Ethical Accommodation Overberg, South Aftrica - Responsible tourism, ecoaccomodation, sustainable holidays/places to stay

farm 215 nature retreat

farm 215 – nature retreat & fynbos reserve -a sustainable operation

description: Farm 215 is a rare and unique conservation area in the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest but richest of the six floral kingdoms together covering the whole of the world. Hundreds of common, rare, endangered and endemic plant-species crowd the mountain-slopes, wetlands and flats of the reserve. The reserve is an important local catchment area, a rare meeting point of different vegetation types and a haven for several bird- and animal-species.

Located in the Overberg on the “Fynbos-road” meandering through the Southernmost region of the African continent, farm 215 is 200 km from Cape Town. The region is a hotspot of land- and marine-nature. With mostly gravel-roads, the area is unspoilt and not discovered by the general tourist.

Farm 215 aims to be a pioneer in the sustainable hospitality industry in South Africa. The guesthouse infrastructure is situated in a corridor at the foot of the reserve. The indigenous vegetation around the buildings is left untouched. All new buildings blend in with the natural landscape and have been designed to minimise impact on the natural environment using solar-power generation, heat exchange technology, grey water recycling and waste-separation and recycling. Harmful chemicals are not used and harvesting of indigenous flowers on a small part in the reserve is done in accordance with sustainable harvesting practices.

Farm 215 is a 4 star country house, detached from the daily grind of life. The retreat is a private and secluded place which enjoys panoramic views over the Agulhas Plains to the ocean. Luxury accommodation in three spacious rooms in the old homestead, in three modern freestanding fynbos-suites (spaced out along a meandering path to ensure privacy and undisturbed views) and in a secluded family-house. Meals, made from fresh ingredients and an eye to detail, are served in the spacious dining- and bar- area, connected with a board-walk to the 25 m solar heated lap-pool.

The reserve has over 20 km of hiking trails, winding through different types of fynbos-vegetation, wetlands, forest and scrub-land to the highest peaks in the area. A detailed map is available, but guided walks with an experienced nature-guide can be arranged. One- to more-day horse trails along the unspoilt beaches and through the “fynbos” covered mountains of the Overberg are organised in co-operation with the African Horse Company.

Safeguarding nature is hard work. Constants efforts are made to clear the reserve from alien invasive vegetation and to rehabilitate wetlands, streambanks and tracts suffering from years of un-sustainable agricultural techniques.

Farm 215 does not have an isolated approach on the reserve alone. We actively participate in bio-diversity and conservation efforts in the greater region and support local communities in housing projects and small business initiatives.

As a result of the great strides, made in implementing sound conservation management principles and techniques, farm 215 has been awarded in 2007 with the “Cape Fox Award” by the Western Cape Conservation and Stewardship Association for our demonstration of responsible stewardship of the land and responsible hospitality.

Enjoy splendid isolation, an overpowering sense of space and pristine nature.