DEELFONTEIN GUEST FARM AND ECO TRAILS

This unique guest farm of 170ha is situated in the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site, about 20 km from Parys, 14 km from Vredefort, and 120 km southwest of Johannesburg

Deelfontein lies between 1400 and 1600 metres above sea level, with a temperate continental climate with clear winter days and wet and hot but never blistering summers, in which the Dome is transformed into a lush and green paradise.

Activities at Deelfontein Farm are limited to those that are environmentally friendly, such as hiking, mountain biking, trail running, camping and stargazing at our private observatory. The livestock farming provides opportunities to view and interact with animals and baby goats and sheep are a winner with children. Deelfontein is pet friendly, and dogs are also admitted on hiking trails. Guests bringing pets should please provide appropriate drapes to protect furniture and bedding and be in control of their pets at all times. All developments on Deelfontein Farm are done using the latest green technology.

UNIT FACILITIES

  • Guests have a choice offarm style accommodation in two guest houses.
  • Oom Kosie’s and Oom Hannes’ Farm houses – a rondavel for two, and a bush camp (Hikers base camp) with huts.

  • Tents, bush campers and 4×4 caravans are welcome at the Bush Camp.

  • The guest houses and rondavel are about 200 m apart.
  • The bush camp is situated 1,5 km away in a secluded spot.

  • Deelfontein is off-grid, supplying its own 240V electricity from a solar system.

  • The bush camp has solar powered 12V lighting. High quality water is supplied by a borehole.

  • All toilets are dry composting toilets equipped with air extraction. All premises are remote and safe.

Oom Kosie’s Farm House:

(Accommodation for 4 to 13 persons).

  • This is a spacious house with a large living area and seven rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

  • Six bedrooms are equipped with two single beds and built-in cupboards, the seventh has a single bed.

  • Bed linen, towels, hand soap, toilet paper and hangers are supplied.

  • Kitchen:Gas stove with 6 burners and oven, fridge/freezer.

  • A complete dining service is provided.Scullery: Double sink, dish washing utensils, washing machine.

  • Covered barbeque area next to the pool: Grid, braai utensils and plastic garden chairs are provided.

  • There is safe parking under the trees.

  • There is a 15 m swimming pool with change rooms, showers, toilets and a sauna.

  • Use of the sauna is charged extra.

  • Bring your own swimming towels, wood or charcoal.

Oom Hannes’ Farm House

(Accommodation for 4 to 16 persons).

  • Oom Hannes’ farmhouse, built in the thirties of the previous century, is a traditional farm house with seven bedrooms.

  • Kitchen and scullery, lounge/dining room and a verandah looking out over the Dome Mountains.

  • Bedroomsare equipped withbetweenoneand four single beds and en-suite bathrooms with shower.

  • Bed linen, towels, hand soap, toilet paper and hangers are supplied.

  • One barbeque area is in a boma with built in seating under a large tree.

  • A second barbeque area is provided on the roofed-over verandah.

  • Kitchen: Gas stove with 4 burners and oven, fridge/freezer. Complete dining service.

  • Scullery: Double sink, dishwashing utensils.

  • Barbeque areas: Grid and braai utensils are provided.

  • Safe parking under trees.

  • Bring your own swimming towels, wood or charcoal.

Rondavel

(Accommodation for 2 people only).

  • The snug and rustic rondavel is located next to the observatory and the music seminar rooms.

  • It consists of a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.

  • The double bed is situated on a mezzanine level in the roof overlooking the living room, and is reached with a ladder – guests should be mobile!

  • Bed linen, towels, hand soap, toilet paper and hangers are supplied.

  • The kitchen is equipped with a single sink, four burner gas stove and bar fridge.

  • Dining service and dishwashing utensils are supplied.

  • The building has 230V electricity. Hot water is supplied by a donkey.

  • The paved barbeque area is under a large white stinkwood tree, equipped with a table and chairs, grid and braai utensils. There is safe parking under trees.

Deelfontein Bush / Hikers Camp

(Accommodation for 16 persons.)

  • This is ideal for bigger groups/ hikers/ social and/or adventures groups.

  • The camp comprises3 x traditional thatched stone-and-mud huts with bunk beds, a lapa, a boma, toilet facilities, a swimming pool, and a sauna.

  • Use of the sauna is at an extra charge.

