House on 215

It’s easy to get lost in nature at Farm 215. The 800-hectare private nature reserve between Stanford and Cape Agulhas is a conservation-first retreat, recently upgraded for self-catering in absolute eco-friendly comfort. With over 30km of hiking, mountain-biking and horse-riding trails on the reserve, there are so many ways to explore – and so many beautiful things to see. The farm trails reveal soaring black eagles and darting sugarbirds, rock hyrax and antelope, the tracks of leopard, bar-eared fox and cape clawless otter, and perhaps the resident baboon troop, who may be seen on one of the rocky outcrops.

And then there’s House on 215, which used to be the owners’ house and is now a modern two-bedroom home boasting rolling views over the farmland and fynbos-covered hills. It comes with everything you need for a magical weekend away, including a spacious lounge, a fully equipped kitchen, a private garden that leads to a covered lapa and braai area, and a wood-fired hot tub or summer splash pool (depending on your preference and the season) at the back.

THE LODGINGS

Bedrooms + bathrooms

• 2 bedrooms (1 queen-size bed and 2 twin beds), plus a daybed in the lounge
• Main bathroom with a large shower and outside shower, looking out into a private courtyard.
• Second bathroom from the outside patio, with a simple shower, toilet and basin.

Indoor living

• Open-plan lounge with a dining table, cosy sitting area, wood-fired stove and reading nook that can be made into a single bed for a child (under 12)
• Fully equipped kitchen with an electrical stove and oven, large work counter and spacious eating area
• TV and desk (for remote working) in the queen bedroom
• Complimentary WiFi

Outdoor living

• Deck off the kitchen area
• Private garden and courtyard
• Access to a covered lapa with a braai and large table
• Outdoor dining area
• Private wood-fired hot tub/summer splash pool)
• Access to the reserve’s 25m lap pool filled with mountain water

THINGS TO DO

On the property

• Relaxing in the private hot tub/splash pool
• Swimming in the reserve’s 25m pool
• Hiking and trail running
• Mountain-biking
• Horse-riding
• Bird-watching
• Sun-bathing
• Star-gazing

In the area

• Whale-watching in Walker Bay (July to December)
• Wine-tasting at Black Oystercatcher and Lomond Wine Estate
• Eco-marine boat trips
• Beach walks and swims
• Mountain-bike trails
• Forest walks (offered by Platbos)
• Baardskeerdersbos Art Route