Papkuilsfontein

Papkuilsfontein is surrounded by acres of beautiful unspoilt farmland in the rural fynbos region of South Africa. The farm has its own canyon and waterfall, and is home to a diverse array of plant and animal life.

Accommodation at Papkuilsfontein takes the form of 6 beautifully resorted stone farm cottages, with sandstone walls and thatched roofs, each standing in their own area of the farm. Rondekraal is a lovely intimate cottage with its own kraal enclosure out front, originally used to exercise horses and now home to braii barbeque facilities. De Hoop is part of the original homestead, a historical longhouse with a cosy hearth and period features like a Victorian bathtub. Gert Boom has a more modern design, with solar lighting and a stylish fireplace built into one wall. This cottage also has its own pool in the garden. The oldest cottage is Matjiesfontein House, parts of which date back to the 1700s.

Eating and drinking at Papkuilsfontein is completely on your own terms. Each of the cottages is fully equipped for self-catering, so you can cook and eat in privacy if you want to. Alternatively, you can choose to have delicious meals served to your cottage. In August and September, the farm’s charming restaurant, Die Waenhuis, is open. Housed in a restored wagon shed dating from the early 1800s, the restaurant is open for light lunches, coffee and cake; breakfast can also be taken here during the opening months.

The farm has its very own waterfall, with exclusive access to guests, which tumbles down a 180-metre canyon – a picturesque place to enjoy a sundowner at the end of the day. There’s also a natural rock pool, which is a great place to go for a dip and cool off after a day in the sun. The farmhouse has books and files full of information about the diverse array of plants and animals which you can spot on a hike.

The farm contains a 12km-long hiking trail, which allows you to explore the fynbos shrubland and spot the flora and fauna which live here – this includes nearly 150 bird species, including martial eagles, kestrels, and black harrier; hundreds of rare and endangered plants and flowers; and animals including the African wild cat, aardvark, porcupine and klipspringer. The nearby Cederberg Mountains are home to fascinating San rock art galleries, numbering over 2,000 paintings, evidence of the earliest human habitation of this area thousands of years ago. Farm tours are available which take in the rock art as well as the waterfall, the canyon, and the diversity of plant and animal life which lives here.