With less than a month left before the second semester of university started, I was itching to squeeze in one last trip before exams. So, the invitation to take a road trip from Cape Town down to Botrivier and Groot Brakrivier for a week couldn’t have come at a better time. The best part? Getting the chance to drive the Mazda CX-5.
After not having driven myself anywhere for well over six months, I was excited to be behind the wheel again. Since there’s well over 400km between Cape Town and Groot Brakrivier, we thought it best to have a stopover in Botrivier and split the journey over two days and adopt a slower pace.
Thanks to cruise control, it was a smooth, effortless one-hour drive from Cape Town to Botrivier, with most of it being straight down the N2.
We arrived at Beaumont Wines in Botrivier a little bit after 5pm, just in time for the sunset. Since we left Cape Town quite late, we had just missed reception but we were welcomed with open arms – or shall I say paws – by the resident farm cat.
The cottage was way on the back of the farm, surrounded by beautiful vineyards on all sides and showcasing quintessential Overberg architecture with white-washed walls and a black tin roof. The first thing we did was light the fireplace, as it was rather chilly that night and we were given ample wood. Since the kitchen was fully equipped, making dinner was a breeze.
After a much-needed hot shower, we concluded the first night beside the fire with a game of Uno.
The next morning we got up bright and early to watch the sunrise over the vineyards from the patio. As the sun slowly filled the sky with bright orange hues, we enjoyed a steaming cup of coffee and complimentary flour mill rusks, which were made in the on-site deli where you can find fresh bread and home-baked goods.
With that, we set off for another long day on the road. It was another long stretch on the N2, when we saw a road sign for Cape Agulhas. Having never been there before, we decided the detour would be well worth it.
We hugged the coast for about an hour before we made it to Cape Agulhas – the southernmost tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.
We also made a pit stop at a gift shop where I bought a fridge magnet, a tradition I picked up after my trip to Clanwilliam.
READ MORE: Do, dine and sleep: touring the charming town of Clanwilliam
Then we were on the road once more. At about three-quarters of the way to our next destination, we stopped at Oude Post Bistro for its famous roosterkoek, and to stretch our legs.
Feeling recharged, we drove the last stretch of the journey to our next destination: Groot Brakrivier.
If you’d like to visit Beaumont Wines, use these GPS coordinates: -34° 13′ 32.64″ +19° 12′ 25.69″
Take your pick from the following options:
Pepper Tree Cottage
- Sleeps two
- One bedroom with a double bed
- One bathroom
- Fully equipped self-catering kitchen
- Braai area on patio
- R1 750 per night
The Mill House
- Sleeps four
- One bedroom with a double bed
- One bedroom with twin beds
- Fully equipped self-catering kitchen
- Braai area on patio
- R2750 per night
The Stables Cottage
- Sleeps six
- Two bedrooms with king size beds
- One bedroom with two single beds
- Two bathrooms
- Fully equipped-self catering kitchen
- Braai area on patio
- Indoor fireplace
- R4000 per night
For more information, contact 066 251 8155.
Pictures: Supplied
Follow the next part of our journey: Road trippin’ part two: from Botrivier to Groot Brakrivier
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