Set at the foot of the Elandskloof Mountains and close to the Cape Winelands, Bartholomeus Klip is a restored Victorian homestead offering romantic luxury and homeliness at a destination that is both a working wheat and sheep farm and an indigenous fynbos and renosterveld nature reserve. Rose-filled gardens and ancient oaks surround the house giving a classic sense of tranquillity while the deck of the saltwater swimming pool is an ideal spot for relaxing and sunbathing.

Embark on a game drive into the reserve – there are far more animals there than you might think and the list includes eland, springbok, jackal and leopard as well as many bird species, endemic and otherwise. The estate is also a declared natural heritage site and is one of the last major habitats of the rare geometric tortoise. Alternatively, explore the area on foot or by mountain bike, or go wind surfing or canoeing in the lake. And after all that activity, what better than to visit some of the local wine estates for a tour and some wine-tasting.