Kalkfontein has been in the Hattingh family since 1934. Gert and Julia Hattingh are the third generation staying on this beautiful Karoo farm and will be your friendly hosts. Come and kick of your shoes and experience true Karoo hospitality, provided in abundance.

Kalkfontein Guest Farm is situated 4,5 hours’ drive from Cape Town and 6 hours from Bloemfontein. When driving on the N1 road from Cape Town, turn left at Leeu Gamka on the R353 road in the direction of Fraserburg. Follow the directions along the road to Kalkfontein Guest Farm.

Kalkfontein Guest Farm is situated conveniently off the N1 between Cape Town and Gauteng, and this creates the ideal opportunity for guests to also visit the nearby towns, while staying at Kalkfontein. Merweville is a small town, well-known for the yearly church bazaar in May. The popular Logan Drama Festival is held in Fraserburg during August every year. About 1 hours’ drive to the west of Fraserburg, you will find Sutherland. This town is home to the South African Observatory which lies on the Roggeveld plateau, 1600m above sea level and is the main astronomical centre in Africa.

At the foot of the Nuweveld Mountains, time stands still. While being surrounded with Dorper and Merino sheep and a variety of wildlife, one cannot help but sense the tranquillity of the Karoo, appreciate the things in life that are important to us and that make us happy.

When coming to experience the beauty of the Karoo, make yourself at home at our three-bedroom guesthouse that sleeps 8 people or travel up the mountain to our ‘Strandhuis in die Berg’ and experience the Karoo a little bit closer to the stars.

NB: No pets allowed.

Rates:

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 admin fee once off per reservation.

Accommodation:

Guesthouse

Experience the beauty of the Karoo and make yourself at home at our 3 bedroom guesthouse that sleeps up to 10 people. Each bedroom is equipped with 2 single beds (Beds can be converted into double beds) and extra beds in the living area. There is a bathroom with a shower, bath, toilet and basin as well as a separate toilet with a basin.

The house has a big living space with an indoor and outdoor braai. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave. DSTV available.

For the hot Karoo days, there is a splash pool for your convenience.

• Sleeps 6 – 10
• Self-catering
• Bedroom 1 – Queen size bed – sleeps 2
• Bedroom 2 – 2 single beds – sleeps 2 (can be converted to double bed)
• Bedroom 3 – 2 single beds – sleeps 2 (can be converted to double bed).
• Bathroom with shower, bath, toilet, and basin, as well as a separate toilet with basin.
• Big living space with an indoor braai, as well as an outdoor braai.
• Kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and cutlery
• DSTV available
• Splash pool
• No pets allowed
• Wi-Fi available

Rates:

Min 2 night stay

• R300.00 pp.pn

Mountain House

The mountain house is found at Kalkfontein Guest Farm, approximately 13 kilometers high up in the Nuweveld Mountains. The mountain house overlooks the Karoo, and the view stretches to the Swartberg Mountains in the south.

A variety of surprises await visitors:

• the sunrise in the east and sunset in the west, experienced like nowhere else in South Africa.
• the water crib is only 50 m away and Kudus, Klipspringers, Duikers and Blue Wildebeest come to quench their thirst.
• the Black-backed jackal’s bark can be heard and even the shy Brown hyena sometimes makes its way to the water crib.

The exceptional setting of the mountain house allows for private and secluded romantic getaways or just to relax and recharge one’s batteries.

Admire the magnificent mountain krantzes from your bedroom or while relaxing in the hot tub, peering over the open Karoo plains.

Necessity:

Camera, sunscreen, hat, own towels, binoculars, medical kit, hiking boots, flashlight, insect repellent, cellphone charger that fits in vehicle socket – there is cellphone reception.

Warning:

• Please watch the weather forecasts. Bad weather can influence hiking trail availability as well as access to certain roads.
• No hairdryers or any 220 volt appliances are allowed.
• No fencing around the mountain house

Vehicle information:

You will need a 4×4 vehicle or 4×2 vehicle with a good ground clearance and a diff lock. No small sedan vehicles. Only two track paths for 13km to Berghuis. No trailers allowed. 

Fuel:

Available at Leeu Gamka (76km), Merweville (66km), Fraserburg (66km), Beaufort West (93km)

SELF-CATERING – FULLY EQUIPPED

Ideal for 4 people who want to stay for a few days

All bedding is provided. Bring only your own towels.

• 1st room – 1 double bed – sleeps 2
• 2nd room – 1 double bed – sleeps 2
• Living room – bunk beds – sleeps 2, 2 single bed – sleeps 2
• 1 bathroom with basin, shower and toilet
• 1 separate toilet
• Living room
• Cutlery provided
• 12-volt solar fridge
• 12-volt solar lights
• 2 plate gas stove
• Barbeque (‘Braai’) on front porch overlooking the valley
• Fireplace in living room for Winter’s evenings
• Fire pit
• Hot tub on front porch – conditions for use apply
• Fire wood available @ R60/20kg, R25/7kg (hot tub)
• Cellphone reception

Rates:

Min 2 night stay

• R950 per night for 1-2 people.
• More than 2 people @ R300.00 per night, per person extra.
• Self-catering
• All bedding is provided. Bring only your own towels.

Activities:

Kalkfontein karoo hiking trails

There’s a famous quote that states that we don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking. Kalkfontein Karoo Hiking Trails are found in the Nuweveld Mountains. These well-kept Karoo secrets can be found between Fraserburg and Leeu Gamka in the Western Cape

There’s a famous quote that states that we don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking. Kalkfontein Karoo Hiking Trails are found in the Nuweveld Mountains. These well-kept Karoo secrets can be found between Fraserburg and Leeu Gamka in the Western Cape.

