Rate Guide
From R800 to R1730, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Quick Facts
E 20°25'22''
Budget Getaways Review
A picturesque smallholding just outside Swellendam, Hermitage Huisies has a certain quality that many guests find irresistible.
There are four cottages, the original Rose Cottage, and its younger sibling, River Cottage. These have now been joined by two brand new studio units, Aardvarks Burrow and Guinea Fowl.
Rose Cottage is a century-old farm cottage made postcard-perfect by the milieu of flowers, horses, quarrelsome ducks bobbing on a dam, green fields and dramatic mountains. Inside, Rose has two bedrooms with a double bed, two single beds and a comfortable sofa bed in front of the indoor fireplace. There is a flat-screen TV, so feel free to bring the decoder along.
Sitting on its own, about 200m down the way is River Cottage. Again, the setting is pastoral bliss: a trickling stream fringed with arum lilies, cropped green grass, a shady avocado tree, a braai spot made of pebbles, frolicking horses, a vista of green meadows and Langeberg peaks. River Cottage features one bedroom with double bed, and a comfortable sofa bed in front of the indoor fireplace.
Guinea Fowl and Aardvarks Burrow are two pretty studio units. Both have open-plan living/sleeping areas featuring Queen beds (plus a sofa bed in Aardvarks), spacious showers, private patios and those magnificent views spilling out all over the place. If have to, there's also free WiFi on tap.
All of the cottages have luxury pocket spring mattresses, 200-thread count linen, towels, private braai areas and seating, and tea/coffee facilities - talk about luxury!
The smallholding itself occupies a hub of potential activity, with horse riding lessons, berry picking in season and liqueur and deli tasting at the adjacent Wildebraam Cellar - not to mention a refreshing dip in the newly built swimming pool! Swellendam is just over the hill, yet conveniently out of sight. The local golf course is within walking distance and the beautiful Marloth Nature Reserve is a mile or two along the dirt road (by bike, foot or car).
If all this sounds like just too much hard work, do as so many before you have done – toss bread to the Indian Runner ducks.
"We arrived at a farm on the outside of Swellendam and it was everything you would expect of a farm - peace, quiet, nice clean air and a perfect river cottage under the trees with horses roaming around in the back. It is so much more than a person living in a fast paced town can ask for. We found our cottage in a nice clean setting with wood, firelighters, matches waiting on you ready to start your fire and relax. The kitchen was well equipped with all the necessary equipment needed. The duvet on the bed was more than sufficient and was nice and warm. There were more than enough 2 point plugs for all your day to day techno gadgets - I took my own and ended up not needing mine. Well done on a perfect quiet setting and cottage. We will definitely go again for a visit. "
(visited Sep 2017)
"We had a really lovely stay on this small farm. We stayed in the flatlet and while it was simple it was lovely and private. We really enjoyed the setting in the valley and all the horses grazing in fields around us. Nadya, our host, was warm and welcoming. We also liked that you could go for a walk straight from the cottage but at the same time we were close to Swellendam. We would definitely return."
(visited Apr 2017)
"The River Cottage is ideally situated at the back of the farm with the most spectacular views of mountains and farm life. The air is so fresh and the stillness deafening. The little cottage is very cosy with all the necessary comforts for a weekend break. It was so awesome we could have our dog with us for the weekend. We had such a terrific time."
(visited Nov 2016)
"We have stayed at Hermitage Huisies twice already! Once in Aardvark, and once in Guinea Fowl. It's a beautiful and peaceful setting surrounded by mountains, and waking up to horses grazing right in front of our 'stoep'! The houses are clean, very well equipped, with gorgeous views and very warm and welcoming hosts. We will definitely be back!"
(visited Jun 2016)
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin
Swellendam, Western Cape
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin is the epitome of your classic hikers hut. Originally the first hut of the Swellendam five day hiking trail, This little wooden abode has been ...
Rate Guide
R1500 nightly for the cabin
Bibi's Joy
Swellendam, Western Cape
Let’s set the tone with a recent guest comment: “If you need peace and tranquility away from the city bustle, this is the place to go. Rustic, comfortable, se...
Rate Guide
From R300 to R1500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
!Xairu Tented Bush Retreat
Swellendam, Western Cape
Situated on a small, environmentally conscious farm, 28km from Swellendam, !Xairu Tented Bush Retreat is a rustic bush camp with two equipped, permanent tents, or an addi...
