Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm, De Rust, Western Cape on Budget-Getaways

Budget Getaways Review

Dozing under Karoo skies 12km from De Rust in the Swartberg foothills, Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm is a fusion of rural surrounds and organic lifestyle.

The lovingly restored cottage, with its roughly plastered walls and solar energy, is the jewel in this eco-crown. “A little slice of bliss.” “A lovely escape to a beautiful farm.” “All in all, a delightful getaway,” are just a few of the comments spilling out of the guestbook.

The cottage is powered and lit solely by gas and solar, the workings of which your friendly host will walk you through on arrival.

Stepping inside, you’ll find cement screed floors, riet ceilings with exposed beams, and those earthy walls that incorporate moulded shelves and interesting nooks and crannies.

There’s a single main bedroom with Queen bed, a fully equipped kitchen with gas oven and hob, and a bathroom with loo and shower.

The living room sports comfy couches, a futon for them kids you couldn't palm off to the in-laws, a fireplace, and shelves crammed with reading matter.

Back in the open air, captivating views unfold across the farm's veggie garden and up into the Swartberg peaks.

Gentle farm strolls, quiet gravel roads to explore by mountain bike, easy access to the modest hamlet of De Rust, are all on the to-do list.

Staying on the farm itself, you can chill at the outdoor entertainment zone, tuck into a legendary Numbi pizza, escape the heat with a wallow in the plunge pool, or, for something quite different, enjoy a herb bath in the great outdoors - hot water supplied by cob fire.

With a combo of unique accommodation and plenty of down-to-earth feel-good character, a few days at Numbi may be just what you need to calm those jangly city nerves.

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Guest Reviews

"We had the most fantastic time in Numbi Valley and really struggled to leave. The desolate beauty of the surroundings, the peacefulness, the cozy but spacious cottage all made for such a lovely experience. On top of that, Kathryn and Ross are fantastic and caring hosts. We enjoyed all the special treats they provided, namely the fruit and veg basket, the homemade pizza, a massage and a fantastic hot bath under the stars. I could have spent quite a few more days just reading in the hammock and enjoying the views from the pool and terrace, and would be ecstatic to return any time!"

(visited Mar 2019)

"I had been looking for an excuse to stay at Numbi for some time having read all the favourable reviews and we finally found ourselves in that area on a return journey from Addo. From quick responses to our emails to the fabulous greeting on our arrival and the beautiful setting and comfy, well equipped cottage, we were not disappointed. It really was that good. We arrived there badly in need of a rest from 6 solid days of driving around the parks and so Numbi was just what the doctor ordered... rest, peace and quiet, and privacy to just sit and take in those wonderful views from one of three different outdoor seating areas interspersed with a leisurely swim in the gorgeous fresh water pool soothing body and soul! We could have taken a walk to the dam or walked anywhere in the property, but we felt so at home and relaxed in the cottage that we didn't. So now I have a ready-made excuse to go back again, and go back we most definitely will! Thank you Katherine for our wonderful stay."

(visited Jan 2017)

"It was absolutely stunning, a very private setting with picturesque views from the pergola/pool/pizza oven. Having only one cottage and no-one else around makes it a very relaxing and quiet stay. Kath and Ross' hospitality and kind nature made the trip even more special. They proved that one can live off the grid and be self sustainable, that you don't need much to live a happy life. We will most definitely spread the word."

(visited Dec 2016)

"We are still reeling after our wonderful stay at this beautiful farm. Wonderful hospitality (Kath and Ross are very gracious hosts who also make fabulous pizzas), they took time to show us around the farm and shared their experiences and knowledge. The whole place exudes a really good energy that makes you feel calm, welcome and content. Even our doggies had a fabulous time. Kath, Ross and their farm are truly an inspiration and they have inspired us in many ways. We can definitely rate our stay as one of the best we have experienced and we have done many a road trip around the country (with our 3 fur kids of course). We hope to return some day. The veggie basket was also a highlight (good for body and soul!)"

(visited October 2016)

"A total inspiration from the moment we drove through the gate! Besides being beautiful, cozy, immaculate, beyond peaceful and relaxing, this creation by Ross and Kath is a must for anyone with an interest in an alternative and sustainable way of life. Many thanks to you both for being so generous and gracious with all our questions and being so willing to share your knowledge and expertise!"

(visited Oct 2016)

"We had such a great time at Numbi Valley! Everything was amazing: the view, the cottage, the organic garden... What Kathryn and Ross have done with this place really is impressive! They were very available and helpful when we needed something. I highly recommend it."

(visited Sep 2016)

"This farm is a total inspiration! On arrival we received a gift of Numbi Valley organic olive oil and fresh veggies from the garden, which were the best we have ever tasted. We did a permaculture garden tour with Kath, and Ross showed us the cob buildings and simple yet totally effective solar systems. We walked in the hills surrounding the farm, loved the wood fired pizzas they make from scratch and swam in the spring fed fresh water pool when it got hot. The clean and comfortable cottage is creative, equipped perfectly for self catering and has beautiful views. We especially enjoyed the bird baths around the cottage which attract a wonderful array of species. We had booked for two nights but stayed for 3 and could have stayed longer. We loved this place!"

"We loved it at Numbi. It was so relaxing and surprisingly, it was an amazing winter getaway. The well designed fireplace in the living area throws out so much heat! The fire in the bathroom for the hot water made it a treat to get undressed. The cottage was warm and cosy. We had a fire bath that I'll remember forever... What an awesome experience! With gorgeous views, and a spectacular night sky, I would recommend this beautiful place to anyone. Kath and Ross made our stay so memorable. Their attention to detail made this my most interesting and memorable holiday."

(visited Aug 2016)

"I highly recommend a stay at Numbi Valley. Our hosts, Kath and Ross were wonderful giving us our privacy whilst making sure we had everything we needed. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful, beautiful space, this is the spot to be! We also enjoyed some delicious pizza from the wood fired oven, and two fantastic hot tubs under the starry, starry sky...this a spot not to be missed."

(visited Jul 2016)

"If you like to get away and experience something different and peaceful, this is it! We loved the pool, especially my 2 year old daughter. We had lovely evenings under the stars around the fire. I was amazed at the clever veggie garden with so much variety. Oh, and the pizzas were delicious. Kath and Ross were very welcoming and great hosts. We could easily have stayed a third night."

(visited Mar 2016)

"I have just spent a week at this paradise in the Little Karoo. I used the time to absorb the beautiful views, relax in the hammock at the pool, enjoy the fresh garden produce and take walks through the succulent Karoo hills surrounding the valley. The cottage is clean and comfy and I loved the quirky attention to detail throughout this farm. There were spectacular sunsets and night skies during my visit. Kath and Ross are great relaxed hosts and I would highly recommend a visit to this unique spot."

(visited Jan 2016)

"Numbi Valley has a beauty and stillness about it that is quite unique. Katharine and Ross have applied their artistic talents to create an incredibly special and rejuvenating place to relax and enjoy a real slowing down of time. It is one of the most wondrous spots I have visited in the Karoo. Everywhere we looked, we found touches of magic and beauty. We hope to return many times."

(visited Dec 2015)

"Amazing time spent whilst on our honeymoon. It was like home away from home. I would definitely go back in the future."

(visited April 2015)

"My husband and I had an awesome time on our honeymoon. The tranquility was just what we needed after the wedding."

"I came to Numbi needing a retreat time,this beautiful unassuming farm being my first choice for such an endevour for many reasons. Even though I live on a farm not far from the Middleplaas my life there does not have the solitude and complete quiet that I need to regenerate and heal. Numbi not only encourages me to eat more consciously (the vege garden is a delight even during this intense drought), it provides an environment free of every kind of pollution and one that flows with the natural cycles. The solar works but you want to have the darkness and the firelight and stars at night. The Firebath room at Numbi is one of the best I have ever experienced and I reveled in the wonderful healing of this natural hydrotherapy treatment. I soaked in a comfrey and Epsom salt bath as the sun set and slept like I have not done in years. The hospitality was fantastic and maybe I am biased because Kathryn and Ross have become dear friends who say little but walk their walk with clear intent.I can highly recommend the space for anyone wanted to reconnect with nature, themselves and life, in an uncluttered and spectacular setting. I will be going back. Soon."

(visited March 2015)

"Rustic, secluded, peaceful, amazing setting, excellent hosts are just a few words to describe this sleepy little place. If eco-friendly and sustainability interest you then hosts Katherine and Ross are keen to share their knowledge and enthusiasm on the subject. If privacy and seclusion is what you are after then they will happily oblige. We spent two nights here and wished we could have stayed longer. There is plenty to explore in the area although we enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the small farm itself and were happy to dip into the pool (with an unsurpassed view) on a hot, dry afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed this true back-to-nature experience."

"We spent three wonderful nights on the farm and wish we could have spent at least one more if not an entire week! This spot is all about relaxing and letting your battery recharge. The pool was wonderful to dip into when it got warm and the Numbi pizza oven turned out a delicious treat or two one afternoon. The space has great views and had everything we needed. If you are an active person and need to get out and about then there are places to visit and beautiful areas in the surrounds to drive through. Knysna is not far and Oudtshoorn is just down the road. We even enjoyed an evenings entertainment at the Kalgat Kudu in little village of de Rust. All in all a superb way to start a three week holiday and we will most certainly make an effort to be back at some stage."

(visited January 2015)

"We had the most wonderful stay at Numbi Valley. The accommodation was totally superb, we loved lighting the little fire to heat the water for our showers and we slept so peacefully and comfortably every night. The hot tub under the stars was an incredible experience and the views fed our souls. We wished we could stay longer to read all the lovely books in the cottage and spend more time just enjoying being there. The vegetable garden and chicken coop impressed us so much, what a wonderful achievement to see flourishing the way it is. We enjoyed the fresh produce and are infatuated with the cob houses built so lovingly and offering such cosy spaces. Well done Kath and Ross. We highly recommend Numbi Valley to everyone out there! And thank you for taking such good care of us. Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration."

"Awesome stay! We will be back next year for the Karoo to Coast and stay here. Thanks Kath for your hospitality, it was great meeting you guys."

"We had mixed feelings about our experience. On one hand, the views over the valley were absolutely beautiful and we loved the hand-made and earthy feel of the cottage and that it was ecologically built. To top it off, we saw the most spectacular sunset we've ever seen. So we were very grateful to have had the experience of spending an evening there. However we really struggled with the amount of insects inside the cottage, to the point that we ended up leaving in the middle of the first night. We hit our breaking point after a bat came through the chimney and was flying around the room with abandon. I imagine that the bug situation varies depending on the time of the year, so you should inquire when you book and at least make sure you have mosquito nets. We were informed only after we left that there were nets in the cottage, so you should ask the caretaker where they are and how to set them up. We are not the prissy types, but we were on vacation with our parents and the idea of sleeping two nights in a hot cottage with bugs crawling on us all night was not our idea of a relaxing holiday. Actually we were wishing we had brought our tent. We would have happily pitched it up outside as it is really, really beautiful and peaceful corner of the world. The ordeal ended up costing us quite a lot as we paid double, two nights in a hotel in addition to the two nights at the farm. Although we received a written apology from the caretaker, we have not received any kind of refund."

(visited December 2014)

Getaway Reply

"Hi Tana, so sorry to hear about your uncomfortable night at the farm cottage. Occasionally, on random nights, we have more than normal amounts of insects in the Klein Karroo, but it is not the norm. The mozzi nets are there for those nights when it happens, sincere apologies that you were only told about them the following morning. If you are ever in the area again, please get hold of us and we will happily comp you a couple of nights on the farm for you to enjoy."

(Kathryn Eybers)

"What an absolute little gem is this place. The GPS gets very upset when she tries to find Numbi and left us stranded on a dirt road with no house in sight as she announced you have reached your destination. The police came to our rescue and escorted us on a little farm road to Numbi. It is nice rustic place with old farm implements and old weapons like bow and arrows for decorating. All the utensils you need for stay are at hand. More than enough firewood to light up the evening sky with it brilliant sky. An friendly and helpful overseer called Janus Strydom that came around on horseback to inquire if everything is in order. We sat for hours under the trees on various chairs and wooden banks reading books and gazing in absolute silence over the field with no human being in sight. It was a little on the chilly to make use of the splash pool, but definitely we will make use of the pool next. If you want to get away from the busy city life this is the place for you."

(visited September 2014)

"Amazing!"

(visited July 2014)

"Being seasonal travelers crossing the Western Cape on a weekly basis we both agreed that this is definitely one of our top 10 places to revisit, and what a Karoo Gem we found. Nothing was a effort for our hosts. Fantastic home cooked food, salads and pizza just to name a few. Good value for money. Thank you for making our stay memorable, the romantic outdoor "bergie" bath experience and the DIY hot water bathroom system all made it even more special, the privacy you granted us even so you were right next door were appreciated, the lovely open space and De Rust just a short 15-minute drive with a few fantastic restaurants, artisan brewery, some local arts and craft stores and Meirings Poort is close should you miss the "city buzz". We knew all of these lovely places but preferred to enjoy the "Bliss". This is a ideal mid week three night stay for lovers and we hope to be back soon."

(visited May 2014)

"What a fantastic place to stay! As you turn off the main road onto the gravel road leading to the farm you leave behind any bit of stress or tension, the outside chill out zone with hammock and loungey corners is most thoughtfully created, very atmospheric and makes you feel a million miles away from it all. The cottage is super spacious, endless love to the detail throughout every corner inside & out, a true 'in the middle of nature' experience, lovely couple taking care of everything, cannot recommend this place enough."

(visited April 2014)

"We have been visiting the Numbi Valley Farm several times, and every time we have a different but totally awesome holiday. The views are always stunning, the gardens are always beautiful, and filled with fresh veggies and fruit, the cottage is clean, cosy and so beautifully furnished. I would recommend a visit to the farm for anyone and everyone that wants a break with a difference and beauty. The farm is filled with light, love and peace. Awesome!"

(visited February 2014)

"I could say so many positive things about this beyond beautiful place, but it would take too long! Suffice to say that it surpassed all our expectations. It is totally different from every other place we have been to (and we have travelled extensively here and abroad). Kathryn and Ross epitomise the natural, environmentally friendly lifestyle which is becoming more and more popular, but they are truly committed to this. The cottage we stayed in has the most wonderful ambience, spotlessly clean with everything we needed but basic and very natural. The farm exudes a calm and serene feeling, the views are to die for, the stars at night are spectacular and one immediately feels at peace. Kathryn and Ross are a wonderful warm couple and made us feel so welcome. There was only one problem - we were en-route to Morgan Bay where we had a reservation and could not spend more time there - but we will be back!"

Numbi Valley Permaculture Farm

De Rust, Western Cape

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