The Cañon experience

The Cañon experience

Day 5: 27 August

We packed our bags and loaded the car. By now the kids knew the drill and packing went really quick, and at 9:00 we left The Desert- Horse- Inn and headed towards the Fish River Cañon.

We decided to head for the Hobas Canyon view point first, before checking into our accommodation. The gravel road from Seeheim to Hobas feels like there is no end. Driving on gravel is slower, although there is hardly any other traffic. We arrived at the Hobas campsite entrance and had to pay for a permit to get into the nature reserve. Then continued for 10km on gravel to reach the viewpoint. The viewpoint has a lovely shaded area with benches and tables and we decided to have a short lunch there with our remaining snacks. The view over the canyon is awesome, an I am glad we did the trip, although the gravel road is so long.

Cañon viewpoint

The way to the Cañon Roadhouse is not that long and we soon arrived at this very unique lodge in the middle of nowhere. The old cars and parts and tools and signposts are all cleverly and interestingly arranged outside and inside the buildings and offer different views everywhere. My son found it utterly fascinating. My daughter and I enjoyed the world renowned 'Amarula cheesecake'.

Roadhouse lodge

The rooms are arranged around a courtyard and are all decorated with pictures of old cars. The courtyards have huge shady trees and well placed machinery 'decorations'.

There is a swimming pool next to the dry river bed, and a hiking trail, which we only took a short way up the mountain to have a wonderful view over the whole establishment. ( the full hiking trail takes 1.5 hrs)

Dinner is 'à la carte', and we had game sosaties (kebab); chicken schnitzel, and beef steak, with chips, beetroot and carrot gratin. All very well spiced and presented and very tender. The staff was very attentive and the atmosphere (between all the artefacts) cosy and friendly.

Old car decorations

The rest of our evening we spent reading and playing cards. And slept very well after the long day.

Breakfast started at 7:00. Each table gets a whole flask with hot coffee and fresh milk. There is a breakfast buffet with fresh fruit, a variety of breads and muffins, cereals, cold cuts and cheese, and from the kitchen eggs as you wish with or without bacon. 

After breakfast we packed up and still browsed the little shop. Paid our bill and left for our last destination of our road trip.

This accommodation also received a 9 from us.