Quick Facts
E 19°14'19''
Budget Getaways Review
If you’ve never heard of a Yurt before, don’t fret china, you’re not alone. This isn’t something us Souf Efricans have seen much of, because down here camping is still a Bear Grylls affair of punctured blow-up mattresses, paper-thin sleeping bags and waking up with 2 hours of sleep under the belt. Up in the northern hemisphere however, it’s a different story, with the yurt the abode of choice for a night under canvas.
Southern Yurts brings you the best of both worlds. Unlike a northern hemisphere yurt (which is often plonked in a muddy field circled by shaggy sheep), what we have here is a fully equipped timber-framed rondavel-like structure sitting in the gorgeous Diepklove Nature Conservancy, with a yawing view over a ravine, and a patch of forest. Welcome “yurting” SA style!
Taking a look around, the yurt itself forms the sleeping quarters, with a spacious King-sized bed smothered in percale linen on a lightly screeded floor dotted with kilims.
The interior offers plenty of space and light via clear wall panels and a central roof light.
Step outside and you’ve got a partially enclosed stone and wood kitchen and living area. The kitchen is fully equipped (electric stove and mini oven, toaster, fridge) and the living and dining area is shaped around stone walls and those hill and valley views.
The ablutions are as creative as the rest of this getaway, set within what looks to be a converted water reservoir. Included is a loo, hot shower and basin, with soap, shampoo and towels provided.
Adding to the joy is a wood-fired hot tub sunk into the deck in front of the yurt. With sunsets second to none, you'll find it tough to drag yourself away from here in summer. If you do succeed, there are some lovely farm walks, loads of mountain biking options and even a farm dam for a plunge or picnic.
To sum it up, a night or two at Southern Yurts is something novel indeed. The getaway takes a Mongolian idea, adds to it a beautiful setting, a splash of style and comfort, and voila, there you have it - a fine recipe for a weekend second to none.
Additional Info
- Yurt Facilities: The Yurt (bedroom) is equipped with all bedding and towels, spare blankets, a blow-fan/heater, a hot water bottle for cooler evenings, a chest of drawers, binoculars and wildlife/tree books, other reading material and playing cards. Charging points are located next to the bed.
- The kitchen is fully equipped with all the essentials: tea, coffee, sugar, olive oil, salt and pepper. As a self-catering kitchen, it is equipped with a kettle, toaster, small fridge, double gas cooking plate, fireplace, and includes crockery, pots, utensils and cutlery. We supply firewood, matches and firelighters (more wood can be bought per crate if needed)
- As animal lovers and owners, Yurt is pet-friendly (must be pre-arranged/stated upon booking), Fees apply. Pets must bring their own beds, and must not sleep on the bed, couches or cushions
- If you'd like to explore more of the Conservancy, there are a number of hikes around the farm that give good views and expose the vast array of flora unique to the region
- Cape Canopy Tours zipline is nearby
- For�wine tours, check out Beaumont Wine Estate, they do wine tastings and are located 16km from Southern Yurts/Porcupine Hills Guest Farm
"An unusual way to spend a get-away-from-it-all time in a yurt which was warm and comfortable. Beautiful setting."
(visited Apr 2019)
Rooiheuwel Noord
Caledon, Western Cape
Rooiheuwel-Noord is a sheep and dairy farm found off a pleasant dirt road cutting through green folded pastures. Set on a hill below an impressive mountain, the gu...
Rate Guide
From R750 (2 guests) to R950 (6 guests) nightly per cottage. Min 2-night stay.
UnderHill Farm
Grabouw & Elgin Valley, Western Cape
An easy-to-reach bolthole from the Mother City, UnderHill Farm offers a soothing setting under giant oak trees and a poplar-lined river bank. Totally off-grid and solar-...
Rate Guide
From R980 to R2000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Little Willow Brooke
Franschhoek, Western Cape
Little Willow Brooke is ideally appointed: within easy walking distance of Franschhoek’s hub, yet in atmosphere, miles from anywhere. Perched above a bubbly stream...
Rate Guide
From R1450, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Courchevel Cottages
Franschhoek, Western Cape
Simple elegance framed by postcard views down the Franschhoek Valley pretty much sums up Courchevel Cottage. What's more, this rustic-romantic little hideaway sits...
Rate Guide
From R3000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Cornellskop Farm Stay
Bot River, Western Cape
Situated in the picturesque Van der Stel Pass Valley, 34226 - Cornellskop Farm Stay is a 118-hectare farm that offers guests the experience of once-in-a-lifetime animal e...
Rate Guide
From R2000 to R7500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Otium Oasis Glamping & Camping
Caledon, Western Cape
Otium Oasis Glamping and Camping are located in Tesselaarsdal, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Overberg. Escape to the serenity of Otium Oasis, the ultimate r...
Rate Guide
From R1200, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Beaumont Cottages
Grabouw & Elgin Valley, Western Cape
Beaumont Wines is a family-run farm situated in the tiny hamlet of Bot River at the foot of the Houw Hoek Pass, a mere hour's drive from Cape Town and en route to Hermanu...
Rate Guide
From R1900 to R4000, 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