It was less than 225 kms/140 miles from George to Klippe Rivier Country House in Swellendam heading west to Cape Town and if I thought Phinda Forest Lodge was spectacular, the group nearly fainted upon arrival at Klippe Rivier Country House. I grew up sharing a three-bedroom, one bathroom Chicago apartment with parents, grandparents and two sisters. Who could imagine that people actually lived like this!

Klippe Rivier is a Dutch East India country homestead built circa 1825 and each of the guest bedrooms is named after one of the historic owners The original waenhuis (wagonhouse) and stables were converted into six spacious and luxury bedrooms (luxury is a gross understatement). The three bedrooms downstairs have open fireplaces and walled in herb gardens and are decorated differently. The bedrooms upstairs have a sweet-smelling thatch roof, with mountain views and a private balcony. These rooms are decorated in a more contemporary, provencal style.

Klippe Rivier Country House in Swellendam, South Africa
Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa and a few of the many activities in this area are walking and hiking in the Langeberg Mountains, golf, tennis, and doing nothing but enjoying this quaint and beautiful area. Raptures over our huge bedrooms with every amenity imaginable, it was time to “dress” (“dress” means changing from shorts to a long pair of pants) for dinner and gather in the spacious library for a before dinner apertif. An old slave bell is rung one-half hour before dinner to alert the guests. The chef then appeared to recite the night’s menu and give us time to make selections for each course. (Dinner is a 3-course table d’hote meal including coffee & truffles.)

Klippe Rivier provencal-style bedroom, Swellendam, South Africa 

ex-Marine unpacking in the gracious surroundings of Klippe Rivier, Swellendam
Into the candle-lit dining room for a fabulous dinner and end to a perfect day. I don’t know about you but I certainly could get used to living like this. And again, the South African Rand is very low against other currencies and all this luxury is yours for relatively “unluxurious” amounts.

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