Beestekuil

The South African Holiday Farm 'Beestekuil', is situated 50km North-East of Middelburg Eastern Cape. Accommodation is provided on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis. At a small charge lunch can be provided. Middelburg has been aptly named as it is, firstly, in the middle of nowhere but still centrally located to the major road networks that link the main centres. Beestekuil lies in one of the most beautiful parts of the Karoo district, with mild to hot temperatures in the summer and mild to cold temperatures in the winter. The winter nights are chilly but the day temperatures are usually mild.

Beestekuil is a typical Karoo farmhouse with a large veranda dating from the 1930's. It is unique in that is has many pictures painted on the walls. The unconfirmed story about these paintings is that Italian prisoners of war painted them in return for board and lodging, but this still has to be verified.

The husband and wife team Corrie and Matt Marell welcome you with a warm ?feel yourself at home'. They speak English, Afrikaans, German, Dutch and a little French.

Their aim is to manage the farm on a self-sustaining and ecological basis. At present the farming activities consist of a small flock of Dorper sheep, Lucerne for fodder, a few cows, various fruit trees, Pecan nut trees and a vegetable garden.

Beestekuil is not connected to the national electricity grid, but has its own solar system providing enough power for lights, hairdryers, battery chargers, microwave oven, satellite TV and a couple of computers. A diesel generator, used in case of several days without sun, backs this up. Beestekuil farm is situated on a watershed and natural clean drinking water is provided from its own boreholes.

The farmhouse accommodation facilities consist of one double en-suite room with its own private entrance and one bedroom with two single beds, sharing bathroom facilities. An extra bed, per room, can be provided on request.

The backpacker's accommodation, consisting of two rooms with 5 beds and mattresses each and a basic camping site, with shower and braai facilities is also available for those who like to sleep closer to nature, away from the farmhouse.

There is an enclosed paved courtyard with braai facilities. Dinner, Lunch and Breakfast can be served on the veranda or can be enjoyed together with the owners in the dining room. The large veranda with garden swing is also used for sundowners and provides a beautiful view to the Teebus and Koffeebus peaks. As there is no light pollution of any sort, a clear night sky provides magnificent star gazing opportunities

A small library provides reading books for a rainy day, and an internet connection as well as satellite television is available for those who cannot do without the latest news.

To cool down on a hot day, a dip in the farm dam can be welcome relief.