Located deep in the little-visited and sparsely populated Karoo, Papkuilsfontein, a sheep, olive and rooibos tea farm, is worth the five-hour drive from Cape Town. Whether you come for a week or just a quick weekend break, it’s hard not to fall in love with this perfect guest farm.
As we arrived, we were greeted by some of the family members who have owned the farm for generations, who presented us with a basket of fresh-off-the-fire roosterkoek (toasted bread rolls), farm butter and homemade apricot jam. Things only got better from there, as we were directed to De Hoop, our century-old restored romantic cottage (one of three spread out on the farm), with thick walls, stable doors, white linen sheets, an outdoor shower in addition to a bathroom and simple, stylish furnishings.
The electricity-free cottage had a kitchen with everything you’d need for self-catering, but we opted for a cooked three-course dinner, which was delivered to our door at sunset, and set out on the table in our cottage complete with lit candles. The food was farm-fresh, home cooked and unbelievably delicious: green beans cooked in the farm’s own olive oil, perfect roast potatoes, mushroom pot pie and a peaches-and-cream meringue pudding. Breakfast, served at the main house, is also something to write home about: imagine seasonal fruit and homemade yoghurt, indulgent oats made with butter and cream, eggs and gourmet dishes such as a three-cheese-asparagus souffle.
To burn off some of those calories, there’s a lot to do: go on hikes to see the 180-meter canyon on the farm, visit ancient rock art sites, spot birds or swim in the natural rock pools or swimming pool. Recommended are the farm tours with the proprietor, Willem van Wyk, who’ll share tidbits about the geology and history of the area while showing you the best view points over the canyon.
If you plan to visit from July to September, when the wildflowers are in bloom, you’ll need to book a year in advance to secure a spot. Otherwise, visit in winter and get cosy with a wood fire in your cottage, or if you can handle heat, come in summer when you while away lazy days with a book under a tree and cool off with dips in the pool.
Expert Review
Located deep in the little-visited and sparsely populated Karoo, Papkuilsfontein, a sheep, olive and rooibos tea farm, is worth the...
Located deep in the little-visited and sparsely populated Karoo, Papkuilsfontein, a sheep, olive and rooibos tea farm, is worth the five-hour drive from Cape Town. Whether you come for a week or just a quick weekend break, it’s hard not to fall in love with this perfect guest farm.
As we arrived, we were greeted by some of the family members who have owned the farm for generations, who presented us with a basket of fresh-off-the-fire roosterkoek (toasted bread rolls), farm butter and homemade apricot jam. Things only got better from there, as we were directed to De Hoop, our century-old restored romantic cottage (one of three spread out on the farm), with thick walls, stable doors, white linen sheets, an outdoor shower in addition to a bathroom and simple, stylish furnishings.
The electricity-free cottage had a kitchen with everything you’d need for self-catering, but we opted for a cooked three-course dinner, which was delivered to our door at sunset, and set out on the table in our cottage complete with lit candles. The food was farm-fresh, home cooked and unbelievably delicious: green beans cooked in the farm’s own olive oil, perfect roast potatoes, mushroom pot pie and a peaches-and-cream meringue pudding. Breakfast, served at the main house, is also something to write home about: imagine seasonal fruit and homemade yoghurt, indulgent oats made with butter and cream, eggs and gourmet dishes such as a three-cheese-asparagus souffle.
To burn off some of those calories, there’s a lot to do: go on hikes to see the 180-meter canyon on the farm, visit ancient rock art sites, spot birds or swim in the natural rock pools or swimming pool. Recommended are the farm tours with the proprietor, Willem van Wyk, who’ll share tidbits about the geology and history of the area while showing you the best view points over the canyon.
If you plan to visit from July to September, when the wildflowers are in bloom, you’ll need to book a year in advance to secure a spot. Otherwise, visit in winter and get cosy with a wood fire in your cottage, or if you can handle heat, come in summer when you while away lazy days with a book under a tree and cool off with dips in the pool.