Come Experience Farm Style Self Catering accommodation like Never Before

Welcome to Kleindoorn Guesthouse

We invite you to come and have a rest in a typical Karoo homestead dating back to 1834. This secluded farm belongs to the fifth generation le Roux’s, descendants of the French Huguenots. Get away from the city and television at this retreat. Sit on the thatched veranda stoep overlooking the Swartberge and the Badsberge.

Once you feel invigorated, take a hike through the fynbos koppies, the succulent karoo plant veld or the renosterbosveld. If you’re up for a bumpy ride, take your 4X4 and attempt one of two off road trails. On the way to the farm game can be spotted early morning and at dusk.

After a day of activity, light a fire; prepare a slow dinner, gaze into the flames and listen to the din of voices from long ago. When the sun has truly set, pour yourself another glass of wine and watch as a glittering blanket of stars cover the pitch black heavens. You might even be lucky enough to hear the far off nocturnal cry of a jackal as you retire to bed.

Early next morning, try a bird watch (it is well worth it to bring your binoculars and bird books along). The Little Karoo area is home to some magnificent bird species.

45 minutes trek through fynbos, trees and rocks, you’ll run into a superb waterfall. The fresh mountain spring is an oasis that’ll revive body and soul whilst the diverse fauna and flora will be a treat for the most avid nature lover.

Kleindoorn Guest House is a rustic self-catering establishment situated on a working farm. You are welcome to watch and participate in real farm activities. When the apricots are in season – Nov. /Dec. – the orchards across from the guest house are free for exploration. Nothing compares to the taste of an exquisitely sweet self-picked apricot.

Bertus le Roux, the owner, was born and bred on this soil.  

Accommodation

A cool space with high ceilings welcomes you to a stoep, library and three living spaces. Two bedrooms include a double bed each and one bedroom has twin beds. Three divans and a sleeper couch can also serve as extra beds. Extra towels and linen can be found in the bedroom cupboards. The house caters for up to 10 people and extra mattresses can also be arranged for children.

To spare you from stringing along pots and pans, we provide cutlery and crockery and other basic kitchen essentials including a microwave, toaster, kettle, fridge-freezer, an electric frying pan, as well as a mini oven with 2 hot plates. An indoor barbecue place provides a warm glow throughout the house during cold evenings.

More barbecue facilities are available in front of and beside the house where you can watch the sunset, the blue mountains and the farm from afar – of course with the inevitable glass of wine to toast nature at its purest.

Your privacy is guaranteed. However, we’ll be available if you’re in need of anything or just simply want to have a chat.

SERVICES & FACILITIES

  • Self-catering – with: microwave oven, toaster, kettle, electric frying pan, mini oven with hot plates, fridge & freezer
  • Free of charge and unlimited WiFi
  • Washing machine and outside clothes line (bring own laundry detergent)
  • Fire extinguisher and smoke detector
  • Free on-site parking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • “Well-trained” pet friendly
  • Electricity, but no television
  • Cell phone reception limited, but available in “hot” spots
  • Indoor as well as outdoor barbecue areas/fireplaces
  • Homemade ‘boerewors’ (traditional South African sausage) available- please arrange with us beforehand
  • Firewood is available at a nominal fee upon request
  • Linen, towels and washing cloths for dishes are provided
  • Fresh drinking spring water from the mountains running in taps
  • The daylight in the ‘stoepkamer’ is especially suitable for painting or other art activities

Outside

 

We are literally a stone’s throw from the 142 km2 Boosmansbos Wilderness area and the farm is surrounded by some of the finest Little Karoo scenery. There are  plenty  to discover, enjoy and do around the guest house. Here  is a list of some activities for your inspiration:

  • 2 x outdoor braai/barbecue areas
  • Bird watching (bird spotting lists available) & flora/fauna spotting
  • Hiking & jogging
  • Mountain biking
  • Rock pool swimming under two waterfalls
  • Watching farm activities
  • 4 X 4 drives – maps with coordinates provided
  • Reading at leisure
  • Painting
  • Meditating & practicing yoga
  • Stargazing
  • Photography
  • Cooling off in one of many dams on the farm

Attractions 

 

Situated in near proximity to the popular tourist Route 62 – one of the longest wine routes in the world- our guest house serves as the ideal stop-over on your scenic journey. There are many things to do and see on the farm itself but if you are up for discovering the surrounding area, we recommend the following places of interest (distance from the guest house stated in brackets):