  • The camp is accessible by all types of vehicles.

  • Environmentally friendly materials and systems have been chosen to minimise the impact of tourism on nature.

  • Hot water is supplied by two donkey boilers. The electrical lightingis solar powered, NO other electricity is available, but the accommodation is comfortable and offers an unforgettable experience in this pristine and secluded part of the Dome.

  • Two of the huts have two rooms each, one with 4 beds and one with 2 beds, the third hut has 4 beds.
  • All rooms are equipped with mattresses and furniture for storage and hanging clothes.

  • Each hut has a bathroom with shower, basin and mirror.

  • In the lapa you will find the barbeque facilities, a four burner gas stove with oven, sink, crockery and cutlery, and seating for 16 persons.

  • The boma has an open fireplace with benches around it, as well as a second kitchen with basin. The ablution building houses two composting toilets and two urinals. There is safe parking under trees.

  • Campers preferring to use their own tents or bush caravans may do so and use the camp facilities.

NB: Bring your own

  • Bedding (sleeping bags/ duvets & pillows), towels

  • There is NO fridge – bring your own cooler boxes

  • Bring your own firewood/ charcoal/ fire lighters/ matches

  • Bring your own toilet paper, dustbin bags, dishwashing liquid and kitchen cloths.

Our Other Facilities

Deelfontein Observatory

  • The observatory at Deelfontein is an open, circular structure where telescopes can be positioned, with seating for up to 20 persons. In the adjacent seminar room, presentations may be held.

  • Equipped with a 12″ Schmidt-Cassegrain-telescope and several other telescopes, the observatory offers research opportunities and stargazing outings.

  • Prior booking for stargazing (at least 30 days in advance) is essential, and use of the telescopes is possible only under expert supervision or after training.

ACTIVITIES

  • The activities include swimming in the large 15 m pool, which is situated close to one of the guest houses and is equipped with change rooms, toilets and a sauna.

  • On Deelfontein itself, a large number of shorter and longer day hiking routes invite the visitor to explore the area on foot. These trails form part of an extensive trail system comprising more than 60 km of trails, the Meteorite Hiking Trails. All the trails are clearly marked and can be combined and linked to get longer distances for the hikers who would like to go the extra “mile”.

  • On the farm a network of picturesque farm roads and challenging single track trails offer the mountain biker unforgettable cycling experiences in the safety of this beautiful nature area. The MTB trails traverses challenging mountainous terrain, in near-pristine bush- and grassveld. The routes include dirt roads, farm tracks and single track sections. The grading varies from easy to highly technical.The trails are well mapped on the Trailforks App, which works on all IOS and Android devices. 

  • The Dome is a bird paradise, and on Deelfontein the trails take you to various habitats, ideal for the birding enthusiast. More than 200 species have been identified already. A bird list is available online.

  • Likewise, there is ample opportunity for those interested in plants, reptiles and other animals. Make sure you bring your field guides, binoculars, hat and good hiking shoes! A tree list is available.

  • Animal encounters. Most of the time, there are small goats and sheep that present unforgettable experiences for children. Enquire about the possibilities with the owner.

More About Our Hiking Trails

Circular day hikes start at the bush camp. All trails are well marked and maintained. Trail maps, tracks and descriptions are available online.

  • Derdeberg Summit route (2km)

  • The Short (2km) and the Longer Knoll (Koppie) route (3km)

  • The Short (4km) and the Long Valley route (5km)

  • The Witrand Summit route (4km)

  • Two ridges route (7km). There is a link available from the guest houses too.

  • The Mooihoek route (10km) Prior permission must be arranged with owner.

  • Thwane loop (12km). Prior permission must be arranged with owner.

  • The Baskop circle route (25km) only for the very fit and experienced hikers, prior permission must be arranged with the owner.

Rates

Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

Accommodation Details Rates (ZAR)
Guest Houses Farm style accommodation in two guest houses. R300 per person per night
Rondavel Snug and rustic, sleeps 2. R280 per person per night
Bush Camp Huts, ideal for bigger groups/hikers, sleeps 16. R200 per person per night
Day Visitors Exploring the farm for the day. R120 per person
Mountain Biking Day rate for using the MTB trails. R100 per person

Note: Please contact Deelfontein directly for the most accurate and up-to-date rates, group discounts, and midweek specials.