Quick Facts
E 19°36'39''
Budget Getaways Review
Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve (doubling as a fruit and flower farm) lays claim to a sizeable and dramatic wedge of Matroosberg itself – at 2247m the Western Cape’s highest peak. This fact alone makes a weekend here a worthwhile experience, whether in summer or winter.
The sheer altitude of the reserve excludes it from the hotbox temperatures of Ceres, while winters are often a magical experience of castor sugar sprinkled over the land.
Like a few other places blessed with raw dramatic nature, Matroosberg tailors itself as an action-packed getaway. Whether you opt to partake in the range of activities is up to you, but it’s good to know they’re there for the taking: a 4x4 trail, abseiling, skiing in winter, a day-long hike up Matroosberg, mountain biking, birdwatching, swimming in rock pools, quad bike trails, a wedding venue... Whew! We’re exhausted just thinking about it.
For after-action-satisfaction Matroosberg has a wide range of rustic beds that come standard with spectacular views and a remote wilderness atmosphere.
Kicking off with the two campsites, the rough and ready Dennebos is set under trees and features 12 stands, while a second spot called Private Campsite (with seven stands) can be booked by a single group. Both come with own ablutions.
If you can’t find those missing tent poles, try out the spacious wood and glass Swiss Ski Hut perched among rocks and sleeping 20. Included in the deal is an outlook like you would find in the Alps but coming in at a fraction of the cost.
Down the mountain and on the banks of the farm dam you’ll find five Lakeside Cottages, each with two double rooms and an indoor fire/braai plekkie.
If this isn't enough, Matroosberg also now offers nine basic and rustic BZN Units, all equipped and sleeping between two and six, depending on the unit. No, we have no idea what BZN stands for.
Wait, there's more…. A little something known as In-House Camping and aimed at the budget traveller heading out in the dark of winter: you bring your bedding, towels and kitchen utensils; in return you get a cottage with fireplace, a private bathroom and a bed, for a fraction more than traditional camping.
Last up and the cherry on the cake in Captain Getaway's humble view is Matroosberg’s charming ex-goatherd’s hut. Believed to be over a century old the aptly named Bokwagtershuis features oil lamps (no Eskom), brass bed, huge stone hearth, reed and gumpole ceilings, stone walls, cast iron pots, and heaps of other cute touches befitting a goat herder lifestyle.
A must-do on any trip to the reserve is an opportunity to scale the sheer cliffs of Matroosberg – right to the crumbly peak – in the relative comfort of a 4x4 Bedford truck, which host Cordré forgot to hand back when he klaared out of the army. Watching the Bedford disappear like a Dinkie toy up, up into the sky is hairy enough, but those who hop aboard are rewarded with vistas seen only in Condé Nast Traveller and a lunch of home-made ginger beer and sandwiches packed by Didi.
As a recent visitor says, "All needs are fantastically met, this is great value for money; not to mention the impressive scenery."
"All our needs were met fantastically. Most impressed with the value for money, and natural settings, especially the rock pools were amazing. Will definitely be back shortly."
(visited January 2013)
Klondyke Cherry Farm
Ceres, Western Cape
Yep, a real cherry farm in our backyard, in unspoilt mountain country 30km from Ceres. The landscape is alluring and the cottages have good potential, but there is a he...
Rate Guide
From R600 to R2300, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Vredehoek Guestfarm
Ceres, Western Cape
This beautiful working fruit farm is a nature-lovers utopia. Tucked away in a secluded valley, set along the lower slopes of the Mosterhoek Twins near Ceres, there’...
Rate Guide
From R750 to R4100, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Suikerbossie Guest Farm
Ceres, Western Cape
Suikerbossie has evolved in massive leaps and bounds since the Captain Getaway and his trusty hound, the Budget Brak, first visited a few years ago. What started out as a...
Rate Guide
R165pp - R400pp nightly (group rates apply)
River Edge Accommodation
Ceres, Western Cape
You’ve been living life on the edge lately - late boozy nights, work deadlines, domestic chaos, the general humdrum of life in the fast lane. Maybe what you need ...
Rate Guide
From R1750 to R18550, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Vadersgawe Farm Camp (groups)
Ceres, Western Cape
Situated in the heart of a 180 hectares deciduous fruit export and equine livery farm, we are excited to offer the opportunity to experience our completely private, luxur...
Rate Guide
From R5900, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Karee Kloof Conservancy & Guest Farm
Ceres, Western Cape
Karee Kloof Conservancy has five cottages , 7km from our reception. A breathtakingly beautiful view of the mountains and in close proximity to a natural waterfall witch w...
Rate Guide
From R2082.5 to R2700, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Houdenbek Farm Cottages
Ceres, Western Cape
This is a picturesque area, nestled in the rugged Skurweberg mountains, lending itself to a hype of outdoor activity or merely the perfect scene and peaceful weekend away...
Rate Guide
From R570 to R1810, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Fairfield Mountain Cottages
Ceres, Western Cape
Fairfield takes the form of three tastefully renovated cottages at the foot the Skurweberge Mountains, on 100 hectares of working fruit farm, with breathtaking views of t...
Rate Guide
From R1160 to R2900, 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