Blesfontein (South 32º28.077’ , East 20º26.160’) is situated 28 km South West of Sutherland in the Northern Cape. It covers 3060HA of land and is farmed together with Bo-Plaas ( 5023HA) and De Hoop ( 2217HA). During summer time the sheep stay on Blesfontein and Bo-Plaas, but from June to October Blesfontein is too cold and wet and we move the sheep to De Hoop (below the escarpment) where it is app
roximately 10°C warmer than on Blesfontein. We have 1 000 Dorper ewes and 35 rams, which is approx. 58% of the amount of sheep the farm can bear. One needs about 6 HA per sheep per year. By under grazing we are able to survive droughts without fear and preserve our beautiful vegetation. Have a look at our collection of Springtime photo’s (see album). On Blesfontein you may also see Blesbok, Springbok, Duiker, Steenbok, Grey Rheebuck, Zebra and Black Wildebeest and Blue Wildebeest. Several smaller species like the African Wild cat, Lynx, Mongoose, Porcupine, Black back jackal, Rock rabbit (Dassie) and the Skunk occur on the farm. We have seen more than 30 bird species and several reptiles. In the cement reservoir next to the Poplar trees down the hill we have a lot of friendly Khoi Fish. You are allowed to feed them special Khoi Fish pellets (In a bottle hidden under a bush near the dam), but PLEASE, only about 20 pellets at a time. The tame farmyard animals are harmless and friendly. Although all the animals are fed regularly you are allowed to feed them at any time of the day. We sell buckets of animal food @ R 10 each. We have a colorful herd of horses – Appaloosa and SA Standard Boerperd - on the farm. We breed, train and sell Appaloosas. Game viewing on horseback, as well as Pony Rides for small kids can be done every day, as long as the weather allows it. We also have a small Alpaca herd. They are the beginning of our new eco-friendly predator control program as Alpacas are known to join sheep herds and protect them from the jackal and the lynx. We rent out our 4X4 @ R 130/ trip to visitors to go on a game drive to the escarpment. (as our 4X4 is rather old, we do not rent it out for trips outside our own boundaries). You are also welcome to use your own vehicle, at no additional cost, on any of our farm roads. The firewood in your unit is not included in the rates for the accommodation. R 30/10kg bag
Weather: for an accurate weather forecast, look at:
http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/Northern_Cape/Blesfontein/
Tariffs :
• Accommodation (self catering sharing) R280/person/night
Single tariff: R 350 pppn
• Honeymoon suite: 300/person/night
• Children ( under 12 sharing with parents) R 120
(Small children in own carry cots or sharing parents’ bed do not pay.)
• Drive to escarpment (our vehicle) R 130 (per drive)
• Fire Wood (per bag/ crate) R 30
• Horse Riding ( 1 hour out ride): R 150
• Long ride with snacks and drinks: R500
(Half a day trip to escarpment and bigger game area. Only for groups of 3 or more competent riders on prior arrangement on perfect weather days. )
• 30 min walk pony ride in arena : R 80
• Very short pony ride in arena: R 50
• 3km assisted pony ride: R 100
• Horse riding lesson (up to 70kg): R 150
OUR HORSES CANNOT CARRY RIDERS OVER 90KG (PLEASE ASSESS YOUR OWN WEIGHT BEFORE ASKING AND MAKING US FEEL EMBARRASED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE TOO HEAVY)
A non returnable deposit of 50% is payable to confirm booking. The rest can be settled when you leave Blesfontein. We do not have card facilities on the farm. Bank Details for deposit: NM van der Merwe, Standard Bank Laingsburg, Branch code: 051108, Acc no: 187589410. Use your name and date of arrival as reference and please email or sms proof of payment (cell no: 0836334913)
Time of arrival: Not earlier than 14:00
Time of departure: Not later than 11: 00
From Blesfontein it takes about 40min to drive to Sutherland and another 20min to the Observatory ( tel: 023 5711 205 or 023 5712 436). Most of the road between Sutherland and Blesfontein is gravel – not always in the best condition, so be prepared and think twice before visiting us in a small city car. You do not need a 4X4, but a little more ground clearance will always help. The sheep cheese farm is occasionally out of production. Phone them ( 023 5712 222) before you set out on a long and rough journey to find that they are not making cheese on that specific day. Tours to the Dutch reformed church and the Louw Museum can be booked with Jannie (0711367468) and Rykie (0235711131). We do not have a liquor license, and do not officially sell liquor, but will help out from our private collection of cold beer and several wines. There is MTN signal in our house and on other higher areas of the farm, as well as for parts of the road between Sutherland and Blesfontein, but unfortunately Vodacom and Cell C signal only in Sutherland. Wifi available in main house. (password: 34445810)
• Your tariffs do not include food. Please refer to separate menu page.
• Make sure hot water instructions were explained and are understood. Failure to do so may result in a cold shower. In the unlikely event that you may be not satisfied or if anything goes wrong, please tell us and we shall do whatever we can to assure your comfort. We want you to enjoy your visit to Sutherland. Your hosts
Nicol and Marina van der Merwe
