Blog - Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

Delve into the History of Graaff-Reinet

2023-06-21T00:00:00+02:00

Early Beginnings Set The Stage

Nestled at the very fringes of the old Cape Colony, Graaff-Reinet stands proud as the fourth oldest town in South Africa. Protected by dolerite pinnacles and a winding river, Graaff-Reinet boasts stunning vistas with its present-day population pursuing peaceful ways of living in harmony with their surroundings—but it wasn’t always that way.

Originally established as a frontier settlement, the arrival of the trekboere (or nomadic farmers) first brought Western civilisation to the arid plains of the Camdeboo and Sneeuberg.

Searching for fertile pastures for their cattle and sheep, these intrepid travellers left the restrictions of the Dutch East India Company in the Cape behind and headed for the wide-open spaces of the Karoo.

Landdrost Mauritz Woeke was amongst the first Dutch settlers to arrive in the area from Cape Town. He named the settlement Graaff-Reinet, after the Dutch Governor Cornelis Jacob van de Graaff and his wife, Reynet.

Sheep Kraal in the Karoo from the National Library of South Africa's Collection.

Discord and Development in the 18th and 19th Centuries

From the early 1770s, the trekboere settled the surrounding Karoo countryside, bringing with them a pastoral way of life. However, as is often the case when different cultures collide, conflict ensued. In this instance, the conflict arose between the newly settled farmers and the indigenous San and Khoi people who had called the land home for countless centuries.

The San's hunter-gatherer lifestyle was at odds with the pastoral future that the farmers were hoping to cultivate. Conflict escalated as the San and Khoi were pushed further out of their traditional hunting grounds. Three centuries later, The San and Khoi Memorial sits atop a hill on Aberdeen Road, dedicated to the indigenous people who lost their lives during this turbid period in South Africa’s history.

As time marched on, Graaff-Reinet’s significance in the South African landscape grew. The town's population expanded as skilled artisans lsuch as wagonwrights, saddlers, blacksmiths, carpenters and builders arrived and established their businesses. By the mid-nineteenth century, Graaff-Reinet had become a pivotal settlement north of Port Elizabeth.

Many artefacts and ruins of old can be spotted across Sneeuberg and the vast Karoo region.

A Present-Day Oasis of History, Culture and Natural Beauty

This settlement, once shrouded in conflict, has grown into one of South Africa’s most tranquil areas. Today, visitors flock to this enchanting town in search of an oasis of rest and relaxation shielded by the dolerite pinnacles.

For curious travellers, there are many things to see and do within the area. This quaint town boasts stunning Cape Dutch architecture and scenic views that draw visitors from all over the world while historic artefacts can be found in the town’s museums, telling tales of the rich heritage and cultural tapestry of the region.

The timeless charm of Graaff-Reinet offers a variety of options to satisfy every taste and interest. Take a stroll through quiet streets, visit quaint cafes and shops, or relax in the beautiful guesthouse gardens such as the one at our Langhuis, admiring the stunning panoramas of nearby Spandau Kop.

Our Langhuis, a refurbished luxury B & B in the heart of historic Graaff-Reinet, offers a tranquil stay with uninterrupted mountain views

Unwind in the Quiet of this Historic Oasis

Despite its beginnings as a settlement for farmers, Graaff-Reinet has become a cultural destination in its own right, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

If you’re searching for an authentic stay in the heart of this charming town, look no further than Langhuis, a historic townhouse transformed into a modern bed and breakfast.

Cape Vultures Find Sanctuary in the Karoo

2023-06-21T00:00:00+02:00

Imagine our delight when we spotted a Cape vulture perched on a trough in the veld at Sneeuberg! It’s a great sign that the Karoo Vulture Safe Zone project is working. We recently met with Danielle du Toit of the Endangered Wildlife Trust to see how we can be part of this important conservation project.

Sneeuberg management with Danielle du Toit of the Endangered Wildlife Trust during our meeting at Gordonville Manor.

Why We Need Vultures

When you think about the beauty and balance of nature, scavengers may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But vultures, an ecologically vital group of birds, are in crisis. Vultures are regarded as the most threatened group of terrestrial migratory birds on the planet, and there are only 2 900 breeding pairs left in SA.

Vultures exclusively feed on dead animal carcasses, and their digestive system has evolved into a natural wonder itself. By rapidly removing pathogens and toxins from the environment, nature’s lightning-fast clean-up crew prevents harmful diseases and bacteria, such as anthrax, botulism and rabies, from spreading to other wildlife and even humans.

Easy access to safe water sources means the Cape Vulture doesn’t have to venture far in search of a sip.

The Biggest Threats to Vultures

Danielle from EWT, who excitedly told us of a recent sighting of 22 Cape vultures outside Middelburg, explained how re-introducing the Cape Vulture to the Karoo landscape starts with mitigating the threats that drove them out in the first place. The main threats are:

Poisoning, when farmers illegally lace carcasses with chemicals to kill predators
Lead poisoning, when vultures scavenge on the discarded entrails of animals shot by hunters using lead bullets
Colliding with power lines, coming into contact with a live wire, or perching on a conductive pylon
Habitat loss as land is converted for housing, industry and agriculture
Drowning when they enter small reservoirs to drink or bathe and, if it is not full, are unable to climb up the steep sides
Being caught for use in traditional medicine
Poaching as trophies or for the illegal feather trade

A majestic Cape vulture in flight. Their wingspan can reach up to 2.6m. Captured by Gareth Tate

Returning Cape Vultures to the Karoo

Over 400 Karoo farmers and landowners have partnered with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, SANPARKs and a host of other conservation organisations to create a special safe zone that spans 23 000 km² in the Karoo. It includes four wildlife-protected areas — the Karoo, Camdeboo and Mountain Zebra National Parks and the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment.

The project team conducts assessments of the farms and reserves and actively works with owners to mitigate the threats so that they can obtain coveted Vulture Safe Zone status. They also host awareness days to inform hunters and game farm owners of the dangers of lead bullets, educate farmers about how poisoning predators directly threaten vultures and work with Eskom and municipalities to ensure all powerline infrastructure is safe.

Ensuring Sneeuberg is a safe haven for these majestic birds is an ongoing project. While we are already a recognised committed area for this project, we are taking steps to become part of the registered Safe zone. In line with the EWT’s recommendations:

Long-term, we are planning to go off-grid, completely removing the need for power lines that pose a threat to vultures. In the meantime, flapper disks on power lines are being installed to make them more visible to birds
We are working towards solutions to ensure vultures can easily climb out of our concrete reservoirs and dams if they fall in
In the case of an emergency culling, lead-free ammunition will be used to avoid the possibility of vulture poisoning

The untouched Karoo landscape at Sneeuberg, with its koppies, crevices and plains, is an ideal habitat for Cape vultures.

At Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, we are committed to conscious travel, which includes creating the optimal habitat for the safe return of these majestic birds. Just as our sky is pristine and clear, we are proud to be working towards ensuring our vast open land is a haven for wildlife where they can live their lives as nature intended.

Be sure to stay a night or two the next time you visit the Karoo. Perhaps you’ll even spot a Cape vulture!

The Benefits of Seeking Out Silence in a World of Noise

2023-01-10T00:00:00+02:00

Patrick Shen’s documentary, In Pursuit of Silence (2015), was released to near-universal critical and audience acclaim for its “meditative exploration of our relationship with silence, sound and the impact of noise on our lives.” Including commentary from an array of experts in various fields spanning medicine, theology and education, different voices weigh in on the question of silence and how it affects our health, learning capabilities, and the overall quality of our lives. You can watch this quietly captivating film here.

Image credit: In Pursuit of Silence (2015)

Creatures of Quiet: How Noise Affects Us

Perhaps unsurprisingly, noise and silence have been found to have vastly different effects on our psyches, bodies and general well-being. While a study by the World Health Organization and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre concluded that a steady dose of noise pollution could lead to adverse health effects such as higher blood pressure, fatal heart attacks, high rates of cholesterol, and hypertension, silence was found to stimulate new cell growth in the brain, improve memory, and release tension in the brain and body.

