Ethical Accommodation Overberg, South Aftrica - Responsible tourism, ecoaccomodation, sustainable holidays/places to stay

farm 215 nature retreat

farm 215 – nature retreat & fynbos reserve -a sustainable operation

description: Farm 215 is a rare and unique conservation area in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the six floral kingdoms together covering the whole of the world. Hundreds of common, rare, endangered and endemic plant-species crowd the mountain-slopes, wetlands and flats of the reserve. The reserve is an important local catchment area, a rare meeting point of different vegetation types and a haven for several bird- and animal-species.

Located in the Overberg on the “Fynbos-road” meandering through the Southernmost region of the African continent, farm 215 is 200 km from Cape Town. The region is a hotspot of land- and marine-nature. With mostly gravel-roads, the area is unspoilt and not discovered by the general tourist.

Farm 215 aims to be a pioneer in the sustainable hospitality industry in South Africa. The guesthouse infrastructure is situated in a corridor at the foot of the reserve. The indigenous vegetation around the buildings is left untouched. All new buildings blend in with the natural landscape and have been designed to minimise impact on the natural environment using solar-power generation, heat exchange technology, grey water recycling and waste-separation and recycling. Harmful chemicals are not used and harvesting of indigenous flowers on a small part in the reserve is done in accordance with sustainable harvesting practices.

Farm 215 has recently been awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism Certificate in South Africa.

accommodation: Farm 215 is a 4 star country house, detached from the daily grind of life. The retreat is a private and secluded place which enjoys panoramic views over the Agulhas Plains to the ocean. Luxury accommodation in three spacious rooms in the old homestead, in three modern freestanding fynbos-suites (spaced out along a meandering path to ensure privacy and undisturbed views) and in a secluded family-house. Meals, made from fresh ingredients and an eye to detail, are served in the spacious dining- and bar- area, connected with a board-walk to the 25 m solar heated lap-pool.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

fynbos suites (3 x) Large freestanding units spaced out (75 meters apart) along a meandering path. Three spaces (lounge with fireplace / sleeping / bathing ) in open connection (but separated by walls). Comfortable leather chair and sofa. Large covered deck with deck chairs and sun-deck. The fynbos-suites are purely electrified by solar-power.

suite homestead (1x) Ground-floor suite with covered patio and private garden. Lounge with big fireplace, leather sofa and chair. King size bed, study table, bathroom with bath and separate double-headed shower. Separate toilet.

rooms homestead (2x) Spacious rooms on the first floor of old homestead heated by woodstoves . One room with kingsize bed, one room with twin bed in kingsize-frame. Study table and comfortable chair.

surrounding area: The reserve has over 20 km of hiking trails, winding through different types of fynbos-vegetation, wetlands, forest and scrub-land to the highest peaks in the area. A detailed map is available, but guided walks with an experienced nature-guide can be arranged. One- to more-day horse trails along the unspoilt beaches and through the “fynbos” covered mountains of the Overberg are organised in co-operation with the African Horse Company.

Safeguarding nature is hard work. Constants efforts are made to clear the reserve from alien invasive vegetation and to rehabilitate wetlands, streambanks and tracts suffering from years of un-sustainable agricultural techniques.

Farm 215 does not have an isolated approach on the reserve alone. We actively participate in bio-diversity and conservation efforts in the greater region and support local communities in housing projects and small business initiatives.

As a result of the great strides, made in implementing sound conservation management principles and techniques, farm 215 has been awarded in 2007 with the “Cape Fox Award” by the Western Cape Conservation and Stewardship Association for our demonstration of responsible stewardship of the land and responsible hospitality.

Enjoy splendid isolation, an overpowering sense of space and pristine nature.

pricing:

RATES from 11 January 2009 to 31 August 2009

sharing per person single

RACK / STO RACK / STO

fynbos suite (3x) 1070 / 856 1390 / 1112

homestead suite (1x) 890 / 712 1160 / 928

homestead room (2X) 790 / 632 1030 / 824

from 01 September 2009 to 16 December 2009*

sharing per person single

RACK / STO RACK / STO

fynbos suite (3x) 1200 / 960 1560 / 1248

homestead suite (1x) 950 / 760 1235 / 988

homestead room (2X) 850 / 680 1105 / 884

from 17 December 2009 to 10 January 2010

sharing per person single

RACK / STO RACK / STO

fynbos suite (3x) 1300 / 1040 1660 / 1328

homestead suite (1x) 1050 950 / 760 1235 / 988

homestead room (2X)           850 / 680                                1105 / 884

from 01 September 2010 to 16 December 2010*

                                                sharing per person                                single

                                                RACK / STO                            RACK / STO

fynbos suite (3x)                   1300 / 1040                           1600 / 1280

homestead suite (1x)            930 / 744                                1200 / 960

homestead room (2X)           930 / 744                                1200 / 960

