On Thursday last week eight excited Rhino Africans jumped aboard the Rhino Tripping shuttle in the early morning and drove out of our glorious city. Our destination the magnificent Garden Route, we headed out along the N1 towards our first stop the sleepy and picturesque town of Robertson. Known mostly for its wine farms and the inhabitants rose gardens, we weren’t here for either; we came seeking the tranquil, chic sophistication of Robertson Small Hotel. With its shady gardens, cool swimming pools and elegantly designed rooms we might well have stayed here and gone no further. However we had to return to our task, said our farewells, grabbed one last decadent banana muffin and boarded our wagon once more.
Next on our extensive list was Mardouw Country House. Mardouw is set on a flourishing olive and wine estate and the size of the estate means there are plenty of outdoor activities to pass the time. You can perfect your swing on the driving range, catch the big one on a fishing excursion, stretch your leg muscles on a cycle around the estate or simply work on your tan on a lounger next to the beautiful infinity pool. Our hosts at Mardouw provided the fuel for the next leg of our journey in the form of some decadent snacks, including olives, tasty chicken skewers and salmon croissants.
Our next leg took us past Swellendam and then up through the mountains towards Barrydale. Just outside Barrydale we pulled over at Ronnie’s Sex Shop for some liquid refreshments. It’s not nearly as bad as it sounds, it used to be just Ronnie’s Shop, until one of his mates spray painted ‘sex’ onto his signboard and the name has not only stuck but turned an otherwise ordinary roadside stall into a must see on this section of Route 62. Closer to Oudtshoorn we pulled into the elegant La Plume Guest House. Amidst the ostriches La Plume is a Victorian styled hotel known for its exceptional cuisine, the Ostrich steak is rumored to be the best in the region and that’s saying something considering that everyone serves up the big bird round these parts. The rooms themselves are bedecked with antiques galore and instill the feeling of times long past, a real ‘I had a farm in Africa’ moment.
Not far from La Plume is De Zeekoe Guest Farm. A fully functional working farm of 200 in the semi-desert Klein Karoo, De Zeekoe is made up of a historic colonial homestead which is over 150 years old! Fortunately it doesn’t look 150 years old; in fact the rooms are modern and spacious with views stretching out to the distant mountains. We also had a look at the four rustic cabins overlooking a nearby dam. These are well suited to families, but they are really quite rustic! Last on our list before we stopped for the night was Swartberg Country Manor. A little ways outside Oudtshoorn but very close to the Cango Caves, Swartberg offers comfortable rooms in two refurbished houses as well as a small suite set aside from the rest.
Finally we arrived at the pretty little hotel which was to be our stop for the night. Rosenhof Country House really is an oasis of calm and peace in the centre of Oudtshoorn. The rooms are arrayed around a central courtyard where the sound of flowing water from the fountain mixes in with bird calls. It’s fantastic! After our long journey I couldn’t have thought of a better place to relax and enjoy the Karoo evening. We enjoyed both a tasty dinner featuring Ostrich steaks and rack of Karoo Lamb but also a slap up breakfast the following morning. In addition to the luxury rooms we stayed in, there are also two exclusive suites that have their own private lounges, private swimming pool and garden area.
Now we were ready for another day on the road!