Quick Facts
E 21°04'60''
Budget Getaways Review
This little chunk of Karoo magic lies 25 kays from Ladismith, in a fertile farming valley circled by soft hills.
“I see where the name magic mountain comes from," remarks a chuffed guest. "At night it really is magical listening to the faint animal sounds in the distance.”
Taking a peek at the accommodation, it comes in the form of a humble yet well-appointed timber cottage, set alongside an apricot orchard, at a suitable distance from your host's home. What's more is that this snug little abode is solar- and gas-powered.
Ideal for a family of four, there's a main bedroom with double bed and a second twin room. The bathroom is shared, with shower.
A comfy living room leads off the equipped kitchen. Double doors open to a covered patio - if you're anything like us lazy slobs, this is where you'll be kicking back most of the time, while the kids work the jungle gym on the lawn.
There’s an outdoor braai area, with braai packs available from the main house.
A big bonus in summer is the perennial river cutting through the farm. It comes with an open pool for general wallowing.
Further afield there are a number of hikes and mountain bike routes, with the option of venturing up some spectacular swimming kloofs and waterfalls on a nearby farm. Well worth pursuing.
The guest feedback? Nothing but praise so far… “Very impressed with the attention given to detail in the accommodation. The cottage has lovely views of the apricot orchards, and the nearby river is a wonderful place to cool off in. The owners were very welcoming and eager to please. Well done!”
Book. Pack. Go.
"We have just returned from an absolutely amazing holiday on Magic Mountain Farm. The cottage is in the apricot orchards stretch surrounded by this beautiful view of the mountains, baby lambs and the refreshing clear river close by. The cottage has a very warm feel with ample hot water for our stay, for showers and a very comfy King size bed which the whole family ended up sleeping on. Everything we needed was on hand from fresh bedding to fresh towels. Braaing on the porch with the kids entertaining themselves on the jungle gym was a highlight for us as the children could be observed at all times. All in all a wonderful and relaxing experience, so much so that the family did not want to go home. Thanks to our hosts for making our stay so special."
(visited April 2015)
"We were very disappointed. We booked and paid for three nights and left as soon as we could after one night due to an overwhelming stench and flies. We are not fussy travelers and realised that the accommodation would be rustic, but not that we would be staying so close to pig sties. Had I known this I definitely wouldn't have booked. From the description on the website I thought we would be staying on an apricot farm! The cottage was clean, but certain necessities were missing, such as pots for cooking (there was only one huge pot) and a vegetable peeler. There was a sign on the fireplace saying 'temporarily out of order' and the drawers in chest of drawers in one room was broken, so there was an air of neglect. The setting is very pretty, but the cottage was too close to the pigs for it to be appealing, particularly as we have two small children. You also have to pay for drinking water or take your own. We were very disappointed to have to cancel our trip as it was a long and expensive drive from Cape Town, but it really was not pleasant. When I complained afterwards I found the owner's response very unprofessional too, which was even more disappointing."
(visited April 2015)
Getaway Reply
Just to clarify some of the points which cannot go unchallenged and hopefully put a close to this review. The word �stench� is inappropriate, it denotes �an offensive smell of foul quality� which is false. This would describe rotting fish not Magic Mountain Farm. To end your holiday by two nights,you should have brought it to our attention straight away. We would have gladly have assisted you instead you responded a week later. The cottage is rustic, but equipped with the necessities, as well as nature, the biggest ingredient. I cannot be held accountable for the flies if you you do not take preventative measures. The animals are a feature, kids enjoy feeding and playing with them. The fireplace tends to smoke so we provide a gas heater. One must always realise we cannot please everyone�s taste, we provide decent accommodation at a reasonable rate, please refer to other reviews to see positive remarks.
(Anthony Colley)
"Ideal family getaway if you have small children that enjoy the outdoors. Hospitality fantastic and very accommodating hosts."
(visited March 2015)
"This place has given me the best holiday I've had in my life. After a hard year, all we needed was a place to just get away, to just disappear, Magic Maintain gave us that. The Colleys know how to welcome someone into their homestead. If you are the type to keep to yourself, they'll respect that. If you're the type that wants some conversation over a beer by the fire, they'll be there. They have the two most amazing little girls who made sure my own daughter was zero maintenance for us (and how much would you pay for that). This is not a place you go to for a 'glamping' outdoors experience, this is where you go and shrug the world off your shoulders as you arrive, and just disappear for a while. I'll definitely be back, again and again."
