Having travelled the back roads from Cape Town for a week on an overland 4x4 camping trip with friends, it was such a joy to find this special cottage far into the foothills of the Maloti Mountains with its ample accommodation, high standard amenities, and gorgeous vistas. Hosts Juan-Marie and her farmer husband Donie took great care to provide everything we could have possibly needed, including a spot in their beautiful home to watch our Springboks claim victory at the Rugby World Cup. Such a great evening with these special folks. We woke up to an amazing winter wonderland landscape as a bonus. Will highly recommend escaping to Vrederus to all our friends.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We first stayed at Vrederus in the late nineties and must have come back seven or eight times over the years, which qualifies it as one of our favourite destinations.
The main attraction when Juan-Marie built the first (of two) cottages was the fly fishing. In addition to the lake on the farm, Jaun-Marie can also arrange access to small streams in the area. If high altitude fishing in small mountain streams is your thing, this is the best you will find in the country.
The birding is great. High-altitude specials include yellow breasted pipits and Drakensberg rock jumpers. However, it is the abundance of large birds that makes the area stand out. Bearded vultures are regulars in the high mountain, cape vultures are common, and every second telephone pole has a buzzard on it. On our last visit we counted over 120 crowned cranes, a pair of blue canes with chick, a pair of wattled cranes and a secretary bird from one stationary position in a field about ten minutes from the farm. Also worth a mention is the large flock of bald ibises in the foothills of the main berg nor far from the farm.
For photographers there are few places in the country better suited to shooting ‘big skies’ than Vrederus. From September to May, huge banks of cloud boil up from the lowlands almost daily, rolling towards you with menace or just accumulating on high waiting to produce yet another perfect sunset.
In conclusion, Vrederus is as perfect a country getaway as you could find.
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Date of stay: September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This little gem high up almost on top of Naudesnek in the Eastern Cape, is a birders paradise. We found and photographed all three species of Cranes in one day. The friendly owners will go out of there way to assist you in finding that rare bird that you are looking for. Accommodation is comfortable in two chalets with all facilities required. The chalets are next to a big dam (almost a lake), and trout fishing is allowed and available. If you are looking for a trip over the Eastern Cape mountain passes and a visit to Rhodes and Tiffindell Ski Resort, this is a must stay place.
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Date of stay: December 2016
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely stay. Very clean and habitable accommodation units. Stunning birdlife and close to spectacular attractions such as mountains passes and caves with Bushman paintings. Be warned though, there is a very friendly Border Collie on the farm- you will be great buddies with him within five minutes of arrival.
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Date of stay: December 2015
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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