"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right"
...Nelson Mandela
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Bartholomeus Klip Western Cape |
Bartholomeus Klip is unique. There are only five bedrooms in this small hotel, the original homestead on a large private estate which is both a working wheat and sheep farm and a nature reserve with a spectacular mountain backdrop.
Here, in this unexplored region only an hour by car from Cape Town's international airport, you can feel part of the peaceful life of rural South Africa and its clean crisp air and star-filled night skies.
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Bartholomeus Klip's 10 000 acre fynbos nature reserve is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world's smallest, but the richest in species for its size.
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Special features: - Maximum of ten guests at a time
- Exceptional food and wine
- 16 000 acre private estate
- Game drives - over 500 head of game
- Fynbos nature reserve
- Farming activities
- Salt-water swimming pool
- Windsurfing, boating and canoeing on the huge dam
- Walking and hiking in the reserve
- Mountain biking
- Conservation projects
- Birdwatching
- Close to Cape Town and the winelands
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| View over the dam from the boathouse |
The Victorian homestead has been meticulously renovated, and the fine fabrics and family antiques make you feel as if you are a guest in someone's much-loved home. |
| Rose-filled gardens and ancient oaks surround the house, with benches tucked away in quiet places perfect for absorbing the peace and relaxed atmosphere.
Nearby, the deck of the salt-water swimming pool is ideal for sunbathing or sundowners, and the boathouse, where the wonderful brunches are served, has a spectacular view over the dam. |
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The Bedrooms
Comfort is the keynote in the bedrooms: specially made pure cotton bedding, luxurious toiletries, towelling gowns. No TVs to spoil the country feeling (although there are two in the main rooms for essential viewing).
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The Disa room, with its king-sized bed, has
French doors opening onto the verandah.
Arum (also double or twin beds), is nearest
the swimming pool.
Nerina (double or twin beds) is on the
cool side of the house.
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The entrance to the Orchid Suite, with
king-sized bed and its own verandah.
Agapanthus (double or twin beds) has a
trompe l'oeil wall in the bathroom.
A typical bathroom, with Victorian-style
fittings.
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Olive House and its adjoining cottage, separately sited from the main Farmhouse, provide a self- catering option where children are welcome. |
| There is accommodation for up to six adults and two children. Guests can eat at Bartholomeus Klip by prior arrangement (babysitters can be provided for children). |
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Wild Olive House has its own swimming pool and outdoor living area, with space to braai (or barbecue) beside the pool. The kitchen is fully equipped with everything needed for both cooking and eating. |
One of the bedrooms in Wild Olive House
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The children's bedroom, with bunk beds |
 The third bedroom in Wild Olive House, leading out onto the outdoor living area |
 | The Cottage has a bedroom, bathroom and small sitting room, with mini-fridge and facilities for making tea or coffee. You can watch the setting sun turn the mountains pink from your own private deck. |  |
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| The food - in the French tradition but with a local flavour - is one of the highlights of a stay at Bartholomeus Klip. |
 Dishes such as salmon trout layered with fresh coriander and ginger and wrapped in phyllo pastry, with a lemon beurre blanc, and (below) chocolate truffle cake may be on the menu.
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 | Tea is a serious affair: scones with thick farm cream and home-made preserves, pecan meringues, apple tarts, prune and ricotta cheesecake, savoury bruschettas - the selection changes daily. |
| | Bread, scones, cakes and pastries are baked fresh every day, while milk, cream and butter come from the dairy and lavish bouquets of herbs from the garden. |
 | Brunch at the boathouse, with a bountifully laden table. Fill your plate and take it outside to the deck overlooking the dam, then drink in the view of the mountains opposite with your coffee. |
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Wines
| Bartholomeus Klip is surrounded by the famous winelands of the Western Cape, so the wine list reflects the achievements of our neighbours. We will be delighted to discuss your choice with you and give you our recommendations. |
A stay at Bartholomeus Klip is a wonderful opportunity for the energetic, who can: - walk or hike in the reserve
- ride mountain bikes through the wheatfields
- go windsurfing, birdwatching or boating on the dam
- inspect the farming operations
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| For the more laid-back, there are loungers in the extensive gardens, at the edge of the dam or on the deck of the salt water swimming pool: read, relax, or even fall asleep. |
| | As well as everything happening at Bartholomeus Klip itself (including game drives twice daily through the reserve), there are many attractions in the neighbourhood (see below): get the kitchen to make you a picnic, and put a bit of romance in your day. |
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The District
It takes only half an hour to reach the charming country towns of Wellington, Tulbagh or Riebeeck Kasteel from Bartholomeus Klip, with the larger centres of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl not much farther away.
Wellington
There are several museums in this historic town, as well as the Redemption leather factory and the South African dried fruit co-operative. With three local wine cellars (where tastings are free), Wellington is definitely worth a visit.
Tulbagh
After an earthquake in 1969, much of the town was restored and is today a showpiece of Cape Dutch architecture, with one of the oldest museums in the country housed in the Old Church, built in 1743. There are other museums with interesting collections, as well as four famous wine estates, in the area.
Riebeeck Kasteel
There are in fact two towns, Riebeeck Kasteel and Riebeeck West, situated within a few kilometres of each other on a mountain slope with views out across the valley to Bartholomeus Klip. Both have picturesque buildings and excellent wine estates, including one famous for its port and another for its olive oil, and the simple farmhouse where General Jan Smuts was born is now a fascinating museum.
Cape Town, with its famous Table Mountain, is just over an hour away |
Afternoon game drives at Bartholomeus Klip end with sundowners in the veld: only an hour away from Cape Town, and you feel you are in Africa! The animals are easy to spot in the low-growing fynbos, especially since there are more than 500 head of game.
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The nature reserve, with its characteristic fynbos and rare renosterveld vegetation, forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It has been declared a National Heritage Site in recognition of its importance as the last major habitat of the geometric tortoise, one of the world's rarest reptiles.
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The reserve in the springtime: 'flower heaven', as one guest called it, with sheets of colour and a myriad of different bulbs, orchids and daisies to be discovered on closer inspection.
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| Among the animal species at Bartholomeus Klip - some more easily seen than others - are: - eland
- springbuck
- bontebok
- wildebeest, both blue and black
- gemsbok
- red hartebeest
- baboon
- bat-eared fox
- jackal
- lynx
- Cape fox
- leopard
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More than 160 species of birds have been identified at Bartholomeus Klip, among them the endangered blue crane and the African fish eagle as well as the ostrich, frequently seen in the reserve.
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| Farming at Bartholomeus Klip: with 6 000 acres under cultivation (wheat, oats, canola and clover pastures) and 4 000 wool sheep, this is one of the largest farms in the Western Cape. |
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