Arolela started off when the owner, M.G. Lötter, realized he had something others just dream about and that he wanted to share this part of nature. A fifth generation family farm, which is still producing wheat, barley, oats, canola and the Dohné Sheep for its meat and wool.
The farm is situated near Caledon and has exquisite scenery, making it a photographer’s paradise. It is also home to the elegant Blue Crane, with 450ha of natural fields. The farm’s situation also awards access to the Overberg gems, such as Hermanus, Greyton, Franschoek, Caledon and is just one hours drive from Cape Town.
Arolela Guest Farm’s management invites visitors to: “Come and experience what we see everyday.” Visitors can enjoy a field tour, do some bird-watching or have a picnic. Other activities include, night drives – looking out for porcupines, small buck, rabbits and jackal with a spot light. Join in on a farm tour and see different crops, let the kids go for tractor rides and perhaps even be so lucky to see a lamb being born. Visitors can also watch the sheep shearers in shearing season working and enjoy the activities around harvesting time at the end of the year.
The accommodation facilities include a totally self-catering, fully equipped house, with microwave, stove, oven and fridge. All bedding, towels, crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils, roster and firewood are supplied. Coffee, tea, milk and sugar are also left out as well as cleaning materials such as washing liquid, etc. A visitor only needs to bring food!
Other things to do and see at Arolela:
- Get a close look at the Spring bucks just a stone’s throw away from the house;
- Look out for the ribbok and blesbok, wandering between the sheep;
- See the Aloe Vera in full bloom in August and taste a ‘prickly pear’ in March and April;
- Share with the farmers the joy of the sowing season in May;
- And the spectacular site of the Canola fields in its bright yellow color; and
- Help feed the orphan lambs and calf.
Activities near the farm:
The Caledon Spa and Casino, and Caledon Golf Club are 18km away and the Arabella Spa and Golf Estate about 20km. Arolela is thirty minutes drive away from Hermanus and the historic little town, Greyton. The town of Caledon (18km away) has a Spar shopping centre that stays open until 19:00, Monday – Saturday and until 13:00 on Sundays. Some restaurants available include JJ’s Grill, The Barn, and the Venster Restaurant. The farm is also about 3km from the famous Dassiesfontein Farm Stall (www.dassies.co.za) where they serve lovely meals, drinks (also a bar) and where you can order fresh farm bread – and they also an overwhelming collection of antiques for sale.
Services:
- Cleaning;
- Babysitting;
- Laundry (self and service);
- Fresh Farm bread;
- Fresh ‘vetkoek‘; and
- Meal preparation.
