YUrt Camp- Kestrel

SOUTHERN YURTS is situated on the beautiful Diepklowe Nature Reserve, just 90 minutes (100km) from Cape Town. The Yurt Camp offers guests a perfect and private glamping opportunity that will suit a full range of getaway requirements - whether you’re looking for a quick midweek escape (wifi available onsite), a private experience for two, or a full retreat into nature with family and friends. There are two sites that can be booked separately or together (there are no shared facilities) at the Yurt Camp:

Kestrel Yurt Site sleeps 2 - 4 in private accommodation and you can read more about this accommodation below.

Malachite Yurt Site sleeps 2 - 4 in private accommodation and you can read more about this accommodation here.

*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.

*Please note the video below is shot in Malachite, but gives a good representative feel for Kestrel.

Kestrel: PRIVATE CAMP

The Yurt Camp offers guests a unique stay in a private nature conservancy, with resident Black Eagles soaring above. Situated between a breathtaking cliff-face and a gentle stream, guests will enjoy a truly memorable glamping experience. The Yurt Camp is split into two visually separated, but neighbouring sites called Kestrel and Malachite. These two sites can either be booked separately or together, and each site is equipped with its own private wood-fired hot tub, bathroom, kitchen area with small indoor fireplace, and outdoor braai area. The two sites are screened from each other offering guests visual privacy - please note that there are no shared facilities at Southern Yurts.

KESTREL best sleeps 2 guests in a Camping Yurt, similar in size to a standard tent, which is equipped with a double mattress, headboard, lights, bedding, towels, blankets, and hot water bottles (in winter). Adjacent to the Yurt is a bathroom with hot shower, a self-catering kitchen with an indoor fireplace, and a private wood-fired hot tub. There is an additional Camping Yurt available for children or adults, which you can either bring your own bedding for, or we can equip it for you - please enquire when booking for the different rates.

Kestrel is equipped with solar power and charging facilities, a gas stove top for cooking, a fridge, crockery, cutlery, utensils, braai facilities, firewood, firelighters, soaps, shampoos, salt, pepper, filter coffee, sugar, and tea. You need only bring your food and drinks!

Book the whole yurt Camp:

Guests can either book Kestrel (2 guests, and space for two children) or Malachite (2 - 4 guests) separately, or the two sites can be booked together for a group of 6-8 people with an interlinking passage that we open for group bookings only. When booking the whole Yurt Camp, please check our online calendar to ensure that both Kestrel and Malachite are available for your desired dates. Each kitchen area has a daybed which can be made up with linen to accommodate an additional two guests, and extra camping is available for up to four campers.

Both Kestrel and Malachite are equipped with solar power and charging facilities, gas stove tops for cooking, fridges, crockery, cutlery, utensils, braai facilities, firewood, firelighters, soaps, shampoos, salt, pepper, filter coffee, sugar, and tea. You need only bring your food and drinks!

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

STANDARD KESTREL RATES 2024: 15th January - 30th November 2024

KESTREL (sleeping 2 - 4):

R1450 per night, sleeping two | R 1750 per night, sleeping four

Weekend rates (Friday/ Saturday): R1600 per night, sleeping two | R 1950 per night, sleeping four

HIGH SEASON RATES (1st December - 13th January 2025): R1600 per night, sleeping two | R 1950 per night, sleeping four

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

ADDITIONS AT SOUTHERN YURTS

*Rates for larger bookings (3+ persons) are available at special group rates. Portions are generous and would suit a couple with small children.

SUNDOWNER BASKET, cheese and meat platter (vegetarian and vegan option available) - R750, 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.