PHILLIPSKOP MOUNTAIN RESERVE, STANFORD

The self-catering cottages at Phillipskop are in a fynbos garden: When you open your curtains in the morning, white-eyes and sunbirds greet you from the proteas beneath your window. One thing a weekend cottage must have is a nice stoep. At Phillipskop you get two! The front deck of each cottage overlooks a sea of fynbos and the hills of the Overberg; from the braai on the back patio you can see the Klein River Mountains and Phillipskop peak. Each open-plan cottage sleeps six people in three rooms and there’s a fireplace for chilly nights. Rates: From R1 200 per night for four people, plus R200 per additional adult and R100 per additional child. Things to do: Hike an easy 3,5 km circular trail to a waterfall with the kids. When you reach the end of the jeep track you’ll see a picnic table beneath a candlewood tree, but keep walking until just before you reach the waterfall where there’s a fork in the trail up to a cave – a much better place for a picnic! The next-door farm is called Klein River ( 028 341 0693; kleinrivercheese.co.za) and there’s lots to do there: Visit the Cheese Boutique and taste cheese made on the farm, or build your own picnic basket at the Picnic Shed: olives, cheese, biltong, cold meats, wine… There’s also a wonderful play area for kids, with jungle gyms, a trampoline and a pushbike track. There are even goats and geese to feed. Stanford itself is a short drive away: Visit the Saturday market, eat home-made ice cream at Don Gelato ( 081 805 7470; dongelato.co.za) and browse the antiques shops. Where? The turn-off to the reserve is on the R326, about 7 km east of Stanford. Niggles? There’s some traffic noise from the R326. The other noise you might hear is less irritating: lions roaring at the nearby Panthera Africa big cat sanctuary! I don’t want to stay over… Day visitors are welcome – R30 per adult; free for children younger than 5. The reserve is open from 9 am to 5 pm. (Call ahead to double-check.) Contact: 073 621 1808; phillipskop.co.za