Humans are not the only ones that feel the effects of noise keenly. Studies show that, for wildlife, the auditory landscape is a crucial component of habitat. Human noise masks critical sounds that can limit animals' ability to listen for prey, predators, and territorial alarm calls, and to locate group members and find sexual partners.

Animals are keenly attuned to the noise levels in their environment.

Where in the World to Find Some Peace and Quiet

Fortunately, the power of quiet is increasingly recognised on a global scale. The US and Europe have separately crafted plans to protect and advance the world’s “quiet spaces” with legislation that aims to prevent and reduce environmental noise. Protected places of silence in Europe include Blessington Basin in Ireland, Lake Bäcksjön in Sweden, and Tondiloo Park in Estonia, while the US boasts “One Square Inch of Silence” within the Olympic National Park in Washington state. In Japan, Forest Therapy has been used to “promote the health of both forests and human beings” through immersion, meditation and light exercise amongst the stillness of the trees since at least 1999, as shown in Shen’s documentary.

Closer to home, there are also efforts to protect the sacred silence of South Africa’s wild spaces. A speaker at the 2019 Condé Nast International Luxury Conference in Cape Town and co-founder and chairperson of Wildlife ACT, Johan Maree, cites the greatest luxury of nature as its silence. From the lush stillness of iSimangaliso Wetland Park to fynbos-filled Agulhas National Park and the starkly scenic plains of the Karoo, there are many spaces of silence in South Africa to be sought out and savoured.

Image credit: Danel Viljoen, captured at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

As we celebrate the start of the new year at Sneeuberg, we are re-committing to finding time to unplug, be still, and reap the benefits of silence in a world of noise. From our home in the heart of the quiet Karoo, we can’t help but agree with this documentary’s assertion that “silence is the resting place of everything essential.”

Feel The Silence of the Karoo

2022-09-22T00:00:00+02:00

Over the last two years, our homes have become places of work, forcing us to always be ‘available,’ to be acutely aware of the pings and vibrations resonating from the next room. Getting lost in music or listening to a podcast during morning commutes is no longer a daily occurrence - who knew that we could miss this time?

Our homes used to be our safe ‘escape,’ a place where work couldn’t reach us, but even that has now fallen away. If humankind’s basic needs were ranked in 2022, we’re almost certain that silence is what we would crave most.

While it is difficult to escape the noise, there are still spots hidden in the heart of the Karoo and elsewhere where life is uncluttered. Set far away from the notifications of the 21st century, these places allow wildlife, birds, and humans to dance only to the tune of the seasons.

Disconnect From The World’s Invisible Grip; Tune In To Visible Nature

Silent to the ear yet amplified internally, our interconnected world of waves and frequencies demand us to always be ‘on’ when we should be ‘off.’ In most parts of the world, the harmonies of life and mother nature’s divine design have been interfered with due to the modern world’s reliance on technology.

Studies show that the light emitted by phones inhibits the brain’s production of melatonin - the all-important hormone that helps us fall asleep and remain in a dreamy state until the bird’s first peep in the morning.

The noise and frequency waves have caused some of us who are immersed in the tech-centric world to disorient and lose our structure, way of life or seasonal migrations. In some more extreme instances, these waves have halted our complex biological processes. This is perhaps most visible in migratory animals reliant on the earth’s magnetic field and frequencies to inform their movement.

In places where silence is still served in its truest form though, the bees and migratory birds who rely on the earth’s magnetic field for their daily and seasonal navigation find a safe haven. They are able to tune in to nature’s rhythms and follow its guide to get where they need to go.

For humans, something similar happens when we find ourselves in places that are quiet and far away from the light, air, and noise pollution synonymous with city living. We are able to recalibrate our internal frequencies, and reassess the direction of our own trajectory.

Karoo Living True To Its Natural Form

So, if you’re feeling somewhat allergic to life in 2022, consider going where the cellphone towers and Wi-Fi isn’t. With our own hearts tuned into the rhythms of the Karoo, we believe there’s no place better to get back to the quiet.

Ground yourself with a stay at Sneeuberg and tune yourself back into nature’s visible rhythms.

Our team, along with the indigenous fauna and flora, is ready to welcome you.

If you’d like to read further on what inspired this blog, please view the resources below which we found most informative:

Businesstech.co.za. 2018. South Africa’s new signal “dead-zone”. [online] Available at: <https://businesstech.co.za/news/telecommunications/219169/south-africas-new-signal-dead-zone/> [Accessed 20 June 2022].
EMFSA. n.d. Welcome to the Home of EMFSA | Electro Magnetic Fields. [online] Available at: <https://www.emfsa.co.za/> [Accessed 19 June 2022].
Twenge, J., 2017. Analysis: Teens are sleeping less. Why? Smartphones. [online] PBS NewsHour. Available at: <https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/analysis-teens-are-sleeping-less-why-smartphones#:~:text=The%20blue%20light%20emitted%20by,fall%20asleep%20and%20stay%20asleep.> [Accessed 8 June 2022].
Knysna-Plett Herald. 2015. Nowhere to run: ‘allergic’ to the 21st Century. [online] Available at: <https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/news/News/General/154401/Nowhere-to-run-allergic-to-the-21st-Century> [Accessed 20 June 2022].

Saddle Up or Cheer Along For It’s Ride The Karoo 100 Miler

2022-02-01T00:00:00+02:00

For those who know where we’re going with this, you’ve probably already got your tickets. You’re busy prepping and putting in the hard work to get ready for the Ride The Karoo 100 Miler mountain bike race taking place from 25-26 February. But for those who would much prefer to watch the race unfold while sipping a G&T out on one of our luxurious farm cottages (we still have availability), here’s everything you need to know about the 170 km ride through the Karoo, with the route information provided by Urban Goat Events.

Breathtaking Elevation Through the Karoo

The pun here was intended when one looks at the 100 miles waiting to be traversed - with elevations ranging from 1315 metres to 1900 metres above sea level. Riders begin the race before heading out towards the famed Compassberg - which stands command at an astounding 2502 metres tall, making it the highest peak in the Sneeuberg Region.

The trails in this part of the world are a combination of district roads and gravel paths - something you will become familiar with during your stay with us. On a side note, we always recommend that guests use a car with good clearance, because once you turn off the N9 it’s all off-road from there, adding to the excitement and anticipation of your stay, but we digress, let’s go back to the grind of Ride The Karoo.

The Karoo is where gentle hills give rise to kopjes and valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see, which is why the 100 Miler’s elevation will be gradual, but just before the legs start giving in, riders will receive a welcome reprieve in the form of a downhill track. This meandering route will take riders to one of our favourite villages known as Nieu-Bethesda - which you can read more about in one of our blogs here. This historic town is where lunch will be served, Karoo style with things like locally brewed chilled ginger beer, and sumptuous on-the-go bites to fuel those legs for the second half of the ride where our team will meet you at the 124 km waterpoint.

Home Stretch

With appetites quenched and minds gathered and ready, riders will make their way out of Nieu-Bethesda and enter the Sneeuberg and Bergplaas Nature Reserve - a sacred place where conservation and protection are the order of every day. If you’d like to find out more about how we worked alongside neighbouring landowners to create the Compassberg Protected Environment, read our recent blog on conscious living and sustainability here.

As riders enter our reserve they will get the chance to lift their eyes off the road - albeit for a few seconds - and experience a Karoo safari (sans predators) with common sightings of eland, kudus, wildebeest, zebras, duikers, and blesbok, to name but a few. For a more comprehensive list of what you can possibly see during a ride or stay with us, read this.

With a route as breathtaking as this, it’s no surprise then that the Ride The Karoo 100 Miler has sold out, however, we still have space in our self-catering cottages if you’d like to watch the race unfold through our Nature Reserve. For those of you feeling inspired but needing more time to prepare, the Ride The Karoo 3-Day Stage Race takes place from 23-25 September, and we can’t wait to host in our cottages so book your stay here!

On Wheel Or On Foot, Sneeuberg Is The Place to Feel

Regardless of whether you’re exploring Sneeuberg on foot, on the stoep or on peddle, our luxurious Karoo farm stay cottages give you the space to reflect on everything you see and feel. It’s a place where you switch off from the world and escape the clutches of reality and signal. It’s the place for travel in 2022, that’s for sure!

