Tankwa River Lodge, is ideal for those that want to get away and have some real down time! The 300-year-old homestead is off-grid but the house has solar lights, romantic candles and paraffin lanterns (which for me is already half way to slowing down). But as soon as you head out to Sutherland, at the turn off at Matjiesfontein, the ancient Karoo landscape works its magic. The road weaves through harsh but beautiful hills, opening up as you cross the boundary into the Northern Cape and head left on 33kms of dirt road, ending at Blaauwheuwel Farm. Open the gate and follow the white stones downhill, past the quiver tree and curious horses, until you reach the historic werf, at the heart of this 2 500 hectare Karoo farm.
A surprisingly lush garden of succulents, pistachio-coloured fever trees and succulents greets you, and if you arrive at dusk, the firepit will be blazing with a welcoming fire in the outdoor firepit, always the gathering point until late into the night, when the brightest stars blaze above in the blackest skies. And when everyone’s ready to turn in, the old farmhouse has plenty of open fireplaces and thick throws to keep toes toasty till morning. But summer evenings are a balmy affair and doors and windows are flung open wide to welcome in the freshest farm air imaginable. Nights are sometimes punctuated with farm sounds of honking geese, pigs settling down and horses clip clopping by.
Tankwa River Lodge is an eclectic mix of many beautiful collectables. The owners have been gathering treasures over time with old cupboards and shelves stacked with vintage kitchenware, kelims and antique rugs covering the stone floor and Nguni hides over the simple screed. Life has stood still here for certain, but not the lifestyle! You’ll find all modern comforts and want for nothing, as it’s a much-loved hideaway.
We had the hottest weather and it was almost the middle of winter- be ready for anything! Winters are especially freezing cold as this is one of the coldest areas in the country while summers are baking hot. Pack a kikoi and your Havianas.
There is a small welcoming plunge pool which the children spent many an hour lying in to cool off . There is plenty of shade and heaps of comfy laid back couches for reading and board games.
We had to do the 4×4 routes on the farm and enjoyed sundowners watching the sun set over the Karoo landscape. The Tankwa National park is a short drive from here.
Expect to see plenty of game on the farm, it is well stocked with Springbok, Gemsbok and Kudu. This is also home to the Aardvark. A very rare sight indeed. An extra bonus are the 6 beautiful horses that live and roam on the farm.Two are rescue horses and the rest were born here. At 5pm they arrive for their food much to the delight of the children and adults alike.
Good news is that dogs are very welcome.
Coffee Table Book:
Tankwa River Lodge is one of the hideaways featured in our Perfect Hideaways in South Africa coffee table book.
This book celebrates hideaways, identifying precisely what it is that makes a holiday home ‘perfect’. From bush to beach, from city to wilderness, Perfect Hideaways in South Africa features a range of holiday homes that, by virtue of the peculiarities of their locations and distinguishing interiors, offer varieties of experiences.
