This establishment practices or provides the following eco choices:
Farm 215 is a private nature reserve of 800 hectares in an undisturbed valley between Stanford and Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape's Overberg. The reserve is a small-scale sustainable and strictly laid-back guesthouse offering tranquility, the special nature of the Cape Floral Kingdom and an overpowering sense of space. The reserve is also the base station of the African Horse Company, offering outrides and multi-day trails. A network of hiking trails meanders through the reserve.
Farm 215 is one of the pioneers in sustainable hospitality in South Africa. The guesthouse infrastructure has been designed to be compatible with the surrounding environment and to serve the primary purpose of Farm 215: the conservation of a unique piece of the Cape Floral Kingdom on the basis of a small-scale sustainable operation. Farm 215 is the first reforestation site of the Trees for Tourism programme of the South African Forest Trust. The reserve is a rare sanctuary for hundreds of floral species, many of which are threatened and is under conservation management with programmes to eradicate alien invasive vegetation, to rehabilitate natural systems and to control erosion.
Note: free range eggs, chicken and organic food is subject to availability, be sure to ask before ordering.
QUICK FACTS
What: Accommodation, B&B
Where is this: Gansbaai
Number of rooms/units: 6 : 3 rooms in the homestead, 3 fynbos suites
Rate guide (per person): R1100 - R1550 pp sharing incl breakfast
GPS Co-ordinates: S 34°34'07'' E 19°30'17''
As a returning guest at farm 215 it's about time I wrote a review. I love the place, it's tranquility, the views, walks in the nature reserve, the rooms and suites. The place always looks well maintained and as clean as it can be, considering it being in the middle of a nature reserve, where it can be dusty and the wind will blow now and again, which does keep the flies and mosquitoes away, by the way and can be nice and cooling when it is hot. A dip in the amazing pool may serve that purpose as well! The ladies working at the farm are very nice and experienced, make one feel welcome, know how to make a good fire in the woodstoves in the restaurant when it's chilly and make and serve a nice breakfast and lunch (if required). The three course dinner served for the guests is tasty and while the chef decides what is on the menu dietary requirements are taken into account. Maarten is always the perfect host, is knowledgeable about the wines he stocks and the surrounding area. The work done in the nature reserve of Farm 215 is impressive, the areas which are cleared of alien trees are well visible as are the indigenous trees planted the last years under the auspices of Trees for Tourism. You can buy your own tree or get one as a present and have it planted in the reserve. Even though it is a fynbos reserve, I have been lucky enough to encounter (from a safe distance) some of the roaming wild life: baboon, caracal, bokkies, tortoises and lots of beautiful birds. When one wants to leave the farm for some reason during the stay, there is lots to do in the area, from horse rides (I recommend the beach rides with the African Horse Company), to wine tasting, whale watching, beach walking, visiting an ancient forest or go to Elim, the Moravian mission town and more. Very worthwhile to keep returning to.
Natasha, Netherlands, September 2014
Farm 215 is my favourite rural holiday spot in the Cape. The staff are wonderful and the rooms comfortable. I had the best fish dinner ever last year! Harmonious, peaceful but lots of fun too.
Julia Hornig, visited 2005, 2010, 2012
This is a place where sustainability is not a marketing ploy but a philosophy shared by everyone participating in the venture. It is clear that this starts at the top with Maarten living his vision and seeing it through. This is supported by Sam's fresh and sincere hospitality and Dianne's food, grown on the property, which is creative, generous and delicious. My lactose and wheat intolerant mother-in-law was also indulged with care and specially prepared dishes that even I would have wanted to have. The local Lomond Wines, especially the Catstail and Conebush were delicious. Our children felt free to move around and explore and they all want to go back again. The horse ride was a also a real pleasure. Again, sustainability is lived. Howard and Breyton care for the horses and made all of us inexperienced riders, including the children, feel safe and free to enjoy an unhurried trek over the back hills on farm to enjoy some spectacular vistas. Dianne and Luke generously spent time with us showing us their avant-garde permaculture project. The accommodation is very comfortable and the fireplace worked like a charm to ward off any cold. Another thing that struck us was the inclusive and cooperative relations between everyone contributing to each others offerings. Farm 215 is clearly designed, built and operated within the constraints of sustainability. It felt good to pay our bill, as you knew the money is going back into something constructive and positive, and not towards executive salaries and dividends of some corporate hospitality group. We also found that Farm 215 is very conveniently situated for day trips to Elim and Baardskeerdersbos, and to L'Aghulas and the Blackoystercatcher winery (generously recommended by Sam even though her dad owns Lomond!), where we spent a happy time over a delicious cheese platter.
Robert de Rooy, visited July 2012
