Highlights of a stay at Bartholomeus Klip are the morning and evening nature drives through the 10 000 acre nature reserve. There are many animals in the game reserve, easily seen in the low fynbos or on the grassy plains, but the most important inhabitant of the reserve is a far smaller creature: the endangered geometric tortoise, one of the world’s rarest reptiles, safe here in its last remaining viable habitat near Cape Town.

Among the birdlife at Bartholomeus Klip is the world’s largest bird, the ostrich, once farmed here in large flocks at the height of the ostrich feather boom in the 1870s and today one of the leopard’s favourite foods. The magnificent black eagle (correctly known as Verreaux’s eagle) nests in the mountains, and the enormous dam near to the farmhouse has a spectacular array of water birds, some resident like the fish eagles and the kingfishers, and others such as the pelicans and the spoonbills less regular visitors. Flamingos have also been seen in some of Bartholomeus Klip’s smaller dams and there are a host of interesting large and small birds out in the reserve and on the wheatlands, including large flocks of the blue crane, South Africa’s national bird.

Down at the dam guests can take to the water in kayaks,canoes, or go windsurfing, fresh water fishing or birdwatching.

Explore the 10 000 acre nature reserve by mountain bike, or take a gentle stroll through the fynbos. There is also the option of hiking in the mountains to enjoy the proteas and birdlife

Enjoy the farm and Reserve by Bike