Conscious Karoo Living at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2021-10-19T00:00:00+02:00

Conscious living, eco-friendly design, and being in touch with nature are far more than trending ‘buzzwords’ to us. While living out in the heart of the Karoo calls for reflection, we certainly do look outwards and have our finger on the conservation pulse. As one of the most serene and darkest places - at night, that is, with just the stars and moon as our ambience lighting - we have done our best to protect our environment - with plenty still left on our ‘to-do list.’

Image Credit: Johan van der Merwe

A Vision to Protect

The magical allure of Sneeuberg was caringly crafted by our founder and interior decorator, Charlotte Daneel. Her passion for design came from an emotive response to her environment and was fed by the pulsating energy of life in the Karoo. Charlotte believed that the best spaces wrapped their arms around you, yet equally important to her was the embrace she gave nature in creating a reserve as close as possible to its truest form.

From the very beginning, Charlotte was dedicated to the concept of conserving the land and introducing game and Nguni instead of the ‘typical’ Karoo sheep farming. Sneeuberg Nature Reserve encompasses about 15 000 hectares, and the decision was made not to introduce any predators so that the land can be truly enjoyed safely.

Compassberg Protected Environment

In 2012, Sneeuberg and four neighbouring landowners jointly created the Compassberg Protected Environment, comprising about 26 000 hectares, under the auspices of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency’s Stewardship Programme. The aim is - and always was - to protect environments of specific natural importance and beauty. The Compassberg Protected Environment offers protection from excessive development, mining and drilling for oil or gas and was the first protected environment in the Eastern Cape and second in South Africa.

Image Credit: Johan van der Merwe

With this title comes great responsibility, and the only thing we take lightly are the steps we want to leave behind. So far, we’ve cleared the land of any fencing on Sneeuberg Nature Reserve itself, removed old snares left behind from centuries ago, and we have cleared out and rehabilitated areas on the farm that were previously used for refuse dumping by its previous owners.

We encourage our guests to tread lightly, and if they so wish, they can pick up bits of waste that we’ve missed along the way; however, these ‘pick-ups’ are becoming far and fewer between. We are also in the process of sourcing environmentally-friendly cleaning products and supporting local artisans when it comes to our hand soaps and creams. While recycling certainly isn’t as easy as placing a glass bottle into a bag and placing it out for collection (oh, the dream!), we’re working on a recycling programme that will lower our carbon footprint out in the Karoo.

If you follow our Facebook and Instagram pages, you’ll also notice that we like to do things differently. So instead of the ‘expected’ Karoo lamb shank recipes, we’ll occasionally share a vegetarian dish fitting with our vision for sustainable living. However, what you decide to cook in the kitchen during a stay with us is judgment-free.

Silence Like You’ve Never Heard Before

Charlotte Daneel long maintained that the Reserve’s best offering was the beauty of the Sneeuberg and Renosterberg Mountains, the changing light, and the vastness of the vistas. Fast forward to 2021, and we feel that its best feature is the stillness and absolute silence it brings - a welcomed reprieve from life as most know it in the big cities.

There are few places left that offer silence quite like this in its truest form. Our Nature Reserve really is the perfect spot for a mindful retreat where the claws of cellphone signal and clutches of emails simply cannot reach. However, we can switch on the WiFi if you’re that way inclined.

Our hope is that the clean sky, the quiet emptiness, and being this close to the earth will inspire our guests and summon true relaxation and reconnection. Experience conscious living in the heart of the Karoo.

Experience The Old Through New Eyes in Nieu-Bethesda

2021-07-06T00:00:00+02:00

A Time Warp of Simpler Days

Nieu-Bethesda is probably one of the last remaining places in South Africa where “rush hour” refers to goats crossing the dirt roads alongside horse-drawn carriages. Motorised traffic isn’t encouraged in this Karoo dorpie, as its only petrol pump has dried up, encouraging visitors anew to experience the magical charm of old-school life on foot.

A Salubrious Small Town

With around one thousand residents, less than one hundred actually live in the town’s central area, and like most quaint Karoo villages, Nieu-Bethesda was originally founded as a church town. Boasting a magnificently beautiful NG Kerk, villagers and farmers alike congregate on Sundays as the church bell rings through the streets. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound: the grand organ remains proudly present.

Even the name, 'Nieu-Bethesda,' was inspired by the Biblical pool described in John 5:2 to have healing powers, drawing from the Gats River running parallel to the town. Although the vlei has dried up significantly over time, the charm of Nieu-Bethesda certainly has not. If anything, it’s swelled up and is now featured in glossy magazine spreads - yet it hasn’t lost its heart.

The rich soil has made for at least eight working farms in the vicinity, allowing many of the locals their daily bread. The dessert town is lined with pear trees and quince hedges, and colourful rose bushes nodding their blooms in the breeze.

A Haven of Inspiration

The town is a painting, and it’s no wonder that many creatives have passed through, leaving inspiration in their wake, and sharing their passion with others. Perhaps the most famous creative to make their mark is playwright Athol Fugard, who wrote 'The Road to Mecca' which is set in Nieu-Bethesda.

The Infinity Gallery exhibits artworks from near and far, and Cathy Milner’s Spring Art Retreat is popular amongst creatives. Frans Boekkooi’s Sculpture Studio operates on village time only - where the way to knowing if it’s open is if the door is open, forget your usual 8 to 5.

They say the best way to experience a town is through its art and meeting locals - well, after one look into the kind, smiling eyes of Arthur Dlamini’s portrait shots of locals you'll understand why. If you're interested in supporting this photographer's work, there are limited prints per photograph, and you're encouraged to email him to purchase a masterpiece of your own.

See, Taste and Drink the Karoo

Never mind the natural beauty of the Karoo town with its vivid amber sunsets, the architectural quirkiness of buildings adds to its spice. The iconic Tower Cafe, a visual cross between a goat tower and Rapunzel’s fortress, is one such place and it serves delicious homemade meals paired with some of South Africa’s best wine offerings.

Don’t be fooled into thinking this quaint town doesn’t have its share of fine wining and dining, as the popular Stoeptasting Wine Weekend takes place annually. If you’re looking for a night to remember, the iconic Ibis Lounge curates a seasonal Karoo country-cooking inspired tasting menu with six-courses showcasing only the best locally-sourced and grown produce. It also often plays host to live performances, art retreats and culinary experiences for the foodies amongst us.

Honesty Shop

Honest in more ways than one, Reinet is a local beekeeper who hand-makes environmentally conscious body products, from hand salves, baby cream, to shaving bars and linen spray - and of course, the magnificent Karoo honey. She sells her goods in her Blue Cupboard Honesty Shop, so when it's time to pay, simply pop your cash in the teapot or paypal her the amount and off you go. Honesty is currency in this town.

Expect the Unexpected

If the lack of cars and Wifi isn’t unusual enough for life in 2021, wait until you hear about the Garlic Harvest Festival, where absolutely nothing is off-limits - how about some garlic ice cream or garlic rum? Heston Blumenthal, eat your heart out!

The friendly locals include the tail-wagging dogs walking themselves down the dusty streets, and cats as companions, cosying up on your lap as you get lost in a book at Dustcovers Bookshop. You might even catch a glimpse of the famous warthog-come-librarian, sniffing through the shelves offering his recommendation.

Don’t worry, “no eating in the library” is strongly enforced, as the 61-year-old parrot who frequents the bookshop hasn't turned into a cat's dinner (yet).

Daai Klein Dorpie Gevoel (That Small-Town Feeling)

Be as slow and relaxed as the time warp town of Nieu-Bethesda, and allow your eyes the opportunity to wander far and wide. Every corner oozes with character, so be sure to drink it all in with enough time to digest. While this eclectic village is celebrated in its unconventionality, in the words of Athol Fugard from The Road to Mecca, “the final effect is not bizarre but rather one of light and extravagant fantasy.”

Image Credits: Images sourced from @arch_sloth, @nieu-bethesda & @dustcovers_bookshop Instagram feed with permission granted.

The Wonders That Await at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2020-12-04T00:00:00+02:00

Come as you are, whether it be alone, with a lover, family, or friends, and enjoy everything Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has to offer. From the quietest hour of the cool nights to the most memorable days spent outdoors with the Karoo between your toes. It's hard to wash away the memories you'll make during your stay.

