A hidden getaway in the Karoo
Near Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, tucked within the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve, The Poplars is a soulful off-the-grid Karoo sanctuary.
One of the hideaways featured in our beautiful Perfect Hideaways in South Africa coffee table Book 2, The Poplars is a luxury farm stay in the Great Karoo, about an hour from Graaff-Reinet on the 15 000-hectare farm, Gordonville, that belonged to that beloved icon of elegance, Charlotte Daneel, former owner of La Grange Interiors in Franschhoek, and has now been passed down to her children.
Steeped in history, the Sneeuberg Nature Reserve was set up by Charlotte and her partner Derk Blaisse to recreate the pristine environment found in this part of South Africa by hardy stock farmers, pioneers who settled here over 200 years ago.
Sneeuberg is rugged, wild, dramatic – and utterly silent. It’s an extraordinary base from which to explore an environment created so that indigenous fauna and flora are able to flourish. Already substantial numbers of springbuck, wildebeest and mountain zebra can be found roaming the lands here. The fences are down and the natural order of things is taking over once again.
Surrounded by green plains, rugged mountain peaks, and an abundance of clear, fresh water, The Poplars offers a nature retreat that feels worlds away from everyday life, in a landscape that is as generous as it is breathtaking.
If you are wondering if such a remote, historic farm stay will cater for your creature comforts, the answer is, absolutely. As a testament to Charlotte Daneel’s assured aesthetic, The Poplars wears its heritage with quiet pride. Charlotte’s signature style – layered textures, warm patinas, thoughtful antiques and collected curiosities – has infused the interior with warmth, charm and a deeply personal touch.
The home has been beautifully restored, not to dazzle, but to embrace -offering deep comfort, wide open space, and a sense of rooted stillness that’s increasingly rare.
The classic farmhouse kitchen is well-stocked and ensures that cooking up culinary masterpieces in this self-catering holiday accommodation is a joy.
Multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas offer endless possibilities for long meals, fireside chats, and afternoons dozing under the trees.
And if 15,000 hectares of untamed wilderness isn’t enough entertainment, what else can you do at The Poplars? Well, don’t worry, remote as The Poplars is, it’s only an hour’s drive from the character-filled town of Graaff-Reinet and the artistic village of Nieu-Bethesda, home of the legendary Owl House.
Unplug, explore, unwind and relax
So what might a typical day at the Poplars look like? There is no WiFi, making this an ideal location for a proper digital detox. This is a space made for slow travel—perfect for quiet retreats, writing sabbaticals, or simply switching off from the world.
This is the kind of perfect hideaway that invites long, slow mornings, book in hand on a shaded veranda, and nights spent stargazing beneath an ink-black sky. A place where heritage meets wilderness, and soul meets silence.
You could just come here and sit on the stoep and read, with the occasional swim in the pool as an antidote to summer’s lethargy.
Or you could bring your mountain bikes for the cooler months and work up a heat on the farm tracks or on the slopes of the nearby Sneeuberg or the Compassberg.
And will there be room for the entire clan? Definitely. With space for up to 10 guests, The Poplars is ideal for a family getaway or a group of friends seeking self-catering farm accommodation for a milestone celebration.
With the nearby Karoo Cottage just 100m away, there’s even room for larger groups to spread out without losing privacy.
Equally, the flexible room rates for couples or smaller groups make The Poplars a consideration for a secluded romantic getaway.
And what is the weather like in the South African highlands? At an altitude of 1700 meters, the reserve is a unique microclimate, with pleasant summers and crisp winters. It’s certainly cold during the night in winter and temperatures can drop as low as -8°C. However, the Karoo is renowned for gorgeous sunny winter days, with temperatures hovering between 12 and 20°C.
While The Poplars avoids the deadening summer temperatures of nearby Graaff-Reinet, on hot summer days, you are likely to want to cool off in the converted farm dam that glimmers turquoise in the sun, flanked by red umbrellas.
A small copse of trees ensures that the house is protected from the prevailing winds.
If The Poplars is unavailable to book for your dates, browse our other Perfect Hideaways in Sneeuberg Nature Reserve
What we love!
- The views from The Poplars stretch endlessly across rewilded Karoo plains, where springbok, zebra, and wildebeest roam freely in their natural habitat.
- A swimming pool, cleverly repurposed from an old raised dam, offers a refreshing and memorable way to cool off under the wide Karoo sky.
- The shaded stoep, with its peaceful atmosphere, is perfect for lazy afternoons spent reading or simply soaking up the stillness.
- For those who enjoy adventure, mountain biking on the farm tracks or up the slopes of the nearby Compassberg makes for an invigorating way to explore.
- Inside, the house is rich with old-world charm—thick stone walls, wooden beams, mohair throws, and well-worn textures give it a deeply lived-in, comforting feel.
What you need to know…
- The road leading to The Poplars is only suitable for high-clearance vehicles; low-slung cars are not recommended.
- There’s no cell reception on the farm, but a landline is provided in case of emergency.
- Winter temperatures can drop significantly, so be sure to pack plenty of warm layers.
- The house runs off solar power with a generator as backup, offering an eco-friendly but reliable off-grid experience.
- For larger groups, Karoo Cottage—just 100 metres away and sleeping six—can be booked together with The Poplars.
- Birdwatchers will be in their element here; bring binoculars to spot some of the rare Karoo species that frequent the area.
- The farm is about an hour’s drive from Graaff-Reinet, so it’s best to stock up on essentials before your journey.
- As part of a working farm and rewilding conservancy, guests are asked to respect the surrounding environment and its wildlife.
Edited by Dawn Kennedy
PERFECT HIDEAWAYS in SOUTH AFRICA: Book 2
The Poplars is one of the hideaways featured in our beautiful Perfect Hideaways in South Africa coffee table Book 2.
Book 2 celebrates our most treasured hideaways, each one embodying what it is that makes a holiday home ‘perfect’.
From bush to beach, from city to wilderness, PERFECT HIDEAWAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA is a collection of the most extraordinary havens offering unique experiences, architecture and interiors in exceptional destinations. Travellers today are embracing a new narrative for regenerative travel: how and why we travel, and how much time we choose to be surrounded by our family and closest friends, has become ever more important. But over the years, like that proverbial leopard, our Perfect Hideaways has not changed many of its spots.
PERFECT HIDEAWAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA is a tangible journey into the evolving landscape of our homes, mapping our ways back to the soul. Evoking a renewed vigour with the ways we wish to travel, yet retaining a nostalgic sentiment to simplicity.