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Rivierplaas Cottages

Fruit farm on the Breede River with a timber cabin and a stone cottage - 16km from Swellendam
River House view to river
River House
River House
River House stoep with view to river
River House kitchen area
River House
River House beds in lounge area
River House
River House bedroom
River House braai area
River views
Stone cottage
Stone Cottage
Stone Cottage interior
Stone Cottage interior
Stone Cottage interior
Stone cottage upstairs bedroom
Stone cottage upstairs bedroom
Stone Cottage Bathroom
Stone Cottage braai area
Braai area by river
River views
River views

Rate Guide

River House (sleeps 4) R500 nightly for 2 adults, Stone Cottage is R600 nightly for 2 adults; additional guests R50 per person nightly.

Quick Facts

Where: 16km from Swellendam
Sleeps: 4,6
Equipped: Yes
Linen: No
Towels: No
Fireplace: Yes
Braai: Yes
Meals: No
Pet-Friendly: No
Activities: birdwatching, canoeing, fishing, stargazing, swimming, walking

Budget Getaways Review

River House and Stone Cottage are secluded cottages appointed on a fruit farm along the banks of the Breede River. Both have a relaxed rustic personality suited to Budget weekenders with Huckleberry Finn leanings.

River House is the more basic of the two – a timber cabin tucked under a rush of milkwood trees. The cottage has electricity (a recent addition), but we reckon leave it in the ‘off’ position as the cosy away-from-it-all ambience created by candles, paraffin lamps and gas is what you are here for.

While still appealingly raw around the edges River House is comfortable, thanks to a Jetmaster, colourful crockery, pretty curtains, bamboo towel rails and other fresh touches. The cottage is equipped; all you need bring is a thick duvet (winters can be chilly as there is little insulation), towels, food and a fishing rod.

Outside, a lazy timber deck, a braai area enclosed by a rickety bamboo fence covered in thick creeper and picnic spots along the riverbank, set the scene for many a happy weekend memory.

Moving a little downstream, we arrived at Rivierplaas’s all-new double-decker Stone Cottage – built, as the name implies, from local stone. Like River House, Stone Cottage is buried under milkwood trees, with a view of the water peeping through the foliage.

The enticing features in this cosy hideaway include gas and candlelight (as well as electricity), a fireplace, rietdak ceilings, wide windows, an airy open-plan living and kitchen area, a spacious loft fitted with two bedrooms (that sleep six), and a nice braai area at the front door. Stone Cottage is an understated Budget gem in the making.

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