Quick Facts
E 20°50'37''
Budget Getaways Review
Skeiding Guest Farm covers 1200 hectares of rolling Overberg landscape near Heidelberg. Being a working farm, there’s plenty of action on Skeiding, from free-range ostriches to Nguni cows, Merino sheep and even some springbok, zebra and wildebeest. Of course those swathes of wheat, barley and bright yellow canola are also seasonally present, but there’s plenty of virgin land which is left to nature’s devices, allowing you to take a hike to the farm koppies for sundowners (or “sunrisers” if you’re up early enough).
Right, now that the scene is set, let's take a look at the self-catering accommodation options here. There are four fully equipped cottages on the farm, as well as a campsite. Kicking off with the cottages, they are all privately positioned within walking distance from each other and the main farmhouse…by the way, there’s a communal swimming pool at the farmhouse which guests can use, as well as the option of scrumptious farm meals. (Chat to hosts Neels and Anné-Lize about dining should you need a break from cooking).
Denham Bustard Family Cottage is the largest of the lot and sleeps six in total. The cottage has three bedrooms (a king and two twins), a bathroom with shower, fully equipped kitchen and comfy living space. A big stoep with gorgeous farm views and an open fireplace indoors adds to the charm.
Olien Family Cottage sleeps four and has two bedrooms (double and twin). The equipped kitchen is open-plan and the main bedroom leads out onto the patio via a sliding door. You’ve also got an indoor fireplace and outdoor braai here.
Aloe Family Cottage sleeps four and has a king bed in the main bedroom, plus twins in the second bedroom. The main bedroom and living areas open out onto the patio. As with the other cottages, you’ve got a fireplace indoors and a braai on the patio.
Common to the three family cottages are quality bedding and towels, a central playground for the kids to gather at and easy access to the main homestead and pool. (300m away) and of course those lovely views.
Moving along to Porcupine Studio, a great option for couples, this little unit sleeps two and has either twin beds or a king. Porcupine is open-plan with a small kitchenette, a cozy seating area and a fireplace. The covered and partially enclosed patio has a built-in braai and table. The setting is private and the views are gorgeous.
Last up…the campsite. Perched up on a hill with gorgeous Overberg vistas, the campsite which accommodates a maximum of 14 is booked exclusively. eg. You’re not sharing it with anyone else.
The five spots for tents are centred around a lapa and central kitchen area, which is equipped with a gas stove and kettle, as well as a sink and dish washing facilities. The lapa has a partially enclosed area with a bay window and day bed. There’s a built in braai, a donkey boiler for hot water and of course showers and loo's at the ablutions. Bring your own tents, cutlery and dishwashing goods. You can buy firewood and ice at reception. Take note, there is no electricity at the campsite, just solar lighting.
Keeping busy at Skeiding is all about the outdoors. The 39km Grootvadersbosch Conservancy’s mountain bike trail runs right through the property, there are short and more demanding hiking options on the farm, the farm dam is there for bass fishing (as well as swimming) and there are wine farms in nearby Barrydale. Cape Nature’s Grootvadersbosch Reserve is great for a day trip or hike. Kids will love the farm tours on offer as well, enquire about these on arrival.
A great looking getaway with accommodation options to cover all bases and enough to keep you busy for days on end. So head for Heidelberg, Skeiding looks to be a winner.
Additional Info
- Farm tour, fishing, kettie target shooting, golf on a 1-hole golf course, birdwatching, hiking, mountain biking and swimming
- Beach (Witsand coastal town), Nature conservation (Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve), Restaurants (Heidelberg & Swellendam), scenic drives (Tradouw Pass), Pont at Malgas, Gin tasting at Inverroche in Still Bay
- Restaurant on the premises and restaurants in the nearby towns of Heidelberg and Swellendam
"This review is for the campsite at Skeiding guest farm. The campsite offers boredom at its best. Replacing your flatscreen TV is a panoramic view of beautiful rolling hills and distant mountains. It is the perfect place to disconnect from the noise and busyness of life and having the entire camp to yourself means there is no one around to disturb the serenity of the place. The spacious lapa catches the lovely early morning sun, making chilly mornings that much easier and it has everything you need for a comfortable stay. If you do hanker after some activity though, there is a lovely dam at the bottom of the hill which offers some excellent bass fishing and there are mountain bike trails on the farm, connecting to the neighbouring Grootvadersbosch reserve trails. The farm tour is also highly recommended, even if it's a bit pricey for what it is. The hospitality and service at Skeiding is truly excellent, and the owners and staff make every effort to ensure you have a wonderful stay. Having a restaurant at the B&B also means that gourmet eating options are not far away, should you tire of braaiing. The only blight on an otherwise fantastic stay was the "eco toilet", aka poop bucket (and funnel!). The level of accuracy required to use it makes for a stressful experience with young kids and doesn't seem sufficient for a group as large as the camp can accommodate."
(visited Apr 2023)
"Great! Food for your soul type of place with nothing to do but relax and wind-down. Will definitely be back!"
(visited June 2022)
"This is the most wonderful guest farm, the rooms are all very spacious, good braai areas, well equipped rooms. Excellent breakfasts served by the owner, who loves to chat, very good selection of cheeses, cold meats and preserves, and the very best crumpets! Fantastic mountain bike trails and it is especially good to go in early spring when the canola are all in full flower. We have visited this guest farm numerous times and will continue to keep going back. Very good value for money."
(visited August 2021)
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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