Quick Facts
E 19°30'07''
Budget Getaways Review
Geez, talk about setting the bar high! If the gushing and poetic feedback we've received on Klein Watervalplaas is anything to go by, this getaway spot in the Hemel en Aarde Valley is a Budget gem.
For the full unabridged versions check out the comments below, but to get them getaway juices flowing herewith a few choice snippets: "Klein Watervalplaas does what few self-catering getaways manage to do. It finds perfect balance between comfort and rustic appeal. The setting is breath-taking, tranquil, relaxed and rejuvenating. This is a getaway that lives up to its promises."
"Klein Watervalplaas gets it right. The setting is tranquil and calm and a real return to nature… The accommodation is rustic yet very comfortable, with everything one needs right on hand. I recommend this ultimate getaway without hesitation."
And so it goes, one glowing comment after the next...
Moving onto the cold facts, Klein Watervalplaas really does 'nestle' in a pretty valley in the little known hamlet of Teselaarsdal, which sits more or less midway between Caledon (23km) and Hermanus (30km).
There are three cottages, two are reincarnated outbuildings: Toolshed Cottage (sleeps 2) and The Milking Shed (sleeps 4); and the Bush Cottage (sleeps 4).
Again, taking from the reviews, the cottages fit the increasingly fashionable 'rustic-modern' theme - true to their roots, but not at the expense of home comfort and design.
All cottages are fully equipped with gas hob, fridge/freezer, gas hot water, as well as the usuals like towels and linen and all kitchen utensils. Water is abundant, which means green all round. The farm is also home to Ahmad Arabian Stud and the horses love to put on a show every now and then, as do our alpacas.
Birdlife is rich, including... free range chickens. There's plenty of scope for pleasant walks and easy mountain biking, or just chilling at the small dam. And if you get the itch, Hermanus is a mere 30km down the road, and wine estates and all around you.
As we said, Klein Watervalplaas has the sweet whiff of a Budget gem in the making.
Additional Info
- Guests can bring their dog/s, just keep in mind that there are chickens, geese and other animals that roam free on the farm and this can be a very big temptation
- There is no DSTV or TV�s in the cottages
- Wood is provided for fireplaces but bring your own braai wood/charcoal as the supplied is not suitable for braaing
- Low profile tyres and lowered/sports vehicles are not recommended
- Cell phone reception varies
- Picnic baskets available on request (book in advance)
- In-cottage meals available (book in advance)
"Very peaceful, very relaxing. Beautiful setting. Rustic accommodation with everything we needed for great weekend away with friends. The wood stove kept us cosy despite the extremely stormy weather!"
(visited September 2023)
"very relaxed setting on the farm with all the animals, lovely stone cottage"
(visited Feb 2023)
"Amazing dinners! Dog and kid friendly. We stayed at Bush cottage"
(visited Mar 2021)
"A really lovely place, away from it all, but with farm animals and dogs for company! Hosts were friendly and helpful, but not obtrusive. Beautiful walks through the fynbos with stunning views of the surrounding farmlands and mountains. They also offer delicious picnics / meals prepared by prior arrangement, which is a fantastic facility to make use of. We had a really excellent picnic, which we enjoyed next to the dam. I recommend the bush cottage, which is very private. The quality of the bed and bedding was exceptionally good, which was a refreshing change from many other establishments."
(visited January 2021)
"What a wonderful little find! Quiet, out-of-the-way, relaxing, everything you could ask for when wanting some R&R. Nelise and Mikael were wonderfully accommodating and made you feel like you didn't have to rush. A fantastic spot for kids, a place where they could really run free. Accommodation is exactly what you need and very comfortable."
(visited Sep 2020)
"A lovely family getaway."
(visited March 2020)
"A great spot for families with young children especially as the Milking Shed cottage we stayed in is literally right in the middle of a farm filled with every conceivable animal. Very friendly hosts allowed us to join feeding time and say hello to the beautiful Arabian horses. A great dam is a short walk away for a glorious swim and place to park off under a home made shade area. The best secret of the visit is the little waterfall (which gives the farm its name) about 15 minute walk up and into the fynbos where you can enjoy a very shallow but delicious wallow in a fresh waterfall pool. Drawbacks (or things to improve on) are the exposed nature of the cottage and a rather under equipped kitchen, but nothing that detracts significantly from the experience. Be prepared for lots of animal noises right through the night! We had a lovely casual, peaceful time seeing in the New Year. Thank you Klein Watervalplaas!"
