South Africa

Location: Swellendam

Klippe Rivier is located in Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, midway between Cape Town and George, the start of the Garden Route. The region is steeped in a fascinating and rebellious past. Situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, the town has much to offer for those interested in history, nature and outdoor activities and is known as the largest Youngberry producing region in the world.

Accommodation

Klippe Rivier Homestead is a fine example of Cape Dutch Architecture, built circa 1820 to 1825, and is one of the white-walled beauties of the Cape. The walls are built of thick clay and the building still retains its original yellowwood flooring and ceilings, which is quite unique. The doors in the front rooms are stinkwood and yellowwood with a neat butterfly-joint inlay on the back of each door.
The typical outhouses for Cape Dutch homesteads were barns and stables, and in the case of Klippe Rivier, these have been converted into six luxury guest suites, preserving the ambience of a bygone era. The interiors of homesteads in the 1700s and 1800s were often sparse to the extreme, but the present owner of Klippe Rivier, Liz Westby-Nunn, has personally decorated the interiors with her impressive collection of Cape antiques, coupled with a fine selection of paintings. The interiors have a definite "English country house meets Africa" ambience which works beautifully with the stunning architecture of the homestead.

Eco Policies

Eco-Design - The unique buildings are surrounded by majestic oaks and white-washed ‘werf-mure.’ The frontal view of orchards and a vast irrigation dam is tranquil while the flanking by an army of bluegums, which line the old ‘wa-pad’ into Swellendam, give a feeling of grandeur. Annual maintenance is still done with care, in the age-old tradition, with local materials by local artisans.

Energy – Although solar energy has been explored, it has been discarded as an option at this stage and new technology is eagerly awaited. Light bulbs are being replaced with energy saving bulbs and the kitchens operate on clear burning LPG gas.

Conservation - The lands around the Homestead were used to produce vegetables, tobacco and wheat, but have been allowed to lie fallow for over 15 years and are slowly returning to their original ‘fynbos’, although still mainly pioneer plants. This habitat has proved to be perfect for the Spotted Eagle Owl and Barn Owl, which breed annually on the property. Where necessary, Yellowood trees are being planted to replace diseased oaks. Invasive alien vegetation is controlled and Black Wattle is utilized for rustic furniture and firewood.

Ecological sustainability - Glass, plastic and aluminium are separately collected and delivered for recycling. Many of the vegetables and herbs used in the house are grown in their own gardens, as are the fruits used in jams and preserves. There is an eco-friendly sewerage system and all waste water is recycled, often more than once, due to Klippe Rivier’s unique system of drainage. Garden refuse is turned into compost.

Community - More than 50% of Klippe Rivier’s staff have more than 10 years service and more than 80% have more than 5 years service at the hotel. Many were previously struggling farm workers and are now main income providers. The community has, and still benefits via, ongoing donations of training materials to schools, financial assistance such as the Heuningbos Project – an AIDS awareness project and purchases via ‘Swellendam Alive’ – a community uplift program, amongst others.

Facilities

At Klippe Rivier you can sample creative country cuisine prepared by chefs Sunelle Saaiman and Grieta January. Produce is selected daily and a three course menu is offered each evening, with each course providing a choice of two dishes. Vegetables and herbs are grown in Klippe Rivier's own gardens and ceps are picked in the forest in season. Dishes such as butternut soup, ostrich steaks, curried dishes, samp (african beans) and milk custard tarts can be found on the dinner menu while the generous farm breakfasts include home-made preserves, Klippe Rivier’s famous muesli and a variety of fruits in season. Fresh fish is sourced from local Struisbaai fishermen, when available.
Emphasis is placed on the local wines of the region, particularly the Breede River and Robertson area, with wines such as Graham Beck, Springfield, De Wetshof and Weltevrede amongst others.

Other facilities include a salt-water swimming pool, an interesting collection of books in the library and a bird list of 155 identified species, many of them water birds.

Things To See And Do

If you don’t wish to leave the homestead, relax at the salt-water swimming pool and enjoy the company of owls in the oak. Enjoy watching the water birds from a peaceful bench at the water's edge - two such well placed "hides" have been created. Take a good stroll to the gum trees at the top of the farm, and if you're feeling energetic enough you can take the gravel road which leads to the Breede Rivier.

