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A gift from the heart

The story of Mount Camdeboo is a story of love. In 1996 the late Logie Buchanan and his wife Cathy, purchased a parcel of land as a country retreat for the family. While overlooking the property on Valentine’s Day, Logie presented the Deed of Sale to Cathy and their son Iain.

Over time, the Buchanan family’s love for the land and its people increased – and before long, a dream developed to create at its heart a centre of excellence in land conservation and the uplifting of the local people.

Cathy, Iain, their wider family, and the superb staff at Mount Camdeboo have seen the vision come true. We think Logie would have more than approved.

Dating back to the early 1800s, Cambedoo Manor is a fine example of Cape Dutch architecture. Wide Oregon pine floorboards gleam from generations of wear, while thick walls keep the untamed Karoo elements firmly at bay. A generous dining room with oversized fireplace plays host to nights filled with camaraderie and cheer.

Camdeboo Manor has four luxuriously appointed double bedroom suites which offer guests a truly private experience. And should the call of nature tug at their soul – they can simply slip out of their private patio doors onto a secluded courtyard and into the lush established garden that stands like an oasis in the desert heat. The fourth suite, referred to as the honeymoon suite, is situated in Camdeboo Manor’s beautiful gardens, in what was originally the Gate House to the Manor.

Facilities include:

• 2 Double bedrooms en suite.
• 2 twin bedrooms en suite.
• 1 Honeymoon/garden suite.
• Communal satellite television.
• Air-conditioning.
• Under floor heating.
• Wi-fi Internet access.
• Generous-sized swimming pool.

Resting slightly higher on the Sneeuberg Mountain slopes than its counterparts, Hillside Manor offers magnificent sweeping valley views. Slightly more “modern” than the other manors on the Reserve, this mountain retreat dates back to the early 1900s.

Tastefully renovated, Hillside Manor is used to accommodate overflow from Camdeboo Manor when required. It is an ideal family option for group bookings with modern living spaces and three double en suite bedrooms. Given that the Hillside Manor property is unwalled, it is not uncommon to entertain surprise guests courtesy of Mother Nature.

Facilities include:

• Self-catering is optional and guests can pre-order their shopping list.
• 3 en suite double bedrooms.
• Communal satellite TV, DVD and sound system.
• Air-conditioning.
• Under floor heating.
• Full-sized swimming pool.

Dating back to the late 1700s, Courtyard Manor is a gracious, double gabled homestead wrapped in a deep veranda.

Comprising four tastefully appointed en-suite bedroom suites, the manor honours its original name of Ou Werf (a bustling village square) as it is well suited to accommodating a private party where sociability and smiles feel right at home. Courtyard Manor is offered as a self-catering option, or to accommodate group bookings. Meals etc can be pre-ordered from our Karoo Country Menu.

Facilities include:

• Self-catering option and guests can pre-order their shopping list/prepared meals form our karoo Country Menu.
• 4 en suite bedrooms.
• Internet access.
• Communal satellite TV, DVD and sound system.
• Air-conditioning.
• Under floor heating.
• Full-sized swimming pool.

Weddings, conferences, reunions or team building. Celebrate the coming together of hearts and minds while being hosted in true Karoo hospitality style.

The centre has been built in an open barn style, which can be used as one large open-plan room or closed off to create a series of smaller function rooms.

The Karoo has a rich heritage when it comes to flavour-rich, traditional cooking. Mouthwatering freshly baked breads helped cement flourishing loves, while secret ingredients were used to treat ailments of the body or soul.

The talented chefs at Mount Camdeboo have been inspired by recipes that date back to the early Cape settlers. Recipes that they have reinvented with a light contemporary cuisine touch. These wholesome meals are seasoned with herbs grown on the Reserve – their roots deep in ancient soils – while the balance of delicious ingredients are brought in fresh from neighbouring farms and suppliers. Like the summer sunshine, there is never a shortage of food.

Dining

Just like our menu, our evening dining venues are varied. One night you may be supping under the twinkling Karoo stars (an essential part of the African experience) – complete with full course silverware and a dedicated chef cooking right before your eyes. While another may find you dining in a secluded courtyard or even in the company of a roaring dining room fire. It’s a little touch of surprise and a highly enjoyable way in which to absorb the splendour and diversity that Mount Camdeboo has to offer you.

Self-catering

Where self-catering is an option, guests can pre-order their shopping list. This means that upon arrival the cupboards are already stocked according to their palates. We also have a menu of delicious Karoo Country Cuisine Menu which is available to be pre-ordered.

As part of your stay at Mount Camdeboo you are treated to 2 game drives per day (averaging at about 3 hours each) at optimal wildlife viewing times, namely: pre-dawn and sunset.

The vehicles used on the Reserve are purpose-built, 9-seater game viewing Land Rovers. They are SABS safety approved and are equipped with seatbelts, a shade canopy and drink holders.

Given that the Camdeboo Manors are nestled in a valley, the game drives typically start with a breathtaking climb up the mountain slopes and on to the plateau above where the animals graze and the world unfolds at your feet.

Our highly knowledgeable and experienced game rangers will try their best to make sure you see our “Camdeboo Big Five”, namely the breeding cheetah pair, the rare white rhinos, giraffe and almost extinct mountain zebra. Not to mention a bevy of birds and smaller lesser-spotted game.

Not forgetting human creature comforts, each drive takes a break mid safari, where guests can tuck in to a picnic basket filled with hot coffee, tea, rusks and other delicious snack delights. In the colder winter months guests are dispatched with hot water bottles, blankets and a dash of liqueur to warm their way.

All you need to bring is a sense of adventure and:

• binoculars.
• suncream.
• hats.
• winter jackets/fleeces, gloves and beanies.

Mount Camdeboo offers the very best family holiday you can imagine; a time to relax and enjoy special time with your family, to reconnect and share the excitement with your children as they discover Africa, up close! Accommodation in gracious homesteads means that children are not in separate units, rather comfortably next door or across the passage, just like home …

Far more than just a place for children to experience nature and animals; rolling lawns means lots of room to run, play games, have fun with a soccer ball or explore the pathways through Camdeboo Manor’s beautiful gardens – and generally, enjoy relaxing as a family.

Daytime means safaris to see animals, fun in the gardens and around the pool, a visit to the small cat project – a highlight for our mini-guests, and perhaps , and lots of delicious ‘kiddie-friendly’ treats!

Evenings around the boma fire roasting your own marshmallows, fireside stories and the thrill of watching a falling star – before heading off to bed to dream of today’s fun bug-safari and tomorrow’s adventures that await! Every family deserves a family holiday on Mount Camdeboo!

Had a great 3 nights with our baby and toddler. Really amazing hospitality and world class service. Food was excellent and nothing was too much to ask. Loved the Rhino sightings and the kids found the drives very peaceful. – A1020PKrichardt

Excellent lodge set in a beautiful mountainous area. Very good game drives in the morning and evening with a game keeper who was an excellent host and full of knowledge. To top it all of excellent meals from a very professional kitchen – Michelin standard! – D3882FVthomasb

This was a most unusual interplay of warm hospitality and quintessential style. The rangers knowledge on many aspects of the natural world was profound and wide reaching. All questions were answered and the animal kingdom was brought to life with the humour that it deserves. The tranquility of this reserve was unabounding. – Barbara F