Separate self-catering living unit in the old farm house for five guests:
This unit is fully equipped for self-catering and consists of two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room with a built-in braai (barbeque) and a bathroom with shower. The unit can accommodate up to five guests on one double bed and three single beds;
Separate self-catering living unit in the old farm house for three guests:
This unit is fully equipped for self-catering and consists of one bedroom, a kitchen, living room with a built-in braai (barbeque) and a bathroom with bath. The unit can accommodate up to three guests on one double bed and one single bed;
The Cow Shed Honeymoon Suite:
This is a large open plan stone building with a luxurious round bath surrounded by candles for peace and tranquillity only the Karoo can offer. It is fully equipped for self-catering and consists of one double bed and two single beds;
En-suite room:
This room has one double and one single bed with a little wood stove in the corner. There is a bathroom with shower. Guests may use the communal kitchen;
En-suite double room:
This double room consists of a double bed and bathroom with shower. Guests may use the communal kitchen;
En-suite – sleeps four guests:
Accommodation is offered in one bedroom with a one double and one single bed. Another single bed is available in the living room. There is a bathroom with a shower. Guests may use the communal kitchen;
Open plan self-catering double en-suite:
This en-suite is fully equipped for self-catering. There is a double bed with an open plan bathroom with a big oval bath and a separate toilet.
Rondavel:
This is a round hut with its own kitchen and bathroom with a shower. There is one double and one single bed in the rondavel.
The farm has its own private amateur observatory with two telescopes (15cm and 20cm refractor) where Nicol takes guests stargazing at night. Children can interact with farm animals such as cows, chickens, lambs, rabbits, ducks, donkeys and many more. The farmyard animals are harmless and friendly. Although all he animals are fed regularly, you are allowed to feed them at any time of the day.
Wildlife on the farm include grey rheebuck, steenbok, duiker, springbok, black wildebeest, takbok, gazelle, zebra, rock rabbit, lynx, erdvark, tortoise, meerkat, skunk, fox, mongoose and a variety of birds. Several reptile species have also been spotted. In the cement reservoir next to the poplar trees down the hill, they have a friendly lot of Koi fish. Guests will also be able to see a colourful display of wild flowers during spring. They also take visitors on a game drive to the escarpment. Guests can also do the trip with their own vehicles at no additional cost. Meals can also be served on request.
The owners rent out their 4×4 @ R120/trip to visitors for game drives to the escarpment. You are also welcome to use your own vehicle, at no additional cost, on any of the farm roads.
The firewood in your unit is not included in the rates for the accommodation.
Meals:
- Breakfast: R70
- Formal 3-course dinner: R150 (to be booked in advance)
- Take-away lamb chops and chips: R65 (supper)
- Take-away curry and rice: R45 (supper).
A non returnable deposit of 50% is payable when you make a booking. The outstanding amount can be settled once you leave Blesfontein.
- Time of arrival: Not earlier than 14:00;
- Time of departure: Not later than 11:00.
Blesfontein does not have a liquor license, but you are welcome to bring your own wine to have with dinner. There is MTN signal in the main house and on other higher areas of the farm, as well as for parts of the road between Sutherland and Blesfontein. Unfortunately Vodacom and Cell C signal is only available in Sutherland.
General information:
- Blesfontein is situated 28km South West of Sutherland on the Bo-Visrivier road;
- The CSIR observatory, where SALT (SOUTHERN AFRICAN LARGE TELESCOPE) is being built, is 15km East of Sutherland. SALT will be the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and tegnologically the best in the world. Tel: +27 23 571 1205 and ask for Claudine or else you can phone her directly on +27 23 571 3436;
- We have our own Private Amateur Observatory with two telescopes (15cm and a 20cm refractor) where Nicol takes our guests at night for stargazing. He is the only stargazing guide on the farm, which means that in the unlikely event of him not being here or being sick, you will not be able to watch stars. (This usually does not happen!) Therefore we do not take bookings for stargazing and, unlike the other amateur observatory in Sutherland, Nicol do not charge any fees for stargazing. However, everything needs maintenance and he will appreciate a small donation if you have enjoyed the night’s viewing;
- In the Dutch Reformed Church in Sutherland one can still see graffiti of Britich Soldiers during the Anglo Boer War. Tel: +27 71 136 7468;
- Sheep Cheese Farm and Factory – Tel: +27 23 5712 222 or +27 23 5712 791 (Not always in production, so Please phone in advance);
- Louw Museum: +27 23 5711 265 or +27 71 136 7468;
- Let your children meet and touch a wide variety of farm animals like ponies, cows, chickens, bottle fed lambs, donkeys, miniature pigs, rabbits, alpacas and geese;
- Species of wild animals on the farm: Grey Rheebuck, Steenbok, Duiker, Springbok, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Gazelle, Zebra, Rock Rabbit, Hare, Porcupine, Lynx, Wild Cat, Erdvark, Tortoise, Meerkat, Skunk, Mongoose, Fox, a variety of birds;
- Colourful display of wild flowers during spring;
- Magnificent views from the escarpment 5km from the farm house. Stone built picnic tables are available;
We have been inspected by the Tourism Grading Council of SA and was approved as a 2-star graded guesthouse.
