NORTHERN CAPE
This arid province might not be the first place you think of when you want to build a snowman. But then again, Sutherland is in the Northern Cape, and it’s one of South Africa’s coldest towns…
SUTHERLAND
Bianca Smith from Brackenfell writes: We’ve been to Rogge Cloof Nature Reserve outside Sutherland twice now. Both times, we kept an eye on the weather forecast and booked at the last minute when the chance of snowfall seemed best.
The house that we booked each time (the Waenhuis homestead) is big enough for our family, with a nice kitchen and a big fireplace. When we visited in 2021, we booked two nights. The snowfall happened on the first day – we arrived during the afternoon just as it started snowing. The following morning when we woke up, everything was white!
We kept the fire going day and night and most of our family time was spent around the fireplace. My seven-year-old daughter Nadia would go out into the snow frequently and come back to warm up by the fire and then head out again. Rogge Cloof is pet-friendly – we took our Pekingese puppy along and she absolutely loved it. We couldn’t keep her and Nadia out of the snow.
The second evening gave us completely clear skies and the stars were beautiful. The farm is at more than 1 400 m above sea level and far away from any big towns, so the night sky is spectacular.
Follow Bianca on Instagram: @biancasmith.cpt
STAY HERE
Rogge Cloof Nature Reserve
The self-catering homesteads (Waenhuis and Oryx House) and the two Stables units costs R4 400 per night. (Waenhuis sleeps four adults and four kids; Oryx sleeps four people in total; each of the Stables units sleeps four adults and two kids.)
There are also self-catering cottages (Cedar and Wolskuur) that sleep two adults and two kids each – they cost R1 100 per adult sharing, R300 per child under 12.
During school holidays and over weekends, a minimum stay of two nights is required for all units. Accommodation including dinner, bed and breakfast in one of the twin-sleeper Orion Suites, as well as twin-sleeper Heike’s Cottage, costs R1 850 per person sharing. All guests must also pay a conservation fee of R100 per person.
Big groups can book the Adventure Camp (10 to 50 people) for R150 per person (minimum R4 000 per night). Contact the farm for details about their two- and three-day packages that include cheetah tracking, wine tasting, a fossil veld drive and more.
Where? Turn off the R354 about 15 km south of Sutherland.
Contact: 023 004 1161; roggecloof.com