Bartholomeus Klip

Hugging the mountains and located on a private farm and nature reserve, this place is something special. The gardens are luscious and cleverly surrounded by trees to provide shelter from the wind (on one of the days we stayed, the wind was pumping but we just had a pleasant breeze cooling us from the hot sun). The suite we stayed in was well-appointed and not too flashy or gaudy - I'll call it rustic chic. The food was phenomenal - brunch, tea and four-course dinner - I've eaten at many fine dining establishments in Cape Town and the food is on par or better, while portions are definitely very generous. Facilities are excellent - a stunning boat house down by the reservoir (we didn't spot any fish eagles but they are about) with kayaks for guest use, nature reserve drives, an amazing pool and seating area on the lawns, lovely walks and mountain bike rides etc. But underpinning a fabulous stay was the staff, who are genial, ever helpful, knowledgeable and passionate. They went the extra mile to organise a special moment for my engagement to my fiance, for which I was incredibly grateful and made us feel like royalty for the remainder of the weekend. Highly recommend a stay and I look forward to visiting again soon.

A very special place! Our extended family of grand parents, parents and five grand sons had the privilege of enjoying a far too short celebration weekend staying in Heron House. Old time splendour with all the modern life amenities that one can think of. Lots of open flat farm roads for the boys on bikes, saw their first shaving of sheep and space tonplay outside. Probably the best equipped high quality abode that we enjoyed. Friendly staff to take care of all one’s needs. Perfect for visits all year round, can easily accommodate up to ten adults with ample space for all.

Using this as the sleeping arrangement for the bride and groom family over the wedding weekend was a great selection. The property is located in a great scenic area, and the owners are very accommodating.

An amazing place. Beautiful grounds, wonderful hospitality. Nothing was too much trouble. If you want peace and quiet and to be looked after royally, this is the place to go. The daily game drives were instructive and interesting. You're not going to see the big five, but you will see a variety of antelope, zebra, ostrich and birds of all types. The main project is the protection and nurturing of the endangered geometric tortoises. It was wonderful to see how these creatures are being reared in specially protected areas and then released into the wild. Mariska, the guide, clearly loves her work with them. She is inspirational. And we were lucky enough to see three babies in the wild too. There are beautiful gardens for a short walk and a dam for water activities. The huge pool is fantastic. The staff are friendly, extremely helpful and couldn't do enough to make our stay as good as it could be. The food was also plentiful, and very tasty. Can't recommend highly enough. Brilliant.

A Hidden Gem of Elegance and Tranquility - From the moment we arrived at Bartholomeus Klip, it was clear we were in for something truly special. Tucked away in a serene and pristine part of the Western Cape, this farm-style lodge offers an experience that’s both luxurious and deeply personal. The decor is exquisite — a perfect blend of old-world charm and refined elegance. Every corner of the homestead tells a story, with antique furnishings, tasteful fabrics, and a warm palette that instantly makes you feel at home. What truly sets Bartholomeus Klip apart, though, is the staff. Every single person we encountered, greeted us with genuine warmth and the kind of smiling friendliness that makes all the difference. They strike the perfect balance between professionalism and heartfelt hospitality. The rooms are generously sized, with high ceilings, plush bedding, and an air of quiet sophistication. It's the little things that elevate the stay: electric blankets magically warmed while you're at dinner, discreet air conditioning that gently heats the room before bed, and thoughtful touches like a glass of “good night” port and a homemade toffee waiting on your nightstand. It’s these small gestures that make you feel incredibly well cared for. The morning and evening game drives were nothing short of spectacular. The reserve is breathtaking, with endless views of open plains, surrounded by mountains, and an abundance of wildlife. Our guides were exceptionally knowledgeable, bringing the landscape to life with insights into the ecology, flora, fauna, and fascinating stories of the reserve. It was immersive, educational, and always beautifully timed with sunrise or sunset for the most stunning light. And then there’s the food — an experience in itself. Each brunch was hearty yet elegant, a celebration of local produce and thoughtful preparation. High tea was a highlight, with sweet and savoury delights served in the lounge, next to the warm fire or to enjoy on the veranda overlooking the gardens. And the four-course dinners? Absolutely exceptional — each dish beautifully plated, bursting with flavour, and perfectly paced. The kitchen at Bartholomeus Klip is clearly run with immense care and creativity. In every way, Bartholomeus Klip is a rare gem. It offers a unique blend of luxury, authenticity, and soul — a place where you can disconnect, unwind, and be reminded of the simple beauty of nature and sincere hospitality. We left feeling completely renewed and are already dreaming of our return.

By far the best place we stayed in South Africa. Everything exceeded our expectations. Delightful staff making us feel like we were part of the family. The property is utterly charming and is like stepping back in time. Food is out of this world. Amazing. Stupendous. And all the other superlatives. Best food we ate in South Africa, for breakfast, high tea and dinner. Quite incredible and the reputation for food is righty deserved. Rooms are excellent. Game drives around the reserve are fascinating and you have to see their incredible work on the Geometric tortoise conservation. Can't fault it one bit and I just wish I could have stayed much, much longer.

The accommodation was absolutely beautiful. Quite and tranquil. Loved it. Great staff.

We absolutely loved meeting all the people at BK Farmhouse. The farmhouse is run exclusively by a group of ladies from the farm. Lesley, Mariska and all the lovely ladies went out of their way to make our stay very special as it was our wedding anniversary. Unfortunately we did arrive to lots of wind on the afternoon of the first day which was just bad timing for us. However we had the most delicious supper that evening and such an interesting game drive the next day followed by an amazing brunch before checking out. Much of what we ate is from the farm. What is great is that the check out is at 12pm which gave us time to enjoy the farm on a still, beautiful day. We loved hearing about all the history of the farm which was super interesting. Hope to be back some day to enjoy a Sunday lunch out at the deck. Thanks for a very special and memorable time ladies.