Skooltjie Cottage in the Tankwa Karoo

–Excellent location - show map
+12 photos
Scored 9.8
Rated exceptional

Staff

10
  • The entire place is yours
  • 753 ft² size
  • Kitchen
  • View
  • Garden
  • BBQ facilities
  • Free WiFi
  • Free parking
  • Bath
  • 24-hour front desk

About this property

Comfortable Accommodation: Skooltjie Cottage in the Tankwa Karoo offers a one-bedroom apartment with a living room. The ground-floor unit features a private entrance, garden, and sun terrace. Modern Amenities: Guests enjoy free WiFi, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Additional facilities include a fireplace, outdoor seating area, and barbecue facilities. Outdoor Activities: The property provides access to walking, bike, and hiking tours. Bicycles are available for free use, and the surrounding area offers scenic views and diverse landscapes. Guest Services: Private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and housekeeping services ensure a comfortable stay. Free on-site private parking is available for guests.

Couples particularly like the location — they rated it 9.7 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Most popular facilities

  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Family rooms

Property highlights

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.8)

Free private parking available on-site

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Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

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Accommodation Type
Number of guests
 
Bedroom
1 double bed
Living room
1 sofa bed
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Guest reviews

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Staff
Facilities
Cleanliness
Comfort
Value for money
Location
Free WiFi

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Guests who stayed here loved

Rolina
South Africa South Africa
“The openness, excellent location, fantastic host, easily accessible walking trails”
Hennie
South Africa South Africa
“Quaint and comfy, a cottage with a long history that changed people lives.”
Charlotte
South Africa South Africa
“We had such a peaceful, relaxing stay on the farm - a true Tankwa Karoo experience. Hanlie and Thys are lovely hosts.”
Andre
South Africa South Africa
“Me and my son enjoyed the stay surrounded with farm animals and what spectacular birdlife we also found. There is allot of walking routes and vast spaces to explore. The evening stars WOW. You have to see it to appreciate it. Hanlie and Thys as...”
Arno
South Africa South Africa
“Die Skooltjie is op 'n plaas met 'n ryk geskiedenis. Pragtige omgewing langs die Tankwarivier.”
Ivan
South Africa South Africa
“Lovely cottage, and such a peaceful place amongst all the farm animals. Excellent communication from the hosts.”
Jana
South Africa South Africa
“We had an incredible time at the Skooltjie Cottage. The peace and quiet and direct access to nature is lovely. Having a braai under the Karoo stars was truly special. Great opportunity for hikes and bird-watching.”
Michah
United Kingdom United Kingdom
“Perfect! Skooltjie Cottage aka ‘Tankwa Getaway’ is a unique property and perfect for hiking, birding or just to get away from it all. Hanlie and Thys were fabulous hosts, and made us so very welcome. Their generosity and kind nature was so...”
Bonita
South Africa South Africa
“The cottage was very well equipped, clean and comfortable. I loved the farm stay with farm animals and all. The host Hanlie was very friendly and helpful. The Tankwa national park is very near with breathtaking views.”
Amy
South Africa South Africa
“The cottage is 20km off the main tar road to Sutherland and is the most perfect out-of-the-city getaway. The hosts are so sweet and the cottage itself was so comfortable. The accommodation was so well equipped and clean and cosy. My partner and I...”

Hosted by Thys and Hanlie

10
Host review score
Thys and Hanlie
Unwind in the Skooltjie, a cosy comfortable, lost-in-time cottage (a farm school of the past), filled with character and stories. It is located in the yard of a working sheep farm in the succulent Tankwa karoo area relatively close to the town, Sutherland, one of the world’s premier destinations for clear skies and spectacular star-gazing. Find peace in vast landscapes of this unaffected environment with rare endemic plant species stretched out to the Roggeveld escarpment in the background. Adding to your comfortable stay is an open plan living area with a well-equipped kitchen, a gas burner as well as a microwave oven, refrigerator, solar power and a vintage wood stove for baking or keeping you warm. The en-suite bedroom with a double bed has a separate front door offering private access to nature. Wi-Fi is available with uncapped data, an outdoor barbeque area and dry wood add to your experience.
Your hosts will be delighted to welcome you to this part of the Sutherland Onder-Karoo/Tankwa they hold close to their hearts. Thys and Hanlie are part-time sheep farmers and will be able to share first-hand knowledge about the Tankwa and Sutherland area and the indigenous succulent vegetation and farming practices. They are friendly, hospitable, always handy and ready to assist your needs.
The Tankwa Karoo semi-desert area is well known for its vast open spaces with succulent vegetation. The clear skies with dazzling starry nights are world-wide renowned for star gazing. The Tankwa National Park and Oudebaskraal Dam are popular places of interest to visit. If you enjoy scenic routes the Verlatenkloof, Ouberg and Gannaga passes and Kattiesberg supply adventure and stunning views. Sutherland town is a short distance away and the SALT telescope is a popular tourist attraction. The small town of Middelpos is also a day trip away. Matjiesfontein with its historic hotel and train station lies en route to the Ceres and Tankwa Karoo.
Languages spoken: Afrikaans,English

Property surroundings

Facilities of Skooltjie Cottage in the Tankwa Karoo

Great facilities! Review score, 10

Most popular facilities

  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Family rooms

House rules

Skooltjie Cottage in the Tankwa Karoo takes special requests - add in the next step!
Check-in
From 14:00 to 20:00
Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.
Check-out
From 09:00 to 11:00
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
Children and beds

Child policies

Children older than 10 years are welcome.

Children 18 years and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.

Cot and extra bed policies

Cots and extra beds are not available at this property.

No age restriction
There is no age requirement for check-in
Payments by Booking.com
Booking.com takes your payment on behalf of the property for this stay, but make sure you have cash for any extras once you get there.
Smoking
Smoking is not allowed.
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Pets
Pets are not allowed.

The fine print

Need-to-know information for guests at this property

Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Please inform Skooltjie Cottage in the Tankwa Karoo in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.

Payment before arrival via bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

This property will not accommodate hen, stag or similar parties.

Dear Visitor, this region is currently experiencing drought conditions. Please be aware that certain properties are subject to comply with local water usage restrictions.

Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.

In response to Coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are in effect at this property.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property is taking steps to help protect the safety of guests and staff. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property has reduced reception and service operating hours.

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), this property adheres to strict physical distancing measures.