Holiday coming to an end

Holiday coming to an end

Day 6: 28 August

After a long 5 1/2 hour drive (475km) from the Cañon Roadhouse (1.5 hrs on gravel) we reached the Kalahari Farmhouse in Stampriet. An Oasis in the Kalahari Desert.

We got two interlinking rooms with 2 bathrooms, 5 beds and plenty of cupboard space. All decorated in farmhouse style with pretty quilt overthrow blankets and mosquito nets. There even was a hanging mat between two palm trees right in front of our entrance.

Farmhouse tranquillity

The rooms are spacious and cool, and we felt very special and appreciated the luxury.

The bungalows are spaces in an oval around a huge lawn and a little water channel runs through the garden with its huge palm trees. Some ducks waddle around and a tame Springbuck with its ( adopted) family of sheep walks between the trees and grazes on the lawn. There are plenty of photo opportunities of the buildings, the garden, the farm implements and farm animals.

The lodge produces and distributes (to the other lodges in its group) meat, cheese, yoghurt and vegetables. It also grows grapes, cactus figs; has its own mineral water spring, fresh eggs. A friendly staff member will show you around the dairy, butchery, vegetable garden and the likes.

We could relax in the tranquil garden with the little stream, the rustling of the wind in the leaves and the abundance of birdlife.

Dinner was served in a big dining room, lovingly decorated and kept warm with 3 fireplaces - although it was not too cold outside.

The food was well prepared and proportioned. There was a choice of two starters, one could have had both: samoosas with salad, or a homemade vegetable soup. The main meal either pork spare ribs with rice and fresh vegetables; or beef steak with the same accompaniment. For desert was a dark chocolate cake with cream - super delicious and well done;-)

We went to bed fully content. 

After a quiet night contributing to very deep sleep, we awoke to a stunning Kalahari sunrise. (sounds like a name for a yummy cocktail;-)The ducks were quacking in a distance and the birds started chirping in unison.

Kalahari sunrise

Breakfast starts at 7:00. A traditional buffet breakfast: variety of cereals, fruit salad, home made yoghurt, boiled eggs, croissants, cold meats and cheese platter from the own butchery and dairy. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and fresh juice. The kitchen offers scrambled or fried eggs with smoked bacon. Vegetarians and special diets are taken into consideration.

The lodge has 2 curio shops with some interesting goodies.

We were reluctant to leave, as this was our last day of the journey, and also one of our favourite lodges. 

Our rating for this lodge was 9.5