This historic Cape farmhouse has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and is ideal for family getaways and groups of friends looking to settle into a homely environment on a private farm with river swimming, horse riding, hiking, mountain biking, birding and more available on your doorstep. The farmhouse has two double rooms, one twin room and two bathrooms, neither of the bathrooms are en-suite. (See house floor plan in the photo section.) The bathrooms are stocked with an eco-friendly range of body wash, shampoo and conditioner. We use no harmful chemicals at all on the property. The property is entirely off grid - plentiful solar powered electricity and gas water heating make for comfortable living with an almost zero carbon footprint. The farm kitchen has a SMEG six-hob gas stove and electric oven. There are outdoor barbecue/braai facilities. There is a small dining table in the kitchen and a large dining table on the verandah - with views of the Swartberg mountains. Most meals are best enjoyed on the verandah - it is very much an outdoor living/lifestyle property. The farmhouse - built in the traditional old ways - stays cool in Summer and there are plenty of fans to keep the air moving. A wood burning fireplace keeps the house beautifully warm in Winter. Our small herb and veggie garden is just next to the house and has a wide range of culinary herbs and some seasonal veggies - freely available to enhance your cooking experience. We usually have fresh farm eggs available as well. A reservoir just behind the house that serves as a natural swimming pool is perfect for a quick dip to cool off at any time of the day. The swimming hole on the Nels river is 300m from the house and is deep enough for diving and proper swimming, and overlooked by a shaded picnic spot. The farm itself is 30 hectares and is freely available for lovely walks and you may well encounter or horses grazing in the paddocks or sheltering in the cool of the tree lined river.

As owners of Paardekloof Farm we are passionate about the property and what the beautiful Groenfontein Valley has to offer. We live in a small cottage a short distance from the Farmhouse and we're available to help make your stay perfect - if you want privacy it is yours, if you want lots of advice on what to do in the area then we are here to help. Joe hosts horse trails from the farm on our boerperd horses, we are both keen riders and love exploring the area on horseback. We are also avid walkers, and can advise on hikes in the area - people around here are not big on fences, so one can walk all over the countryside fairly freely. We are also gardeners and there is a small herb and veggie garden next to the Farmhouse that you are welcome to take from for your cooking while you are here. We keep chickens and there are usually fresh farm eggs for your stay as well - ask about his when you make your booking. We have two dogs - Jack & Ruby - who are friendly, well mannered and generally gets on with all other dogs.

The Groenfontein Valley is a tranquil and secluded oasis in the Klein Karoo. The Nels river flows from the Swartberg mountains and is lined with lush vegetation - sweet acacia, willow, poplar and wild olive trees provide shade and cool. The hills are covered with spekboom veld and diverse succulent species and the Valley is filled with birdsong and the sound of running water. We think it is paradise on earth. Just being here is sufficient to recharge the body, mind and spirit. If you want to do some other stuff: - Our Paardekloof Horse Trails start on the farm and we cater for all skill levels of rider. - Peter Bayly wines is next door to us - just a five minute walk and you have some of the best port and wine in the region to taste, along with the company of winemaking couple Peter and Yvonne. Highly recommended! - Calitzdorp Dam is good for swimming, canoeing and fishing - you can hire a canoe, but must bring your own rod for fishing. - Kruisrivier and the Roger Young Gallery are a 20min drive away for coffee and light lunches, local art and culture. Phyllis and Roger are Klein Karoo gems and there creation is highly recommended. - Just beyond Kruisrivier are the geologically unque and spectacular Red Stone Hills - well worth the 30min drive. - Kango Caves via Matjiesrivier is a lovely outing for the day: a stunning drive on remote back roads via the Swartberg Wildlife Reserve and a world class tourist destination in itself - lunch at Patat on the way is a pleasure. - Calitzdorp Town is quaint and full of wine and fruit farms to explore. Award winning port, whiskey and Portuguese grape based wines make this a unique and worthwhile little area to explore. - Under The Pepper Tree is a local gem of a restaurant open on Thursdays to Saturdays in Calitzdorp. - Tuinateljee in Calitzdorp is the best bet for a good coffee, breakfast and light lunch every day of the week and is situated in the tranquil oasis of a nursery on Calitzdorp's main road.