Set in the picturesque Cowie Valley, Cavers Country Guest House (4-star in the Guest House category) offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy luxurious accommodation, warm hospitality and spectacular views of the tranquil surroundings. Cavers is a fifth-generation, family-owned farm with one of South Africa’s most beautiful gardens, located 16 km from the scenic village of Bedford.

The stone double-storey homestead was built in 1848 and has a sense of elegant graciousness seldom found these days. Spacious rooms, high ceilings, wooden floors and a yellowwood staircase add to the charm. The house, used exclusively for guests, has been upgraded to the highest standards to provide all modern conveniences without compromising the essential ambiance.

All rooms are provided with DSTV and Wi-Fi. Guests can choose from three luxuriously appointed en-suite bedrooms. There is also an extra upstairs twin room for extra family/children. All the bedrooms offer delightful views either onto the garden or over the beautiful Cowie River valley to the mountains beyond.

An extravagant fireplace warms the drawing room on cold winter nights. The gracious dining room looks out onto a patio and a private garden with a large swimming pool which is for the exclusive use of the guests. From the kitchen comes fine country cuisine, candle-lit dinners are served in the dining room, or a traditional barbeque around the pool under the African stars is also a favourite. English or Continental breakfasts are served on the patio or in the guest dining room.

Cavers is a working stock farm with Merino sheep, Angora goats and a beef herd. Lambing and kidding take place in March and August, and you can view shearing in the original shearing shed.

The Guest House is available as a self catering unit ideal for a family getaway or celebration.

The Garden
Enjoy three hectares of beautiful garden with a vast variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. Cavers’ garden has appeared in many publications, including “Remarkable Gardens of South Africa”. The garden, with it’s two swimming pools, has been so landscaped as to present an informal, park-like atmosphere which blends in with the natural beauty of the surroundings. It offers the opportunity to really relax and drink in beauty.

Tennis
A clay tennis court, surrounded by an avenue of oaks, is available for the more energetic who would like to play tennis.

Walks and Trails
Five trails are laid out enabling you to enjoy the tranquility and natural beauty of the farm. These include trails of various distance (3 km to 10 km) and take you along the beautiful Cowie river; through the indigenous forest; up the mountains with their panoramic view of the Winterberg, Katberg and Hogsback mountain ranges and along trails in the veld and grasslands of the Cowie Valley.

Longer hikes/trails are available on request and take you up the Cavers and Spring Grove mountains with their panoramic view.

Mill Cricket Ground
Visit (walk or drive) the picturesque local cricket ground with it’s 1838 water mill pub and other facilities 3 km up the valley. Home ground for Bedford CC, the MCG has hosted several first class games and touring sides including an International touring team. Season is from mid October to March but the pub can be opened on request for your enjoyment.

Fishing
Two suitable dams are stocked with Large-Mouth Bass and Blue-Gill Sunfish. Bass and fly rods are available for the enthusiastic fishermen/women.

Game Drives
The area, being malaria free, has become popular for it’s game farming, and 15 species of Antelope can be viewed. From the large Eland and Gemsbok to the small steenbok. Also many indigenous animals and reptiles can be seen.

Bird Watching
The Cowie Valley is renowned for it’s abundant bird life and the garden , indigenous forest and grasslands make Cavers a bird watcher’s paradise. A large dam on the farm offers a wide variety of water bird ( duck and geese) viewing. A list of 240 species is available for reference with Roberts numbers.