The wide open spaces of the sparse Karoo never fail to stir my soul and there's an authentic farm feel of this patch of paradise close to Niewoudtville. I visited Papkuilsfontein a while ago and was recently reminded of it when researching South Africa's best farm stays for the April issue of Getaway Magazine. Papkuilsfontein had been on my list for a while and although I dreamt of visiting during the gorgeous, and very popular, flower season, I jumped at the chance to stay when I was on a roadtrip home from Vioolsdrift in the Northern Cape. The closest town is the quaint Niewoudtville with its central sandstone church and it's mostly a Merino sheep farming area. I was travelling with my mum and we stayed at the couple's cottage, Rondekraal. The open plan design of Rondekraal finds a cosy fireplace and two rocking chairs on one end, a fully equipped kitchen area in between, and a double bed with percale cotton bed linen, on the far side. The bedroom leads into the bathroom, complete with a Victorian bath. And if you step outside of the bathroom you’ll find yourself in a semi-enclosed outdoor shower from where you can survey the landscape as you take a hot shower. There are several self-catering options on the farm, but do yourself a favour and order the home-cooked true-Karoo feast and eat it by a candle light, it makes for a getaway you’ll remember and recommend to everyone. Next time I hope to visit during the flower season. Cost: From R500pp self-catering and the delectable two-course dinner is R210.
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