(visited January 2015)
"We were four ladies on a road trip and I can honestly say that the only regret I have is that I we didn't plan to stay longer at Magic Mountain. The welcome from mom and her two beautiful angels was warm and sincere. Arielle and Angela soon became our best two little friends and supplied our every need with such love and enthusiasm. We were treated with delicious fresh water from their spring and crisp vegetables from their veggie garden and taken on a personal tour of their pig farm. We could just not get enough of these well mannered, polite girls. We were also allowed to hijack their very friendly staffie for the night. The accommodation and the setting was beautiful and made me more determined to go home and pack up city life and move into the countryside. I cannot fault this lovely family or their facilities. The photos do no justice to how stunning it is. Their was plenty hot water, which I've found lacking at more expensive places! I will definitely return, but only for a longer stay. Bless your hearts for your kindness in giving us some chicken to braai for my mom as we only had red meat which was not agreeing with her. Thank you for having us."
(visited May 2014)
"Although the accommodation at Magic Mountain is very basic, it is clean and comfortable and more than adequate. The cottage is equipped with a gas fridge that kept the beers ice cold; a gas hot plate, a Weber braai, a flushing toilet and a shower with running hot water. The beds and bedding were clean and comfortable. The beauty of their location is that is out in the middle of the Karoo, yet Magic Mountain has an abundance of water. After a long hike up the nearest mountain we were able to cool ourselves in the river that runs through the farm. The owner gave us a wonderful tour of the surrounding area on the back of his 4x4 go-cart and the children were able to participate in the feeding of the pigs every morning. All in all it was a great weekend getaway, that didn't cost a fortune."
(visited November 2013)
"Very impressed with the attention given to detail in the accommodation. The cottage has lovely views of the apricot orchards, and the nearby river is a wonderful place to cool off in. The owners were very welcoming and eager to please. Well done!"
(visited November 2013)
"We were looking for an inexpensive cabin with an opportunity to explore the quintessential Karoo, we found the perfect place. It's completely off the beaten track, so the journey to get there was an adventure on its own. The landscape is breath taking. We stopped in all the old historic towns and enjoyed their biltong and bakeries. First up I need to say this little place is not for the average tourist. It is rustic. But for us on our budget it was fantastic because we love adventure. We literally lost track of time during our 2 days stay in the valley and I cherished the chance to sketch and draw some of the original old farm buildings. Our delightful hosts were so kind and friendly but never fussed or spoilt our privacy. Instead they pointed us on bush walks and tracks and told us stories of the generations who have lived in this hide-away valley. Warm running water, delicious local wines, local lamb on the BBQ and a very comfortable double bed was all the luxury we needed after a day under the warm African sun. And it's completely eco-friendly, bravo to our hosts for sustainable living. We were inspired. I really hope to revisit some day."
(visited October 2013)
"A lovely family holiday with lots for the children to do. The kids were entertained by the farm animals, found the river fun, and play happily and safely on the jungle gym while we sat on the porch directly across them able to observe their movements. I see where the name Magic Mountain comes from - at night it was just magic listening to the faint animal sounds. I have to mention the hospitality of the owners who did everything to see that our stay was a happy enjoyable relaxing time. Breakfast offered by the owners was a farm style treat!"
(visited October 2013)
The Place
Ladismith, Western Cape
One hundred hectares of wide open Karoo vlakte, huge skies, the gentle flow of the Touw River, two finely-tuned accommodation options, your gregarious host Lizelle... The...
Rate Guide
From R800 nightly for the The Studio, and from R1000 nightly for Red Rock Cottage. Specials available for mid-week and off-peak stays.
Ons Karoo Plaas
Laingsburg, Western Cape
Situated in Karoo heartland country, 50km from Laingsburg along the road heading towards Seweweekspoort, Ons Karoo Plaas is a quirky and rustic, no-nonsense getaway for b...
Rate Guide
From R150 per person nightly
Karoo 62 Escape
Ladismith, Western Cape
Karoo62Escape offers several luxury self-catering accommodation options for families or friends, amid the semidesert fauna and mountain views of a private nature reserve ...
Rate Guide
From R1800 to R6600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
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