Being raised in the Klein Karoo from a tender age, it gradually became difficult for remote Cape regions to impress me. After all, the sky strung with stars at night or painted crimson at dawn or dusk was the norm for me. As were the freezing, icy winters (often with snowfall) or barren, dry landscapes covered only with fynbos, sparse trees, succulents and seasonal wild flowers.
In many ways, I was a little naïve to think it was a desolate place when, just beneath and even above the surface, teemed such abundant life.
As a teen, as I finally started to grasp its full beauty. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the wonders of the Karoo.
That is, until my high school class visited Sutherland and the then-new, eternally state-of-the-art Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) for a stargazing experience.
That November night, as bone-chilling cold descended, the stars danced into view above us. Not in their hundreds but in their thousands, tiny pricks of light twinkling like diamonds in the sky.
And, glancing through the telescopes, I believe we glimpsed a small slice of celestial wonder.
I’ve never forgotten that night or that experience; it’s one of my best travel memories.
But, some twenty years later, on a return visit to the Northern Cape, it’s been knocked off its perch. (Well, sort of.)
Because this time, I got to re-visit Sutherland with my own family, see the stars in all their glory again and discover a remote paradise in Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve, a glorious private nature reserve and eco-friendly guest farm in the Karoo and proud member of the charming Cape Country Routes.
Returning to Sutherland Many Years Later
As a writer, not many instances or places can truly ever leave me speechless but, on some levels, I do feel things more keenly.
And sometimes, the places I experience as a travel writer and blogger imprint so deeply upon my soul that I cannot quite shake the feeling or reminder of them. Rogge Cloof is one such place.
After our visit, in my mind: unforgettable Karoo landscapes, game- and bird-life, incredibly kind, warm people, amazing, Karoo-style cooking and beautiful starlit skies are synonymous with Rogge Cloof.
Once again, Sutherland has taken my breath away and imprinted upon me in the most hallowed of wanderlust-inspired ways.
Now, there’s a distinct temptation to pack up our home and permanently move out here.
Seemingly, to an obscure, minute town (like Sutherland) in the middle of nowhere – but, as travellers and Sutherland locals know, to a place where true Karoo magic exists – just as it always has.
The Land of Rye, Snow and Droughts
Rogge Cloof (which translates to ‘rye ravine’ in Dutch) dates as far back as 1756 when Joachim Scholtz, son to German-Nordic immigrant parents, first came into possession of the land.
Since then, for more than 250 years, several owners have successfully nurtured and preserved this special place in the heart of the Karoo wilderness. Along the way, overcoming and enduring everything from harsh winds, heavy snowfalls, severe droughts and even past predators like lions.
Today, there’s both a sense of the reserve’s history – which includes everything from fossil fields dating back to the Permian Age; ancient San rock paintings; a Poet’s Cave (the childhood sanctuary of Afrikaans-language poet and scholar, NP van Wyk Louw) and even South Africa’s southernmost extinct volcano, Salpeterkop.
It’s not just the landscape and surrounding plains that whisper of the past, though. Everything from the Rittersaal Dining Hall (the original late 1700s farmhouse) to our self-catering accommodation gem, Wolskuur Cottage, once the farm’s shearing shed, tell a uniquely historical story.
For me, though, it’s the stars, the differently coloured stones, the vast skies and the intricate fauna and flora that really tell the story.
There’s an oldness – and somehow, a newness too – to them that I haven’t often encountered before in South Africa. And maybe that’s the whole point.
The Great Karoo isn’t like the rest of our country; it’s ageless and wild enough to steal a piece of your heart.
Journeying from Cape Town to the Northern Cape
We journeyed from Cape Town bright and early on a Friday morning, passing through the Huguenot Tunnel, Rawsonville, Worcester, Hex River Valley/De Doorns and eventually reaching Touws River via the N1.
Touws River, or Rivier, is the ‘Gateway to the Karoo and indeed, the last flicker of civilisation you’ll encounter for a while. So stock up on padkos and petrol.
From there, we took a seemingly slow journey to Matjiesfontein, a town I had long wanted to visit.