Other activities can be arranged independently. Ask for directions and take a drive to the forests to walk in the woods. Swellendam offers canoe hire, golf, hiking trails, horse riding, glider flips and whale watching flights, mountain bike hire, as well as waterskiing. Visit the Faery Sanctuary and go Youngberry liqueur and jam tasting.

Room Description

The original "Waenhuis" and stables have been converted into six luxury bedrooms preserving much of the original ambience. Each of the bedrooms at Klippe Rivier has been named after previous owners and all bedrooms are air-conditioned.
Downstairs, three spacious bedrooms each have an open fireplace, dressing room and generous en-suite bathroom with separate shower and toilet.
Three loft rooms upstairs are under thatch, offer mountain views and have private balconies.
A secluded cottage is for the more romantic, with its own fireplace and private garden.

Prices & Booking Policies

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Prices and inclusions: Prices per person per night in a double room range from ZAR550 (approx £41) from May to July 2008, to ZAR650 (approx £48) from August to September 2008 and ZAR1200 (approx £79) from October 2008 to April 2009. Single occupancy prices per night are ZAR850 (approx £63) May to July, ZAR950 (approx £70) August to September and ZAR1400 (approx £100) from October to April.
Prices include breakfast and taxes but do not include a 1% TOMSA Tourism Marketing Levy.
Child prices: Children aged 0-7 years old are not accepted at Klippe Rivier. Children aged 8 years and older pay full adult rate.
Extra adult prices: There is no reduction in prices per person for a 3rd person aged 8+ sharing a room.
Special offers: Complete your stay between 1st October 2008 and 30th April 2009 and the price per night for stays of 2 nights or more reduces by ZAR100 (approx £6.50) per person per night.
Honeymooners receive a complimentary bottle of bubbly.
Check-in / Check-out times: Recommended arrival time is between 3pm and 6pm. Checkout time is 11am.
Opening dates: Klippe Rivier is open all year round. Bookings are currently being taken until 30th April 2009.
Restrictions: Children aged 0-7 years old are not accepted at Klippe Rivier. There are no minimum night restrictions. No pets accepted. Not wheelchair friendly.
Deposit: A 10% deposit is required at time of booking, to secure your reservation. You will be invoiced for this deposit by ecobookers, on behalf of Klippe Rivier. The deposit can be paid with PayPal, debit card or credit card (or UK bank transfer if preferred). Full payment is then required at least 1 month prior to arrival, direct to Klippe Rivier. This will be taken from your credit card, using the details you provide at time of booking. However, it will also be necessary to send a copy of the front and back of your credit card to Klippe Rivier, for verification. If you would prefer to pay by bank transfer, this can also be arranged.
Cancellation policy: The 10% deposit payable at time of booking is non-refundable. Cancellation 21-28 days prior to arrival will forfeit 25% of the full payment, cancellation 14-20 days prior to arrival will forfeit 50% of the full payment, cancellation 7-13 days prior to arrival will forfeit 75% of the full payment and cancellation less than 7 days prior to arrival will forfeit the full payment.
Payment methods: All major credit cards, South African currency and Traveler’s cheques (in South African Rand) accepted.

Getting There And Around

Directions from Cape Town: It is 220 kms (2 hours) along the N2 to Swellendam. As you pass the wheat silos on the outskirts of Swellendam you take the R60 turn off (SwellendamAshton). At the four-way stop (about 1/2 km) turn left and drive for 2.2km. The tar road becomes a gravel road and crosses an old iron bridge, look for the sign to Klippe Rivier and turn left.
Directions from Plettenberg Bay: From Plettenberg Bay take the N2 to Cape Town, (3 hours) passing George. Take the Swellendam East exit. Drive through Swellendam following the road right through to the very end of town, about 5km to a four-way stop. Go straight on for 2.2km to Klippe Rivier, the road becomes gravel shortly after the four-way stop and crosses an old iron bridge, look for the sign to Klippe Rivier and turn left.