BARTHOLOMEUS KLIP FARMHOUSE

Bartholomeus Klip is unique. There are only five bedrooms in this

small hotel, the original homestead on a large private estate which is both a working wheat and sheep farm and a nature reserve with a spectacular mountain backdrop.

Here, in this unexplored region only an hour by car from Cape Town's international airport, you can feel part of the peaceful life of rural South Africa and its clean crisp air and star-filled night skies.

GOOD EATING

The food - in the French tradition but with a local flavour - is one of the highlights of a stay at Bartholomeus Klip.

Dishes such as salmon trout layered with fresh coriander and ginger and wrapped in phyllo pastry, with a lemon beurre blanc, and chocolate truffle cake may be on the menu.

Tea is a serious affair: scones with thick farm cream and home-made preserves, pecan meringues, apple tarts, prune and ricotta cheesecake, savoury bruschettas - the selection changes daily.

Bread, scones, cakes and pastries are baked fresh every day, while milk, cream and butter come from the dairy and lavish bouquets of herbs from the garden.

TO DO: 

A stay at Bartholomeus Klip is a wonderful opportunity for the energetic, who can:

• walk or hike in the reserve
• ride mountain bikes through the wheatfields
• go windsurfing, birdwatching or boating on the dam
• inspect the farming operations

THE FARM

Farming at Bartholomeus Klip: with 6 000 acres under cultivation (wheat, oats, canola and clover pastures) and 4 000 wool sheep, this is one of the largest farms in the Western Cape.

THE NATURE RESERVE

Afternoon game drives at Bartholomeus Klip end with sundowners in the veld: only an hour away from Cape Town, and you feel you are in Africa! The animals are easy to spot in the low-growing fynbos, especially since there are more than 500 head of game.

The nature reserve, with its characteristic fynbos and rare

renosterveld vegetation, forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It has been declared a National Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as the last major habitat of the geometric tortoise, one of the world's rarest reptiles.

The reserve in the springtime: 'flower heaven', as one guest called it, with sheets of colour and a myriad of different bulbs, orchids and daisies to be discovered on closer inspection.

Among the animal species at Bartholomeus Klip - some more easily seen than others - are:

* eland

* springbuck

* bontebok

* wildebeest, both blue and black

* gemsbok

* red hartebeest

* baboon

* bat-eared fox

* jackal

* lynx

* Cape fox

* leopard

More than 160 species of birds have been identified at Bartholomeus Klip, among them the endangered blue crane and the African fish eagle as well as the ostrich, frequently seen in the reserve.

RATES - Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

(single rates available on request)

Included are three meals a day (gourmet dinner, lavish high tea and full country brunch), morning and evening game drives, birdwatching, and use of mountain bikes, windsurfers, canoes and all other facilities.

1 September 2009 - 30 April 2010

Luxury room: R2035 per person per night

Orchid suite:  R2222 per person per night

RATES - Wild Olive House

The house can be hired on a self-catering basis, with special rates for children. Adults can book for meals at Bartholomeus Klip at the cost of R300 per person (price includes afternoon tea, 3-course dinner and mid-morning brunch). Childminders can be arranged, or meals for the family can be served at Wild Olive House. Rates include morning game drives, use of mountain bikes and daily servicing of the house. Alternatively, guests can choose the all-inclusive Bartholomeus Klip experience (details as for the main farmhouse).

Full Season rates until end April 2009

New rates to be advised for after August 2009

R1075: Adults - per person per night
R488: Children - per person per night

Note fellow foodies that if you are in the area, you can book to go for brunch (min 2 people),  or for a 3 course lunch (min 4 people).  Additionally one can combine this with doing a game drive if you are 4 people or more.