Welcome to Zandrivier Farm, SeweweekspoortZandrivier farm is located in the Karoo mountains between the N1 (Laingsburg) and the R62 (Ladismith). A scant 3.5 hour drive from Cape Town, the farm offers the silence of the Karoo, big African vistas, unending star-studded night skies and restoration for the soul.
Zandrivier is owned by Ben Jewaskiewitz and his dad, Charles. Freshly discovering this more remote Karoo area in 2007, Ben took over the farm from its lifelong owners and has continued to build on their heritage. The farm currently supports cattle, horses and sheep, and Ben has planted lucerne, onion and apple crops. With water scarce in the summer, Zandrivier has invested in building dams for irrigation. Most of the potable water on the farm comes from the local springs in the Swartberg mountain range. Zandriver offers three private cottages and the opportunity of either getting away from it all, or being part of farm life. Children are encouraged to interact with our animals, perhaps milk a cow, feed the donkeys, help shear a sheep, or watch a lambing in season. Zandrivier is the third highest farm in the western Cape. With the highest peak in the Western Cape rising above the farm, Zandrivier is an excellent base camp and easiest access for a quick peak-bagging expedition to Seweweekspoort, exploring the Klein Swartberg, or, if you are a cyclist or biker, a base for daily trips into remote areas and small Karoo towns. Weather-permitting, teams can summit and return in a day. The ideal place to chill We needed to unwind and this is the ideal location. Thanks Ben for all the friendly assistance offered. |
Fauna and flora
The farm is home to many rare plant species and spectacular fynbos.
Protea variants include nitida, sulphurea, convexa, aristata, eximia and more. Wildlife that is common spotted includes grysbok, baboon, jackal, rock hyrax (dassies), kudu, vaal rhebok, aardwolf, leopard, genets, cerval, lynx and klipspringer. Birdlife is prolific with yellow tailed kites, owls, black eagles and fish eagles among the predators, as well as the more timid sunbirds, coots, Cape pheasant and smaller species. A more comprehensive list can be viewed on our page listing some ideas of what to do during your visit. Quick links to interesting infoWonderful stay! Our week at Ben's Cottage was wonderful! Quiet and peaceful, without being isolated. Ben was a gracious host that never intruded, but was helpful, informative and shared his knowledge of the area. Great place from which to explore the trendier Karoo towns and some hidden gems. I will never see the Karoo in the same light again. Would recommend Ben"s Cottage and Stone cottage to all. (Not to forget the delicious freshly baked bread). |