Somerset Gift Getaway Farm

Budget Getaways Review

Somerset Gift Getaway Farm nestles in a beautiful valley bordering the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, just 16km from Swellendam.

Combining an idyllic and peaceful setting, with stunning mountain views and green pastures dotted with Hereford cattle and horses, a springwater lake, and the Buffeljags River skirting the length of the farm, with its waterfalls and rock pools, it comes pretty close to Budget weekender's Nirvana.

Doing full justice to the setting are four very comfortable accommodation options.

The Manor House, is a spacious and beautifully appointed farmhouse with gorgeous views and easy access to the river. The Manor House sleeps a total of 12 - 14 in five bedrooms. It has one large en-suite bedroom with magnificent views. There is another double bedroom with a double bed. Two further bedrooms are each furnished with two  ¾ beds, sharing a separate bathroom. Upstairs there is a spacious loft with 6 single beds and an en-suite bathroom. It has a sumptuous kitchen fully equipped, a beautiful dining room and separate comfortable living room with amazing views and a TV room with a flat screen TV and free satellite television. Four further beds can be arranged in the loft area for additional children. It has a spacious patio perfect for outdoor dining and entertainment. 

Fish Eagle Lodge sleeps six to eight in three en-suite bedrooms (either six adults with up to three toddlers, or four adults and four kids); Loerie Cottage, Rose Cottage and Olive Cottage can all sleep five. Little Bushbuck Cottage is the smallest of the pack, this open-plan unit has a double and single bed, a bathroom with shower and is ideal for 2 adults and a child. Fish Eagle Lodge can seat up to 20, and therefore makes it an ideal social hub if you're thinking of booking Somerset Gift for a large group.

Common to all the cottages are light and airy interiors, fully equipped kitchens, indoor fireplaces and outdoor undercover braais - a nightly 25-stick bundle of firewood in summer and 50-stick bundle in winter is provided at no charge. All linen and bath towels are supplied, but remember to pack your own swimming towel.  WiFi internet - uncapped and free - is available in Rose cottage, Fish Eagle, Manor House for emails, surfing the net and internet banking.

With an activity list longer than your arm, much of it water-based, you won't have a moment to spare: swimming in the lake, river or mountain pools, fishing (in the river or the dam for bass), canoeing (apparently it's possible to paddle to the Buffeljags Dam, an 8km return journey), and easy walks through cool indigenous forest to several waterfalls and deep mountain pools. Don't forget the binocs, as there's diverse birdlife on route.

There is also a longer three-hour hike to yet another glorious pool and waterfall, as well as an 8km mountain bike trail, a foefie slide, a kiddies playground with swings, trampoline and jungle gym, and a pub on the water fitted with DSTV.

Back at basecamp, a chilled bottle of chardonnay on your private patio won't go amiss. What's more, Swellendam and the coast is just up the road, with their own platter of restaurants and activities.

Looking at the glowing celebrity guest feedback, there's no doubt you'll feel the same way after a weekend at Somerset Gift: "I think it is one of the most idyllic places I have yet discovered... It's a piece of paradise right in our backyard." That from an ex-CEO of Cape Tourism.