Venture through the sprawling stretches of land and take a look at what you can expect to do, see - and taste - at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve:

Sundowners | Cheers to the Karoo

Be spoilt for choice when it comes to sundowner spots, and "cheers" to an unforgettable holiday. Whether your drink of choice is a G&T, glass of bubbles, or fresh juice, let your eyes rest upon the glowing mountain tops at sunset.

Picnics | Taste the Karoo

The Karoo is filled with fresh home-style produce, with flavours and aromas that will transport you back to times spent in Ouma's kitchen. Have us arrange a picnic basket for you to feast on during your stay. You decide where and when you want to enjoy it, and we ensure that it's packed full with the freshest produce.

Hiking Trails | Walk the Karoo

Traverse the great mystery of the Karoo on one of the many hikes on offer at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve. Yet the most challenging part of your hike won't be the inclines or steep descents; it will be having to return home again after taking in the expansive views.

During your hike, lookout for some of our resident wildlife. They certainly aren't shy and politely ignore your presence. Still, they do offer plenty of photo opportunities - so be sure to pack your camera.

Wander through the humble Nguni herds, or take the day to hike and realise your capabilities on the Compassberg trail - an 8-hour hike located on an adjacent farm with a climb of roughly 1700m to 2505m.

Whether you're searching for a relaxed stroll or a challenge, seize the moments of these beautiful landscapes. Bring the whole family and take advantage of our trails that can be adjusted to anyone's fitness levels.

4X4 Driving | Traverse the Karoo

In search of an adrenaline rush, or the sound of gravel beneath your tyres? Take yourself on a tour of the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve and take in the expansive views from new heights. With approximately 200km's of extreme 4X4 terrain to tackle, our trails are perfect for the experienced driver in search of a thrill.

Mountain Biking | Explore the Karoo

We may be situated on a large plateau, but that doesn't necessarily mean that our trails are flat. Whether you're looking for your own 'La Ruta' or a more relaxed ride, Sneeuberg offers every kind of trail, ranging from long flats, mountain tracks to a riverine. If it's merely some exploration that fills your heart's desire, then you can always cycle to Nieu Bethesda for lunch as it's only 35km away.

Swimming | Cool Off in the Karoo:

The Karoo certainly tempts you to take a daily dip in the pool during the long summer months. Luckily at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, Poplars Farmhouse, Kliphuis, Gordonville Cottage, Gordonville Manor, and Langhuis (Graaff-Reinet) all have access to swimming pools. Spend your afternoon lazing on the loungers, sipping a drink, and cooling off in our pools with family and friends.

River Bank Walks | Walk the Karoo:

Walk alone with your thoughts, or bring the kids to our Nature Reserve's river banks. Depending on the time of year, this is a special place where you can either swim, discover animal life in their natural habitat, or find shade underneath the poplar trees that dot the riverbanks.

Escape from life's stressors and leave them at the entrance to Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, where many wonders await.

Nature Unscripted at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2020-09-14T00:00:00+02:00

Photo Credit: Ron Mackenzie (@safariguys)

Our resident animals have spent lockdown parading around our cottages, seemingly boasting their freedom and sheer beauty. This has given our estate managers and guests some truly spectacular sights to share and so join us as we reflect on the past three months at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve.

Wildebeest

Wildebeest have 'gone viral' over the last few months with the annual Great Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. While we certainly cannot compete with the extraordinary footage from the Serengeti plains, our wildebeest certainly have a far more comfortable life - which still makes for some captivating photos. No crocodiles are lurking in the rivers, and there's no rush to be anywhere other than our reserve, which has everything these prehistoric-looking beasts need in one place.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Blesbok

Our resident blesbuck (blesbokke) are partial to the short grass and open plains on offer in the Karoo, and if you're wondering how to identify these buck, here are a few clues. These endemic antelope have a white blaze on their face (known as 'bles' in Dutch) and a horizontal brown stripe above their eyes. They were almost hunted into extinction, but luckily they've been protected and are no longer considered endangered. If you're visiting us over November and December, you may catch the rare sightings of a baby blesbok being born or taking its first few steps.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Zebra

Our resident zebras are perhaps the most curious of all the wildlife at Sneeuberg. They tend to eavesdrop on guests' conversations held on cottage's verandas - and they're certainly not camera-shy. They are often spotted in groups, known as a 'dazzle' of zebras, and they're also apparently black animals with white stripes. However, the jury is still possibly out on this one.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Duiker

True to their name, duikers are shy and would much rather duck into bushes when there is danger. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that their name comes from the Afrikaans word 'duiker' which means 'to dive.' While we certainly have had plenty of rain, the Karoo often endures droughts - luckily, duikers can live without drinking water. They are also one of a few antelope with a more 'sophisticated' palate, as they eat leaves, fruits and seeds, but can also appreciate carrion and insects.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Tortoise

You'd be forgiven for walking straight past this tortoise taking shade along one of our many hiking trails. Yet, while this moment certainly warrants a photo, we ask that you refrain from picking it up or touching it – no matter how strong the urge may be. You may be wondering why we're referring to this tortoise as 'it,' but there's no easy way to tell their gender, as we have to wait until they reach a specific size. Another interesting fact to note is that tortoises use their throats (vomeronasal organ) to smell – a common practice in the reptile world.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Rock Monitor Lizard

Speaking of reptiles, you may come across the second-longest and heaviest-bodied lizard found on the African continent, the rock monitor lizard. They may look intimidating, but their diet is certainly not. It consists of millipedes, beetles, molluscs, and orthopterans. In some instances, they scavenge the corpses of vertebrae prey or eat a tortoise, but these form very little of their diet and are more 'nice-to-haves' as opposed to meal staples.

Photo Credit: Nate Foster

Aardvark

Our estate manager spotted the elusive aardvark during a walk back from Karoo Cottage. The Maier family then visited Sneeuberg a few days later and were also treated to this incredible sighting – even managing to take this video. The aardvark prides itself on secrecy and doesn't give us more than a glimpse into its life - thanks to its speed and nocturnal ways. It also generally spends its days holed up in cool underground burrows dug with its powerful feet and claws. Yet, with the many Winter cold fronts, it perhaps found it warmer on the ground than underneath it.

Video Credit: Maier Family

Photo Credit: Richard & Daron Slater

Winter

The 2020 winter lasted from May through to September and has been unusually cold. With lockdown, Daron and Richard Slater couldn't send their daughters to school, and Sneeuberg provided the perfect classroom. On one such occasion, the girls learnt about different states of matter at one of the small frozen dams at Sneeuberg.

Photo Credit: Richard & Daron Slater

They also went on morning walks and had to identify the various plant and animal species found on the farm. During one of these 'lessons', they found this aloe plant which was another example of changing states of matter after the rain had turned into ice overnight. We're hoping that soon Spring will firmly take hold and put an end to the frosty mornings, and hurry the flowers into bloom, turning our fields of gold into seas of colour.

Photo Credit: Jade Slater

Sunsets

The many cold fronts and crisp winter air created these idyllic sunsets which were captured by Richard Slater and his daughter Jade, with whom he shares a passion for photography. While the Slaters know a thing or two about where to take the best photos of the Karoo sunsets – they aren't the only ones. We recently welcomed the @Safariguys who made creating this blog difficult with their array of incredible images. They captured the essence of what makes Sneeuberg the place to be if you're looking to escape life's daily stressors and immerse yourself in the simplicity of nature.

Photo Credit: Ron Mackenzie (@safariguys)

Reconnect on Route 63

2020-05-17T00:00:00+02:00

Source: SA Country Life (Borralho, 2017)

“I Spy”.

Traverse expansive lands and enchanting towns stuck in the simplicity of time warps, and reset your mind to focus on what’s important in life. Swap those road-trip 'staples' like Wimpy milkshakes, with an indulgent melkskommel lovingly prepared by the tannies who manage family-run coffee shops. With little to no signal, your kids will have to communicate - verbally - and revert to the classic in-car entertainment synonymous with your own childhood. Although, we’d recommend steering clear of car cricket as it’s more of a test than a 20/20. The ‘I Spy Route 63 Edition’ is inspired by the rich birdlife, abundant wildlife, and flora on either sides of the road, and will keep you laughing, guessing and probably Googling to identify different species.

