THE FARM INN COUNTRY HOTEL PRETORIA

The Farm Inn is a privately owned Country Hotel and Conference Centre with 83 rooms and suites on the eastern outskirts of Pretoria, just 20 minutes from Central Pretoria, and 50 minutes from Johannesburg.  The Farm Inn is a great getaway, an ideal conference venue or the perfect setting for your wedding.  The Farm Inn has that special extra something - a wildlife sanctuary with 23 species including Lion, Leopard and Cheetah.

Nestling on a rocky outcrop under the African sun and built of thatch, stone and natural materials, the exclusive Farm Inn exudes an African stone palace atmosphere and is set in park like grounds on a private game sanctuary. Guests may relax in the beautiful ambience of the lounge or bar, for a truly African experience. Both are well appointed and offer a peaceful respite after a long day. Enjoy a sun downer, cocooned in the high, stone walled thatch roof, with the comfort of exquisite furnishings intimately grouped for your requirements.

The Farm Inn has grown over the years to its current size – the original 21 hectares have been increased to 108 hectares (267 acres). There are now 83 bedrooms, 17 function venues, 2 chapels, 3 boma’s and a “Bosberaad” venue in between the Animal enclosures. The a la carte Restaurant has won numerous prizes.

Every Part of the Farm Inn has its own bit of history!

The Hotel is close to the Menlyn Park shopping and entertainment centre and next door to Silverlakes Golf Club. Plans for the future include a larger pool and tennis courts.

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Franschhoek

Nestled between towering mountains in the beautiful Cape Winelands lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the food and wine heartland of the country, where splendid wines are grown and our top chefs create international cuisine. Here breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories.

Spectacular vineyards cover these mountain slopes settled more than 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. This is a valley rich in history centred around a picturesque village of friendly, welcoming people.

The wonderful spectrum of visitor accommodation ranges from internationally renowned auberges and guest houses to self-catering cottages on wine farms and much more besides.

In the village you will find wonderful crafts, art and antique shops and galleries. The main street is lined with coffee shops and restaurants. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town Franschhoek is the ideal base while you explore the entire Cape Winelands.

Historical and Cultural Heritage

After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France in 1685, when Protestantism was outlawed, hundreds of so-called Huguenots fled their homeland, 277 of them arriving by ship at the Cape of Good Hope. Many of them were given land by the Dutch government in a valley called Oliphantshoek (Elephant's Corner) - so named because of the vast herds of elephants that roamed the area. Soon after they settled here, it became known as Franschhoek (French Corner).

This heritage lives on today with the Huguenot monument standing proudly at the top of the village. The museum nearby chronicles the history of those brave pioneers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own fascinating story to tell.

Wonderful Wines

Driving into Franschhoek you will notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names and are usually complete with a spectacular Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks and luscious vineyards. There are a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, and large cellars that offer organized tours and conducted tastings.

The Gourmet Capital

Although it varies by year up to eight of South Africa's "Top 100" restaurants are in Franschhoek - the gourmet capital of the country. Leading chefs create everything from world-class cuisine to light meals using the freshest produce of the valley, complemented by the wonderful local wines. Linger a while and savour the hospitality, ambience and variety of our many great restaurants.

Accommodation

The picturesque village, ringed by tall mountains, offer the best accommodation - from stylish country auberges to small bed & breakfasts. Stay among the scenic vineyards with spectacular views or in the quaint village. Enjoy the hospitality of charming guest houses, comfortable and well-appointed self-catering cottages, intimate bed & breakfasts and internationally acclaimed country lodges in the most beautiful setting imaginable.

Shops and Galleries

A host of shops and galleries line the Main Street, providing a wonderful choice of antiques, a world class collection of artworks and interesting bric-a-brac to browse through. There are also specialty shops such as fromagerie's, a chocolate factory and a sofa maker.

Things to do

For the more energetic there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains, cycling and horse-riding. There are also a number of trout fishing spots in various streams and dams on the surrounding farms.

For a wine tour with a difference hop onto a horse and visit a few of the Vignerons de Franschhoek.

If you're in the vicinity in July, try to visit Franschhoek over the weekend closest to Bastille Day (14th July) when the village celebrates its French heritage with a wine and gourmet fair and lots, lots more.

