity
The Bateleur Nature Reserve, in the heart of the Waterberg, offers nature lovers the ideal getaway. You can stay over in old, self-catering farmhouses or hikers’ base camps, or simply...
Pretty views, pears, and a painting pig
A picturesque pear farm in the Franschhoek Valley offers a number of accommodation options, including a barn where an artistic pig and other rescue animals spend the night!
Luxurious container love nest in the Boland
Palmietvlei Farm, a working blueberry farm, is situated near Wolseley in the Western Cape, and offers a wonderful view of the Mostertshoek mountains from its innovative ‘CouplesPod’, says Brian Berkman.
Chalets with views of the vast Langkloof Mountains
Driving through the mists of the Outeniqua Pass to explore where to stay and what to do in the Langkloof, Brian Berkman returns to an old favourite.
Fishing and great sunsets from a boathouse in North West
Seclusion. Quiet. Natural beauty. There’s plenty of all three at The Boathouse on Boskop Dam, a delightful spot where you can relax, do a bit of fishing, canoeing, and birding,...
Road-tripping and birdwatching in SA
Long drives across South Africa offer perfect opportunities for birdwatching, says Muller Janse van Rensburg, who lives in Bethlehem in the Free State. Since he and his family discovered the pastime,...
A nostalgic stay on the Santos Express
Rail travel enthusiast Brian Berkman has been on some of the most famous and glamorous train journeys in the world. He recently explored Mossel Bay’s delightful Santos Express, a stationary...
Hunting on the southern slopes of the Magaliesberg
At this guest house on a game farm in North West, visitors are provided with a comfortable stay and plenty of things to see and do, including hunting exotic game species,...
A beautiful farm that makes an ideal spot for hunting and fishing
Enjoy the freedom of being the only guests at this farmhouse, just off the N3 en route to Durban, where you can enjoy a variety of actvities, or simply relax...
A charming setting on a Villiersdorp fruit farm
The Faraway Estate manor house stands in the foothills of Villiersdorp’s Stettynsberg on a working olive, fig and pomegranate farm. The self-catering country escape with its large gourmet kitchen will...
Escape to the beautiful Overberg
Brian Berkman recently travelled to apple and wine country in the Overberg region to experience true Cape farm hospitality at Paul and Nicky Wallace’s property in the Elgin Valley. Paul...
Pet-friendly glamping and hiking near Broederstroom
B’sorah Luxury Tented Camp, located between the Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg, offers a scenic and relaxing weekend break less than an hour from Gauteng for hiking and mountain biking...
A haven in the Karoo
Brian Berkman discovers a tranquil, luxurious and perfectly located farm near Beaufort West, and suggests that it’s a road-trip stop deserving of at least a two-night stay.
Pet and family-friendly accommodation on history-rich farm
Welcoming farm sounds and smells, a large stoep, activities in nature, and tranquillity await visitors of the farm Houtenbek in Mpumalanga.
Fine dining and tractor game drives on a Free State farm
Since diversifying into accommodation and fine dining in 1991, Free State Merino farm De Oude Kraal has become a landmark. Brian Berkman recently visited it and soon understood why it has...
The allure of Barkly East’s famous fly-fishing streams
Fly fishing is as synonymous with the Eastern Cape district of Barkly East as are Merino wool and snow-capped mountains in winter. As Mike Burgess writes, the legacy of fly...
Using land for recreation
Recreation in natural areas is an excellent way of reconnecting people with the environment. Besides the educational function, it is also a possible income stream for farmers.
Birdwatching: a novel income opportunity for farms
Avitourism, or birdwatching, has the potential to provide farmers with an additional source of revenue, write Dr Adam Viljoen and Christelle van Zyl, researchers at North-West University’s Tourism Research in...
How a Klein Karoo wine and fruit farm became a tourist mecca
Instead of competing with the giant wine brands, Jacques and Saretha Conradie take advantage of the location of Vogelsang farm to put their wines and estate on the map.
Hunting traditionally with the Khomani San
The Khomani San of the Kalahari are revered for their intimate knowledge of bush lore. Now they’re practising these skills commercially and offering hunting packages on the vast tracts of...
