De Kloof Estate

​The extensive grounds of the estate expertly incorporate historic Cape Dutch facades with a few contemporary structures. Gardens are filled with mature trees and flower beds and plenty of secluded spaces for picnicking. Inside the manor house are a collection of lounges, perfect for enjoying a cup of tea, a fireside wine or an afternoon with a good book. The 12-metre pool is always sparkling and ready for a swim and surrounded by sun loungers. The spa is its own Zen retreat, equipped and efficient.

​There are a variety of accommodation options, representing degrees of luxury. Luxury rooms sit away from the main house with a courtyard view; they have large bathrooms with rain showers and deep baths. Deluxe Garden Cottages sit in an enclosed Zen garden with private terraces and patios. Manor Suites are in the historic main house and have an extra-large bed and bathroom with Jacuzzi bathtub and two rain showers. The Grand and Honeymoon Suites are especially glamourous with crystal chandeliers and waterbeds and daily fresh flowers; they enjoy a secluded patio with a garden and picnic tables. Family suites combine two bedrooms - an en suite master bedroom and an upstairs en suite with two single beds; they have secluded terraces with mountain views. Villas are equipped with two en suite bedrooms, linked by a lovely open entertainment area with double-sided fireplace and a state-of-the-art kitchen.

​With wine estates, ostrich farms and pretty river-sliced valleys and pristine nature reserves, the region offers a bounty to travellers content to meander the back roads. The De Kloof Estate touches the perimeter of Bontebok National Park, where a smattering of antelope (bontebok) bird life and a good number of trails and swimming holes exist amid the forests. Nearby wine estates are worth a gander too - sample some of the country's best emerging makes. De Hoop Nature reserve is beloved by hikers, cyclists and whale-watchers and the continent's southern-most tip is also just an hour and a half's drive.