Rate Guide
From R900 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Quick Facts
E 20°22'32''
Budget Getaways Review
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 river forms the focus here - a sluggish serpent of water that's created a canyon-type landscape. Swimming, kayaking and general water baljaar are all on tap.
Moving away from the water, there's ample space to hike, bike and play, as well as a range of wildlife (including resident antelope) and birdlife on the farm.
Your sleeping quarters come in three forms; true to their rugged setting, all are basic, yet comfortable, and well positioned to enjoy in the surrounds.
Kicking off with Die Rooidakhuis (sleeps 8), this rugged stone house gazes out over the farm valley, where you can take it all in from a comfy covered stoep. You've got an ensuite double room and a second room with twin beds. Up in the loft there are four three-quarter beds (great for the kids). The kitchen is open-plan and well equipped, and you've got a big fireplace-indoor braai in the living area, plus built-in braai outside.
Moving along to The Cottage (sleeps two), this little stone-walled unit sits on the river bank. It's open-plan, with a Queen bed. There's an indoor fireplace, outdoor seating on the patio and a loo with shower. Extra bedding can be arranged for the kids if they're joining you.
About 200m from the two smaller units and also on the river is a communal lapa featuring braai area, fully equipped cooking facilities and an eating area. Nearby, there is a kids play zone and easy access to the water.
Getting to Aloe Canyons Guest Farm is via a 12 kay tar road from Swellendam, followed by 16km of decent gravel - if you're worried about those low profiles, maybe it's not for you.
Raw and natural landscape, flowing water, a comfy bed, big open skies, we say give it a go.
"Check the weather before you book! If it's going to be windy, I won't recommend going with small children, as you will be stuck inside (without TV and a very bad data signal), unless you don't mind being blown away. The house was well equipped. The beds were great, lovely white, crisp sheets and bedding and enough extra blankets if needed. The Eland and Springboks and other wildlife on the farm were a huge treat, as they come very close to the house to feed and you can watch them from the lovely stoep. The fireplace/braai inside and outside the house works very well and the wood which can be bought from the owners is decent and well priced. The fact that the house is actually very old (from the 1700s) gives it a lot of character."
(visited Sep 2019)
"Absolutely wonderful place between serenity and the stars. Spacious and beautifully decorated house with everything one would need for a lazy weekend or more and a night silence so thick you can only hear yourself breathe. Loved it!"
(visited Jul 2018)
"Wonderful, well equipped cottage. Will certainly be back."
(visited Jul 2018)
"Wonderful weekend break, an amazing location with great options for camping or staying in a house, the owners we're super hospitable. We will be back for sure"
(visited Jul 2018)
"We stayed at the Aloe Canyons cottage and absolutely LOVED it. The getaway is magical, in the middle of nowhere, a tiny spot called Cloeteskraal off the beaten path between Swellendam and De Hoop. The idealic scenery on arrival is rolling farm lands dotted with aloes and plenty of wild animals to gaze at. As my man and I arrived on the Friday at sunset we were greeted by a family of Eiland and three charming springbok who curiously checked us out while we sat with a sun downer on our deck. The brackish Kraal river runs just in front of the stoop where we braaied and watched the stars, sipping our red wine, absorbing the sounds of nature on both nights. The Oxwagen and die lapa are a stones throw away so perfect for families with kids- if you don't mind the Eiland using the jungle gym too. Our host Maarthie was very friendly and so relaxed, we saw her on arrival when she brought her son Dirk to say hi and welcome us. Then we left to our own devices under the pretense 'I'm just a whats app away if you need anything'. That was nice. We enjoyed a relaxed Sunday as she said we were in no rush to leave and she doesn't take booking on Sundays for that reason (we wish more hosts would be that considerate!). I would recommend a drive in to Swellendam, there is an amazing coffee shop directly across from the info center which we bought take away wraps from (highly recommend the greek lamb with tzatsiki and humus but the pulled pork was also delish). We then packed a cooler and drove around the Bontebok national park (SAs smallest national park) for the day enjoying the beautiful scenery, fynbos and diverse wildlife. On the Sunday we drove down to Malgas to stop for a drink at the bush pub and a pizza at the Boathouse before taking the gravel road home. Absolute bliss. We also enjoyed two stunning trail runs each morning, one route was a 5 km directly around the farm premises (hurdling over the odd Eiland poop) and the second a 5 km on the gravel road to Cloeteskraal and back. We will definitely return and can't wait to bring my family from the UK to visit Aloe Canyons!"
(visited Apr 2018)
"We stayed for two nights in the cottage. Our kids had such fun and went on an adventure on their own. They really enjoyed the freedom and playing in the river. The stone cottage is lovely - just keep the door closed because the flies are annoying."
(visited Dec 2017)
"This was an incredible getaway. We absolutely loved our stay here. The cottage was beautiful and the setting breathtaking. Marthie was a wonderful hostess and very very welcoming and hospitable. The best part of our stay was watching the wildlife from our deck. We will definitely go back."
(visited December 2017)
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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