!Khwa ttu Nature Reserve — Attraction in Swartland Local Municipality

We spent a night in the new wood and glass-walled chalets at ! khwattu Cultural & Heritage Centre near Langebaan. Utterly stupendous seems inadequate to describe the experience.

Sometimes the inspiration and humanity of another, here Irene Staehelin, the Swiss archaeologist, leaves you moved and thoughtful. Going beyond academia, Staehelin with the philanthropy of others (I noted the absence of Central Government from the list of donors) has created a poignant and humbling experience of a story that MUST heard of the devastating plight of the Bushmen people in Southern Africa that is ongoing. This is outstandingly presented in the Cultural and Heritage Centre.

We chose to stay in the Centre’s new wood chalets. The conceived design of the otherwise modest wood chalet from the front aspect turns into gaps of surprise and smiles as you enter to see the one side of the chalet and other gable end is a glass wall. It creates a sense of the fynbos around you being in the room. The room is thoughtfully decorated to feel luxurious (without pretension) but also suitably modest. The little kitchenette is a marvel of how a small space can be designed well. We loved the bathroom and outdoor shower. The pièce de résistance for us was the round hot tub at the foot of the little patio. The hot tub water is warmed by a “donkey”, a wood fired cylinder that heats the water immediately. The setting amongst the fynbos nature reserve is private and calming. To see the Milky Way in the star light sky was such a delight (compared to our starless English skies).

Our check-in was well managed and welcoming by Baby Rose, Melissa and Mega.

We booked a “take away” three course meal prepared by the Centre’s restaurant and delivered to the chalet, a price that was almost unbelievably cheap when we saw the quality of the meal provided. A lovely “artisan-style” meal that was so tasty - best chicken pie ever!

Our booking included breakfast at the Centre’s restaurant at the main reception and gift shop complex. Breakfast was also outstanding and we loved the atmosphere and decor. We much admired the large art works by a Bechuanan* artist on the walls in the restaurant that reflected Bushman mythology and themes (reminiscent of Aboriginal art, but with use of wonderful vibrant colour and flowing diverse designs). There is also a small gallery of the same artist’s work in the Centre. [* We noted the use of the word Bechuana, which use we did not get to understand, but curious about that as our reference is Bechuanaland, the name of the British Protectorate now independent Botswana.]

Oh, and being of that type that notices, the wifi is super fast.

About an hour’s drive from Cape Town, it’s a perfect weekend get away and for international tourists, yet again, another example of how outstanding tourism is in South Africa and at !kwattu your money supports the need to bring understanding and (one might hope) dignity to a very...

We were warmly welcomed at reception on 29 Dec 2023. Went down to the Bush Lodge, which incidentally is on the other side of the road. So outside the main gate. House keeping then changed the lock on our tent, which doesn't seem suspicious on its own. Maintenance was there to fix the fridge that wasn't working. Later on, one of us had to manipulate the taps while the other tries to shower because the geyser only ran for a minute at a time. Then at 2.30am we were up because someone was trying to quietly open and enter the tent. I went outside to investigate and found a (possible 2nd) man walking towards our tent with his pistol already drawn. We were then made to sit in the tent, facing the back wall with towels over our heads, while getting robbed at gunpoint! And then locked in our tent! Reception staff and armed response responded after some calls made by the neighbours. Answering questions from armed response, it turns out: there's no cameras, at the main gate or at the Bush Lodge. There's no alarm system, panic button, anything like that. I didn't ask, but when leaving to meet SAPS at reception, it looked like main gate on the tented side of the road is tied open and left open at night. Armed response said the foot prints tracked directly between tent 3 and the get away car. I don't know if they had a key to our 'new' lock because I opened the tent, but still. We've lost a knife, 3 phones, a smart watch, and the front tyre on the car was stabbed. I eventually found the car keys, which the suspects tossed outside on their departure. We've received word from SAPS, all leads have been followed up, case closed. And after all this time, the only communication received from management was a computer generated response: please post a review here... We're moving on already, but absolutely no word from them, no refund, no compensation, NOTHING. Without being dramatic, if you're staying in one of their 'open air tents', as the owner says, objectively speaking, you are 'glamping' in die bos, lanks die pad ! I'll be warning people, not...

I would really like to give this place 5 stars, but I can't. Why I'd like to give them 5 Stars: This place is magnificent... It's rare to fine something that impresses you in an unimpressionable world. These people go above and beyond to make the place serene, comfortable and welcoming with some of the most friendly staff I've ever encountered at an overnight stay.

When I phoned in the morning to confirm my booking, a lady by the name of Melissa answered the phone and she immediately made me feel important and welcome. She answered the phone in 3 languages including my native language. Very impressed

On arrival I was met with shaded under roof parking lined with solar panels. For using alternative energy, browny points already

The walk to reception was filled with information pallets along a clean, shaded and pleasant walkway with friendly staff just going about their business helping maintain the place

Because it was midweek, out of season and my Birthday, reception upgraded my stay FREE of Charge. I haven't seen that since the 90's... Unexpected WOW!

Reception took me on a tour of the facilities where I was met with a peaceful environment that was clean and well maintained

When I had difficulty with navigation ie. finding light switches, getting the fridge to work etc, I was assisted within 30min of phoning my difficulty in

Security patrols through the night and checks in if you'd like them to... Very rare

Breakfast had 5 different options and was served with the swiftest, friendliest service I've had in years

Why I cannot? Their website can have more details and instructions on what you need to bring along and what exactly they have to offer

The Pin drop going there landed me smack dab in the middle of Yzerfontein, about 8 km away

I bumped my head during the night going to the restroom on a branch that was obscuring the darkened pathway

Political ties

All in all, this...