Quick Facts
E 19°26'21''
Budget Getaways Review
Eselfontein is the oldest farm in the Ceres district and the source of the Breede River. With all the ingredients for great dog-eat-dog viewing it should also be a candidate for an upcoming series of Survivor.
Gushing streams, waterfalls, awesome views, a giant farm dam for skiing, windsurfing and wakeboarding, a looping mountain bike trail ranked among the Cape’s best, eagles, baboons, rare tortoises, buck, leopard spoor, trout and bass, fynbos, proteas, twisted rock formations and a barnyard of doe-eyed animals, are all in the mix. This enticing cocktail of untamed mountain and sprawling farmland promises a unique adventure getaway.
Complementing the setting is a lapa built entirely of reeds and bamboo, appointed under a thick copse of pin-needle pine at the foot of the mountain. If it’s undercarpet heating and DSTV you want, the lapa is definitely not for you and even a bottle-blonde Survivor candidate from South Carolina may struggle to adapt at first. But if you like your bread wholewheat, you’ll love the nutty rawness of the bushcamp.
It comprises a scattering of six reed and bamboo shelters/huts, each with two beds, rough timber floors and candle lamps, and an open-air communal lapa with a giant braai, stone tables and benches. A wood-burning donkey provides the simple luxury of hot water for washing dishes and showering – if you are so inclined.
What's more, staying here is a bargain because all the activities are part of the deal. Whether you opt to simply kick back next to a waterfall and think about your accountant friends in London, or make use of host Deon Malherbe’s playpen of adult toys, is entirely up to you. A brilliant getaway for those in search of adventure or raw nature.
All a little too raw for you? Well then, Eselfontein Self-catering House is the answer. We haven't got out there to see it yet but judging by the blurb, the pics, and what we've heard from others it's a lovely place. It overlooks the orchards and is a stone's throw from farm's big dam and Titusrivier.
There are five spacious bedrooms (two of them ensuite), a fitted kitchen with braai, an open-plan lounge and diningroom, and plenty in the way of traditional features. Sounds like a great option.
"Fantastic, we couldn't have found a better spot, hot but bladdy lekker, it's lovely and obscure, will be going back again."
(visited March 2004)
"Absolutely fantastic weekend. Although the camp is rustic it has everything you require and the setting with the dam nearby is incredible. A truly unique spot to visit. Dion was great to us, as he made every effort to ensure that we would be okay, as at one stage the weather looked to be turning nasty. Thanks to Dion for a great weekend on his dam."
(visited November 2003)
"I had an absolutely great and unforgetable weekend!! Deon was a great host."
(visited August 2002)
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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, 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 & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland