Rate Guide
From R640 to R1430, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Quick Facts
E 21°54'02''
Budget Getaways Review
This 19th-century barn has come a long way since the days when it housed wagons, ploughs and probably a flock or two of sheep escaping the Karoo death-chill.
It's a somewhat different place today - lovingly and tastefully restored, it's a Karoo melting pot of old-world rural topped with a dollop of modern comfort.
Situated just off the R62 (30km from Oudtshoorn and 20km from Calitzdorp), Bella de Karoo is the kind of place where you can overnight on your Karoo sojourn or simply kick back and watch the days drift by.
If you're more of an A-type, Bella sits in a hub of action - with several nature reserves close by and a myriad backroads to explore we would definitely advise packing the mountain bike, hiking boots, bird book and cozzie for the local spa. Plus, of course there's Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp, each with their own lure.
Still not sold? Lets get onto the barn accommodation itself… Six large, comfortable rooms are period-decorated with interesting bits and pieces, including free-standing baths in the bathrooms. Room one sports a double bed and a single bed, while room two and three have two single beds. Room four has a double, two single beds and a double bunk bed.
The rooms open to a shared covered patio with a nice view and central boma and fireplace for evening braais and copious glasses of Port - the perfect spot to reflect on a dusty day's mountain biking.
Separate from the barn and part of the main farm house are rooms five and six. These rooms both have a double and one single bed.
Complementing Bella De Karoo is Estelle’s landmark trading post and restaurant, “Bella de Karoo”. It's a mere stone's throw from your accommodation and offers lekker vibe, tasty home-cooked meals, farmstyle coffee and home-baked bread, and plenty in the way of home-grown craft, bakes and preserves.
Given "Bella de Karoo's" proximity and good value, Bella de Karoo also slots into the 'great group getaway' category, as there's no need to bother with catering.
With comfortable accommodation that blends like a chameleon into the setting, easy dining, and a host of options to keep you either busy or superchilled, Bella de Karoo is a perfect base to this corner of the Klein Karoo.
"My family and I enjoyed a five night stay at Bella de Karoo and it surpassed all our expectations. From the white bed linen, filter coffee and homemade rusks that was included, to the sumptuous breakfasts we enjoyed each morning at the farmstall, everything was of excellent standard. We also enjoyed the Karoo splash pool: a typical plaas dam that provided the necessary cooling down. We enjoyed braaiing every single night, as the lapa gave ample ambiance to socialise with other holidaygoers. Management were a stone-throw away and at our beck and call. Bella de Karoo will definitely see us again!"
(visited December 2015)
"I have stayed at many establishments like this and knew what to expect of the accommodation. I was not disappointed. It's rustic charm was just perfect and the comfortable bedding, piping hot water, quiet and peaceful surrounds made for deep sleeps and relaxing downtime. What really set this stay apart was the way the hosts welcomed us, bending over backwards to make our stay perfect and memorable. As a restaurant owner I needed to run payrolls and place orders so had to get online. Whilst there is free wifi at their lovely SmitsWinkel farmstall, they have yet to install it in their rooms. When I phoned to ascertain how I would connect, Eunice invited me to use their wifi & drink coffee in front of the fire in their farm house which I did at 10:30pm. When I told her it was my son's 11th birthday, she announced that she would bake him a cake which was delicious. Not only did her family make us feel welcome, their two cats, two dogs and two kittens treated us like family, delighting my son and I with their extremely cute and friendly affections. We ate breakfast at the farm stall on each of the three mornings and I can only rave about the food! Their generous portions and awesome rooster koek was just to die for. I enjoyed their bacon, cheese and onion rooster koek on the second day so much I ordered one for takeaway lunch on the way home and their omlette was the best I've ever had. I will definitely stay their again and recommend it to anyone who is looking for rustic, budget, child friendly time!"
(visited July 2015)
"Quaint room."
(visited October 2013)
"We had a great time at Bella de Karoo where we stayed for three nights. Our hosts were exceptional and we felt welcome from the start. The accommodations was luxurious for a farm setting, yet the atmosphere was always welcoming and down to earth. My children (7 & 9) loved having access to all the animals (pets and livestock) especially the puppies, and I was graciously given access to some space in Marianne's office to keep in contact with my office in the US. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant and everything was tasty, well prepared and served by friendly helpful staff. I highly recommend Bella de Karoo to anyone that wants to experience life on the historic R62 in the Klein Karoo."
(visited June 2012)
"We loved our stay at Bella de Karoo, it has a touch of olde worlde simplicity and charm, with surprising little touches. It was like being in a time warp of yesteryear. Value for money; unsurpassed."
(visited May 2012)
"Marianne was a lovely host, and the farmstall is worth a browse during your stay - it was just a very lovely and relaxing stay!"
(visited May 2012)
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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 • 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 • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • 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