After exploring Matjiesfontein for about an hour (look, it’s small but not that small), we journeyed along the R354 to our final destination: Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve.
Rogge Cloof is found a short while after you pass through into the Northern Cape, some 15 kilometres outside of Sutherland. (Along the way, you’ll see some fascinating sights, including a massive wind farm and some mountain passes.)
Arriving at Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve
Once we reached the blue entrance wall of Rogge Cloof – confirming we were also entering the Spaceport Karoo Dark Sky Reserve – it’s like we arrived in Karoo paradise.
The quiet, endless tar road (which has a few more potholes than I’m used to in the Western Cape but remains perfectly drivable, even in a smaller car) gave way to the reserve road, which takes some 30-40 minutes or so to navigate.
(Note: The Rogge Cloof road has some bumpy patches, just take those slowly. But generally it is a very well-maintained gravel road; we were impressed by it.)
Maybe we took longer on the drive. More because we kept stopping to admire the numerous springbok, joking how we might see a cheetah run by, mid-hunt.
Which, in hindsight, was not as impossible as we imagined. Because, while the main Eco Village is fenced off, the rest of the reserve remains openly accessible to both guests and the reserve residents, which includes Rogge Cloof’s cheetahs.
We didn’t spot any cheetahs, sadly. But suddenly, all at once, we turned a corner and there, down a steep downhill and tucked away in a picturesque valley, we found the Rogge Cloof Eco Village.
It’s here that we’d find most of the main facilities. (Excluding the Adventure Centre, which we passed nearer the main entrance.) And maybe, just maybe, our own bit of paradise for a day or two…
The People of Rogge Cloof
Check-in (for our two-night stay) at Rogge Cloof kicked off with some welcoming drinks and a fascinating historical tour with guide, Daniël, who would remain a close companion to us during our stay, as he served our food, helped us organise our daily excursions and ensured our stay was comfortable and otherwise ran seamlessly.
That was the first indication that Rogge Cloof is not your average guest farm. That kind of personalised care from staff isn’t something I’ve really encountered before.
Our every need and minor query was accounted for. And it wasn’t just Daniël who treated us with such care and kindness. It was the equally lovely fellow guide, Ane and everyone else we met at Rogge Cloof, too.
Where We Stayed: Wolskuur Cottage
After our tour and introduction to Rogge Cloof, Daniël escorted us to our self-catering cottage, Wolskuur.
It’s situated within easy walking distance of the main hall and Eco Village facilities, with its own sheltered parking.
Choose Your Accommodation Option
All the accommodation at Rogge Cloof is proudly environmentally friendly and operates off borehole water (which is safe to drink) and solar power, making it both sustainable and off-the-grid.
But you aren’t roughing it; you enjoy ultimate luxury at every step, just with the peace of mind of knowing you’re doing a bit to spare our beautiful planet.
Note: As the reserve operates primarily on sustainable solar power, heavy-wattage electrical appliances, like hair dryers, are not permitted. However, you are welcome to charge small appliances, like phones, here.
Depending on your group size, travel preferences or budget needs, there are several excellent, varied accommodation options to choose from at Rogge Cloof.
These accommodation options are as follows:
- Inclusive Accommodation – Orion Suites
The eight (8) Orion Suites are ideal for travellers or couples, as they offer luxurious, open-plan accommodation, cosy indoor fireplaces, coffee stations, comfy king-sized beds and more.
Included stays feature full breakfast and three-course dinner at the Rittersaal Dining Hall. On-site activities are available on request but are charged separately.
- Self-Catering Accommodation – Cedar Cottage, Wolskuur Cottage, Oryx House, Waenhuis Homestead, The Stables 1, The Stables 2
These self-catering accommodation options are perfect for families or groups travelling together.
They offer plenty of space to relax, while also providing quality in-room amenities for guests to enjoy.
