Woody's

Basic but beautiful - Sleeps 2

Get away from the city and unplug, watch the birds, reconnect with your partner and nature. Surrounded by the mountains and forests, there are ample outdoor activities to enjoy - mountain streams, horse riding or hiking - or you could just slow right down, light a fire, cozy up and watch the sunset.

With a deck overlooking rolling hills and neighbouring farmlands, Woody's is a restored woodcutters' cottage dating back to a period when Swellendam and its surrounding area provided timber for buildings in Cape Town. It has a large indoor hearth and outdoor fireplace. There is no electricity.

• Small kitchen with the basics, pots, pans cutlery, plates mugs, glasses, a gas fridge and a gas stove and oven.
• Large living room.
• One bedroom – double bed.
• Single bed is an extra in the living room.
• Bathroom with shower bath and toilet.
• Bedding and towels are provided.
• Indoor fire place. Outdoor braai area
• Firewood can be bought from the office on arrival or add it to your booking reservation.

The jeep track to get to Woody’s is not suitable for vehicles with minimal ground clearance - a 4x4 is ideal, but normal cars reach the cottages easily in dry conditions. If necessary we guide guests through the Nature Reserve instead of across the farm, but most prefer the challenge of the bumpy track. Because it is so isolated we encourage guests to stay for at least two nights to enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

You may purchase a mountain bike permit from the Honeywood office.

The water in all our cottages comes straight off the mountain. It is a golden, clear amber colour and is completely safe and drinkable. The colour comes from the tannins that seep from roots as the water is naturally filtered underground before  trickling into the rock pools high up on the mountainside. It has a high Ph level and a bit of a taste so we don’t think it makes a great Japanese sencha or even a cup of strong English tea so we suggest you bring bottled water if you are concerned, pregnant or have a sensitive and highly attuned sense of taste. But it is phenomenal to bath, shower and swim in.

We ask all our guests to please shut the windows, shutters and doors when they leave the cottage. We have baboons who love bananas and will climb in for breadcrumbs if they get half the chance.

All cottages are fully self-contained, but not serviced.