Ganora Guest Farm, Camping & Excursions - Farm Style B&B and Self Catering Accommodation, Camping, Activities and Venue near Nieu Bethesda, Karoo, Eastern Cape
Ganora Guest Farm is a sheep farm situated just outside Nieu Bethesda in the foothills of the majestic Sneeuberg Range sixty kilometres north of Graaff Reinet in the Karoo Heartland. The farmstead and guest cottages nestle deep in the slopes of a depression carved into the bedrock by ancient rivers in pre-historic times.
The surrounding rock formations and rich fossil beds on the farm bear testimony to the events that contributed to the formation of this vast and beautiful land.
Ganora Guest Farm Accommodation
The accommodation at Ganora Guest Farm offers 3 and 4 star accommodation with four options. Groups of up to 26 persons can be accommodated in B&B rooms. There is also a self catering cottage available. We also have a camp ground with 6 sites.
Old Kraal
- Room 1 - Originally these rooms were a sheep kraal but later renovated to become single workers housing until about 1930. Constructed with packed mud and stone it has now been renovated for your comfort. This room has a queen size bed and an open plan unique round shower. The ceilings are of Agava poles.
- Room 2 - Like room 1, it was also originally built as a sheep "kraal" and later renovated for a single labourer's housing. It is now a very comfortable, charming room with two single beds and an en-suite bathroom.
- Room 3 - This room was added on when the others were renovated and is built next to the uneven wall of the "kraal". It is an en-suite twin room and at night you can hear the water running through the furrow outside.
- Room 4 - There is a choice of two single beds or one king size bed in Room 4. The bathroom has the largest shower in the Kraal units.
The Sheds
These are our larger rooms with little extra's. All three of them look out over lucern fields that sheep occasionally graze in.
- Room 8 - Engine Room - This has a small lounge area that was used for the generator to provide electricity for the homestead in the old days, while the bedroom area use to be the chicken room. For your comfort you may choose between either twin beds or a king size. The antique furnishing fits in well with the rough packed stone walls that are part of the garden wall.
- Room 9 - Coal Room - Although this was used to keep the anthrasite and coal for the Aga stove in the old days, it has been tastefully renovated and enlarged for your comfort. As with the engine room, you may choose between either twin beds or a king size. The large shower is a special experience with the stone filled floor area. The antique furnishing enhances the room as do the paintings, mostly done by Hester herself, depicting scenes of the farm that you will experience in your time visiting Ganora.
- Room 10 - Shed Room - Originally an open shed, it has been beautifully renovated by JP and a bathroom added to the area. The tastefully decorated room has two single beds and a sleeper couch.
The Workshops
- Room 5 - Tuc Room - This room has an open plan bathroom with a shower and a double bed
- Room 6 - Blacksmith Room - Featuring some antique furniture with a big, lovely shower. it has two single beds - either separate or next to each other. You can enquire if it can become a king at the time of your booking.
- Room 7 - Tool Room - A smaller room that has a double bed in but can rather be used as a single room.
Khoisan Cottage - Self Catering
This cottage was originally the "kraal" where they worked with sheep. It was then changed to the 4 room labourers' cottage and has been empty since the 1930's. Jan-Peet renovated it and added another room and bathroom.
The cottage now consists of one double en-suite bedroom, one twin room, lounge with sleeper couch, dining room and kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, microwave, fridge and all the utensils you will need for self catering. You will also be able to braai on the patio area if you wish. All meals are available if you do not feel like the self catering option.
Bush Camp
Our bush camp has 6 sites with electricity, 6 sites without electricity, ablution facilities with hot water and braai facilities.
Activities @ Ganora Guest Farm
Guided tours to: Bushman shelters, Anglo Boer War engravings and story, Private Fossil Museum, Fossil walk, Medicinal plant walk.
Birding: From big to small – Ganora has them all. On the canyon walk you are able to see the pair of Black Eagles nesting in the rocky sides. At times you will also see their youngster, they have reared, learning to fly. The rare Black Stork can also be seen on occassions. We also take part in the counting of Blue Cranes on a specific day. There are 5 pairs breeding at Ganora which we regularly see.
Biking: You can choose to do easy rides near the homestead or try something a little longer. We also have a "Black Route" which is 35km and for that you need double shocks and a puncture kit. You will be biking through our springbuck camp and will surely be able to see some close by. Bring your own bike along.
Hiking: A lovely canyon walk while watching the eagles fly above you is the ideal way to relieve your stress. To cool off you can swim in the Karoo pools en-route. Picnic baskets are also available on request.
Swimming: Guests can enjoy swimming in the river pools or in the mud dam. There is also a cement reservoir with the sheeps drinking water. We have recently added a swimming pool too for the guests to enjoy.
Dining: Meal times at Ganora are of special importance. This is down time and visitors can look forward to traditional Karroo cooking, good company, much laughter and stories about the day's events. Regular fare on offer includes Karroo lamb, kudu and other game dishes, bobotie with spiced rice, organically grown vegetable dishes, koeksisters and melktert (milk tart).
Weddings @ Ganora Guest Farm
Ganora is the ideal Karoo Wedding Venue. Weddings at Ganora are perfect for couples looking for the unusual. The real farm feel and the rustic beauty make for a great venue. Every wedding is unique and we are open to suggestions to help make your wishes come true.
For our latest wedding, we had the pleasure of using our popular bush as the venue, after they enjoyed tea in the wool shed. We can make all arrangements to make the day a truly special one for the bridal couple.
About us
Farm owners Jan-Peet and Hester are involved in a game rehabilitation program. The result is that orphaned game often make the farm yard their home, allowing visitors the opportunity to make close contact.
The farm museum has an extensive fossil collection, including rare examples found nowhere else in the country. Jan-Peet’s knowledge of Karroo fossils, together with his enthusiasm for the subject make his talks and fossil veld tours hugely popular with young and old. Jan-Peet also works closely with researchers from Wits, Rhodes and NMMU universities.
The farm also boasts various sites with well-preserved rock paintings and engravings. This is Hester’s area of expertise. Her enthusiasm for the subject is affectionate and visitors can look forward to an entertaining and informative talk on the subject, bringing to life 10 000 years of Bushman folklore. Even the Anglo-Boer War features in Ganoras past.
Please contact the team at Ganora Guest Farm directly for bookings and enquiries.
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