Rosenhof Country House
Rosenhof Country House is a five-star husband-and-wife-run guest house situated on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Klein Karoo, a spectacular 350km valley which stretches from Montagu in the west to Uniondale in the east. The valley is encompassed by mountains, with the Swartberg Mountains in the north and the Langberge and Outeniqua mountains in the south. The valley is also home to one of the world’s longest wine routes, which stretches 270km from Montagu to De Rust.
Rosenhof Country House takes its name from the lush rose garden that leads guests to their stylishly elegant bedrooms. The homestead, originally built circa 1852, has been carefully and lovingly renovated to preserve the timeless elegance and historic architectural beauty of the property. The rooms and communal areas, including the luxury lounges and on-site pub, all benefit from carefully curated antique furnishings to create a luxurious and tranquil space for guests to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby town. With 12 Luxury Rooms, 2 Executive Suites with private pools and patios and a three-bedroom Cottage, all types of retreats can be catered to at the Rosenhof Country House. The guest houses’ ideal location makes it perfect for exploring the magnificent Klein Karoo, or just relaxing in the tranquility of the beautifully manicured grounds and watching the birds.
Rosenhof Country House, Baron Van Reede Street, Oudtshoorn, South Africa
Rosenhof Country House is situated 1km from the centre of Oudtshoorn, the principal town of the Klein Karoo. The town first came to prosperity through the economic boom of the ostrich feather trade in the late 1800s. Oudtshoorn is sometimes referred to as the ostrich capital of the world. In 2012, there were 200,000 ostriches in the area, spread across 500 ostrich farms. Many farms and specialised breeding centres have been set up in the surrounding area. The C.P Nel Museum located in the former Boy’s High School, houses exhibits displaying the role of the ostrich trade in the town’s history, as well as the cultural history of the region.
Guests can access Rosenhof Country House by car, the route from George airport over the N12 takes visitors over the spectacular Outeniqua pass is highly recommended. Stop at one of the lookout points to marvel at the incredible vistas!
- Saltwater swimming pool
- On-site pub
- Fully equipped gym and sauna
- Spa offering extensive beauty and wellness treatments
- Activity desk for help with day planning/recommendations
- Underfloor heating
- Walk-in wine cellar, stocked with vintages from the owners’ own wine estate
- Several luxury lounges with fireplaces
Oudtshoorn has a semi-arid climate, meaning the days are often clear and dry. The Langeberg and Outeniqua Mountains protect the valley of the Klein Karoo from most of the rain that characterises the coastal plains to the south. The Klein Karoo offers some of the highest plant diversity in the world, as it is here that the mega-ecotone of the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floristic provinces interact with each other. This topographically varied and complex region with its mountains, valleys and rocky mesas, is home to 55 distinct habitat types, which means many of these plants are found only in the Klein Karoo and nowhere else in the world.
The warmest months are from January until May, where temperatures average at around 26°C with little rainfall. The cooler months of June to August, with an average temperature of 17°C, may give travellers more comfortable temperatures for exploring the hiking trails of the Klein Karoo.
Rosenhof Country House offers 12 distinctive Luxury Rooms, with guests offered the choice of a Twin, Double, Double Twin or King Room. Each of the 12 Luxury Rooms are situated around a beautiful courtyard and have a private patio. The Luxury Rooms sleep up to 2 adults and up to 2 children and are perfect for single travellers, couples or families.
Each of the Luxury Rooms is individually decorated in a soft neutral palette which lends itself ideally to the modern Victorian style of the rooms, with splashes of colour introduced through the soft furnishings. The rooms are completed with hardwood antique furniture which establishes an atmosphere of homely elegance in the rooms. Each Luxury Room is complete with an ensuite bathroom with a separate bath and shower.
The 2 Executive Suites at Rosenhof Country House are ideally situated 100m away from the main house for privacy, and offer a more intimate holiday setting. Each Suite is comprised of a king-sized bed, separate lounge and private garden with a swimming pool, and can sleep up to 2 adults.
The Executive Suites are both decorated in a neutral palette with ornate antique soft furnishings decorating the bedroom and lounge, complete with hardwood furniture that contrasts beautifully with the sand marble floors. The ensuite bathrooms each boast sand marble tiling, a separate shower and sunken bathtub, and a double sink vanity unit. French doors in the bedroom and lounge lead guests into their private garden with a patio and swimming pool. The gardens are perfectly situated for guests to enjoy a drink on their patio whilst the sun sets against the majestic Swartberg mountains.
Named for the many species of bird that nest in the surrounding trees, The Bird Cottage is perfectly situated for larger groups or families. Boasting three bedrooms each with their own private ensuite, The Bird Cottage is an idyllic, tranquil haven, a perfect home-base for exploring the beauty of Oudsthoorn and the Klein Karoo. The Bird Cottage can sleep up to five adults and two children.
The first floor houses the three bedrooms, with the Hoop Hoop and Robin bedrooms opening onto a large patio. The Robin bedroom also has a separate living area with a sleeper couch which can accommodate up to two children. The third bedroom, Kiewiet, is perfectly sized for a single occupant and boasts a private patio with views over the lush herb garden. Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with a separate bath and shower, complete with double sink vanity. The bedrooms are all decorated in a crisp, clean and neutral palette, with crisp white linens and natural-toned soft furnishings. This theme continues to the walls which boast beautiful illustrated wildlife diagrams of plants and birds that can be found in the area.
The ground floor comprises a large living area, fully equipped modern open plan kitchen and study which all open onto the cottages private veranda and pool.
Breakfast at Rosenhof Country House is served in a buffet style, and features home-baked breads, fresh fruit and a variety of cold cuts for enjoyment either within the sun-lit, airy breakfast room, at a private table in the pristine landscaped gardens, or under the wrought iron gazebo. There is also a breakfast menu for hot meals, including a Full English for those desiring a heartier option.
The Country Kitchen at Rosenhof Country House offers light lunches and a 5-course table d’hote dinner menu in the evenings. Guests are welcome to take meals by the pool, at a private table in the lush gardens, or the spacious dining rooms with tranquil patios. In the cooler months, tables by the crackling fireplace can be reserved.
The traditional, home-cooked Karoo cuisine is made from locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, the five-course table d’hote menu changes daily to best showcase these ingredients in their freshest form.
Gourmet picnic baskets are also available upon request for guests to enjoy in the lush gardens, or to take with them on their adventures through the Klein Karoo.
Rosenhof Country House has an on-site pub, with wines from the walk-in wine cellar offered with dinner or as a luxurious tipple in the late afternoon. The owners of the Rosenhof Country House have a deep-rooted passion for local wines, which led to them establishing their own wine estate, Le Lude, situated in the stunning Franschhoek Valley.
Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, the Cango Caves are a 20 million-year-old network of hidden chambers carved into the thick limestone rock, often lauded as South Africa’s oldest tourist attraction, this system of caverns boasts an incredible history. Tours through the Cango Caves consist of a standard tour and an adventure tour which both run regularly throughout the day.
Facilities available include:
- An auditorium with information about Cango 2, this cave is closed to the public.
- An information bureau.
- A restaurant which serves traditional South African dishes.
A perfect family day out, the Cango Wildlife Ranch has a variety of activities for children and adults alike. Learn about the spectacularly diverse wildlife, the importance of conservation and the role the ranch plays in preventing the extinction of species. If you’re feeling especially brave, they even offer a Croc Cage Dive, allowing you to get very close to some of the world’s super-predators!
Due to the absence of light pollution, the night sky in the Klein Karoo is an unspoilt marvel. Take a guided stargazing tour, and learn about the Southern hemispheres’ “High Five” constellations, and the importance of the stars to African folklore and the local indigenous populations.
Situated off the R328 on the scenic route to the Cango Caves, the Rust-en-Vrede waterfall supplies water to the town of Oudtshoorn and gives visitors a sparkling pool for wild swimming. Taken from the Afrikaans phrase for “rest and peace”, this stunning sanctuary is full of indigenous plants and wildlife, and visitors can take advantage of the Braii facilities, or bring a gourmet picnic from the kitchens at Rosenhof Country House.
Children of all ages are welcome at Rosenhof Country House