Source: SA Country Life (Borralho, 2017)

Victoria West.

If you’re joining the R63 from the N12, start the round of ‘I Spy’ at Victoria West. This quaint town is famous for its historic airport, used as a refueling stop for SAA on routes from Cape Town to destinations in the north, right up until the 1970s. We’d suggest continuing with the refueling tradition at the local petrol station, before moving onto the next town. Also be sure to withdraw money at one of Standard Bank’s first ever branches, founded in 1862. Drive past the Apollo Theatre in Church Street, and behold one of the last surviving Art Deco Theatre’s in South Africa.

Source: Apollo Theatre: Experience Northern Cape (Kennedy, 2019)

Continue the game of “I Spy” as you enter the outskirts of town near to the Victoria West Dam, where a number of antelope, endemic Karoo wildlife and birdlife can be seen. If you’re tempted to take a dip, appreciate the fact that it’s not 1921, when the strict dress code stipulated you wore a costume “sufficient to cover the body decently from shoulder to halfway between the hip and knee”.

Source: https://www.karoo-southafrica.com/

Murraysburg.

Your R63 journey will then take you over the N1, and more CA and GP number plates may join in your drive towards Murraysburg. Eloquently put by the local tourism page, “Murraysburg is a town that time has almost passed by, with someone describing its special appeal as being more about what it is not, than what it is.”

Framed by the breathtaking Sneeuberg mountains on one side and the Buffalo River on the other, Murraysburg is famous for its high-quality mohair, produced from the resident angora goats.

Source: Source: René Theron from https://murraysburg.co.za/photo-gallery/

Like many parts of the Karoo, this region is world-renowned for its abundant fossils, indicating that life in these seemingly inhospitable and harsh environments has existed for billions of years. The area is also rich in rock paintings and artefacts left by the original people of this land, the San.

Source: The Great Karoo https://www.thegreatkaroo.com/listings/activities/western_cape/great_karoo/murraysburg

Graaff-Reinet.

After stopping in Murraysburg, wind your way through the enchanting hills and shaded valleys of the Karoo, with distant views to the south offering the opportunity for a family competition of who can be the first to catch a glimpse of the 1909-metre high mountain of Die Duiwel (Devil) or the 2278-metre high Toorberg (Bewitched) Mountain. The winner can claim their prize in Graaff-Reinet which is fast becoming the South Africa’s ‘it’ town, with plenty to see, do and eat. It’s also where you can stay in our Langhuis, one of the many surviving green-shuttered, whitewashed houses that give Graaff-Reinet its homogenous character.

Nieu-Bethesda.

From Graaff-Reinet, Sneeuberg Nature Reserve is an hour’s drive along the N9, but if you’d like to continue reconnecting with nature, take a detour off the N9 and follow the R61 to Nieu-Bethesda, a nature-lovers paradise. In keeping with its distinctive slow pace of life, this town has no bank or credit card facilities, and no petrol pump available, truly embodying the idea of watching life pass by against the backdrop of the Sneeuberg mountains.

Source: https://www.karoo-southafrica.com/

Some see Sneeuberg Nature Reserve as their final destination, yet we see the R63 journey as part of the destination, and while time may have forgotten many of these towns, we know that you won’t.

New Life in the Karoo

2020-01-13T00:00:00+02:00

Rain brings joy to the Karoo

By Richard Slater, manager at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has been very fortunate to receive some rain during December 2019 and January 2020 totalling about 100mm. The timing of this rain could not have come at a better time for all the inhabitants of the reserve. At the beginning of December the situation was looking very bleak, particularly as all the earth dams that supply drinking water for wildlife and cattle had dried up. We were fortunate however that our underground water resources were still okay, some areas around the reserve were starting to experience a drop in their borehole water levels. We managed to revive a few of the old windmills and some of the natural fountains were still operational.

It was however starting to get depressing as unseasonal hot winds just blew away any sign of moisture. Our prayers were answered on the 8th of December when almost an inch of soft rain fell. This was followed up at the end of December with a further 31mm of rain. A few nice thunderstorms followed in January.

The transformation in veldt and animals has been amazing and some of the earth dams have received water giving us all some hope again. We have even found some leaking roofs at the various houses and cottages that were not there previously.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of the drought and a lot more rain is needed to rejuvenate all the natural functions of the landscape, but at least it is a reprieve and as the clouds build up in the northwest we trust that we will be blessed with some more rain. Our thoughts are with those that have had no or very little rain.

At Sneeuberg, we welcome the rain and the impact it has on the environment. Not only is the land covered in pockets of green, but some of our animals are also enjoying the relief, such as this breeding pair of swallows, who have returned to Sneeuberg once again.

Stargazing in the Karoo

2019-11-28T00:00:00+02:00

Image Credit: © Sjoerd Jan ter Welle

“The cottage [Kliphuis] was situated far and away from any neighbour. All you could hear was the wind. Nothing else. There was enough to do for the guests as they selected this place because they wanted to do astrophotography. I did get an opportunity to try taking a picture of the Milky Way with my normal camera as well. The lens was open for 30 seconds and I used a fish-eye lens. The dark part at the bottom of the picture is a layer of clouds,” wrote Sjoerd Jan ter Welle.

Image Credit: © Sjoerd Jan ter Welle

"The guys I was flying around did a better job of the same Milky Way. See the below picture taken by one of the guests," said Sjoerd.

Chris Davies wrote in his article Go stargazing on this easy Karoo road trip for Getaway Magazine: "If daytime in the Karoo is about the immensity of the landscape, the night is about the immensity of the sky."

This area really is an astronomer's dream setting as the Karoo offers dark nights, with very little light pollution from nearby towns.

"In urban areas, light pollution and atmospheric moisture make stargazing difficult, but rural areas have an advantage in that their lack of development makes it easy to see stars more clearly than urban areas," wrote Duncan Alfreds for News24.

Another aspect for optimum stargazing is minimum interference of mountains. Mountains aren't great for stargazing as it can generate clouds and potentially rain, and it can restrict your view. Luckily, the Karoo has plenty of beautiful wide open plains for uninterrupted sightings of the constellations.

At Sneeuberg, astronomers and casual stargazers are treated to the ideal conditions for taking part in this special activity - far from city lights and surrounded by vast open spaces. To experience the night sky in all its Karoo splendour, book a stay with us and give yourself over to hours of gazing until the stars align for you too.

Sources:

Top Five Animals to Spot at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2019-07-15T00:00:00+02:00

Our aim is to rehabilitate the land by introducing indigenous game and Nguni cattle, of which we run a herd of 600. Guests have spotted wonderful antelope and smaller mammals during their walks, while 110 bird species have been counted to date. Here is our roundup of five sightings that always delight our visitors.

1. The Bat-Eared Fox

A very rare sight as they are nocturnal, the Bat-Eared Fox is a small fox known for its enormous ears, which are over 5 inches (13 centimeters) tall. The ears are full of blood vessels that shed heat and help keep the fox cool; they also give the animal a very good sense of hearing for listening for threats and possible food, such as insects crawling nearby.

2. The Kudu

Perhaps most known for the spiraling horns of the males, the kudu is a well-known species of game in South Africa. Also known as the greater kudu, it has tawny-brown to grey-brown coats with distinctive white stripes running down on its flanks. They have a white V-shaped band across the eyes and forehead with white spots on their cheeks, while their long manes of hair that run on its back from head to tail and along the lower neck to the underbelly are unmistakable.

3. The Black Wildebeest

The black wildebeest, also called a gnu, is a member of the antelope family. The wildebeest roams the open grasslands of South Africa in large herds of up to 50. It always remains close to water supplies, grazing in the morning and late afternoon, and resting in the hot sun in between. The body of the wildebeest looks disproportionate, as the front end is heavily built, the hindquarters are slender and the legs spindly.

4. The Zebra

Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black-and-white striped coats. Their stripes come in different patterns, unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds.

