Quick Facts
E 18°32'10''
Budget Getaways Review
Here’s a mountaintop gem in the making that’ll have you and the fam chilling 800m in the clouds.
With the grind of the city left far behind at sea level Danielshoogte Private Reserve sits atop Aurora Mountain, straddling some 2200ha of fynbos.
Apart from simple accommodation, which we will get to in a moment, the focus here is on all things nature. The reserve boasts a nice list of wildlife, including 85 bird species, leopard, klipspringer, aardwolf, caracal and porcupine - to mention just a few.
And whether you’re into peddling, running or walking, the trails weaving through the reserve will keep you happily occupied during the day, with two dams to cool off in.
Whatever rocks your boat, take it slow and easy because the views from up here are gobsmacking - a birds-eye vista of St Helena and the West Coast on the one side, the rolling farmlands of Piketberg on the other. On a clear day you might even catch a glimpse of Table Mountain.
Accommodation at Danielshoogte is made up of Aristea Berghuis, a six-sleeper mountaintop house, and a further two units namely Disa Thatch Berghuisie and Chinkerichee Thatch Berghuisie, both housed within the original thatched farmhouse dating to the late 1800’s.
Aristea Berghuis has three bedrooms and a shared bathroom with bath and loo, plus large large kitchen with basic appliances (no oven) that's open-plan to a living room with fireplace - essential in winter.
The views from Aristea Berghuis will keep you glued in the deck chair - from your braai it's the high peaks of Aurora, from the voorstoep it's uninterrupted West Coast all the way.
About 100m on and with equally appealing views, are Disa Thatch Berghuisie and Chinkerichee Thatch Berghuisie. The two units have their own private entrances and each sleep four in twin beds - two of these in a loft.
Both units appear to have rustic laid-back farm-style appeal - enhanced by large indoor fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. Disa has an open-plan kitchen and partly open-plan bedroom, with separate kitchen, shower and loo. Chinkerichee’s bedroom is open-plan to the living area and fireplace, while the kitchen is separate.
Too gentrified for the Neanderthal in you in itching for escape? In that case opt for Cave Campsite. It's exactly that - an eight-person site with braai and ablution block tucked into the opening of a cave. You'll need a 4x4 to get up there.
The guest feedback trickling in for Danielshoogte puts it up there with the best of them. “Beautiful destination on top of the mountain, if you need to get away from it all.” “An engaging place owned and staffed by engaging people, who have a passion for the environment and the area.” “A Beautiful and tranquil setting! It feels like in the movie, A Walk in the Clouds.”??
With this in mind, we’d say pack the wagon and head on up to what could become a heavenly getaway.
"Heaven on earth...so peaceful,safe,stars at night looks so close you get the feeling that you can touch them. Magnificent view. Reasonably priced. An ideal getaway from city's stressful life. Everything that you need is there.The owner is friendly and very helpful with a great sense of humor. What a paradise with panoramic views. Don't forget the magnificent sunset and sunrise - God's gift to us - to be still and know we are blessed with the beauty of His creation."
(visited Mar 2016)
"Very nice, personal service by the owner for taking us around. Lots to see and a nice break away from all the hustle of the city."
(visited Mar 2016)
"Danielshoogte fulfilled our wish for a quiet, tranquil, far-flung, rustic getaway. We would not hesitate to go back."
(visited June 2014)
"During a recent visit to Danielshoogte, I once again visited the cave with Grotman Danie Truter. I was reminded just how substantial are the facilities at the cave, while not being overly intrusive. The cave itself boasts two rustic tables, with a lovely braai out front. Close by is a double sink on wooden frame, with piped cold water for that all important washing up. Discretely screened by trees to the left, is a complex of toilets and showers with solar heated geysers, making it the perfect destination with for a rustic getaway, with those much needed basic creature comforts. It is entirely well worth a weekend visit, if for no other reason than to watch the sunset with a glass of wine in hand, the stars track across the pitch dark sky, or to awake to the sun creeping over the Suurberg to the east. Get there."
(visited May 2014)
"There is a magical silence on the mountain where your soul can breathe, probably where 'Aurora - goddess of the dawn' also goes to refuel. The views are breathtaking, especially at sunset. The fynbos uninterrupted and stunning, and wildlife surprising and will definitely get you excited: from dung beetles to a herd of reindeer and everything in between (even the not so wild donkey that walks around with the herd of Nguni cows is so endearing). The cabins are comfortable and clean - great when you consider the price - and fun with indoor fireplaces, ideal to take children to a sheltered 'back to basics'. I'd say if you need time out on your own, or an outdoor adventure (sleep-over in a real cave) with the family then this is the place."
(visited May 2014)
"Beautiful destination on top of the mountain if you want to get away from it all, for a while. Peace and quiet, breathtaking views, scenery, wildlife, fynbos and old world charm. Highly recommended."
(visited March 2013)
"The trip up the mountin can be very challenging especially in a small car."
(visited February 2013)
"An engaging place owned and staffed by engaging people, who have an abiding passion for the environment and the area. It's the kind of place, and they're the kind of people,you just don't want to leave when your stay comes to an end. I can recommend DanielsHoogte without hesitation."
(visited February 2013)
"A fantastic place to stay in every respect!"
(visited January 2013)
"An absolute must for the nature lover! Beautiful and tranquil setting! It feels like in the movie A Walk in the Clouds. "
(visited January 2013)
"The new owner had only taken over the farm about one month prior to our visit.We could clearly see that "mountains have been shifted" in this very short period and there is no doubdt that with their enthusiasm this venue will become a highly rated venue."
(visited November 2012)
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland