Rate Guide
R1400 per night for the Boat House plus an additional R250 if you're using The Caravan.
Quick Facts
E 21°01'23''
Budget Getaways Review
Oshoek, the Borain family farm, lies in a beautiful valley, along the banks of the tidal Duiwenhoks River. Besides 21ha of pristine fynbos and 600m of private river frontage, you’ll find a rustic river cabin, a large outdoor kitchen, open-air shower and a central fire pit. It’s a Huck Finn scene second to none, the kind of place where you’ll doze off to the sound of the river lapping on the edge of the jetty and a log crackling on the fire as the night sets in.
Taking a scout around, central to the lawned riverfront is The Boat House, a rustic, off-grid wooden cabin, with double doors that can be thrown open to a greeting of rural views and of course the gorgeous Duiwenhoks River. Inside you’ve got a fireplace, equipped kitchenette with gas stove and a solar-powered fridge. The bedroom is open plan and decked out with a comfy queen bed and an extra single bed, suitable for a child.
Recently added as a fun extension to The Boathouse is The Caravan (This can only be booked with The Boathouse), a retro Jurgens, sitting pretty under the shade of a nearby tree. The Caravan sleeps two people in a double bed and can make a useful addition if you’ve got the kids, or another couple to hunker down in for the night. There is built in lighting installed, as well as an outdoors kitchen and braai area alongside.
Both The Boathouse and The Caravan make use of two separate loos and the funky outdoor shower area.
Oshoek isn’t the kind of place you want to be rushing around trying to keep busy. With the river right there, you might opt for the occasional plunge to cool off or a quick check of the rod to make sure your bait’s still in tact. The river is a nature conservation area, so no water-skiing or tubing is permitted. The river mouth and beach lies 5km downstream. This can only be accessed by boat - you can bring your own boat. Fishing is allowed by licence, so definitely bring your rod and tackle - cob, spotted grunter, elf and haarder are on the cards. Trolling and night fishing is not permitted.
With a setting like this, it’s hard to imagine anyone not already grabbing their fishing gear, loading the SUP’s and hitting the road, so get cracking, here’s a place where you can make some magical memories.
"What an amazing spot! Highly recommended. We rented out the fully equipped boat house that is right on the river and then some of our party camped. Nice hot gas showers, solar power all you need and then some. Loved it. Will definitely be back again soon"
(visited January 2024)
"Best setting ever!"
(visited November 2023)
"I liked OSHOEK BOAT HOUSE, good electricity all off grid spacious grounds to camp in. we took our motor home -panelvan camper and we were super stoked to find a well stocked kitchen area, the slipway was a bit tricky but a good 4x4 soon sorted the boat launch out. We also love Frans!"
(visited Apr 2023)
"Large group of families and we had a fantastic time. Such a gem."
(visited March 2023)
"Awesome place to be for a couple days, on the river, lots of shade trees, fully equipped outdoor kitchen. A privilege to be there."
(visited February 2023)
"Awesome location!"
(visited Nov 2022)
"Incomparably terrific humans to deal with."
(visited Aug 2022)
"A lovely place. We were well looked after."
(visited Nov 2017)
"For us this spot was perfect. A quiet comfortable space, no one else around, no lights at night, a quiet beautiful river devoid of selfish powerboats with screaming kids being towed...great bird life, wonderful hospitality (i.e. welcoming but left you alone!). We loved it and will be back for sure."
(visited Dec 2016)
"Beautiful setting, and the river is lovely. If you take a small boat, there is a lot to do. We found it a bit pricey and our house (Peters house) was big and well equipped but a bit gloomy/dark."
(visited May 2015)
"Little over priced for self catering units and in my particular unit fridge and some of the equipment could do with an upgrade. Fabulous setting and fishing/boating venue right on the river. Will definitely go back for another visit."
(visited February 2015)
"A very special and wonderful place, a dream place to visit. Peter is a wonderful host too!"
(visited January 2015)
"I would love to give Oshoek a really bad review in the hope that it doesn't get too popular because this place (and the area) really is a well kept secret. We stayed in the converted boathouse situated right next to the river and for five days came in contact with only two people. If you want peace and quiet and seclusion to rejuvenate your soul, this is the place to be. Limited cell phone coverage (unless you go for a good hike to the top of the hill behind the house) and no TV, just the music from the myriad of birds. We paddled on the river and did a couple of long hikes that were fantastic. If you do happen to run out of provisions it is not far to either Stilbaai, Heidelberg or Riversdale. I have to stress though that this is not the place for everybody, I know a lot of people don't like to be so cut-off from the world and need all the mod cons to get by. This place is for those who love the simple things in life and getting back to basics, although they certainly supply everything you could possibly need, from kitchen goodies (a microwave is supplied but we didn't even plug it in) to the shower and toilet (two separate rooms outside, toilet with a view if you leave the door open) to the bed which is very comfy and warm with extra blankets if you need and lots of towels. Some might find it a bit expensive but you are definitely paying for the peace and quiet, privacy and beauty of the place. Worth every penny! I could go on and on. Our host Peter's genuine warmth and friendliness made us feel so welcome and he is a mine of information. Thanks Peter and thanks for those lovely newly laid eggs from the farm and we promise we will get together for a beer next time! Because there is definitely going to be a next time. This is one place we will go back to again and again. Oh and most important, for a water front place in the bush we had hardly any bugs to speak of. Plugged in a mossie pad at night for "just in case" but never heard one and only saw a couple of flies. We get more at home in the city! It was really great and unexpected."
(visited January 2015)
"Firstly, to the Budget Fetaways team, so glad I picked up your wee book, it's excellent. The booking via your website worked well with quick response from the Oshoek Farm. Finally got back to the Duivenhoks River, an enchanting place, only spoiled by local landowners not allowing access to the river mouth by car or foot. The Oshoek Farm is lovely. The boathouse is surrounded by water and forest so excellent bird life. The boathouse is small and basic, but in a lovely setting and is highly recommended. The kitchen needs a larger worktop, but hard to fit that into the small space! Josie Borain was a delight to deal with."
(visited September 2014)
"Absolutely loved this place. Eight adults and nine kids spent a beautiful weekend here, something for everyone here. Put this one in your diary."
(visited October 2010)
"I love this farm! Especially if you have the whole place filled with your favourite friends. The three houses are close enough and far enough apart to make for a good big group getaway. We had my husbands 40th there a few years back and it is a stunning corner of heaven, a valley all to yourself with a river running by - excellent spot"
(visited June 2010)
"A wonderful weekend! Will be back."
(visited January 2009)
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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