Their fierce fighting skills and strong social bonds help to protect zebras from predators, which include lions, leopards, hyenas and cheetahs. When under threat, these awesome animals form a semi-circle facing the attacker and prepare to strike if need be.

And if one of the group is wounded or injured, other zebras will circle around and attempt to drive off the hungry attacker.

5. The Gemsbok

The gemsbok, gemsbuck or South African oryx is a large antelope in the genus Oryx. The gemsbok is one of the characteristic animals of the arid areas of Southern Africa, adapted to living in deserts where there is no water to drink. They are perfectly adjusted to living in this area as they get their water requirements from the food they eat.

The Great Karoo is full of surprises and we wish you many wonderful sightings during your stay at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve.

One with nature: stay at Sneeberg during the coldest months

2019-06-14T00:00:00+02:00

At Sneeuberg Nature Reserve we live close to nature. Our respect for the environment runs deep and as we embrace the next season in the Karoo, we realise again how Mother Nature rules our world.

The owners maintain that the Reserve’s best offering is the beauty of the Sneeuberg and Renosterberg Mountains, the changing light, the silence and the vastness of the vistas. The hope is that the clean sky, the quiet emptiness and being close to the earth will inspire you and bring about true relaxation.

In those peaceful moments, enhance your stay with a true Karoo book, to bring you even closer to this special part of South Africa. We've rounded up three book recommendations to inspire, engage and entertain you.

1. Karoo Ramblings - Short Stories and Tall Tales, by David Biggs and illustrated by Tony Grogan

Via loot.co.za. - "This collection of close on fifty stories is packed with the gentle humour and wry wisdom for which David Biggs is known and loved. The reminiscences about his childhood growing up in the Karoo and other tales gleaned from family and friends will have readers guffawing with laughter and nodding in appreciation. The illustrations by Tony Grogan, a long-standing friend and colleague of Biggs, perfectly complement the stories."

2. Timeless Karoo, by Jonathan Deal

Via loot.co.za. - "This vast and unique region, at once awe-inspiring and secretive, will draw you close into its protective mantle; too close for casual inspection by the hurried traveller. The Karoo will share its secrets with you only if you're prepared to sit quietly to learn its mysteries over a plate of bobotie, a glass of witblits, and a copy of Timeless Karoo."

3. Karoo Kitchen, by Sydda Essop

Via Yuppiechef - "Discover the traditional recipes, veld remedies and diverse culinary tales in Karoo Kitchen, a fascinating visit to the historic heart of South Africa. 'More than just a cookbook – it is an inspiring journey of discovery, heritage and the human spirit'."

How to spend a day in the historic town of Graaff-Reinet

2019-05-27T00:00:00+02:00

Your day will start with a cup of good coffee sitting on the spacious Langhuis stoep. Then take a stroll past the clear blue swimming pool, shady verandah, fruit orchards and overflowing herb beds of the incredible 7000m² garden.

Get to know more about the history of Graaff-Reinet

Book your spot with tour operator David MacNaughton from Karoo Connections for a journey through historical Graaff-Reinet. During the guided walk you will travel back in time and visit the rich cultural landmarks and national monuments of the 4th oldest town in South Africa.

The first stop is the Reinet House, once the home of legendary preacher Andrew Murrey (a distant relative of Langhuis owner Charlotte Daneel). Here the story of the town will unfold: the establishment of the first Drostdy as the bastion of law and order in the South African interior and the economic boom that led to the building of the Dutch Reformed Church, known as the Grootte Kerk (Big Church). This fascinating story of Graaff-Reinet is revealed in an approximate 2 ½ hour tour.

From the old to the new: trending in Graaff-Reinet

The best lamb hamburger in the Karoo can be found at the trendy restaurant, Maria’s Coffee Roastery. Stroll around their courtyard for a fine selection of handcrafted gin, art, collectables, deli products and, as the name suggests, the best coffee in town.

For some pamper and relaxation, ask around for directions to the local Africology Spa.

Valley of Desolation Sundowner Tour

The late afternoon tour to the Valley of Desolation is a highlight for many visitors. The lookout point over the vast Camdeboo valley is nothing short of spectacular with ancient rock formations framing the view and majestic black eagles circling lazily overhead. From this vantage point, the photogenic town of Graaff-Reinet sits snuggly in the cradle of the u-shaped Sondagsriver.

Dinner at Drostdy Hotel

The restaurant at the Drostdy Hotel provides a sumptuous dining experience. Expect true Karoo dining of slow-cooked oxtail or kudu steak and an excellent wine selection from the wineries of La Motte, Antonij Rupert and Rupert & Rothchild. The Drostdy Hotel also houses the original bird paintings that made The Birds of South Africa by Austin Roberts the second best-selling book (after the Bible) in South Africa.

To book a tour with David MacNaughton from Karoo Connections, please phone: +27 (0) 82 339 8646 or view www.karooconnections.co.za

The magic of arriving at a snowy Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2019-05-20T00:00:00+02:00

SNOW IN THE WARM-HEARTED KAROO

As the hospitable team emerged from Gordonville Manor to welcome us, we made a beeline for the warm indoors. Our hosts, listened attentively to our tales of falling snow en route to the reserve, while our luggage magically disappeared and found its way to our cosy farmhouse cottages. Walking into the delightful Gordonville Cottage felt like stepping into an old storybook. With a crackling ﬁreplace welcoming us and a hot pot of chocolate slowly melting on the stove, we would have been forgiven for thinking we were caught in a fairytale.

TRADITIONAL KAROO FAIR

Our toes were just beginning to melt as another surprise appeared in the form of the friendly staff making their way to our cottage through the drifting snowﬂakes to present us with delicious Karoo food. The icy winter’s day was perfectly ended with a thick, family-recipe butternut soup accompanied by homemade bread. As the wind gathered speed and the snowﬂakes whirled against the windowpanes, we agreed it was time to open the complimentary bottle of Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Merlot. We kept the ﬁre going long into the night and allowed ourselves the pleasure of being transported to a different world… even if just for the night.! You too can become part of the fairytale and get lost in a one-of-a-kind Karoo winter wonderland.

Winter is coming and Sneeuberg has the coziest fireplaces you can dream of!

2019-04-24T00:00:00+02:00

Here are just some of the ways you can spend your time at Sneeuberg this winter:

A reunion with friends in Graaff-Reinet

Langhuis in Graaff-Reinet is the ideal place to have a catch-up weekend with your best mates. Spend the day exploring South Africa's 4th oldest town and in the evening enjoy each others company round a warm and toasty fire. Langhuis also has a built-in BBQ which is perfect for the traditional pastime of having a potjiekos with friends. We can't think of a better meal on a winters day than potjiekos, and best of all sharing it with friends you haven't seen in a while.

A romantic night in front of the fire

A winter’s night in the Karoo is not complete without a crackling fire in the background and a glass of delicious red wine on the table. Our intimate Karoo Cottage is ideal for spending quality time together The earthy tones, stone walls and chunky beds give an authentic Karoo feel to the cottage, but it’s the massive fireplace in the centre of the dining room that gives it its homey and cosy look and feel. We suggest slowly sipping on glühwein with the fire sizzling in the background.

An ideal family getaway

Kliphuis, on the other hand, is perfect for a city escape and a vital reconnection with your family this winter. Go for a game drive on the reserve and take in the fresh air or go for a nice hike up the Compassberg. The fire at Kliphuis will be so much more rewarding after that! The cosy fireplace in the lounge will keep everyone warm and comfortable while you play a competitive round of 30 seconds. Or, keep the peace and sip on a cup of hot chocolate while everyone toasts marshmallows on the fire before heading off to bed.

No matter how you enjoy a cosy night, it is hard to argue that winter nights are best enjoyed in front of a fire with the people you love.

Charlotte Daneel

2019-02-19T00:00:00+02:00

If Charlotte realised any of this she didn’t say anything. On the contrary, I remember being struck by her enthusiasm and by the amount of goodwill she put in to ensure everything was just right. Of course, ’just right’ is a relative term. It was ‘right’ according to Charlotte: the ‘right’ sort of leaves for the vases, the ‘right’ flowers, the ‘right’ juxtaposition of objects, the ‘right’ table setting and so on. There was a steely determination to do it her way, her advice delivered en passant, in a conversation, sweetly and generously. She pulled up one of those large cane armchairs she would become famous for, settled in it, lit one of her cigarillos and from the side offered suggestions and advice, leading quietly but authoritatively in a tone of voice that, although friendly and sympathetic, was to be obeyed. She commanded huge respect. From that moment I never looked back.

