Hotel berhampiran Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn

At first this place felt very commercialised, easier to get to than the other reserves we had visited in our one month touring holiday of SA, no long bumpy, dusty road to drive down to get to your accommodation and unlike the other safaris we had done, lots of people waiting to get on the jeeps, not just the people staying here but coaches from other hotels and outlying areas. So we were a bit sceptical as to how this would work. After 2 days we came away very impressed and would recommend and return. All the safaris were handled really well and even though every seat on the Jeep was filled and usually 3 leaving for the various themed drives, once you left the loading bay you never saw the other jeeps until you got back, we thought they would be following each other but this was not the case. The roads are also a lot less bumpy than the other reserves we had been too which was actually quite nice and no bruises to add to the ones we already had. We did 2 safaris which were approximately 2 hours long but even though quite short (in comparison to the others we had done) they still had time to stop for a sundowner drink in the evening and a drink break in the morning. We were so lucky that the first evening safari we did we must have seen every animal on the property including some unusual birds, the other trucks did not see as much so it really is luck, nature is like that! We did the meerkat tour one morning (which I believe can start as early as 4am at certain times of year), ours started at 5.30 which was an early start. I am glad to have done it but it won’t be something I would do again. The family you go to see consist of 6 meerkats, if the weather is too cool or if it rains you could have a wait of up to 3 hours and then they may even not come out. Ours was touch and go and they did come out and they are very cute but after an hour of looking at them you are sort of ready to go back and have breakfast. The guide took a vote and the consensus was to return to base so we were having breakfast at 7.30am! Got to say, one of the best glamping tents yet of our trip as regards facilities and perfect setting. Wonderfully comfortable bed (made it hard to get up early in the morning), decent pillows, the crispest of cotton sheets, air con (thank god, on the day we arrived it was pushing 100 although it does struggle to keep the tent cool during a very hot day, fine in the evening)! Fridge with mini honesty bar, free bottled still water, replaced daily and a couple of refill water stations for your own bottles in various parts of the complex. We had tent 4 but any of the ones looking over the waterhole were wonderful (although you may want to make use of the free ear plugs, the Egyptian geese and very noisy at night and can keep you awake). Stayed 2 nights and the one day after our morning safari we sat out on the patio watching the birds and the 3 hippo playing and grunting in the water, went for a swim in the lovely swimming pool, had a s

Stayed in one of the rondevels. Nice room but found a small cockroach in the bathroom and as usual, with the thatched type roofs, bits of debris fall through. Had a buffet meal in the restaurant, very poor value compared with other meals purchased in S Africa. Not much choice, cold plates for hot food; don't bother eating here, you will be ripped off because they have you captive, away from any other viable food source. Suggest buying some snacks before you arrive to eat in your room. Although our room was very cold until the air con warmed up and the power went off altogether at one point. Breakfast okay but basic. Only high point, very good offer on G&T in the Bar! Also, staff very nice and pleasant, especially the barman, who had also helped to check us in and serve in the restaurant. Full marks to him for friendliness. Nice open fire in the bar too. Warmest place in the hotel, as we had rain and cool weather during our holiday here.

In our 4 week touring holiday of SA we have not had such a lovely welcome to a guest house as we did here. You really felt that you had arrived home and being greeted by long lost friends. We booked this purely by accident after trying to get in La Plume for 3 nights and them only being able to do 2. As it was our first trip to SA we were trying to get the hotels/guest houses with a restaurant for an evening meal so as we did not have to go out in the evening or drive anywhere. We were shown around the lovely property and to our room, for unfortunately only one night! And the daughter of the owners explained everything to us including giving us all the information for the area which was great and saved us having to hunt out the tourist information centre in town. The room was spotless clean, comfortable bed, decent shower, had a mini fridge stocked with lots of different beers, wine and soft drinks (not free, an honesty bar)! The house itself is such a lovely property and so nice to have breakfast in the dining room, all beautifully laid out. The owners were always present and chatting to their guests, calling them by their first names and I am ashamed to say I can not remember theirs, I have always been terrible with names, but I will remember their faces and their welcome for a very long time to come. There are 2 really good restaurants within a short and sale walking distance, we ate at Nostalgie which was good and very quirky but Jemmimas also looked very good and of course I believe their were other restaurants in town. Would highly recommend if you want the feeling of staying with family and friends. Lovely swimming pool area also and ideal base for doing all the things in this area.