Getaway farm in the Koue Bokkeveld with two stone cottages

Budget Getaways Review

Good news if you want to experience wild landscape but have recently purchased a new car: Berg en Dal is virtually tar all the way! This craggy weekend hideaway rests in a dramatic cradle of the Koue Bokkeveld, 90km from Ceres (tar) and 32km from Citrusdal (a topsy-turvy dirt road with great views).

It offers two cottages, both sleeping four adults and both built of stone and blending like chameleons into the rust and fynbos surrounds. (Which got us thinking: if that naughty man Bean Laden ever exhausts his stock of Afghan hideaways…) Whichever you decide on, Heather or Blue, the outlook will be great. With frostie in one hand and braai tong in the other, you too can join the ranks of other satisfied weekenders and gaze upon an open vista framed by the Cederberg Wilderness Area in the background.

Berg en Dal’s cottages are unified by a theme of uncluttered simplicity, daubed here and there with splashes of luxury. The cottages are neat as a pin and feature cork floors, fireplaces and open-plan beechwood interiors. Lighting is solar-, paraffin- and candle-powered. The cottages are equipped with all the essentials. You will however need to bring your own linen, towels and firewood - charcoal and Blitz is provided for the braai. 

Apart from good-looking cottages and wild terrain, the river is Berg en Dal’s drawcard. Getting to the designated swimming spot involves a 2km drive, walk or cycle (hot tip: bring your mountain bike), but once there you won’t want to budge. There's even a flush loo and shady gazebo at the river.

Besides wallowing in the pool from morn till night, there’s plenty else to do on this hobby farm: between canoeing a stretch of river, spotting snowy-tailed buck and 109 bird species (a rate of 2.27/hour over a 48 hour weekend) and taking long walks in the krantze, you won’t be at a loss.

Getaway Facts: Berg en Dal Farm Cottages
Where90km from Ceres (& 32km from Citrusdal)
GPS co-ordsS 32°40'14''  E 19°14'48''
Sleeps4,4 (1 double and 2 single beds in each cottage)
Equippedyes
Linenno
Towelsno
Fireplaceyes (bring own wood)
Braaiyes (free charcoal & firelighters)
Meals availableno
Pet-friendlyno
Rate guideR180pp - R250pp
Activitiesbirdwatching, canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, small game-viewing, swimming

Guest Comments

"Great views, lovely swimming hole, super relaxing chill-out spot. My only negative was the absence of maps or any useful information on what to do or where to walk/cycle in the area. For other visitors: the jeep tracks behind the house all end up in dead-ends so looks elsewhere if you want a long ride or hike. I took a wonderful long ride in the Pompiesvlei reserve but not sure on the legality of this." (Dave Fair, visited March 2013)
"Het die awesomeste naweek gehad. Baie mooi natuurskoon. Rustigheid en sterre wat jy nerens anders kry nie!" (Nita Dames, visited December 2012)
"We visited Berg en Dal for our first anniversary and wow - it was fantastic!! We were amazed at the facilities, the flushing toilet at the swimming hole, the scenery, gorgeous vegetation, we found watsonias, orchids, Lachenalias, sundews and ericas. The wildlife was great too and we are sure that we found leopard spoor in the sand at the top of the trail. I am still busy scrapbooking this fantastic getaway, it will stay in my memory forever. We even managed to get a rock agama to sit on our hand for a photo opportunity - simply wonderful, we will definitely come back again. This was most definitely value for money and renewed and refreshed our spirit. We didn't want to leave. A nature conservator's dream of a getaway, thank you for making our anniversary so wonderful." (Cassy Sheasby, visited October 2011)
"My family had a great time. The setting is beautiful, the air clean & skies magnificent. The facilities are excellent - simple, spotlessly clean and comfortable, with everything that we needed. We certainly didn't miss electricity (the kids only asked to watch a movie once!) & we loved being without cellphone signal. The caretaker, Leon, was very warm and attentive without being intrusive. I also enjoyed the good communication with the owner from the point of the enquiry being sent onward. We loved Berg-en-Dal, are about to make another booking & have already passed the word (& the Budget Getaways link) onto our friends. Thanks for a fantastic stay!" (Rhoda Isaacs, visited October 2011)
"We had a wonderful time and want to stay longer next time. The only negative was that you have to use a Weber when having a braai. When we go away for weekends we love to sit next to a camp fire. Luckily there is still a fireplace inside the house so we could stare at some flames after the braai." (Anscha Zietsman, visited August 2011)
"Just wanted to say that we had such an amazing weekend at the cottages. After arriving in the dark and rain, we were met with a friendly smile and warm welcome from Leon and Anita. They helped us to move in to our cottage and made sure we were comfortable and that all was in order. Waking up on Saturday morning we were amazed at the breathtaking views and the rest of our weekend was simply superb. When we got back to the city last night, my friend asked where we had been on holiday, saying we looked so rested and relaxed. We can't wait to go back again." (Thandi van Heyningen, visited August 2011)
"Beautifully fantastic. A time to remember, deep into old age." (Clinton le sueur, visited March 2011)
"Thank you very much, it was a lovely cottage and we had a great time. The Gazebo by the river was also fantastic! Your staff was five star, friendly and helpful. My favourite time was early morning on the stoep with my coffee and watching the sugarbirds playing in the bottle brush tree! We would definitely come back in the near future." (Annelle Erasmus, visited October 2010)
"We'll be back :)" (Tanya Anderson, visited April 2010)
"I haven't had a chance to thank you for the champagne and chocolate you organised for our stay on Valentines weekend. Thank you so much. It was a wonderful surprise for Bronwen. We loved the cottage and our stay there." (Daniel Jillings, visited May 2010)
"Thank you, thank you, what a magic peacefull spot. The cottage was all we were looking for and probably the cleanest we have ever stayed at, and we have stayed at many. Even the swimming spot and ablutions were impeccably clean and the staff should be complimented; they were attentive and helpful without being intrusive." (Wally Cunningham, visited February 2010)
"What a truly wonderful experience: Cederberg mountains, a chance to swim in deep river pools, the use of canoes, tranquillity broken only by birdsong, star-studded skies. On top of all this, clean fully-equipped cottages, run by attentive owners and staff. Altogether we cannot recommend it highly enough." (David Trump, visited December 2009)
"This was an absolutely perfect getaway. There is not a more peaceful place in the world. We will be back time and time again." (Andrew van Heerden, visited November 2007)
"The perfect spot to relax and recharge from running our own heavenly Budget Getaway - From one mountain to another and I thought WE had it all but this was: awesome, quiet, very quiet, remote, private (the PICK-ME! or was it Pygmy ;-) spot-less, cosy, well equiped, luxury in simplicity, and of course a green/white match all the way from the curtains down to the gaslighter - loved it :)) Make sure you take some MTB's with... Thanks Michael." (Jurgen & Mareletta Wohlfarter van Zyl, visited May 2007)
"A wonderful setting for a fabulous getaway." (Jackie Bond, visited June 2006)
"Beautiful place. Perfect romantic getaway." (Helen Lee, visited August 2003)
"It is a beautiful place, we have enjoyed two very relaxing and peaceful holidays at the farmhouse. The garden is beautiful and cool in summer and the valley and river pools are probably of the most beautiful I have seen." (Denise Bester, visited January 2004)
"Michael made us feel very at home & the gazebo is really fantastic!" (Esta Morkel, visited January 2004)
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