Southern Yurts
SY

Botanica Cabin

Positioned next to a beautiful riverine area in the conservancy, Botanica Cabin offers guests the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the conservancy and nearby forest. Surrounded by mostly indigenous flora, guests can soak up the sense of wellness that plants provide both inside and outside the accommodation. Soak up the views from a private viewing point, and enjoy the brilliant stars above from the comfort of your own private wood-fired hot tub. The Cabin consists of a king-bedroom, bathroom with shower, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and dining space, and a lounge area with a daybed and seating. Outside you can enjoy the large braai lapa, or choose to braai next to your tub in the garden space. This accommodation is designed to bring you the joys of being outdoors, without sacrificing comfort and style.

The Cabin sleeps two guests, with space for one adult on the daybed or two small children sharing. The rooms are equipped with bedding, towels, spare blankets, a blow-fan/heater (seasonal), hot water bottles for cooler evenings, binoculars, wildlife/tree books, and reading material. Basic supplies such as soaps, dishwashing liquid, firewood, firelighters, salt, pepper, olive oil, filter coffee, sugar and tea are all provided.

BOTANICA CABIN

SOUTHERN YURTS is situated on the beautiful Diepklowe Nature Reserve, just 90 minutes (100km) from Cape Town. Botanica Cabin is a new addition to our portfolio and offers guests a truly memorable experience that will suit a full range of getaway requirements - whether you’re looking for a quick midweek escape (wifi available at the Cabin), a private space for two, or a full retreat into nature with your small family. There are two Cabin accommodations that can be booked:

Botanica Cabin sleeps 2 (+ 1 adult or 2 small children) in private accommodation and is featured on this page.

River Cabin sleeps 2 (+ 1 adult or 1 older child) in private accommodation and can be viewed here.

*Each Cabin site can be booked individually or they can be booked together as a group booking. There are no communal or shared facilities at Southern Yurts.

BOTANICA CABIN: A PRIVATE RIVERINE EXPERIENCE

Positioned next to a beautiful riverine area in the conservancy, Botanica Cabin offers guests the opportunity to experience the tranquility of the conservancy and nearby forest. Surrounded by mostly indigenous flora, guests can soak up the sense of wellness that plants provide both inside and outside the accommodation. Enjoy the views from a private viewing point, and the brilliant stars above from the comfort of your own private wood-fired hot tub. The Cabin consists of a king-bedroom, bathroom with shower, a fully equipped self-catering kitchen (including an indoor pizza oven!), dining space, and a lounge area with daybed and seating. Outside you can enjoy the large undercover braai lapa, or choose to braai next to your tub in the garden space. This accommodation is designed to bring you the joys of being outdoors, without sacrificing comfort and style.

The Cabin sleeps two guests, with space for one adult on the daybed or two small children sharing. The rooms are equipped with bedding, towels, spare blankets, a heater (seasonal), hot water bottles for cooler evenings, binoculars, wildlife/tree books, and reading material. Basic supplies such as soaps, dishwashing liquid, firewood, firelighters, salt, pepper, filter coffee, sugar and tea are all provided.

*SMALL CHILDREN (< 2 years) AND PETS ARE WELCOME, WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT - A SMALL ADDITIONAL FEE IS APPLICABLE.

*Note for pet owners: this is a nature reserve and during spring and summer months there are ticks in the veld.

ACTIVITIES

Southern Yurts is located on Diepklowe Nature Reserve, which is also home to Porcupine Hills Guest Farm - a small olive growing operation and nature conservancy. Guests staying at Forest View Yurt are situated in the conservancy and have full access to the farm during their stay. The farm itself has a range of activities, including marked and mapped hiking trails, trail running, bird watching (bird books and binoculars provided), and a small farm dam with a canoe and kayak. Fishing (catch and release) is also available at the farm dam, and fishing rods and gear can be rented by prior arrangement. If you’d like to explore the surrounding area, activities such as wine tasting, zip lining, horse-riding, farmer’s markets, and more, are all within a 30 minute drive.

Whilst Southern Yurts accommodation is self-catering, Sundowner Baskets, Dinner Baskets and Breakfast Baskets can be arranged - please contact us for more information on what the basket contains when you book.

RATES

BOTANICA CABIN STANDARD RATES: 15th January - 30th November 2024

Weekday Rate (Sunday to Thursday): R 1950 per night, sleeping two

Weekend Rate (Friday and Saturday): R2050 per night, sleeping two

HIGH SEASON RATES (1st December - 13th January 2025): R2150 per night, sleeping two

*PLEASE NOTE THAT A CONSERVATION FEE OF R75 pp PER STAY WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR BOOKING TOTAL.

ADDITIONS AT SOUTHERN YURTS

SUNDOWNER BASKET, cheese and meat platter (vegetarian and vegan option available) - R750, for two people

PIZZA BASKET, the basket includes 2 pizza basses, and toppings for the pizzas - R650, for two people

DINNER BASKET, ready to braai (vegetarian and vegan option available) - R650, for two people

BREAKFAST BASKET, continental breakfast (vegetarian and vegan option available) - R750, for two people

GOLDEN BASKET, bubbles, chocolates, flowers and extra special treats! - R1500

FISHING ROD RENTAL, two fishing rods available with equipment - R150 per rod, per stay

FISHING ROD PERMIT, bring your own gear, funds go to the DCT - R50 per person

PET FEE - R100 per dog per stay

EXTRA WOOD, per crate - R90

EXTRA KINDLING, per crate - R150

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT SOUTHERN YURTS?

We strive to provide a high quality experience for our guests. Each of our unique accommodations offers a stylish and interesting experience, where guests can connect with the beautiful natural surrounds without compromising on comfort. One can expect to create stories to share, and memories that linger.

At Southern Yurts, we operate with a strong ecological conscience. All of our firewood is harvested from alien eradication efforts in the Botrivier. Accommodations are built from up-cycled materials, alien wood sourced from around the Western-Cape and our Yurt canvas and hemp covers are produced by South African companies that, like us, care about supporting local industry. All accommodation units are equipped with biodegradable soaps, shampoos and conditioners, and water is reused on gardens, or returned to the river systems via natural filtration.

MORE ON THE DIEPKLOWE CONSERVATION TRUST

The Diepklowe Conservation Trust, started in 2022, is a non-profit fund that is devoted to ensuring the management and maintenance of the Diepklowe Nature Reserve - in which Southern Yurts is located. A conservation fee of R75 per person per stay is added to each booking, and goes directly to this fund. Maintenance programs in the reserve are primarily centered around alien clearing in the riverine areas, erosion management, hiking trail access and rewilding of the unique Renosterveld Biome. Programs are generally executed in autumn and winter months when conditions are more safe and conducive to bush work. For more information on the conservation and how you can make a donation or get involved, please email us at info@southernyurts.co.za.