Banghoek Farm, Banghoek Private Nature Reserve, West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa

This is a rare opportunity to invest in timeless tranquillity and purchase a listed heritage farm within the gorgeous Banghoek Private Nature Reserve. Surround yourself with over 1 000 hectares of fynbos magic

In a hidden valley up the West Coast yet just 160km from Cape Town, you’ll find this heritage farm – a listed National Monument – tucked within the boundaries of the Banghoek Private Nature Reserve and enfolded by majestic mountains. What a privilege!

Once the hunting grounds of Simon van der Stel, the first governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, the beautiful Banghoek Historical Farm in the cloistered valley of Kapteinskloof near Piketberg is as full of character as its name. “Banghoek” translates roughly as “fright corner” – so-named in 1685, when a party including Van der Stel rounded a corner to be stampeded by an enormous rhino! “… An unbelievably large Rhinoceros appeared, coming with great fury and viciousness … His Excellency having barely time enough to get out from the coach, leaping out with a blunderbuss in his hand and aiming this at the beast which was not six paces distant from him; but the blunderbuss misfired… We expected nothing else but that the furious beast would devour His Excellency before our eyes but it ran past him, brushing against his body,” recorded CJ Skead in The Historical Mammal Incidence in the Cape Province.

If, these days, this part of the Western Cape no longer teems with rhinos, the Banghoek Private Nature Reserve is still a magical oasis that supports Cape leopard, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, cape grysbok, grey rhebok, aardvark, among many other fauna, as well as several rare and endangered plant species. Its expansive 1 000 hectares preserve and protect a pristine fynbos biome in an ancient valley where 3 000 years ago Bushmen lived in the catchment area of a wide and life-giving river. In fact, it’s hard to believe you’re just 160km from Cape Town and 60km from the West Coast!

The first farm in Kapteinskloof, this is still a working farm within the boundaries of the nature reserve. There is an exclusive-use area for agricultural activities, such as orchards, vineyards, cash crops, fodder crops and livestock. The owner of the farm also has grazing rights on the common property, subject to the approval of the trustees. (The Banghoek Private Nature Reserve itself is a sectional-title development comprising a maximum of 40 residential units plus the original four farm dwellings. It is governed by a body corporate which comprises all the owners who elect a Board of Trustees to act on their behalf.)

The beautiful homestead is a listed national monument that was built in 1721, and has historical value as one of the last surviving exemplars of building styles of that district and era. ‘Its ancient oak trees lend the farm a typical Stellenbosch feeling and tranquillity,’ says the seller. ‘We are hidden in a beautiful valley surrounded by impressive mountains and natural fynbos. This sets the scene for an experience of peace, quietness and safety. It’s an oasis in the Sandveld.’

Banghoek Historical Farm is situated alongside the Boesman River and has natural spring water and plentiful water rights – making it abundantly clear why the farm has been a valued retreat through the centuries.

‘Few things beat watching the sun rise and set from the front and back stoeps of the homestead, overlooking the natural beauty of the farm and the lush garden with its waterwise plants, lush trees and lawns. And long walks in nature bring you to the simplicity of life and, in the process, finding yourself. There are three things here that you cannot buy: the fresh air, the big trees and the view!’

Specs:

• Property type: farm / private nature reserve
• Reserve size: 1 220 ha
• Farm size: 108 ha
• Arable land: 30 ha (8 ha irrigated)
• Main house: 300m²
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
• 4 sheds: total 800m²
• Worker’s accommodation: 250m² | 2 x 2 bedroomed cottages 
• Orange trees and a few vines on the property 
• Borehole
• 2 dams: 14 650m³/annum
• Water rights: 5 ha
• Taking of surface water for irrigation: 10 100m³/annum
• Taking of groundwater for irrigation: 30 000m³/annum
• Farmwatch security

For the property brochure, please click here

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