Charlotte became my go-to person for critiques. From that day we became firm friends. I’d come over to the La Fromagerie at La Grange and we’d chat over wine and she’d share all kinds of information. I went to Antwerp with her to visit shops and studios she thought worthwhile. She introduced me to a famous decorator who lived in a castle. We went to Paris to her favourite restaurants and to Maison et Objets, the décor show, to see what the rest of the world was doing and all the time I got to see the world in which I had started working through Charlotte’s eyes.

When I started this portion of my professional life I really knew nothing about scale and proportion or about stylish living beyond a few things picked up studying for a degree in architecture at a fancy British university, and my monthly trips to Italy to study the Renaissance masters. But Charlotte became my mentor. She fashioned my taste and opened my eyes to a world I knew nothing about. She was a staunch supporter of my magazine; indeed, together La Grange and Condé Nast founded a décor show in Johannesburg called Rooms on View at a time when decorating in South Africa was a fledgling business. Charlotte launched herself into it, again leading by example. That the décor world in South Africa began to flourish in the wake of that show is one of her greatest legacies.

I once interviewed Charlotte for a book I was writing about South African decorators. This is what she said to me:
‘When I came back to South Africa from Holland, I was determined to make my work instantly recognisable as South African. I wanted to vindicate our past by incorporating Africa into what I was doing. But I wanted a look that was also connected to the rest of the world. I was one of the first who created something that didn’t say ‘safari’ or ‘colonial’. It was one of the first appearances of an Afro-European blend and it worked. What I did very successfully was to put Kuba cloth cushions on an old riempie rusbank. It looked sensational. It’s a look that people exported back to Europe.’ Again, Charlotte the leader.

How did she always get it right? Charlotte told me that South Africans live in a place that’s very ‘awake’ spiritually. It affects some people more than others, but in Charlotte’s case, and in particular with the work she did on her various houses in the Karoo, it’s allowed her to create places that move people. And this is what sets her apart from her peers. Their warmth comes from the heart and was expressed through commanding textures, and pleasing, gentle colours and comfortable environments. You want to be there, knowing you will have good food and wine in rooms that are warm and appealing and have soul.

‘My passion comes from an emotive response to things. And it’s fed by the energy that comes from living in South Africa. But you have to be grounded if you want to survive here. There are places here that have a vibration that’s healing. I think many of us are very aware of that. If you’re connected to it, you can create a place that’s in sync with your surroundings, that embraces everybody coming into it and where you feel inspired, where you feel at home. And if you’re disconnected, your spaces will be flat and uninspiring.’ Those who have a connection to that power are the ones whose work is relevant to the context of where we live and that says the most about their creator. There’s no doubt that Charlotte’s work has that. She was finely in tune with who she was and where she came from. This is the reason that Gordonville, for example, her property near the Sneeuberg in the Great Karoo, is uniquely inviting. She created something extraordinary there.

Charlotte’s grand projet was Gordonville. It makes a whacking great statement on the power of scale, texture and colour; it’s intuitively, and luxuriously, in sync with its location. Full of what she always called ‘beautiful texture’ and ripe colours, it’s not one of those places that says, ‘Admire me’. Instead, it embraces you. ‘That’s absolutely what I aspire to’, she once said to me. ‘I aspire to create spaces where people can find a place to sit, read a book and feel safe.’

And that’s why her legacy in the Great Karoo, at Gordonville, Kliphuis, Poplars and Langhuis is so enriching. Charlotte had a thrilling, glamorous life in other parts of the world, but in the end she was utterly connected to her roots. Anybody who knew her, and who has had the chance to stay in one of her properties, can’t but be moved by this. I will miss her very much.

Paul Duncan

Photo Credits: Gordonville Manor by Adriaan van Oosthuizen. Paul Duncan and Charlotte Daneel by David Ross.

Reconnecting with your family and friends at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2018-11-21T00:00:00+02:00

Get close to nature

Being close to nature often means getting as far away as possible from everything else. There are few places better suited for this than the Great Karoo. At Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, you can choose to have a private farmhouse kilometres away from any other structure, so that you quite literally have a large piece of Great Karoo all to yourself. The question is, how will you use it?

With more than 200 kilometres of hiking and biking trails on a 14 500-hectare nature reserve, you’ll have an endless supply of routes to walk or bike, with different scenery and wildlife around every bend. Conquer Compassberg together as a team, go on a photographic safari, and watch the game and Nguni graze as you end off your day in the farm dam that has been converted into a pool. Take to the tracks, and you’ll soon have a collection of great memories, created all around this beautiful, untamed nature reserve.

Fun for the young – and the young at heart

The renovated sheep shearing shed at Gordonville Cottage and Gordonville Manor is a real treat for those who need to let off some steam. This large, enclosed space has been converted into an indoor swimming pool and games area.

Here you’ll find many ways to have fun and laughs together, starting out with a game of billiards and probably ending off with a splash in the pool, and a panoramic Karoo sunset unfolding in front of you. This is of course only one of the pools on the reserve – and the others each have their own special characteristics too.

Have the time and space to make food together

If you love making food together, or you just never have the time and space to do it, you’ll be delighted to know that the kitchens and dining areas in our farmhouses have been designed exactly for this purpose.

The ample cupboard space and large fridges, along with the stylishly decorated, open-plan kitchens invite groups of people to bake and brew, to create, to play, to taste, and to enjoy – together.

The large indoor and outdoor dining areas are a tribute to the expansive, down-to-earth Karoo, while the carefully selected furniture adds a touch of modern, European elegance.

We thought of the little things too. Your farmhouse has the cutlery, crockery and everything else needed to cook together, including La Grange dining sets and even candles – for soft, glowing light and an atmosphere for connecting.

The end result of a house made for togetherness is that everyone gets to participate, and everyone gets a spot around the table, the bonfire, and the dish of steaming hot Karoo lamb.

Why you should visit Sneeuberg in springtime and early summer

2018-09-26T00:00:00+02:00

New life

Spring is when the new Nguni calves are born and our guests often witness their first steps and stumbles into the world. You might be surprised by how quickly they get the hang of their newly discovered legs and soon you’ll see them playing with their siblings and prancing around their little corner of the vast, newly sprung Karoo.

Hiking and mountain biking

There’s no better way to see what spring has in store for this stunning landscape than to get out there by foot or bike – and with 14500 hectares of burgeoning nature reserve, there’s a good chance you’ll come across bits of new life that no-one else has seen before. Pick one of the many hiking and mountain biking tracks that crisscross the nature reserve and see what treasures you can find – new and old.

Taking a poolside break

If you need a break from all the walking, cycling and exploring you’ll be happy to know that Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has many ways for you to cool off and relax. Why not take a dip on one of many swimming pools found throughout the reserve? If you’re staying in Kliphuis, your dip in the pool will very likely include a wildlife viewing as many animals come to drink from the nearby trough. If you’re a group of people, why not take to the renovated sheering shed at Gordonville? Here you can swim indoors and enjoy a variety of indoor games like table tennis and pool while you enjoy the beautiful spring scenery outside.

A picnic in the heart of the reserve

Another great way to experience the full force of spring is to have a picnic right in the middle of the action – and in a largely untouched nature reserve like this, you’re in for quite a treat – and we don’t just mean the goodies in the basket. Get your hat and sunglasses and let our staff pack a magical picnic lunch for you to enjoy surrounded by greenery and wildlife.

New perspective

After you’ve been so immersed in nature, take a scenic drive up to the foot of Compassberg and then hike to the top to experience the landscape from a different perspective. Enjoy refreshing sundowners and delicious snacks while the sun goes down on the nature reserve. See if you can spot the nooks and crannies that you discovered earlier in the day and start making notes for your next day’s adventure.

