River View Cottages

River View Cottages overlook a sweeping bend in the Gamka River. The three cottages are situated in the Matjiesvlei valley on the River Farm in the heart of three world biodiversity hotspots near Calitzdorp in the Little Karoo.

Come and enjoy walking amongst the Karoo koppies, swimming and fishing in the river, the wildlife and livestock of the River Farm, and the view from your patio of the river and the expansive Swartberg Mountain Range. At the end of the day, watch the sunset and the stars appear as you barbecue in the boma.

River View Cottages are three self-catering, free-standing cottages. Each is unique and accommodates up to two guests. The bedroom has a double bed with en-suite shower, and bed linen and bath towels are provided. The living room contains a comfortable lounge area, dining table and a fully-equipped kitchen with spring water on tap. All you need to bring is food. Each cottage has an indoor fireplace and an outdoor barbecue facility. There is also a central boma with barbecue facilities, ideal for groups of friends occupying the cottages.

River View Cottages are situated in the heart of a world biodiversity hotspot. This means that they are situated in one of the most biologically-rich and most endangered areas on earth. There are 35 such areas in the world and three of them, namely the succulent Karoo, Fynbos and Subtropical Thicket, intersect in this area. For an area to be declared a biodiversity hotspot, it must contain at least 1500 species of endemic plants or animals, and have lost at least 70% of it’s original habitat. This is what gives it it’s special conservation status and makes it especially interesting. Eco-tourism and the interested involvement of as many concerned visitors as possible, is an essential part of biodiversity hotspot conservation.

You can take leisurely walks on the farm roads, along the river’s edge and explore the Karoo koppies. If you feel more inclined towards further exertion, there are a variety of challenging hikes which take you into the pristine wilderness of the area. One such challenging hike is the ‘Poort Hike’, up the Gamka River through the gorge between the Klein and Groot Swartberg Mountains into Gamkaskloof. The Poort Hike requires some preparation and is best undertaken with a guide or at least GPS route co-ordinates.

The yellowfish in the Gamka River provide many passionate fishermen with their favourite fly-fishing. There are also black bass, mogga and eel for those who prefer stationary fishing. The area is a bird watcher's paradise with over 118 different species spotted. The resident pair of fish eagles share a view of the river with you. The Grey heron, hamerkop, cormorant and various kingfishers also favour the elevated vantage point above the river. Smaller birds like weavers, bee-eaters and swallows are always active between the river and the vegetation. The region also boasts the highest concentration of Pale Chanting Goshawk in the southern hemisphere. High over the Swartberg the black eagle can be spotted gliding in search of prey.