Accommodation on the main farm of Papkuilsfontein

The two sandstone and thatched cottages, De Hoop and Gert Boom, are fully equipped, with furnishings maintaining its historical charm. The cottages are both privately set in the Fynbos area of the farm, each with an inside hearth, down duvets and hot water bottles for the colder winter nights. Bring your book to read in the hammock under the trees and remember towels for swimming in summer, either in the rock pool just above the waterfall, or in the new farm dam specially built for you between the two cottages.

De Hoop
"This thatched sandstone cottage, the typical "longhouse" of the early pioneer area,  was restored in 1987. It is tastefully furnished and fully equipped for four.  As De Hoop was kept in the style of the era in which it was originally built, electricity is not part of it and guests have refused to return if Willem installs electricity. Gas lamps and lanterns provide lighting and add to the ambience of the house. A gas geyser (hot water cylinder) ensures that guests can still enjoy a luxurious warm bath.
De Hoop has accommodation for 4 people with one double and two single beds, linen and towels provided. The kitchen is fully equipped for those who would like to selfcater, and the cosy fireplace can also be used for an inside braai (barbeque). For those who want to be spoilt, a three course dinner is delivered at night to enjoy by candle light. (Breakfast is at the main house)."

Gert Boom Cottage
This cottage, built in 1994, utilizing sandstone, timber and thatch from Papkuilsfontein, nestles against a rocky ridge, adjacent to a popular grove. The cottage was named after an early 'bywoner' (lodger) one Gert Steenkamp, a tall man affectionately christened Gert Boom by all and sundry.
Gert Boom has accommodation for 6 people. This unit has two bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with two single beds and a lounge area that is fitted with two single beds.

De Lande Guesthouse
Almost halfway from Nieuwoudtville to the farm Papkuilsfontein you will find our De Lande Guesthouse. This country style guesthouse is set in a fascinating landscape where three vegetation types and their respective geological formations converge (Renosterveld, Succulent Karoo and Dolerite Sill).
The generous proportions of this typical Karoo style farmhouse accommodates 8 people with ease and comfort. There are 4 en-suite rooms, (one double and three twins). In the winter months the spacious lounge with fireplace offers comfort and warmth in the evenings, while the cozy sun-room on the east side of the house is the perfect setting for a delicious breakfast. In summer the shady "stoep" (verandah) and spacious rooms keep the house cool and refreshing.
Sip your sherry around the fire in the lounge or enjoy the summer evenings on the stoep, before sitting down to a delicious three course dinner. Wall heaters and electric blankets are provided in each room to keep out the winter chills.

Relax in comfort at the De Lande Guesthouse, and enjoy access to the other fascinating attractions and activities on the farm Papkuilsfontein (Fynbos walks, the canyon and waterfall, rock art and of course more flowers).

Jan Voorman's Cottage
This quaint corrugated iron cottage, set against a gentle slope, offers unlimited views of the vast Hantam plains famous for their bright spring colours. Recently renovated it provides simple yet luxurious accommodation while retaining the comfortable 'farmhouse' atmosphere. Dinner and breakfast are served at De Lande house.
Two en suite bedrooms, one with shower and one with bath, make this ideal for a group of 4 people. The kitchen and lounge lead out to the charming front verandah (the classic South African 'Stoep'), the perfect place to savour that early morning cup of coffee in the sun, your eyes scanning the dolorite Koppies on the other side of the river.

• Waterfall
  
  The waterfall at Papkuilsfontein, for the use of our private guests, is situated on the edge of the impressive Oorlogskloof gorge. It is 180 meters high and only a 2 hour walk away from the cottages, and you can also drive down to the fall. After a hot day, experience nature by cooling down in one of  the natural rock pools of Papkuilsfontein or opt for the swimming pool next to your cottage.