10 Reasons to visit Franschhoek

1. Franschhoek is the most beautiful wine valley in the world.

2. It is the food and wine capital of the country.

3. There are more award-winning restaurants concentrated here than anywhere else in the land.

4. Franschhoek's French heritage of more than 300 years is evident in the wine and food tradition. The magnificent Huguenot Museum and monument are worth a visit.

5. There are 101 interesting things to do in this picturesque village.

6. You can taste the wines of the valley more than 40 extraordinary wine cellars.

7. Franschhoek is a town for all budgets.

8. It is centrally located to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of the Western Cape - from the Winelands to whale-watching to exploring the mother city.

9. The culturally diverse people are friendly and welcoming.

10. The galleries and shops in the quaint main street provide hours of interesting browsing and shopping.

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Glorious Food for U

De Haven Oost Country Estate and Tourism Village

“A Taste of Nature   .......    A Touch of Style

....We welcome you back in 1925

Owing to our immense passion to create, we as a family-driven-company have designed a quaint old town reminiscent of yesteryear with an amazingly romantic country life atmosphere. We and our staff treat our guests as family.... you will feel as though you have come home. At De Haven Oost we transform an ordinary celebration into one that sparkles with that perfect fusion of food, friends, family, laughter, music, colour, romance and rhythm. A delightful way 

to celebrate any special occasion.”

De Haven Oost Country Estate & Tourism Village offers an unusual romantic escape from stressful city living. This 3 Star graded and AA Highly Recommended estate offers accommodation in guest suites and self-catering units.

Facilities include a spa, licensed restaurant, laundry services, team building, corporate functions, Wi-Fi Internet, wedding venue, chapel, bridal suite, lovely gardens, nanny service, kids play area, animal farm and eco-nursery. The owners have passionately designed a quaint arts and crafts village reminiscent of yesteryear with a countrified atmosphere.

The restaurant patio has a barbecue area as well as a beautiful fireplace and DStv for sports fans. Guests can mingle at the cocktail bar or relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace while sitting on the wooden terrace, or enjoy a cigar in the cigar lounge.

This unique 10 hectare country estate is strategically situated at the south entrance to the Dinokeng Tourism Route, "Africa in one day". (Cullinan) The estate is only a 10 minute drive east of Pretoria and the OR Tambo International Airport is 60 km away.

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Vanderkloof Dam

A unique man-made experience of a precious natural earth element, Vanderkloof Dam catches water stretching a 100 Km in length at its maximum capacity. The dam took the name of the farm it stands upon and the surrounding town that originally had a population of dwellers drawn to the area for the sole purpose of dam building is now a popular holiday destination for soul purposes.

This is South Africa's second largest dam juxtaposing itself on a backdrop of picturesque semi-desert Karoo landscape. A concrete crest of 765M cuts across the pale blue sky dome separating the grassed ground from puffy white clouds that reflect their form on the water surface. This is the highest dam wall in South Africa rising to a vertical standpoint of 108M.

Productive agricultural land encompassing an area of 100 000 takes irrigation from this source powered by the Orange River. Recreational water sports keep the surrounding mountain faces exposed to brightly coloured windsurf sails and winding wake trails. Skiing, boating and sailing provide entertainment to the wide array of low flying bird life species including the Kingfisher that rivals dam anglers for scaled trophies. Engineer some relaxation and nature appreciation at this site of South African engineering achievement.

Where to stay

Toverberg Guest Houses are a selection of beautifully restored Karoo townhouses in the quiet and historic Bell Street and Stockenstroom Street. These beautifully restored Karoo townhouses are situated in the historic part of Colesberg, right next to the Dutch Reformed Church.

About Colesberg

From its earliest days Colesberg has been a bustling resting and meeting place, a gateway to the north for explorers and hunters - later also for those seeking their fortune on the Diamond and Goldfields. The town still is a traveller’s oasis on the main routes to the interior and the coast. Here the N1 and the N9 meet and the town is the southern gateway to the Lake !Xariep Tourist Route (R58) which covers Gariep Dam, Norvalspont, Venterstad, Oviston and Bethulie.

The Colesberg-Kemper Museum with its 19th century toy collection is also the permanent house to the UNISA Karoo Nomad Photographic Exhibition. Together with Anglo-Boer War sites and a fine selection of 19th century buildings Colesberg offers an exciting reflection on the past and present.

