Klippe Rivier Country House, Swellendam 1820, is extremely well preserved and is easily the finest house in the Overberg.
Accommodation
Each of the bedrooms at Klippe Rivier has been named after previous owners. The original "Waenhuis" and stables have been converted into six luxury bedrooms preserving much of the original ambience.
Downstairs, three spacious bedrooms each have an open fireplace, dressing room and generous en-suite bathroom with separate shower and toilet. Three loft rooms upstairs are under thatch, offer mountain views and have private balconies. A secluded cottage is for the more romantic, with its own fireplace and private garden. All bedrooms are air-conditioned.
Lourens
A spacious upstairs loft room under thatch, is decorated in contemporary Designers Guild style, with two large brass double beds. The Lourens room leads to a large verandah with views across the farm and a small side balcony also offers sweeping views. The bathroom includes a double basin, generous shower, bath and separate toilet. Enjoy watching the owls in the oaks. The Lourens room is air-conditioned and as an overhead fan.
Barry
A spacious upstairs loft room under thatch, is decorated in a more provençal style, and has two large brass beds. The Barry room leads to a large verandah with views across the farm, is also air-conditioned and has an overhead fan. The bathroom includes a double basin, generous shower, bath and separate toilet. Enjoy watching the owls in the oaks
Reitz
This spacious bedroom is downstairs in what was the original stable and the large gap in the wall is a reminder of horses who made their mark!
Decorated in colonial style, the Reitz room has a queen size four poster bed, and an open fireplace. The lovely airy bathroom has a large ball and claw bath, generous shower and double basin, separate toilet. A private walled patio garden has a large umbrella, table and chairs to relax and spot the owls in the oaks.
Westby-Nunn
Set away from the main house and other rooms, the cottage is private and secluded. Surrounded by lawns, with beautiful sweeping views across the dam and to the mountains. This is definitely for the more romantic at heart
Decorated in eclectic ethnic style with a king size wrought iron bed. African art and collectables create an informal ambience. Open fireplace and television with a few channels.
Ball and Claw bath , seperate shower, double marble basin and private toilet.
Watch the world go by from the balcony, and the ducks on the dam.
Steyn
Decorated with rich colourful silks and cottons, the large Steyn room has a queen size empire bed, a large open fireplace and is air-conditioned.
A spacious bathroom has a ball and claw bath, generous shower, double basin and separate toilet. A walled patio garden provides a place to relax under a large umbrella and watch the owls in the oaks.
Hopley
A spacious upstairs loft room under thatch, is decorated in a contemporary blue and white style, with two large brass beds. The Hopley room is popular with young couples and is air-conditioned and also has an overhead fan. The room leads to a large verandah with views across the farm. The bathroom includes a double basin, generous shower, bath and separate toilet. Enjoy watching the owls in the oaks and from the side window there is a lovely view across the homestead to the distant mountains.
Reid
A charming Victorian room, spacious with a typical Victorian fireplace and two lovely double brass beds. The doors , windows and floors are original, and were specified to be copied for the Steyn and Reitz room entrances.
A quirky "barber's stool" is a whimsical "folly", and there is a ball and claw bath, a generous shower, and separate toilet. The Reid room is air-conditioned and has an overhead fan.
Outside a private walled herb gardern has a large umbrella, table and chairs - ideal to watch the owls in the oaks.
Rates & Availability
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Sample creative country cuisine prepared by chef Sunelle Theron. Produce is selected daily and a three course menu is offered each evening, with each course providing a choice of two dishes. Vegetables and herbs are grown in Klippe Rivier's own gardens and ceps are picked in the forest in season.
Emphasis is placed on the local wines of the region, particularly the Breede River and Robertson area, with wines such as Graham Beck, Springfield, and Weltevrede amongst others.
Relax at the salt water swimming pool and enjoy the company of owls in the oaks.
Play a game of croquet.
Enjoy watching the water birds from a peaceful bench at the water's edge - two such well placed "hides" have been created. Take a good stroll to the gum trees at the top of the farm, and if you're feeling energetic enough you can take the gravel road which leads to the Breede Rivier.
Other activities can be arranged independently. Ask for directions and take a drive to the forests to walk in the woods. Swellendam offers canoe hire, golf, hiking trails, horse riding, glider flips and whale watching flights, mountain bike hire, as well as waterskiing.