In-room Amenities:
To name just a few of the in-room amenities on offer at Rogge Cloof’s Wolskuur Cottage, you have:
- Luxury bedding
- Hanging closets
- Bedside tables and lamps
- Two daybeds
- King-sized bed
- Extra blankets and bath- and swim-towels
- Dish soap and dish cloths
- Welcoming sherry taster for two sharing
- En-suite bathroom with gas-powered shower
-
Indoor fireplace
-
Tea and coffee station with rusks
- Good, stable Wi-Fi throughout all accommodation and the main building (There is no signal on the farm; you need to drive closer to Sutherland for cell reception.)
Deep Silence, Tranquility and Amazing Wildlife Experiences in the Great Karoo:
Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in nature or simply soak up the tranquility of the Great Karoo (Groot Karoo), Rogge Cloof offers a wonderful array of on-site activities, including:
- Stargazing and astrophotography: Experience the Spaceport Karoo Dark Sky Reserve’s spectacular night skies with an expert guide. It’s great for astrophotography.
- Nature/Fossil Drives: Discover ancient Permian fossils and potentially spot wildlife, such as springbok, cheetahs or eland.
- History Drive and Walk: Explore the remains of an Anglo-Boer War fort with an expert guide.
- Guided Hikes and Walks: Guided walks to Salpeterkop or Poet’s Cave.
You can also enjoy self-guided hikes around the reserve. I received a wonderful hike recommendation from Ane. It allowed me to see the beautiful seasonal wild flowers, including some 20-odd varieties I haven’t seen before and some interesting spoor.
Ane later helped me identify some of my ‘finds’ through the photos I had taken on my phone. I was very chuffed with myself to have even found and seen some caracal (rooikat) and eland prints.
- Wine or Gin Tastings: Enjoy locally produced Rogge Cloof wines (“crafted from grapes grown in the coldest and highest wine-producing region of South Africa, the Sutherland-Karoo”) and handcrafted spirits. They even offer a fun wine and chocolate tasting. (We desperately wanted to try a tasting but timing didn’t allow for it on this trip.)
- Biking: Enjoy the Fat Bikes (complimentary use is included in your stay) or bring your own with and cycle around the reserve.
- On-site Relaxation: Cosy up with a book and coffee or bask in warm afternoon sunshine in the recreational room.
Restaurant, Bar or Pub On-site?
Yes. The Rittersaal Dining Hall serves delicious, hearty meals for overnight guests and day visitors.
In fact, it’s arguably some of the best food we have had on a getaway. I loved both our dinner and breakfast options. For dinner, as part of our set, three-course meal, I sampled springbok bobotie, while for breakfast I had bacon-syrup flapjacks; both meals were sublime.
For overnight guests, there are set menus for breakfast and dinner that you need to book for.
As for breakfast, it’s best to book the evening before. While for dinner, you need to book by noon (12:00 pm) at the latest.
The kitchen staff catered so beautifully to our toddler’s food preferences – and even the presentation and plating was so thoughtfully done!
Day visitors are always welcome at Rogge Cloof; you just need to call ahead to confirm menu options and pricing details etc.
Note: For lunch requests, wood-fired pizzas, refreshments, kiddies’ options and other light meals are served.
On-site Spa?
No, there is no on-site spa, nor are there any in the immediate area.
(Along the Route 62, you might have more luck, though.)
Family-friendly?
Yes, Rogge Cloof is hugely family friendly. It’s the kind of place anyone from couples to groups of friends/colleagues or families with kids can escape to with joy.
There are no dedicated play areas for kids but the recreational area near Rittersaal is lovely, with countless books, comfy chairs, some toddler-friendly wooden chairs and a table and sunny, sheltered spots overlooking the boma and vineyards.
Otherwise, almost all of Rogge Cloof’s activities are family-friendly. Within reason, of course. 🙂
Pet-friendly?
Yes. Selected accommodation, such as the self-catering cottages, permit well-behaved, socialised dogs by prior arrangement.
Please note: There are also two resident farm dogs at Rogge Cloof.
Budget-friendly?
For what it offers as an experience and for the immersive location, I think the accommodation pricing is fair.
The food is also exceptionally generous and tasty so that feels fair to me too.
If you wish to save on food and drinks, you can easily bring your own self-catering goods with.
