Budget Getaways Review
Fringed by a rush of orange groves and oak and poplar trees, Boschkloof offers two upmarket farm cottages squeezed between folded mountains.
With the Cedarberg Wilderness Area as its immediate neighbour, the farm is a most appealing combination of the lush, cosy and dramatic.
Lying just to the front of your host’s house (but facing in the opposite direction), Boschkloof Cottage is adequately private, clean as a pin and imbued with understated charm. Its traditional past is evident in Oregon ceilings, poplar beams, an open hearth, ox-blood quarry tiles and a rietdak-covered veranda, whereas modern convenience comes by way of a swimming pool, colour TV (with DSTV), airconditioner, quality linen in the two ensuite bedrooms, kilim rugs in the lounge, comfortable sofas and a country kitchen (the ex-‘Vleiskamer’), equipped with everything short of the cooked product.
Moving quite far along, Oude Boord is Boschkloof's latest offering, a Cape-style abode set in an 80-year-old orchard. If total privacy and seclusion is high on your agenda this is the option to go for. What's more, the river is a mere 20m from the front stoep. Plus, there's no cell phone reception, no TV, just the sound of running water and the whisper of the breeze.
In both cottages, welcoming touches are scattered here and there, but these we’ll leave you to discover for yourself.
Not only does the farm have quality accommodation, there is plenty of activity to fill a weekend. Start by heading up the kloof to an old blockhouse, keeping an eye out for leopard spoor (Other than the occasional nervous cow you won’t see many farm animals as Boschkloof is part of a leopard conservancy.)
Alternatively, pack a picnic and stroll to the farm’s ancient pear trees. Fill the afternoon with a mountain bike or 4x4 trail, a shared route that cuts through Boschkloof and pops out in Citrusdal. Down a Lager at the local hotel and head back to the ranch for a late afternoon wallow in the mountain pool.
Finally, end the day as you started it, on the stoep with beer and biltong, while watching the mountain turn from gold to red.