Quick Facts
E 21°36'50''
Budget Getaways Review
Vast open space, Karoo silence, towering Swartberg peaks and rustic comfort sum up this 1250ha retreat tucked away at the end of the Matjiesvlei Valley, 17km outside Calitzdorp.
Besides Die Poort’s awesome setting, bisected by the glistening thread of the Gamka River, the three private cottages add up to real getaway appeal.
Lets kick off with Fig Tree Cottage, a good bet for two couples or a larger family.
Built in 1915, this rustic whitewashed abode is made up of two buildings - the first houses a double bedroom, bathroom (with bath and outside shower) and kitchen with dining table, the second a twin room with ensuite bathroom. If you need to squeeze in another two, there's a small log cabin set among pepper trees, with two single beds. Adding to Fig Tree's rustic appeal is a large voorstoep and outside braai area shaded by trees.
Further down the road we find The Barn, another historic abode that once housed the farm’s livestock, along with the requisite mampoer-making equipment.
The Barn has since been sensitively restored into a relaxed guest cottage, with farm-style kitchen opening onto a stoep with outside braai area and views flowing into the valley and surrounding mountains. The Barn comes with a pair of twin rooms and a central bathroom with shower.
Last up is Eagles Nest, tucked below a koppie near the river bank, and packed with gorgeous views onto the water and surrounding cliffs. Dating back to the late 1800’s, the cottage is fronted by a large voorstoep, two double bedrooms, a central bathroom with shower and an equipped kitchen.
Keeping busy at Die Poort doesn't pose much of a problem. Set yourself up on the stoep with a good book or go the other extreme and take to one of the many nearby walks or mountain bike routes. Up the ante further with a hike up the kloof to some deeper pools along the river course - well worth it in summer.
When all is said and done Die Poort is one of those Karoo spots where you can just sommer be. As one guest sums up their experience: “This place is so special that I almost want to keep it a secret.”
May you feel the same way.
"This place is so special that I almost want to keep it a secret. If you love nature and want to get close to God, this is the place to be. It is rustic, but with all the necessities. If you mind a few insects, a little bit of dust when the wind blows and maybe even a mouse as companion, this is not the place for you. For true nature lovers - you will not find a better place to rewind and appreciate God's beautiful creation."
(visited April 2013)
Kruisrivier Gallery Apartment
Calitzdorp, Western Cape
The setting? Gorgeous Klein Karoo, minus the harsh edges: early morning cows on their way to be milked, the sounds of phlegmatic tractors and the occasional farm bakkie; ...
Rate Guide
R750 nightly for the apartment.
Matjiesvlei Guest Farm
Calitzdorp, Western Cape
Now, here's a farm spilling rich history and Karoo character. Matjiesvlei goes right back to 1821 and has been in the same bloodline ever since - today it's farmed by 5th...
Rate Guide
From R600 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Weltevrede Fig Farm
Prince Albert, Western Cape
In a valley at the foothills of the mighty Swartberg Mountains, where huge blue gums tower above you, is Weltevrede Fig Farm. Here you can wander down to the ...
Rate Guide
From R1200 to R4750, depending on unit, guests and time of year
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