Rate Guide
From R695 - R895.00 per equipped tent
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm
Swellendam, Western Cape
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm nestles in a beautiful valley bordering the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, just 16km from Swellendam. Combining an idyllic an...
Rate Guide
From R1300 to R6500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Die Houthuis, Die Wyntenke & A Snoozer's Cottage
Bonnievale, Western Cape
As far as rustic weekend getaways go, Die Houthuis is the last of a dying breed – a place where not even Triple-X Gel can keep the hair up. It’s the oldest ge...
Rate Guide
From R650 to R3850, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Leopard Trail Guestfarm
Bonnievale, Western Cape
Perched high on the Langeberg slopes, Leopard Trail Guestfarm offers an action-packed nature weekend. Walks, hikes, kloofing, mountain biking and three 4x4 trails, six ...
Rate Guide
R380pp for the farmhouse (R200pp kids under 12); R350pp for the open barn-style cottage (R200pp kids under 12); R150pp for the bush camp (R80pp kids under 12)
Die Hoenderhok & Plaashuisie
Swellendam, Western Cape
Pastoral bliss and a skyline dominated by the jagged peaks of the Langeberg are surely sufficient reason for a stop-over near (12km) Swellendam? Be it a midway break bet...
Rate Guide
From R600 to R1300, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Breede Bush Camp
Swellendam, Western Cape
A private and exclusively booked campsite and central living area on the banks of the Breede River, 34 km south of Swellendam, Breede Bush Camp is certainly a good bet fo...
Rate Guide
From R350pp for first four guests. Minimum rate for 4 guests.
Rivierplaas Cottages
Swellendam, Western Cape
River House and Stone Cottage are secluded cottages appointed on a fruit farm along the banks of the Breede River. Both have a relaxed rustic personality suited to Budget...
Rate Guide
River House (sleeps 4) R500 nightly for 2 adults, Stone Cottage is R600 nightly for 2 adults; additional guests R50 per person nightly.
Oorvloed Farmhouse
Swellendam, Western Cape
A large working Overberg farm is the setting for Oorvloed Farmhouse. It’s big sky country here with swathes of wheat and canola fields and wide open spaces. The far...
Rate Guide
R800 nightly for the first two guests. R360pp thereafter. Minimum 2 night stay.
Umshanti
Swellendam, Western Cape
Man, for a moment forget the fantastic view over the glistening dam and Langeberg peaks, we can't stop staring at that green grass. How do they get it like that? Bert fro...
Rate Guide
From R280 - R500 per person nightly
Taaibos Views
Bonnievale, Western Cape
The setting: A working farm gazing out across a rural landscape. The accommodation: A simple and spacious farmhouse set amongst plum orchards and vineyards with vistas se...
Rate Guide
R2400 nightly for the house
Bontebokskloof Manor
Swellendam, Western Cape
Adjacent to the N2, Bontebokskloof Manor is located on a working farm in the countryside, a stone’s throw away from picturesque Swellendam, with a clear view of the...
Rate Guide
From R3000 to R3850, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Riverside Country House
Swellendam, Western Cape
Riverside Country House is a tastefully furnished self-catering house set at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountain alongside the Koornlands river. The downstairs ar...
Rate Guide
From R2500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
KamBati River Resort
Swellendam, Western Cape
Kam’Bati, a 5km drive off the N2 and 25km from Swellendam, is aimed at nature lovers and families out for a relaxed weekend of caravaning and camping alon...
Rate Guide
From R2120, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Aloe Canyons Guestfarm and Wildlife
Swellendam, Western Cape
Off the beaten track and tucked along the banks of a river - with an outlook over rugged hills - Aloe Canyons Guest Farm and Wildlife is nature lovers territory. The riv...
Rate Guide
From R900 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Glen Eden Farm
Montagu, Western Cape
Glen Eden Farm is 50 hectares of countryside, just 14km outside of Montagu. There are 5 cottages and 2 glamping sites (glamourous camping). All cottages have privat...
Rate Guide
From R1400 to R3500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Mountain View Swellendam
Swellendam, Western Cape
Comprising The Cottage (sleeps 4) and The Lodge (4 units, sleeps 10 in total), and set in fynbos gardens overlooking the historic town of Swellendam against the backdrop ...
Rate Guide
From R1000 to R2550, depending on unit, guests and time of year
The Gaia Sanctuary
Swellendam, Western Cape
The Gaia Sanctuary invites guests to visit our little slice of sanctuary, our very own heaven on earth, for a completely back-to-mother-earth experience, to leave your he...
Rate Guide
From R128 to R1466, 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