Rates From: Unit R550.

Location: Swellendam

Category: Self Catering   (definitions)

Customer Rating:

94%

Somerset Gift Getaway Farm lies in a beautiful valley bordering the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, just 16km from Swellendam.

Combining an idyllic and peaceful setting, with stunning mountain views and green pastures dotted with Hereford cattle and horses, a springwater lake, and the Buffeljags River skirting the length of the farm, waterfalls and rock pools.

There is a choice of four gorgeous accommodation options to enjoy it all from: Fish Eagle Lodge (sleeps six in three spacious en-suite bedrooms), Loerie Cottage (two bedrooms)and Rose Cottage (two bedrooms both en-suite) both sleep four, and Olive Cottage (one bedroom), sleeps two.

Common to all the above are fully equipped kitchens, indoor fireplaces and outdoor undercover patio braais - firewood is available for sale (50 pieces are supplied free of charge). All linen and bath towels are supplied, but remember to pack your own swimming towel.

With an activity list longer than your arm, much of it water-based, you won't have a moment to spare: swimming in the lake, river or mountain pools, fishing and canoeing (it's possible to paddle to the Buffeljags Dam, an 8km return journey), easy walks through cool indigenous forest to the waterfalls and deep mountain pools, taking in the rich birdlife along the way.

Mountain hikes through majestic valleys also leading to waterfalls mountain pools. There is also an 10km mountain bike trail, a foefie slide and a pub on the water fitted with DSTV. What's more, Swellendam and the coast is just up the road, with their own platter of restaurants and activities.

"I think it is one of the most idyllic places I have yet discovered... it is a piece of paradise right in our back yard." (CEO Cape Town Tourism, Nov 2007)