Berluda Farmhouse and Cottages

My husband and I are staying at a secluded log cabin that is part of Berluda and we are so happy with our stay. This we love about Berluda: 1. The location. The Klein Karoo is a magical part of South Africa: teeming with life, hauntingly beautiful, utterly unique. The Karoo is an arid part of South Africa that is, perhaps for that very reason, a unique place to explore te variety and resilience of life and earth. This goes for the wildlife, plant and bird varieties, the nearby caves, as well as the people and their history. 2. The privacy and seclusion. This is a perfect spot to slow down and turn inward. It is quiet and private, capacious, vast. When we stay here we feel alone and connected at the same time. 3. The service is impeccable. And the accommodation is part of a family-run farm operation, something that is quite unique to us, coming from the U.S. where most of these kinds of places are corporatized. What we recommend visitors keep in mind: – This is an arid semi-desert, so be prepared for heat and sun. And be prepared to be blown away by the explosion of life right after a summer rainstorm!

Wir reisten sehr spät an und auf uns wartete eine junge Frau namens Elanie, die gute Seele des Hauses. Der Empfang herzlich, überdurchschnittlich freundlich und zuvorkommend. Untergebracht wurden wir in einem Luxury Room, ausgestattet mit einem geschmackvoll eingerichteten, modernen Schlafzimmer, großer Dusche inkl. Whirlpool, separater Toilette und großer Küche. Im Sommer bei schönem Wetter ist der Aufenthalt sicherlich noch schöner. Gleich vor unserer Suit ein schöner Pool in einer wunderschön angelegten Gartenanlage. Auch diese ist sehr geschmackvoll gestaltet. Zu unserem Bereich gehörte noch ein Außengrill. Elanie stellte uns sofort ihre private Handynummer zur Verfügung, hätte es Fragen und Wünsche gegeben. Die erste Mahlzeit des Tages wird hier mit sehr viel Liebe zum Detail serviert und es bleibt kein Wunsch offen. Straußenomelett und die aus dem eigenen Anbau hergestellte köstliche Aprikosenmarmelade sind nur ein kleiner Teil des exquisiten Frühstücks. Elanie sorgte für eine wunderschöne, morgendliche Erdmännchen – sowie Giraffenbegegnung. Da das lokale Restaurant in den Wintermonaten geschlossen bleibt, versorgt Elanie die Gäste trotzdem mit Köstlichkeiten, damit diese nicht mit leeren Mägen ins Bett steigen müssen. Uns stellte sie eine mit reichlichen Leckereien gefüllte kalte Platte zusammen und servierte hierzu einen sehr guten Sekt. Am nächsten Morgen wurden wir von der Besitzerin der Farm, Laura, mit einer Herzlichkeit empfangen, gerade so, als ob wir uns schon seit langen Jahren kennen. Die Straußenfarm-Tour übernahm die Chefin persönlich. Hervorzuheben ist, dass Laura uns alles in einem perfekten Deutsch erklärte. Die Tour war einzig, überaus interessant und wir durften die wunderschönen Straußentiere, beginnend im Alter von zwei Tagen an bis hin ins hohe Lebensjahr erleben. Hier werden die Straußeneier nicht nur produziert sondern wunderschön bemalt und genau wie die Straußenfedern zum Kauf angeboten. Ganz nebenbei durften wir noch einen Kindergarten, in dem bereits Babys aufgenommen und versorgt werden, besuchen. Da sich Laura und ihre Familie für die Kinder sowie deren Eltern unheimlich sozial engagiert, wird den Familien hier eine für diese Region ungewöhnliche Hilfe geboten. Die Eltern arbeiten im Straußenbetrieb. Dafür werden ihnen Häuser mit Stromversorgung, inklusive Badezimmer und Toilette sowie kleinen Gärten zur Verfügung gestellt. Außerdem erhalten sie neben freien Mahlzeiten und Getränken einen Lohn und ihre Kinder dürfen den Kindergarten besuchen. Die Finanzierung der Ausbildung zur Kindergärtnerin übernimmt Lauras Familie ebenfalls, so dass die Kinder durch Fachpersonal betreut werden. Im Anschluss an den Kindergarten geht die Förderung der Kinder in der Schule weiter und einige von ihnen werden durch Patenschaften finanziell unterstützt, damit sie weiterführende Schulen besuchen und evtl. studieren können. Dieses Projekt hat uns derart fasziniert, dass wir uns entschlossen, uns hier persönlich zu engagieren und auch in Deutschland versuchen werden, dieses Konzept zu unterstützen.