Sneeuberg Nature Reserve: The modern-day traveller's choice

2018-08-31T00:00:00+02:00

This trend is something that our owner, Charlotte Daneel saw coming and it inspired her to create something completely different. Sneeuberg Nature Reserve offers guests so much more than just luxury and it has been dubbed a 'perfect hideaway' by the Perfect Hideaways Collection.

The Open Invitation of the Karoo

If you’ve ever been to the Karoo, you will agree that there is no place quite like it. The wide open spaces and rolling hills invite one to stop, take a moment and breathe. Charlotte draws on this feeling of expansiveness and openness with her large farmhouses scattered all over a 14 500-hectare protected nature reserve. For the modern-day traveller, this feeling of ultimate seclusion in vast expanses of nature is a very rare find and it is becoming central to their holiday planning.

It’s the little things – Sneeuberg’s personal touch

Of course, modern-day travellers have specific needs when it comes to accommodation and for the team at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, these requirements form an integral part of the Karoo experience. Although the large, luxuriously renovated farmhouses are kilometres away from everything, their occupants still receive a high level of personal attention.

You are welcomed at your perfect hideaway with a crackling fire in winter, an abundance of firewood and a fully equipped kitchen. You get a cell phone number that you can WhatsApp with any specific needs that you might have throughout your stay. This includes delicious, homemade meals, new towels and even freshly baked farm bread. You can ask for a private tour of the reserve and the Nguni farm activities or a packed picnic for lunch or sunset.

Spaces designed to foster connection

Today's travellers, very often value their privacy and love staying in a warm, welcoming space that fosters connection. At Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, each farmhouse is private and has its own unique character as envisioned by Charlotte’s decades of interior design experience. The interior and exterior spaces are perfect for family getaways, group road trips and even solo missions to get away from it all.

The joy of having a legendary manor all to yourself

With so many options to choose from, you really can get the accommodation that suits your needs best. From a cottage boasting a bathtub with panoramic views, to a manor house with an indoor pool, chill area and billiards table. The choice is yours.

So, if you ever want to swap out standard comfort for authentic comfort, just remember that somewhere out there in the Great Karoo, a large, unique farmhouse designed by an interior design icon beckons… patiently… peacefully.

Charlotte Daneel - the woman behind Sneeuberg Nature Reserve

2018-08-22T00:00:00+02:00

Charlotte Daneel is the owner of the applauded Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, about an hour's drive from Graaff-Reinet in the Great Karoo. The farm lies somewhere between Middelburg and Nieu-Bethesda and has been transformed into an iconic retreat over the last decade or two.

This is in large part due to the woman behind the wheels. For her work here at Sneeuberg and at her former company, La Grange Interiors, Charlotte was featured as one of South Africa's "Style Icons" in a classic publication by Paul Duncan.

Says Paul: "Anybody looking for appropriateness of context in a South African interior, should learn from Kliphuis. Inside, it is big on texture and scale, evoking the boldness of its surroundings. There are large shapes and simple finishes. In every room the furnishings have a basic, elemental quality that indicate the owner's affinity with the gravelly surroundings of the building's location."

Renovating and rebuilding the 5 farmhouses and cottages on the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has been a monumental task and maintaining these on a high standard has become Charlotte's unbridled focus. The mind numbing 7 hour trip from Franschhoek (where she lives) is nothing to her, even though she makes it more than once a month.

Large scale challenges come standard when transforming a wilderness space like this one in the Great Karoo into a perfect hideaway. The process looked something like this: "Deep, over-scaled sofas designed by Charlotte arrived on a tractor; SUV tyres have burst on the rugged roads in an effort to stock the house with excellent linen, glassware, books, rugs and wood burning stoves."

The whole does have a bit of an "Out of Africa" feel to it, where leading lady Karen Blixen famously transported her crystal glasses and china via boat, train and ox wagon to her farm in Kenya. Why all the effort? - one might wonder. And then comes the answer from Charlotte: "In the end, luxury is what you want it to be. For me, luxury means having this extraordinary homestead in an unspoilt location, sustained by utter silence."

You can find Charlotte's work in the following publications: "Perfect Hideaways", "Perfect Hideaways Book 2" and "Down South Two" - all by Paul Duncan. Her work on Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has also been featured in the "VISI Magazine" and the "Greenwood Guide to South Africa".

Top 5 reasons to visit the exclusive Sneeuberg Nature Reserve this year

2018-07-17T00:00:00+02:00

1. The epic fireplaces with the unlimited firewood

If you enjoy spending time with your loved ones around a blazing fire, you and our owner, Charlotte Daneel have a lot in common. With grand-scale fireplaces and unlimited firewood, the houses on Sneeuberg Nature Reserve were built with people like you in mind.

2. The everything-you-need kitchens

The term ‘fully equipped’ just doesn’t cut it when we talk about our kitchens at Sneeuberg. The kitchen in your farmhouse or cottage is kitted out with everything you need, from pots and pans to plungers and placemats. We believe that making food together connects people, so we wanted it to be easy for friends and families to come together in the kitchen and make magic.

3. Every house is a unique Karoo-style mansion – built for comfort

When you’re staying in the middle of the Karoo with the closest other house 4km away, you have two things in abundance: time and space. These two things might seem so simple, yet they often escape us in our everyday lives.

At Sneeuberg, the living spaces in and around your house have been created with comfort and connection in mind. This is your time and place to not only make food together, but also to talk about the important things, to relax together, and to share those special moments around a crackling fire – free of distractions.

4. The wide open spaces with nothing but silence and stars

If you pick up a copy of Perfect Hideaways you’ll see our lovely Kliphuis on the cover. That’s because this special place – along with the other houses and cottages in the Sneeuberg collection – really is a perfect hideaway for anyone wishing to go off the beaten track to find something unique.

5. It’s an authentic experience

When you stay at one of our houses or cottages on Sneeuberg Nature Reserve or in Langhuis on the edges of Graaff-Reinet, you’ll not only get to experience the treasures that the Great Karoo has to offer, but also the finer things close to the heart of our owner, Charlotte Daneel. That’s because every part of your experience at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve has been tailored by one of South Africa’s most acclaimed interior decorators to be approachable, soulful and larger than life – just like she is.

We hope to welcome you at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve soon! Or book a stopover at our sister establishment, Langhuis, in Graaff-Reinet (kitchen featured in the video).

Top 5 things to do at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve in the Karoo

2018-06-05T00:00:00+02:00

Game drives

If you enjoy being surrounded by expansive landscapes with wild animals roaming freely through the grass, let our staff take you deep into our 14 500 hectare reserve where the Kudu, Rhebok and Zebra wander. Or, if you really want to experience nature seclusion, why not take your own 4x4 vehicle and traverse the winding dirt roads yourself?

Click here to find out more about the wildlife and birdlife at Sneeuberg

Biking and hiking

For those who would rather take on the great outdoors by foot or bike, we offer a variety of mountain, riverine and long, flat, scenic tracks. Choose your adventure at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve and afterwards, enjoy a warm, hearty Karoo meal from the Gordonville kitchen.

Spend time around a fireplace – Karoo-style

If you’ve ever been to the Karoo, you will know those crisp, clear, starry nights – unhindered by artificial light or sounds. It is on those beautiful nights that one can sit for hours around a crackling fire with only the sound of distant nocturnal calls breaking the silence to remind you where you are. This is the magic of the Karoo and a very important part of the Sneeuberg experience.

See the fireplace at The Poplars

See the fire pit at Kliphuis

Picnic in paradise

There’s nothing like enjoying delicious food and drinks in the middle of untouched nature. At Sneeuberg we have picnic spots scattered all over our mountain tops, around our river banks and throughout our plains and poplar forests. Pack your favourite goodies and just follow the map. Otherwise, let our staff at Gordonville kitchen surprise you with a stunning picnic basket and some delicious sundowners.

Bathe in luxury

Can you imagine anything more relaxing than lying back into a luxurious bathtub and looking out over the vast expanses of the Karoo? No? Well, then imagine being surrounded by candles and stunning decor, carefully crafted by a world-class interior decorator (think La Grange Interiors, Franschhoek). Yes, at Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, a bath is not just a bath. It is a luxurious, immersive, Karoo experience. Come and experience it for yourself.

Don't miss out on our special offers!

special offers