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Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary

Monkeyland is the world’s first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Monkeyland is unique in that the sanctuary caters for several species of primate, and they are not caged, they are free to move about the forest, and do so in harmony.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary is a modern primate sanctuary established in a pristine natural high canopy forest which is well suited to those primates fortunate enough to live there. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the sanctuary is that it is both a multi specie and free-roaming facility. Monkeyland which is only three years old is totally self-sustaining from the revenue it derives from tourism, this revenue is generated by taking visitors out on monkey safaris, and these safaris are conducted by enthusiastic rangers. The safaris which are fun and exciting, are also educational and generally result in our guests leaving the sanctuary with a whole new focus on the primates of the world and the problems they are facing.

Monkeyland has through the establishment of the Touch a Monkeys Heart Foundation; a non-profit organisation or as they are better known in South Africa, a Section 21 Company, secured the future of all the primates which reach Monkeyland.

Over and above being the sole custodian of all the primates at Monkeyland, The Foundation is also responsible for the development and implementation of The Eden Syndrome, which is the process used at Monkeyland to prepare previously caged primates for their eventual release into the sanctuary.

Possibly the important aspect emanating from the existence of the sanctuary, is that Monkeyland is a living example that these wonderful creatures can be kept in an almost wild state. From this must surely come the realisation that re-introducing primates to their habitats of origin from this wilder state must stand a far greater chance of success as a result.

Lunch in the lively forest of Monkeyland is a unique experience. It is the only eating spot in the world where you can actually sip your coffee while you watch a large variety of primates, from all over the world, playing - enjoying their new-found freedom.

Entrance to Monkeyland is free, however there is a fee for the guided safaris. Note that these guided safaris are open ended which means that one may go on as many safaris as you wish, in a given day, having only paid for the first excursion. A visit to Monkeyland is a must for every local resident of, and visitor to The Garden Route. So swing by visit this awesome monkey kingdom.

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My Beautiful World

Birds of Eden Bird Sanctuary

The world’s largest single span aviary, just a few kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route, where birds are free to fly free provides an incredible experience for those who visit, and a wonderful way of life for over 2000 previously caged birds.

The completely unique venture of Birds of Eden is an enormous two hectare dome spanning a gorge filled with verdant, indigenous forest. Within it are some 100 species of incredible African birds, a few of them endangered that provide anyone entering the dome with a literal experience of paradise. There are 1.2 kilometres of wooden walkway to lead you through the beautiful place (unlike Monkey Valley, you don’t need a guide to take you through the refuge), over a river and behind a waterfall (part of the sanctuary’s mysterious ruin). Birds of Eden’s dome emulates thunder storms, complete with renditions of claps of thunder and short cloudbursts from the irrigation system in the dome structure.

The same group of people who created Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary that is just next door to Birds of Eden making a two-in-one day trip effortless, were behind the incredible project that provides a safe haven not only for birds and miniature monkeys, but for rehabilitated pet birds too.

But the overwhelming experience of being in the wild with hundreds of birds as they swoop, fly and call around you is what Birds of Eden is essentially about.

The park has seven dams, the largest of which has a floating bridge with seating at which you can order light meals; a 200-seater amphitheatre and a breath-taking canopy walk.

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Forever Resorts Mount Sheba

Forever Resorts Mount Sheba is situated in Mpumalanga, 50km from Lydenburg and around the corner from the legendary town of Pilgrim’s Rest. A truly romantic setting in the heart of a surrounding forest creates a magical atmosphere. Excellent service supports the superb four star cuisine and sure to turn any dream day into a fairy tale experience.

Well-appointed rooms, gourmet meals and log fires give a magical feel to Mount Sheba. Walks in the forest are magical, with the rare Samango monkey and rare bird calls around you.

With private patios and panoramic views, the beauty of the surroundings can be enjoyed from the comfort of your room. Indigenous forest walking trails, forest picnics, trout fishing, mountain biking.

Activities available on the property are trout fishing, a game of tennis, squash, sauna or a walk on the wild side.

The day finally ends with a touch of elegance in the "Owl and Trout" bar and gourmet dinner served with fine wine complimented by meticulous service and hospitality in the dining room, promising an unforgettable experience.

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