• Farm Tour
  
  As a service to our guests, Papkuilsfontein now provides small personalized tours, which are designed to enhance their experience of this area. Willem van Wyk will be your host for approximately 2.5 hours which includes rock art, the canyon, waterfall and its geology, birds, the diversity of veld types, farming and conservation, and of course flowers in season.
  Tariffs R50.00 pp or a minimum of R200.00 per tour.
  Parts of Papkuilsfontein property has been managed as flower reserves for many years, and is renowned formany of the endemic and red data flower species of the Nieuwoudtville area.

• Hiking Trails
  A circular hiking trail of 12km has been laid out, with the turning point at the waterfall, through lovely sandstone rock formations, the Bokkeveldsberg being the northern extremity of the Cederberg. Have your hiker's lunch in solitude while gazing down the incredible gorge. Don't forget your mountain bikes to explore the farm tracks. Rock paintings are to be seen. The Oorlogskloof Reserve in the area offers 1-7 day circluar hikes.
  More info can be found at: trailinfo.co.za

• 4x4
  
  The 4x4 trail and campsite were developed on the extreme right side of the 6,000ha property so as to be of no hindrance to our other guests on the farm. It has a difficulty rating of 4-5 and  is about 15 km long. It extends over rocky mountainous ground, which can be wet in winter. The road climbs gradually to the edge of a 180-meter canyon with a breathtaking view. It then follows the edge of the canyon with a view to both the left and right of Oorlogskloof and also the Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve.
  On requests groups will be accompanied.
  There are also brochures available with a road map and identification of plants that will be encountered along route.
  For more information email 4x4@papkuilsfontein.com Drive OUT 4x4 Destinations www.drive-out.co.za
  
• Khoisan Rock Paintings    
  Southern Africa is reported to be one of the regions with the highest number of Rock Art sites in the world. In South Africa the Cederberg is home to more than 2 000 painting sites that vary in style and chronology. For thousands of years, the stained sandstone mountains of this area formed a canvas on which the San, and later, the Khoi and colonial inhabitants of the area recorded their own unwritten history. The San used finely ground stones (ochre) and other natural pigments to paint the white crested eland and rust brown people figures of that historical landscape and mythological tradition.
  
  At Papkuilsfontein we take special care to ensure the longevity of our sites. We invite visitors to share in the cultural richness of this precious cultural heritage, as we explore together the artistry of the San who left of this legacy.
  
  
  
  
• Night Sky
  The Southern Hemisphere offers some unique objects not visible from the Northern Hemisphere such as the two closest visible galaxies to our own Milky Way namely the Large and the Small Magellanic Cloud first described by the mariner Ferdinand Magellan as two clouds that rose higher above the horizon each night as he sailed further south. We now know that they are not clouds or nebulae but are in fact two satellite galaxies gravitationally bound to our galaxy and that they are being tidally disrupted and will eventually be absorbed by our galaxy the are at a distance of 180 000 and 210 000 light years respectively.The Large Magellanic has the Tarantula Nebula, a star forming region similar to the Orion Nebula in our own Galaxy.
  
  The Southern Hemisphere is also home to Eta Carina possibly one of the most massive stars observed, it is also wildly unstable and is a good candidate for a super nova event. It lies in the heart of the Keyhole Nebula. We also have one of the finest globular clusters, 47 Tucanae visible near the Small Magellanic Cloud as a fuzzy blob - it resolves into a ball of stars as seen through a telescope. We also have the closest star to our Sun, the star system Alpha Centauri, a triple star system of which two are visible through a telescope.
  
  We will be using a Celestron 11" Schmidt Cassegrain on a computerized German Equatorial mount as well as a 12cm refractor. A typical evenings program will start with a tour of the Planets visible on that evening, we will then go on to objects in our own galaxy that are visible and will finish off with a tour of interesting galaxies visible at the time. The length of the program will depend on how many people attend and will go on until the last person leaves or it gets light whichever comes first.The tariff is R400.00 per evening.
  
  Paul Dogan will be your host, paul@telescopesa.za.org or 082 823 7384, either in town or on Papkuilsfontein farm.

• Farm tour
• Waterfall
• Hiking
• 4x4 trails
• KhoisanRock Paintings
• Night Sky