  • Warmwaterberg Spa  (25 km) – regularly rated as the top hot mineral springs’ destination in the Western Cape (www.warmwaterbergspa.co.za)
  • Ronnies’ Sex Shop (20 km) – it’s not what you might imagine, but it’s best to see for yourself;-) (www.ronniessexshop.co.za)
  • Labirinth and Peace Pagoda at Lemoenshoek (12 km) – find your inner peace at Holmelea’s classical 11-circuit labyrinth or just absorb the healing energy in its meditative surroundings.
  • Barrydale (28 km) – there is more to this small agricultural town very popular amongst hikers. Visit this quaint picturesque village with its community of artists. Spoil your taste buds in one of the many restaurants. Taste one of the world’s best brandies. We recommend you try the Country Pumpkin for breakfast, lunch or coffee in the afternoon. Clarke of the Karoo is run by a world famous chef, and the Barrydale Karoo Hotel, as well as Mez, offers great eatings. Diesel and Creme Restaurant is famous for their milkshakes. There is also the Bistro, run by long time Barrydalers, Johan and Winnie Jordaan, and the newly opened Hardy’s. A Place in Time offers great pizza and The Dung Beetle Bar is an interesting bar and place for a snack. Pop in to The Donkey Shed for delicious local seasonal dishes, organic salad and wood fired pizzas – great books for sale. Stefan’s Route 62 Stop is a café on the main road that offers anything from tinned food, cool drinks, fresh bread and snuff.  Worth a visit is also the Dutch Reformed Church for its beautiful architecture.  Not to be missed Barrydale’s attractions are:
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      • Barrydale cellar – epicentre of the Brandy route, home to world-class wines and award-winning brandies (voted best brandy in the world)  (www.barrydalewines.co.za) Beautiful restaurant on site, famous for their pizzas – outside and inside seating.
      • Magpie –  a socially conscious art collective that showcases creative up-cycled, re-cycled and re-purposed art creations – many concept pieces and chandeliers (www.magpieartcollective.com)
      • MUD Gallery – com­bin­a­tion art and metal works gal­lery (www.mud.co.za)
      • Barrydale Hand Weavers – skills and job creation project with “open to public” weavery and a wide range of pure cotton, 100% handwoven home décor (www.barrydaleweavers.co.za)
      • for more info on other Barrydale attractions and treasures please visit www.barrydale-online.co.za
  • Joubert-Tradauw Private Cellar  (40km) – not to be missed by wine lovers; rated one of the Top 10 wineries in South Africa. You are invited to have  lunch in the vineyard or try one of their specialties – the Klein Karoo tapas (www.joubert-tradauw.com)
  • to pump up your adrenaline – Klipbok 4×4  and Tradouw Quads (www.tquads.co.za)
  • Boosmansbos Wilderness Area – offers amazing hiking (www.capenature.co.za/reserves/boosmansbos-wilderness-area)
  • Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve (63 km) – another hiker’s paradise in the area (www.capenature.co.za/reserves/grootvadersbosch-nature-reserve)
  • Marloth Nature Reserve (75 km) –  another nature’s gem in the majestic Swellendam mountains (http://www.capenature.org.za/reserves.htm?reserve=Marloth+Nature+Reserve)
  • Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (60 km) – wilderness sanctuary offering five star accommodation at three luxurious lodges (www.sanbona.com)
  • Gysmanshoek Pass (18 km) – follow an historical ox wagon route dating back to the mid 1700’s in this old gravel pass through a natural cleft in the Langeberg Mountains . It is drivable in a normal car in good weather, but if it’s been raining, a 4×4 will be a better option.  Not too many people have traveled this delightfully scenic and off the beaten track pass (Gysmanshoek Pass)
  • Tradouw Pass (32 km), which means Women’s Path in the old Khoi language, is a 17 kilometer drive at an altitude range of 219 meters through some of the most beautiful and rugged mountain scenery on offer in the Langeberg.  The pass, built by Thomas Bain and completed in 1873, offers magnificent scenery, beautiful waterfalls, pools and numerous walking trails (contact the Barrydale Hiking Club on 028 572 1667 for info). Our tip – don’t forget your picnic basket (Tradouw Pass)
  • Garcia’s Pass (33 km) – this  11.8 km long pass has a history predating 1860. Its Old Toll House, dated 1877, has been restored and declared a National Monument. Sleeping Beauty and Kristalkloof hiking trails start here. (Garcia’s Pass)
  • Swellendam (75 km)-  3rd oldest town in South Africa, established in 1746 (www.swellendamtourism.co.za)
  • Bontebok Park (75 km) – smallest national park of the South African National Parks, part of the Cape Floral Kingdom (www.sanparks.org/parks/bontebok)
  • Suurbraak (52 km) – the village was established in 1812 when the London Missionary Society established a mission station to serve the Attaqua Khoikhoi, one of the only places in recorded South African history where whites were required to move out during the time of the Apartheid.  A romantic, mysterious and highly exotic retreat awaits you in this unguarded Overberg recluse