Kalkfontein offers hikers five different trails with immaculate scenery for all nature-lovers. These Karoo trails boast with open Karoo plains, trails next to the natural flow of rivers that start in the mountains, gorges and panoramic views that need to be experienced in person. The Karoo also consists of the biggest variety of succulents in South Africa.

The trails do not only offer plants and plains, but hikers will also be spoiled with birds and wildlife on their route. Kalkfontein Karoo Trials have an exceptional bird life. Hikers might also be lucky enough to witness the endangered Black eagle while hiking in the mountains.

When you walk in nature, you witness a thousand miracles. Be prepared when turning a corner to be greeted by wildlife such as Kudu, Klipspringer, Blue Wildebeest, Oryx, Duiker, Bles Buck and Springbok. Also be on the lookout for smaller species such as Porcupines and the Bat-eared fox.

All of our trails are clearly marked and therefore even unexperienced hikers can tackle the routes without fear.

Our five Green Flag accredited trails consist of:

The Dassie and Porcupine trails start and end at Kalkfontein Guest Farm. These trails are on circular routes. These two trails are suitable for all age groups.

• Dassie Trail / Dassieroete – 4,5km (2 hours)
• Porcupine Trail / Ystervarkroete – 8 km   ( 3 hours)

Combined with the above routes, Kalkfontein Karoo Hiking trails offer a 4 days, 5 nights hiking adventure for 6 – 8 hikers.

Lions Trail

We are so excited to announce that we have completed our latest trail, The Lion’s Trail.
This 11.7km trail that will take you approximately 6 hours to complete was inspired by everyone’s favourite lion, Sylvester.

On the 5th of June 2015, Sylvester escaped from the Karoo National Park for the first time.  After a history of roaming the Nuweveld Mountains, Sylvester was finally darted from a helicopter on 29th March 2016, in the Mountains of Kalkfontein Guestfarm and transported safely back to the Karoo National Park.

He now stays close to the Addo National Park, at a private lodge. Here he enjoys a more relaxed life seeing that he has not yet pulled another disappearing act. He has his own family with Fielies now.

Come join us in the tranquillity of the Karoo and walk in the footsteps of Sylvester.

The Karoo graces you with the mesmerising works of art delivered by nature, different bird species, a variety of games and the knowledge, that you now roam where a lion once did. The journey is worth the effort.

Option 1

Day 1:
Arrival at the guesthouse. There are 2 circular routes for hiking: DASSIE route (4.5km – about 1 hour of walking) and/or YSTERVARK route (8.4km – about 2 and a half hours of walking).

Day 2:
Hike the BLOUWILDEBEES route to the mountain (9.4km – approximately 4 hours of walking) and spend the night at the mountain cottage.

Day 3:
Hike the KLIPSPRINGER route (6.2km – around 5 hours of walking) and stay overnight at the mountain cottage again.

Day 4:
Hike the LEEU route (11km – about 6 hours of walking) and spend the night at the mountain cottage.

Day 5:
Hike the KOEDOE route (11km – around 4 hours of walking) back to the guesthouse, where hikers can stay overnight. We provide a barbecue dinner at the house.

Day 6:
Hikers depart.

Option 2

Day 1:
Arrival at the guesthouse. Hikers can relax. Dinner is provided at R150 per person.

Day 2:
Hike two circular routes starting from the guesthouse: – DASSIE – and YSTERVARK routes, and stay overnight at the guesthouse.

Day 3:
Hike the BLOUWILDEBEES route to the Mountain Cottage and spend the night there.

Day 4:
Hike the KLIPSPRINGER route and stay overnight at the Mountain Cottage.

Day 5:
Hike the LEEU route and stay overnight at the Mountain Cottage.

Day 6:
Hike the KOEDOE route back to the guesthouse. We provide a barbecue dinner.

Day 7:
Hikers depart.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Bedding is provided
• Meals are provided on request at an additional cost.
• All hiker’s equipment will be transported from the guest house to the mountain house at an additional rate.
• Hiking trails are suitable for all hiking groups

Note: The Klipspringer Trail is a challenging trail with different rock formations and not for the faint hearted!

Necessities:

Camera, binoculars, flashlight, good hiking boots, first aid kit, sunscreen, hat, own towels.

Tariff for a group of hikers (6-8 people):

Special tariffs for hiking groups are available. 

Mountain bike and running trails

Mountain bike routes meandering over gravel and mountain roads that vary with distances from 5km to 22 km are available for enthusiasts.  When undertaking these routes, whether on bike or by foot, you will be mesmerised by riverbeds, mountains and a variety of game like Kudu, Gemsbuck, Springbuck, Blesbuck and Blue wildebeest. For those enjoying birdwatching,be prepared to treat your eyes upon the different species of birdlife. Bring along your binocular, camera and hiking boots. 

Birdwatching

The act of studying and watching birds can be very rewarding. Why not bring your binoculars and see how many different species of birds also call the Karoo home? Guests have spotted over 62 different species at our guest farm. The lessons we learn in nature might be the only lessons we ever need to learn. “l can’t imagine anything better that might happen in a person’s life than for them to start paying attention to birds — to become aware of this magical world that exists all around us, unnoticed by many.” (Kenn Kaufman)

Stargazing

The Karoo brings you as close to heaven as possible. You will feel mesmerized and filled with the grace of God when witnessing the expansion of nature’s art that only appears when all else seems dark. Just when you think that you cannot be spoiled more after witnessing the beauty of the Karoo during daytime, after witnessing the breathtaking sunsets, mother nature keeps the best for last and brags with the magic of the stars.