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There is an understated elegance, natural rhythm and abundant vitality in the life of an African farm. Experience its unfiltered authenticity and hospitality at one of our three luxurious farm houses, at our gourmet restaurant, and all over our farm and the private Elandsberg Nature Reserve.

The Farmhouse offers full-board accommodation to a maximum of 10 (adult) guests, while self-catering Heron House and Wild Olive House sleep 12 and 6 guests of all ages. Join us for guided nature drives, which include visiting our tortoise and Quagga projects, relaxation by the pool or in the lush gardens, explorations on foot or on a bicycle in the farmlands or nature reserve, water activities on the dam, Sunday lunch, or our special Smoke & Fire pop-up events.

The salt water pool Credit: Peter Atterbury

The Farmhouse The Victorian farmhouse is situated in a spectacular landscape of mountains and spreading farmlands, just over an hour away from Cape Town. There is an important nature reserve of 4 500 hectares (11 000 acres) as well as wheat and sheep farming operations on another 2 000 hectares (5 000 acres) of arable land

The farm Credit: Mariette Gregor

The Reserve Activities include game drives through the natural fynbos veld, where many species of antelope are to be seen, walks, bike rides, birdwatching, canoeing and flyfishing on the lake

Geometric tortoise One of the rarest reptiles in Southern Africa.The Cape is rich in tortoise species, with 9 of the worlds 40 species occurring in the western Cape, possibly the most spectacular and definitely the rarest is the geometric tortoise. Geometric tortoises occur only in the low lying renosterveld habitat of the Cape lowlands, and that of the Worcester/Tulbagh and Ceres valleys. Habitat destruction due to extensive agricultural activities throughout its range has led to the distribution of the tortoise being characterised by small isolated populations. Agricultural development has largely been responsible for the replacement of more than 97% of renosterveld with wheatlands, vineyards and large heavily grazed areas. Bartholomeus Klip with its nature reserve comprising 1400 hectares of renosterveld is home to the largest concentration of geometric tortoises to be found in any habitat and the only remaining ecologically viable population. Bartholomeus Klip is home to 3500 members of this, Africas’ most endangered reptile, and is considered the only place where their survival and long term conservation is assured.

Quagga from the official Quagga Project Credit: Mariette Gregor The Quagga occurred south of the Orange and Vaal rivers and formed an important component of the Karoo environment of the Orange Free State and the Cape. A number of quaggas were exported to Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Quaggas became extinct when the last female died in captivity in an Amsterdam zoo on 12 August 1888. The last survivors of free living quagga which occurred in the Orange Free State, they however, became extinct in 1878.

Peacock flowers

The deckhouse Bartholomeus Klip, the well-known country lodge in the Riebeek Valley an hour away from Cape Town, is the ideal venue for small-scale, tailor-made events such as weddings and conferences. These are held at our newly appointed, fully equipped Deckhouse, set on the edge of a vast stretch of water overlooked by magnificent mountains, with the nearby manor house and its five luxurious bedrooms available for overnight stays. Our food is inspired, our staff warmly professional, and our peaceful but invigorating setting is ideal for teambuilding activities such as game drives through our own fynbos nature reserve, cycling, fishing and boating.

European bee-eater Credit: Mrs M Noakes Summer migrants to the farm

Bonte bok and red hartebeest Credit: Mr Boerse Bonte bok and red hartebeest found on Elandsberg Private Game Reserve

Farmhouse Credit: Peter Atterbury The Farmhouse at night

The Dining Room Credit: Bruce Tuck Our conservatory style dining room

The farm Credit: Bruce Tuck The spectacular scenery during the spring months

Dining Room Credit: Bruce Tuck

Butternut Ravioli Credit: Bruce Tuck Some of the great dishes prepared by our farm kitchen

Yoghurt and double cream pannacotta Credit: Bruce Tuck

Lemon curd meringue roulade Credit: Bruce Tuck A firm favourite on the tea menu

Oat and nut biscuits Credit: Bruce Tuck

A Blue Crane on the farmlands Credit: Mariette Gregor A wonderful environment to see the spectacular birdlife

Canola in bloom Credit: Mariette Gregor

A Steenbok Credit: Mariette Gregor

The harvester Credit: Mariette Gregor A typical scene early October

Our Shepard herding the lambs Credit: Mariette Gregor Bartholomeus Klip is situated on a working wheat and sheep farm

The Quagga's - part of the breeding project on Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve Credit: Mariette Gregor

Wonderful spring blooms Credit: Mariette Gregor

Cooking courses in the farm kitchen Credit: Bruce Tuck

Buffalo from our breeding project Credit: Jonathan Honeyborne

Heron House Credit: Jeroen Self Catering Villa

Accommodation inside Wild Olive House consists of a spacious open-plan sitting room, dining room and beautifully equipped kitchen, with two airy double bedrooms, a smaller single one (bunk beds can be supplied on request), and two bathrooms. The self-contained Wild Olive Cottage has a double bedroom, bathroom with shower and a private sitting room and terrace which looks out over the reserve and up to the mountains.

The option of a morning nature drive to explore the Fynbos Reserve is also available. If desired, adults can also choose to eat at the main farmhouse, and meals (as well as babysitters) can be provided for children. Meals and nature drives must be arranged prior to arrival.

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Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse Kitchen