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Farm 215 - Nature Retreat & fynbos reserve
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retreat & private nature reserve
farm 215base station of the african horse company
The retreat of farm 215 is located between Stanfordand Cape Agulhas in the undisturbed Overberg of theWestern Cape, the Southernmost region of Africa.
Though often described as “remote”, the private reserveis easily reached: it is a two hour drive from Cape Town airport,the last few miles over a gravel road, suitable for all normal cars.
Farm 215 is the base station of the African Horse Company, offering multi day trails through the Agulhas National Park.
locationCape town
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200 kmfarm
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Tranquility, space and nature are the three keywords when people want to know what to expect.Farm 215 is as sustainable as it is laid-back.
There are three large freestanding suites and three spacious rooms in the homestead.
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accommodation
The three fynbos suites are spaced out in nature.Smart, but not pretentious, these suites are the most luxurious units of the retreat. The modernfynbos suites are powered by solar energy.
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High up the hill, the homestead has arguably the best views.There are two spacious rooms on the first floor of the homesteadand a suite with private garden at the ground-floor.
homesteadfa
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25 m lap-pool
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The pool is connected to the garden of the homesteadwith a wooden boardwalk. From the shelteredterrace the views stretch from the distant ocean tothe vineyards of our neighbour, Lomond wine estate.
foodfa
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All meals of the day are served on farm 215. Food is down to earth: ingredients speak forthemselves. All food is sourced from a 60 km radius around farm 215.The dining area is a modern building powered by solar energy.
the reserve
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The 800 hectares of the private nature reserve have over 20 km of hiking trails whichmeander through pristine vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom to the highest peaksin the area. Hundreds of different plant species including 50 threatened and endangeredspecies. The reserve and surrounding reserves and parks are furthermore the playgroundof the African Horse Company.
outridesfa
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From the reserve of farm 215, the African Horse Company organises outrides throughpristine Cape Floral vegetation, vineyards, forest, mountains and plains. The rides take from one hour to the better part of the day.
beach rides
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A ride along the endless and empty beach of the Walker Bay Reserve take from 3 hours to the whole day.
multi-day trailsfa
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The African Horse Company is specialised in all inclusive mullti-day horse trails, varying in timefrom 3 days to 17 days. The African Horse Company has transit rights through theAgulhas National Park, Walker Bay Reserve and various smaller reserves, farmsand estates on the Agulhas Plains.
board roomfa
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The board room on top of one of the outbuildingscan be used for small workshops and get-togethersof up to 12 people. Whiteboard, data-projector,computer with wireless reception and telephoneare available.
a sustainable operationfa
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Farm 215 is a pioneer in sustainable hospitality in South Africa
Sustainable designAll new buildings powered by solar | water sourced from own catchment is recycled: no downstream effect |water purification without chemicals | salt water pool |maximisation of locally sourced building materials |building done by local builders |wood of invasive alien trees used in buildings.
Sustainable operationsAll detergents and soaps are biodegradable | all waste separated and recycled |procurementof local produce with minimised packaging | local wines produced by members of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative |food is 80% organic | only fish served on the green list of the Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative |food-remains recycled by poultry | Only local people hired.
Sustainable land managementContinuous clearing of alien invasive vegetation | rehabilitation of streambanks and wetlands | flowerharvesting done in accordance with sustainable harvesting techniques by Flower Valley Trust | reforestationpilot project |data collection of the est. 1000 species in the reserve | no motorised transport in the reserve |no interference with wild life | winner Cape Fox Award for best management of land in the Western Cape.
MemberWalker Bay
Conservancy
Certified byFair Trade inTourism SA
Under stewardship of Cape Nature
Board memberOverstrand
Conservation Foundation
Responsible Traveller - Summer 2009“Farm 215 is a visionary example of sustainable tourism in the Western Cape and South Africa.”
Life in Balance Magazine SA - September 2009“farm 215 is a haven of tranquility for anyone seeking respite in a part of the overberg almost untouched by man.”
Conde Nast House & Garden - September 2009“immersed in the celebrated cape floral kingdom..., there’s no one around for miles,...”