*rates can be changed without prior notice

Terms & conditions

·          All rates are quoted in South African Rand and are subject to change

·          Rates quoted are per night

·          Rates include VAT @ 14% & breakfast (lunch and dinner not included in the price)

·          Dinner can be served on all days | lunch is served at request

·          Children (12 plus) welcome at full rate

·          Check in : after 15.00 hrs and before sunset

·          Check out : before 11.00 hrs

The below terms and conditions apply for reservations where the STO rate is applicable unless another arrangement has been made in writing :

·          The full accommodation price is payable 6 weeks prior to arrival or –in the case of reservations made less than 6 weeks before arrival- a week after the invoice date

·          cancellations made 30-7 days prior to arrival : 50% of full accommodation payable

·          cancellations made 7-0 days prior to arrival : 100% of full accommodation payable

·          provisional bookings expire after 14 days for bookings made 40 plus days prior to arrival date unless confirmed within such period

·          provisional bookings expire after 7 days for bookings made less than 40 days prior to arrival date unless confirmed within such period

·          no provisional bookings are accepted 20 or less days prior to arrival

·          credit card fees will be added to the invoice amount for payments of STO prices with credit card

additional features:

homestead : Reception cum lounge, heated by an open fire place and chilled by thick walls and fans. Guest computer with internet connection | Terraces overlooking the lake of Kraaiboschdam and surrounding vineyards, ocean beyond the gulhas Plains, the Overberg-Mountains.

bar & dining area : The dining area is situated in a modern building and is connected to the homestead through the courtyard. It is spacious and has seating for up to 20 people. Views over the lake of Kraaiboschdam, vineyards and Overberg-mountains. Elevated terrace over the whole front. The restaurant is heated with two open fire-places. All meals of the day can be served on farm 215. The dining area is electrified by means of solar power.

25 m. lap pool : Only a short distance from the old homestead and the restaurant there is a lap pool of 25 m long with a wind-protected deck. The pool (surrounded by a succulent garden) is connected to the buildings with a board-walk.

access : Access to farm 215 is by gravel-road (about 10 km provincial gravel-road and 2 km farm-road) These gravel-roads are suitable for all normal cars, but you want to drive carefully and watch out for the occasional pothole.

isolated and natural : Farm 215 is clearly off the beaten track and isolated in a very natural area. Nature rules supreme. Farm 215 is a place where people can retire in rural and natural surroundings. We claim to cater for a niche: people that want to enjoy space, undisturbed views, tranquillity, fresh food and the special nature of the “Cape Floral Kingdom”.

horse rides | trails : These are organised by our partner, the African Horse Company which has its base station on farm 215. Please contact us for bookings (recommended to book prior to arrival) or more information and applicable rates.

fynbos trails : Farm 215 has an extensive infrastructure of trails winding through the indigenous vegetation and up to mountains with stunning viewpoints. A detailed map is available. An experienced botanical guide can be arranged.

massage: Treatment / massage by trained masseur can be arranged in the privacy of your own room.

location: Farm 215 is located on the Fynbos Road, the 100km stretch from the birding hotspot of Stanford to Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost point of Africa. The Fynbos Road meanders through a landscape with the highest density of endemic plant-species in the world. The entrance to farm 215 is 20 km from Gansbaai (2 hours from Cape Town).

A detailed map of the reserve of farm 215 of 800 hectares, showing hiking-trails, buildings, viewpoints and other features, can be downloaded from http://www.themaps.co.za/download/maps/Walks/0afarm215.pdf

contact details: please do not hesitate to contact us if you want any more information.

farm 215 nature retreat & fynbos reserve

+27 (0) 87 80 77 123

website:                 www.farm215.co.za

email:                       book@farm215.co.za

At the request of many of our guests, we now have a new website showing hundreds of quality pictures of the Cape Flora in gallery format :

                                 www.fynbos.sa.com

physical address (not to be used for postal deliveries):

farm 215 "Hartebeeskloof & Koudeberg"

Baardskeerdersbos

Overstrand

Postal address

PO Box 1314

Gansbaai

7220

Western Cape

South Africa

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