ACCOMMODATION
Karoo & Free State
Ganora Guest Farm
De Oude Kraal Country Estate
Ganora Guest Farm
Ganora Guest Farm is an operational sheep farm situated just outside Nieu Bethesda in the foothills of the majestic Sneeuberg Range, sixty kilometres north of Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo Heartland. The farmstead and guest cottages are nestled deep in the slopes of a depression carved into the bedrock by ancient rivers in pre-historic times. The surrounding rock formations and rich fossil beds on the farm bear testimony to the events that contributed to the formation of this vast and beautiful land.
The first Bushman paintings were discovered at Ganora in 1996. Anthropology and Paleontology have always been the owners passion. They have now discovered 5 caves or shelters with paintings and many more without paintings but with evidence that the caves were inhabited, as there are still old Bushman tools found there.
Ganora Guest Farm was visited by a research team from Wits University who took all the necessary photos and information they needed to register the shelters and paintings.
We will guide you to one of the shelters that is an easy walk for all ages. Here we will tell you all about the rock art while pointing them out to you as well as the Bushman’s culture and beliefs.
Included in the ½ – ¾ hour tour we will show you the engravings made by the young farmer’s son that hid in the shelter for 3 months during the Anglo Boer War. The Bushman engravings can be viewed when on the fossil walk.
De Oude Kraal Country Estate
De Oude Kraal Country Estate is situated near the Town of Bloemfontein and is the very core of a 2000Ha working sheep farm, owned by a 6th Generation family, where dedication and excellence has always been the way of living. This Country Estate is one of StoryScape Travel’s best gems. It is renowned for one of the best kitchens in South Africa and allows guests to go back in time and experience the charm and serenity of an authentic colonial establishment. This is a South African Accommodation with a difference. De Oude Kraal – Lombard Family!
The concept of De Oude Kraal comes from the native Koi Tribe, they used the natural rocks from the area, to build the “kraal” (animal enclosure) that kept their livestock safe from predators.
This Free State Historical establishment is a natural extension from the “Kraal” concept, in that the guests experience the tranquillity, security and serenity of De Oude Kraal Country Estate & Spa. The Main House has its historical origin in 1885, where the restaurant is now located.
Gerhard and Marie Lombard renovated the grand old Homestead in 1992 to be used as a Guest Farm and Restaurant. The name De Oude Kraal is derived from the stone kraals that were built by M.J. Salzmann(snr.), as well as the stone ruins built by the Khoi people who had lived here.
The history of this working Estate is absolutely fascinating spanning six generations of ever-changing scenarios. Gerhard and Marie would be delighted to share it all with you at De Oude Kraal.