The Independent on Sunday UK - March 2009“.... eye catching design with wood burning stoves, downy duvets and toiletries made from native fynbos plants.”
A selection of articles about farm 215
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press
Highlife - BA Inflight magazine - 2008“Farm 215 in the Overberg has chic fynbos suites powered by solar energy.”
Elle Travel UK - Farm 215 wins the Chic shack award 2008“Balancing cool design with a passion for the environment,farm 215 stands in the middle of a wild nature reserve.”
Absolute Magazine SA - 2008“As a responsible tourism destination, it is a remarkable achievement. It is exclusive, luxurious, compact and private.”
House & Garden - November 2007“Light years away from paparazzi woes, the five star factor here is the sense of space, tranquility and pared-down luxury.”
Winelands Living - April 2007“Farm 215 is an anomaly of sorts, being both deliciously luxurious and strictly laid back.”
Elle Decoration - march 2007“....a haven for the conscious traveller, a place to tread lightly, breathe deeply and let nature take the lead.”
A selection of reviews from guests
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guest reviews
Selections from reviews on tripadvisor.com“Escaping the humdrum of every day life, farm 215 offers a little slice of heaven down in the Overberg.”
“The walks from farm 215 are excellent- a myriad of wild flowers and plants to see and photograph- and so unusual.”
“You have the feeling to be completely alone in nature, in the middle of nowhere, hearing all the nature sounds during theday and evening and almost an absolute silence of the night.”
“If you are the kind of person who finds big corporate hotels a little suffocating but doesn’t want to sacrifice comfort or service,then farm 215 is for you.”
“More like a private nature reserve, this is “eco-friendly” done properly, combining luxury and a passion for the environment,but remaining laidback and friendly.”
FULL REVIEWS ON THE TRIPADVISOR.COM WEBSITE CAN BE READ BY CLICKING ON THIS SENTENCE
Selections from reviews on i-escape.com(users of i-escape have selected farm 215 as the best spot in Africa for 2009)“The best place we stayed in. Absolutely gorgeous location and design, great hospitality and warmth.”
“A place to totally relax and forget your cares ! To wake up each day to the wonderful view from our bed was amazing. When can we go back ??!”
“This is a hidden gem. The setting is magical, the rooms simple yet luxurious and the food delicious.”
“It is a wonderful combination of style, eco-tourism and retreat wrapped in a warm and friendly package.”
“Stunning setting, excellent hospitality. Only dissapointment was we only had one night there, but next time we will certainly stay longer
FULL REVIEWS ON THE I-ESCAPE.COM WEBSITE CAN BE READ BY CLICKING ON THIS SENTENCE
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our neighbours
Flower Valley Trust, sustainable harvestingof indigenous flowers.
Platbos, Africa’s southernmost indigenous forest.
Lomond Vineyards, award winning pioneer in thenew Agulhas Wine Region and certified by the Biodiversity Wine Initiative.
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area map
You are here
Cape town
farm 215
200 km
You cannot use a hair-dryer in the solar powered fynbos suites,
You arrive in your car on a bumpy gravel road,
The water is very pure,
The chef decides what will be on the menu and food is slow food;
Linen is coffee-latte coloured;
There is no air-conditioning,
The reserve can be explored on foot or on horseback;
If you have a fobia for spiders, other insects, reptiles, toads etc,
There is not a single television in the reserve,
The reserve is surrounded by more nature and rural lands,
but homo sapiens survived for 99% of its time on earth without them
which is a luxurious way of transport compared with the ox wagons of less than 100 years ago.
but yellow, as was all the drinking water in the Cape before they started to add chemicals.
farm 215 is a place for the non-hasty
No bleach is being used on farm 215.
and we do not explain anymore why not.
Motorised transport in the reserve only allowed for maintenance and emergencies.
please realise that farm 215 is their home.
but there is wireless internet and mobile phone reception
if you are looking for bars, shops and nightlife, this is not the place
the catch of a genuine sustainable placefa
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None really, if you are truly interested in dealing fairly with this planet and its people.A few if you are addicted to all aspects of the lifestyle which only developed in the last few decades.
