Quick Facts
E 21°33'35''
Budget Getaways Review
A veritable oasis in a 14000ha ocean of succulent Karoo and mountain fynbos, Rooiberg Lodge lies 12km from Van Wyksdorp - about 50km off the R62.
While the location is fairly remote, the standard of accommodation appears high, with some glowing feedback piling up on Tripadvisor: “The best place to stay in the Klein Karoo.” “A magic oasis.” “A stunning getaway.” “Best place on earth!”. And more…
Taking a squizz at the lodge’s manicured landscaping, our general sense is 'upmarket bush lodge meets laid-back Karoo persona'.
At the centre of Lodge life is a big watering hole, where antelope and other small game come to seek relief. These can be spotted from the comfort of the viewing deck.
A thatched restaurant and bar sit are attached alongside, serving a range of homely meals and fine wines.
For a post-dinner Karoo opskop, there's the boma - a down-to-earth venue with dance floor, bar area and fire-pit.
Trundling over to the accommodation, we have eight upmarket thatched cottages offered on a B&B or self-catering only basis. All have views over the water hole.
Four units are aimed at families (two ensuite bedrooms), with the balance suited to couples (one ensuite bedroom).
Common to all are air-con and heaters, quality linen and towels, a small kitchenette, a fireplace and covered patio with views over the waterhole and gorgeous Rooiberg mountains.
Rooiberg Lodge is no hick getaway with nothing to do. Game drives, hiking and mountain bike trails, stargazing, oodles of gravels roads to explore, drinking beer by the very generous pool, propping up the bar, hanging out in Van Wyks, it's all on offer.
Be it a wedding, family gathering, a stop-off on your Klein Karoo road trip, this combo of A-grade facilities and accommodation and superlative setting, does push Rooiberg Lodge into the upper limit of the Budget price bracket - but in this instance we reckon the experience is well worth forking out for.
"The single cottages haven't got showers. The breakfast menu lacks porridge, cereal and fruit. The dinner menu is also lacking vegetables and the same salad is repeatedly served. WiFi is only available at the main building. There is no cell phone reception."
(visited December 2014)
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