Perched upon the beautiful peaks of the iconic Boschendal Wine Estate, only a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, Camp Canoe incites all of the romance one envisages, when seeking an escape into nature. Dialled up by the opulent grounds of a prestigious wine farm. One of the most revered in Franschhoek. Seven luxury tents stand poised like dashing safari-suited squires.
Ready to escort you and your chosen travelling companions on an adventure amidst the wilderness of the winelands. Quaffing the crisp mountain air, gazing over the vineyards, and revelling in the quiet solitude of this extraordinary place. Without all of the struggles of pitching your own tent, or foraging for food – or WiFi – every canvas-clad suite is thoughtfully equipped, whimsically styled, deliciously secluded, and inspiringly scenic.
Spending time at Camp Canoe is like returning to those innocent roots of mischief. The childlike curiosity that wants to know more about the natural world, and oneself in it. Under the parental powers of the managers and their staff. The team that take care of every little incidental thing that you can consider necessary. With a broad smile on their dials, daily. The wood-fired hot tubs beckon your bodies, bobbing about in the toasty-warm waters. A tranquil sauna session for the mind. Fireplaces, barbecues, and all of the little bits and bobs are prepped ready for your holiday play.
The interiors; inimitably styled by the revered design duo, MR. Catering to your assumed levels of luxury, with a few side servings of humour. The picnic and braai baskets packed, ready for your camp feasting, mountain meandering, dam daydreaming or garden gallivanting. The grounds of the estate are yours for exploring. The sampling, the sightseeing, the tasting, and the mingling. Sourcing from the market, the deli, the vegetable and herb gardens. Guided horse rides and vineyard tours. Floating across the dam in your canoe, or snoozing on the banks in the sunshine.
Tents and tales
Whatever your motive for the escape to the winelands, you’ll be at your leisure to pick and choose from silver platters, as to which excursion you’d like to embark on. Which golden goblet you’d like to taste the next bit of nectar from nature’s eden. Whether you arrive with hiking boots or hardcover novels, it’s up to you to set the pace at Camp Canoe. Dip in and out of the village, or remain sublimely secluded in your canvas kingdom.
Whether it’s the two of you, or ten of you, there are enough hours in the day to decide what floats your boat, tickles your tastebuds and incites that childlike play in one of the most spectacularly beautiful spots in the Cape’s countryside. Whatever the season, whatever the occasion, the bonfires will be lit and the mist will carry its energetic essence across the valley.
The waterfalls will cascade, and the birds will soar through the open skies. The moon will rise over the mountain, and the sun will dip into the shallows of the dam. The stars will blanket the night like African dust dancing for your gaze. The memories are all yours for the making, at this magnificent hideaway.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie
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