Our two-night stay at this very comfortable converted farmhouse was a delight. The owners have established the Karoo Gariep Hippo Conservancy, reintroducing them to the river just below the farm dam, as part of a greater conservancy effort with other farms between New Bethesda, Colesberg and Hanover. A quick Google will give more detail and is worth the effort.
PC was the perfect host and took us on two drives to spot birds on the farm, while giving us fascinating information on the damage done to dam walls and roads by aardvarks, which dig massive holes in inappropriate places, as well as a guided tour of mouse habitats and termite nests. There is a buffalo breeding programme in place that involves his farmworkers, and hand-rearing of abandoned or orphaned buck and lambs is the preserve of his very capable wife, who also produced the most marvellous meals involving Karoo lamb, pumpkin and malva pudding, among other delicacies. A huge log fire kept us warm in the dining room, and electric blankets allowed us to survive very cold nights in total comfort.
A special event on the farm is the evening arrival of flocks of blue cranes to roost for the night at the dam, and it was amazing to see a total of 220 coming in from all directions. A family of warthogs joined us briefly but didn't stay for sundowners! A few days' stay in this peaceful environment under the vast Karoo skies is ideal for shaking off the cares of the world and although the grass was dry and the trees stark skeletons against the skyline, in summer it is a verdant paradise. Perhaps we should return in a different season and see it all over again.
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