We brought plenty of snacks for our toddler and some easy dinner items for our second night and it was lovely.
During the colder months, your accommodation includes firewood (which is replaced daily but if you need extra wood, you can purchase some at Rogge Cloof).
Certain experiences, like self-guided farm hikes or feeding the springboks (Saturday mornings only), are free to enjoy.
Extra experiences, like tastings, guided tours or hikes and the thrilling cheetah tracking, are reasonably priced for what they offer, especially as they generally run for 2-5 hours in some instances.
Outdoor Facilities
When I walked about the Eco Village, I also enjoyed seeing the vineyards, stream, hot house (found near the Poplar Tree pool) and the farm chapel, which I adore.
I also loved the farm dogs, ducks and chickens who call Rogge Cloof home. They add a quintessential farm feeling to the Eco Village.
One of the surprisingly lovely parts about Rogge Cloof is the beautiful chapel found on the reserve. It is used as an events venue for intimate weddings and other functions.
For more information on this, please contact the Rogge Cloof team directly.
Shared outdoor amenities include:
- Fat bikes (for using around the reserve)
- Boma (used during summertime usually)
- Secure on-site parking
- The Poplar Tree farm-style pool (Oryx House guests can also enjoy exclusive access to a separate, farm-style pool.)
- Sun loungers
Location, Location
Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve is located outside Sutherland in the Great Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa.
It is located roughly +/- 325 kilometres from Cape Town.
Interleading or Family Rooms?
Yes, there is family-friendly accommodation, including our gorgeous cottage, Wolskuur.
It sleeps four (two adults, two children), as there are two daybeds and a comfortable king-sized bed. For smaller children, there is ample cot space and you can request a cot for your stay.
Much of the other Rogge Cloof accommodation is family-friendly too. This includes all of the self-catering options and even their inclusive Orion Suites.
Tip: For larger families or friends’ groups travelling together, why not book a cottage or suite nearby to your loved ones?
Website for More Information:
To explore all activities and details, visit their official site: www.roggecloof.com or visit Cape Country Routes.
Rogge Cloof is available on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to connect with and follow them there!
Booking Link:
To book a stay at Rogge Cloof, please see here. Bookings can be made directly via the Rogge Cloof website.
For queries or booking assistance, please contact the Rogge Cloof team directly.
Alternatively, see here on Cape Country Routes’ website.
Contact Details:
- Rogge Cloof: +27 (023) 004 1161 | WhatsApp line (Lodge contact): +27 (083) 277 8298 | info@roggecloof.com
- Cape Country Routes: +27 (021) 023 3611 | bookings@capecountryroutes.com
Hosted or Fully Paying:
We were kindly hosted for a two-night stay at Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve by Rogge Cloof and Cape Country Routes.
However, as always, all views and opinions remain entirely my own.
We enjoyed a complimentary breakfast and three-course dinner, as well as some of the free activities included in our stay.
But all extra drinks, gratuity and self-catering snacks were purchased and paid for separately by us during our stay.
How It Rated:
I cannot fault anything about our stay and experience of Rogge Cloof as a family.
For me, it’s a effortless 10/10 in every regard.
In Closing
Thank you so much to Rogge Cloof Private Nature Reserve, the Rittersaal Dining Hall service and Theresa of Cape Country Routes for hosting us for this memorable family-friendly stay, along with the hosted food and experiences we enjoyed as part of our visit.
I would also like to extend my thanks to our excellent guides. (Please remember to tip them, they really deserve it!)
There is just something about the Karoo and indeed, Rogge Cloof Private Nature that gently nudges your soul, saying, “Escape everything and stay here with me.”
It’s a place of parallels: life and death side by side (like these flowers growing around a springbok skull), stunning sunrises to marvel at after a night of impenetrable darkness, a sky full of stars that feels just within your grasp, yet somehow dwarfs your very existence. And the cold – oh, the cold. It’s bracing, beautiful and hard to forget!
But mostly it’s the simpler way of life. How people still care about animals, the planet and, above all, each other.
Maybe that’s what I miss most about Rogge Cloof now that I am home…
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