Nature View Farm

Nature View Farm's accommodation facility was opened on 18 April, 1999. The name is derived from the stunning cliff top view (80M high) experienced from the homestead, over the Kap River Nature Reserve. Free roaming game, eg Red Hartebeest, Zebra, Impala, Giraffe, Eland, etc can be regularly observed from the accommodation facility, also from the cliff top view site at the edge of the front lawn.

Similarly, Cape Clawless Otters can sometimes be seen from the view site, fishing in the river far below. In May 2006 a wandering adult hippopotamus established itself on our river bank for a while, having migrated down the Great Fish River from a nature reserve about 100Km upstream.

The view site also offers a "birds eye view" of the birds, as one can observe birds from above, particularly during late afternoons, when many species of birds fly low down along the river to roost for the night. Some bird species breed along the cliffs beneath the viewsite, eg Lanner Falcons (the subject of an ongoing bird research project), Black Headed Herons, Rock Kestrels etc. Adding to the appeal of Nature View Farm, is the fact that no other human settlements are visible across the way, giving one the feeling of tranquillity and aloneness in nature.

During full moon periods, the setting is particularly romantic, as the Kap river, as well as the Great Fish River in the valley below, shimmer and shine in the moonlight.

From the homestead area on Nature View Farm, an interesting one-hour long walking trial leads down to the forested river bank, via a picturesque kloof where many indigenous cycads can be seen in their natural habitat. Canoe rides can be undertaken along the Kap River into the nature reserve, from our own private river bank.

There is a nominal charge for the use of our double canoe. Looking skywards from our river bank, one marvels at the large caves scattered high up along the cliff face, which can only be reached from above by means of abseiling. The cliffs, with its scoured caves were evidently formed in ancient times, as a result of glacier action. Other rounded stones and different rocks were evidently also deposited on the farm at that time. Though no rock art drawings have yet been found inside the caves, it is likely that wandering Khoi San tribes did in fact make use of the caves in days gone by. Not all tribes practised rock art.

In more recent times, it was rumouredthat the caves were used by British troops for storing ammunition during the frontier war periods. One of the caves evidently also served as a haven for a refugee of the Webb family, fleeing from a farm massacre during the turbulent past. Lastly, as a point of interest the opposite bank of the Kap River was used by the Xhosa tribes for driving along cattle stolen from the settler farmers, to a drift further along, where the Great Fish River could be crossed with relative ease.

Our accommodation facility on Nature View Farm currently only caters for a single family (ie one couple) at a time , and comprises an upstairs double bedroom, with large observation windows in all four walls, allowing a 360 degree angle of view. The downstairs area comprises a bathroom with a toilet, shower and hand basin, also a relaxation area with a large sliding glass door overlooking the view.

While not fully geared for self catering at this stage, our guests are free to use our sheltered and rustic braai area, which has been fitted with lights for evening braais, and which sports a pretty Koi fish pond underneath indigenous trees.

Nature View Farm's full continental breakfast includes freshly laid genuine free range eggs from our own farm yard chickens. A tasty and wholesome evening meal can also be arranged (though preferably with advance warning) at a reasonable rate.