(visited Dec 2019)
"Fantastic scenery. Farm life is great, no hustle of City life. Great for kids. Gravel road was a bit of a challenge with a brand new vehicle other than that we had a awesome weekend. Thanks to Mike was great."
(visited Jun 2018)
"We had the most wonderful time at Klein Watervalplaas! The setting couldn't be more beautiful. There are lovely friendly farm animals everywhere, a great host and a cozy cottage. Our favorite!"
(visited Nov 2017)
"We had a great time and found the venue serene & restful!"
(visited Oct 2017)
"Once again the most awesome 3 days spent surrounded by those majestic mountains.Haven on earth!.We were also spoiled by Mikael with a bunch of beautiful proteas. We will be back soon!"
(visited Jul 2017)
"My family and I (2 adults and one child) spent the Easter weekend at Klein Watervalplaas. The setting was very beautiful and accommodation very basic but comfortable. The host was friendly and the wide variety of animals on the farm kept us entertained. Although the weekend was very peaceful and restful, it was one that did not start very well! I downloaded the GPS coordinates from the Budget Getaway site (GPS:S-34.3706 E19.5017) which took us over 200kms from our final destination. This, over dirt roads and in pitch darkness without cell phone signals. We ended up near Elim and had to turn back and drive 65Kms on dirt roads again and this time in the rain! When we eventually managed to get cell phone signals back, Mikael, the owner, gave us the right coordinates (GPS:S-34.2215.8 E-19.30.6.7). We reached Klein Watervalplaas at 10:30 pm, with a very hungry, cold and tired family. The 110kms turned out to be closer to 290kms and took us the better part of 4 hours to cover (driving on many dirt roads in pitch dark and rain)!"
(visited Apr 2017)
"What a great find! Perfect for a totally peaceful weekend away from the city. Our kids, 5 and 7, had a fantastic time at the dam. We enjoyed a walk to the waterfall / stream, and it was great fun having the various farm animals wandering about. The cottage was clean, comfortable and fairly well equipped. We loved the little touch of fresh farm eggs on arrival. We would definitely recommend."
(visited Mar 2017)
"Definitely will be returning to Klein Watervalplaas soon. Mikael was an amazing, friendly and a very helpful host. The farm style, modernized chalets was fantastic. The surroundings were absolutely breath taking. The perfect location to get away from the city life. A very big thank you to Mikael for the great experience and an amazing weekend."
(visited Feb 2017)
"We fell in love with this getaway paradise where time literally stands still. Mike is a great host, the venue is indescribably beautiful and Mulligan (the 6 year old pooch with boundless energy) provides amusing company. Thank you for this much-needed opportunity to relax. We will be back!"
(visited Jan 2017)
"If you need rest, look no further! Super peaceful setting with abundant opportunity for interaction with farm animals. Mikael was a wonderful host (with the most interesting stories that we really enjoyed!). Sweet memories were made."
(visited Oct 2016)
"We had an amazing time - our little boy loved the farm and especially the selection of animals. He fell in love with the horses and we could not get him off the little tractor. Mikael was extremely helpful and hospitable and we would love to come stay again sometime in the near future. Next time we will definitely do a hike!"
(visited Jun 2016)
"It was a good value for money experience in a tranquil setting. It ticked most of the boxes.We really enjoyed our stay."
(visited Mar 2016)
"What a wonderful relaxing weekend. Heaven on earth!we're going back next month. We loved all the animals - true farm life."
(visited Mar 2016)
"Had a wonderful stay at the farm, quiet and relaxing. Geese were a bit nasty with us, but that's because of the chicks running around. Other than no TV to watch the rugby, we had a wonderful stay and want to thank Mikael for the hospitality. Will definitely see us again."
(visited January 2015)
"Fantastic stay, couldn't fault it."
