Berghoff Protea Farm - Perterville

Above the hazy Citrusdal valley, Berghoff, a sprawling mountain protea farm perched above the world alongside the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, has three cottages, views to heaven and back and a remote atmosphere.

The chalets are situated on this commercial protea farm some distance from one another, in the picturesque Olifantsrivier mountains above the town of Porterville , at an altitude of approximately 1000 m above sea level (approximately 150 m higher than the cable station on top of Table Mountain ).

The farm is a founding member of the Groot Winterhoek Conservancy and sustainable use of the environment is therefore a high priority. Denis and Aleysia, your hosts, welcome nature lovers and ask that all visitors please treat the area with respect.

All three cottages have friendly down-to-earth personalities and everything and more is in place for a laid back weekend. Interiors are open and light and completely suited to the surrounds. Tiled floors, carpeted bedrooms, simple furniture spanning several eras, a Jetmaster, linen and towels and a whole bunch of personal touches, from free wood to soap, are features in all three. And all very inexpensively.

Erica Cottage sits among fynbos and pine on a hill while down the track and out of sight Disa Cottage gazes upon a glistening trout-filled dam. Barbi Cottage (from the species P. Barbigera) also overlooks the dam and has a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, which is best appreciated from the wide stoep.

Only Location differentiates the cottages which all have green roofs, metal windows, long stoeps with built-in braais and airy interiors with all the mod-cons.

Apart from the rugged mountain and fynbos setting, which harbours rheebok, grysbok, two jackal species, lynx, baboons and Cape mountain leopard, the dam is a big attraction, with trout fishing and a choice of dinghy, canoes and sailboard to paddle your way to the other side.

For the fisherman who likes his solitude there are two more dams down the valley and endless possibility for walks in the pristine fynbos with hikes into the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area (permit required), as well as possibilities for horseback riding over weekends and public holidays.

For the rest of us debauched lot, a short stroll up the hill behind the cottages leads to a brilliant view over the Swartland and the perfect sundowner spot – where we predict many a delectable Swartland wine will be quaffed while the sun melts into the distant ocean.