Rate Guide
From R1850 to R3040, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Quick Facts
E 19°31'31''
Budget Getaways Review
Phillipskop covers 250ha of gorgeous fynbos on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains. Access is via a short gravel road, 13 kays from Stanford.
With soothing vistas across the Overberg and Akkedisberg, this is a getaway where you can really unwind. As one recent guest puts it, “You could sit on the deck all day just enjoying the peace and quiet.”
Apart from a generous platter of nature-based excursions and activities on the reserve, your weekend bed comes with a choice of five gorgeous mountain chalets, namely Oxalis, Protea, Lobelia, Erica and Restio.
Set about 15 metres apart, the chalet's offer plenty of privacy, yet are still easily accessible to each other if booked by a group. Some of the features you can look forward to: light and airy interiors; plenty of glass to soak up those awesome views; large open-plan dining and lounge areas with tables, comfy couches and wood-burning stoves; fully equipped kitchens; enough sleeping room for six in double ensuites and two twins with shared bathrooms.
From the lounge, it's straight onto timber decks and the sheltered built-in braai areas are to the side of each chalet. A new addition to the property is a natural swimming pool, central to the chalets. A nice spot to cool off during the summer heat.
Filling your day at Phillipskop shoudn't pose much of a problem. Not only is it the only rock art site on the Cape Whale coast, but with hiking trails, bird-watching, a visit to a cave, bracing dips in the rock pools, a guided walk with your fynbos fundi host Chris, trips to Stanford, Hermanus and the Great whites of Gansbaai, you won't have a spare moment.
Tasteful accommodation in unspoilt natural surrounds (recently declared as a heritage site), Phillipskop Mountain Reserve is Budget weekending at its healthiest.
Additional Info
- No pets allowed, not even well-behaved ones
- Variety of hiking trails around the reserve
- Natural swimming pool
- Cave with Khoe-San rock art
"We had an awesome stay. Just what was needed to regroup and feed the soul."
(visited Jan 2022)
"Perfect getaway for whole family. Enjoy beautiful nature."
(visited Apr 2021)
"We really enjoyed this spot. The chalets are very spacious and we appreciated the set of plastic crockery in addition to the normal crockery for our kids. There was a jungle gym a short walk from the chalets and an eco pool nearby. They are clearly busy planting around the pool area and it will be fantastic once some grass (and perhaps some shade) is in place. In the mean time you can sit on the wooden deck adjacent to the pool and bring your own umbrella. The setting is pretty rustic so don't expect manicured lawns, but this suited us and our little kids perfectly. We enjoyed the walk to the small waterfall and cave with rock paintings while those without kids in our group did a more serious hike up the peak. They followed this up with wine tasting nearby (and would have done cheese tasting too if it weren't closed because of corona). Best of all the value of this getaway is fantastic."
(visited Nov 2020)
"We stayed in Oxalis in August 2018. There were 4 adults, 2 children and 1 toddler. The cottage was very spacious and comfortable for all of us. The views are beautiful and there is so much to do on the property, from hikes, picnics and pools. We all thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The beds were very comfortable and the kitchen had all the basics needed. The fireplace was great for the cold evenings. A must visit is the Klein Rivier Cheese Farmstead which is very close by. The dirt road to the cottages can be a bit bumpy and tricky at times but manageable. Overall and excellent stay and great value for money."
(visited Aug 2018)
"Go and enjoy Nature's tapestry of colours and inky black nights away from the bright lights of the city. Sit on a deck and watch the colours change as the sun sidles through the sky. Fifteen minutes from the beach in De Kelders or Gansbaai, you will long for the peace of Philipskop after soaking up the sun at the beaches. You will yearn for the sound of nature after leaving busy Hermanus. A true hideaway in every sense with many hikes, short and long, steeped in history and lots to see!"
(visited Apr 2018)
"What a lovely place! The cottage was clean, had brilliant views and everything we needed. Chris sent us loads of info before the time which was very useful. We had a day of stormy rainy weather and being inside was no problem, enough space and we took things to keep us entertained. Our second day was perfect for a hike with the kids and it was fantastic! Searching for the geocaches was the highlight of the kids weekend. We can't wait to go back!"
(visited Feb 2018)
"We had a really good stay at Phillipskop. It was very peaceful."
(visited Jan 2018)
"Fantastic scenery with well-maintained hiking trails. Beautiful sunsets from the patio decks. Great location close to several wine farms & other main attractions in the area."
(visited Jan 2018)
"We had a wonderful stay in beautiful, peaceful surroundings of Phillipskop. We thoroughly enjoyed the hike (although the waterfall wasn't running in the drought) and the rock paintings were a special treat! It was great to have the Lilly pond to cool off in... This is a very special place, we hope to be back!"
(visited Dec 2017)
"We stayed in the Protea Cottage. The cottage is spacious and everything in great condition. The surrounds are absolutely breathtaking. Though Stanford is small, there are many activities to keep everyone occupied and Grotto Beach in Hermanus is only 20 minutes away. The serenity and beauty of Phillipskop Mountain Reserve are enough to keep anyone there. I would happily visit again."
(visited Dec 2017)
"Phillipskop is a piece of paradise. The reserve is absolutely beautiful with a wide variety of botanical jewels for anybody who is interested in nature's finer details. The hikes are very do-able - we hiked a number of the routes with our little one year old strapped to our chest. Be sure to visit the Nerine Pond and the Stacks, we loved both spots. The cottages are well equipped and clean, simple but with all the basics and of course with a view worth the trip. The surrounding cheese and wine farms are exquisite and a trip to Stanford for the bakery and ice-creams is a must. We'd love to stay again."
(visited Dec 2017)
"Great base from which to explore the area.The hiking trails around the reserve are awesome! We will definitely be back in winter when the rivers are flowing!"
(visited Apr 2017)
"The place was amazing and we had a great time."
(visited Oct 2016)
"Amazing hosts! Beautiful views in a very tranquil setting, with hiking trails starting from your doorstep, the house is extremely well equipped and spacious, and the deck is huge. The house boasts a little fireplace that heats up the entire house making it super cosy in winter, with large windows that lets in so much light. We loved our time at Phillipskop Nature Reserve and will most definitely be going back sometime soon! Huge thanks to our hosts Chris and his lovely wife."
(visited Aug 2016)
"We had a wonderful mid-winter break at Phillipskop, surrounded by a sea of proteas and other fynbos in bloom. The cottages are modern and thoughtfully-designed, with lots of well-placed windows for light and views. The beds were good, the kitchen was well-equipped and the solar geyser gave hot water day and night. We spent our days taking gentle walks to the waterfall and cave (our six year old managed the walks without any trouble and has not stopped talking about the cave), and our evenings around the wood-stove, which kept us very warm despite the icy weather. It's a very comfortable stay in a beautiful location - highly recommended!"
(visited Jul 2016)
"To get away from the hustle and bustle of city life - this is the perfect place to recharge yourself in beautiful nature."
(visited Apr 2016)
"After an incredibly stressful and challenging year, finding Phillipskop for a weekend get away was one of the highlights of the year! We had to attend a wedding and I was desperate to find suitable accommodation close to the wedding venue. The setting and facilities suited our needs, the tranquility and space quickly got rid of the 'cobwebs' and we returned home feeling refreshed and energised."
(visited December 2015)
"Beautiful setting, amazing bird life. You could sit on the decking all day just enjoying the peace and quiet or if you were feeling energetic, explore the mountain, waterfall, cave and breath taking scenery. Highly recommended."
(visited January 2015)
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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 • 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