(visited January 2015)
"It rained the whole weekend, and we had 2 children with us, but it was still an awesome venue."
(visited April 2013)
"My boyfriend and I really had a nice peaceful time in Tool Shed cottage. It's cozy and modern, thumbs up! The animals and the surroundings really gave us a feeling or peace and it felt like time stood still. The day felt so full. We enjoyed our walks and playing with the chickens and watching Max chase the horses. He is suck a character and has so much energy. It was also so amazing the amount of stars that can be seen from the farm. It was really something special and you will be seeing us again. I will and have already recommended this place to my friends and family, and anyone who is looking for that homely feeling away from home."
(visited April 2013)
"Rick was the perfect host, ensuring we had everything we needed and more. On arrival we found a roaring fire in the fireplace in the Milking Shed, and very quickly found ourselves at home. The Milking Shed was the perfect size for my wife and I (and the dog). Our dog thought he was in heaven, and spent hours playing with the resident Jack Russell or roaming the fields and paths with us. Klein Watervalplaas is perfect for a weekend getaway, if you want to unwind and enjoy the fresh air and quiet, feed the ponies and horses, and be stared at by the alpacas."
(visited September 2012)
"We enjoyed a fantastic stay at Klein Watervalplaas. The owner, Rick, went out of his way to make us feel welcome. We will be back."
(visited September 2012)
"Klein Watervalplaas is the ideal getaway if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I strongly recommend it for de-stressing and finding your feet again. The simplicity of the surroundings and the absence of frills and fancies add to the charm and tranquillity of the farm. The owner, Rick, does an excellent job of making you feel at home and seems to have a genuine feel and interest in his patrons. Thumbs up for that! I appreciated the effort in ensuring that privacy is of the utmost importance. Klein Watervalplaas is definitely seeing us again."
(visited September 2012)
"We had a fantastic, restful, peaceful long weekend, the kids could venture around, feed the animals, we did some horseriding, enough wood in the fireplace to keep out the chill and beautiful surrounds, good weather. We will certainly visit again and again! Thanks Rick!"
(visited April 2012)
"Rick was an amzing host and such a pleasure to spend time with as a person. He was welcoming but not "in your face". The accommodation and setting was amazing and the animals are all very well cared for and happy. We can highly recommend the farm for a complete rest and peaceful getaway... what a pleasure and awesome experience! Thanks to Rick and all his furry friends!"
(visited March 2012)
"Rick, thanks for a superb weekend ! My wife and I enjoyed our two day stay last weekend so very much. We even joked about going again this weekend for my birthday. All I can say is that you have a little bit of heaven on earth there and we are looking forward to bringing our kids with next time to enjoy the animals."
(visited March 2012)
"Klein Watervalplaas is the perfect place to get away from city life. Rick's farm, in the Hemel en Aarde valley, is peaceful and rustic. Our stay of 2 days in the newly renovated "milking shed" allowed my family to enjoy the country life: horses and alpacas, a hike,a horse ride, a swim and for those still needing the TV and wi-fi connection it is all there. The farm is very close to the Hermanus wine route which we explored. Lastly, but most importantly, Rick is a fantastic, helpful host."
(visited January 2012)
"Hi Rick, I hope that you're well. I must say that I got the tranquility that I was looking for at your farm and wished that we could've stayed longer. I posted some pics on Facebook and people have already asked me about it. I think that someone already contacted you but the place is booked for the time that they wanna go. Great get-away place for a weekend or whenever you feel the need to rest for a bit without the general visitors knocking, haha! It's so peaceful and the air is so fresh. I've thought about going to the countryside for a break though but we will definitely return. I am however glad that we left home early on thursday 'cos I don't think we would've found the place in the dark. Maybe you could encourage people to come early, if possible. After we left on thursday, we visited Hermanus before heading home. I've already recommended people to go there especially those who don't wanna be too far from home. Anyway, have a great festive season and be safe wherever you are. Thanks for a great stay. see you in the future.""
(visited December 2011)
"Great retreat, away from it all... Superb service, feels like visiting a friend. Fully self-catering, complete privacy. Great!"
(visited October 2011)
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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