I wanted to say a huge thanks to all of you at Berluda Farm for creating a very special and weekend filled with happy memories for my Mum on her 80^th Birthday. All the details that went into it were amazing. From being met by the “ever smiling and happy” Graham, our delicious dinner waiting for us in our cottage, a birthday cake for my Mum and finally the highlight of our trip our morning with Leon and the meerkats. Leon was brilliant! A real bucket list event! I cannot thank you enough for all that was done – the thought and care that went into it was truly appreciated.

Many thanks to all of your at Berluda

Our first trip to SA but won’t be our last. Berluda was an absolute delight…where do I begin? The food was fabulous and the staff were all amazing. Jade made sure we had the best safari experience and was a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. We had a BBQ at our cottage and the chef even came to cook our ostrich steaks to perfection! The cottages were very clean and comfortable – a nice touch were the heated blankets since it was cold at night. My daughters and I indulged in the spa with pedicures and massages in a beautiful setting on the property. The perfect stay…we loved every moment and only wished we could have stayed longer.

Had the pleasure to spend two nights at the beautiful Berluda guest house in Schoemanshoek, Oudtshoorn. Room and bathrooms are spacious and well appointed. A spa bath was a welcome bonus. Stunning gardens on the property. Great food and very friendly and attentive staff. Most enjoyable stay. Highly recommended.

Self catering cottage with BBQ. Simple , yet very effective cottage. Two bedrooms either end of cottage both with bathrooms with a large lounge + kitchen in the middle. Car parking in front of cottage. Nice gardens. Breakfast proved by Berluda was very good and excellent service from the chef and staff. We had a BBQ one night, using meat proved by the Chef, it was great. Wood for BBQ was free + firelighters.
I would strongly recommend going on the Ostrich tour organised through Berluda, it was the ‘real deal’. No gloss or polish. You learn from the people actually looking after the Ostrich. It was a genuine experience. I learnt a lot from this visit.
While staying in Oudtshoorn, go to the Black Swan for your evening meal, if not doing your own BBQ. The Black Swan provided a free taxi service to and from the Berluda cottages … exceptional service.

We really enjoyed our stay. The accomodation is decorated in a very pleasant and agreeable style. Staff was extremely friendly and competent. Breakfast is absolutely perfect!! The Location is a little outside of Oudtshoorn, but perfect to visit cango Caves or the swartberg pass.

Wow…this was an amazing experience. We had a lovely suite near the restaurant. The (small) swimming pool around the corner, jaccuzi in the room. Why did we book just one night???
Prices for food and drinks very acceptable. And if you prefer they will bring you to the village by shuttlebus..but i can not find any reason to leave this beautifull relaxing spot. Service is great.

This is a peaceful place, with the most amazing views and sunsets. To enjoy it one should stay for more than one night. There is so much to do – fascinating tour of the Schoeman’s ostrich farm; hiking, scenic drives, Cango Caves, cheese farm, Langenhoven’s house and dont forget their very special dinners! Bermuda now has their own chef who makes delicious 4 course dinners! Not to be missed.
All the staff were so friendly and helpful, I will return.

The service was excellent, we especially had a good experience with the cook, who took care of us so friendly! The breakfast and optional dinner (Braai) was very delicious and offered a big variety of choices. Since there was also a big group staying at the Berluda Guesthouse, they granted us an update for our room, so that we would be separate from the group. That was really nice! If you plan more than one activity at Oudtshoorn, we truely recommend to book at least 2 nights. The guesthouse also offers an ostrich tour, which we missed unfortunately.

Looking for a great private meeting place for your team. Berluda team provide impeccable support to make your stay, and meeting, as comfortable and smooth running as possible. Food is fantastic and nothing is to much trouble. Accommodation clean and private with easily catering for group of 20 people. Location is close to cango caves, farm tours and other restaurants and other tourist sites and is very nice to be staying in the countryside.

Had a great stay here. Cottages are very nice and clean and well equipped. We did the tour of the working farms ostriches on their private tour which is worth every cent. Staff are very friendly and helpful.