Uitspan
Quick Facts
E 23°42'04''
Budget Getaways Review
Uitspan is aptly named - it's the kind of place where you park the wagon, water the oxen and chill out for a few days after tackling the 47 kays from Willowmore.
The farm is backed by spectacular cliffs, split down the middle by Houtkloof, a gorge that will blow you away with its gobsmacking scenery.
Uitspan offers two fairly basic self-catering chalets and several most appealing campsites.
The larger of the chalets is a double-story unit good for a casual family stay, with a double bed and two bunk beds in the upstairs bedroom. The upstairs balcony comes with dramatic views onto the surrounding cliffs. A braai area and basic furnishings and equipment are part of the deal.
The second unit is tucked away near the opening of Houtkloof and sleeps two in a double bed, with ensuite bathroom and a patio area with braai.
In our mind, camping is the way to go at Uitspan, with a choice of three private camp sites and a larger site for groups.
Unlike many campsites where you have to lug in the kitchen sink, at Uitspan each site comes with its own undercover kitchen, cooking and washing up zone. There's even electricity, which means no stumbling around in the dark. Seriously, camping doesn't get much easier than this.
Hot BG tip: when you book ask for the new exclusive site. Secluded and tucked among massive boulders above the farm, it's a camper's dream. And not to worry if you don't get it, the other sites are also way up there.
Down on the vlakte and a short stroll from the accommodation is Eagles Rest restaurant and bar - a gesellig gathering spot where friendly host Christine offers ice cold frosties on cue and meals on request.
There’s plenty to keep you busy at Uitspan: from a foofie slide across the dam, to the Houtkloof and Koepel Hiking Trails, both with magnificent mountain and kloof scenery. There is also plenty of scope for mountain biking and a 4x4 trail over the mountains.
What with Uitspan’s dramatic location, a decent range of accommodation and the social draw of Eagles Rest Bar, you might find yourself spanning uit longer than expected.
"Worth every cent, a must see."
(visited November 2014)
"Fabulous. 5-star."
(visited March 2013)
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