There are still a few special places where you can escape the world, while keeping its conveniences close at hand. Sometimes, just a hop off the beaten track there’s another realm, where the pace of life is slower, more authentic and beautiful. Living surrounded by nature is always soothing, ever enticing. Yet Calitzdorp is only 8km away, George Airport is just over an hour’s drive, and the internet speed here is break neck. So working from River House is idyllic and efficient too, and you may even catch a glimpse of a kudu passing by or hear the lilting call of a fish eagle. 

River House is aptly named and built on the banks of the winding Gamka River in the Gamka Private Eco Reserve. The house rests at the base of a rugged spekboom-covered hill and appears to float on a rock ledge. It’s magnificently created with views to optimise the dramatically beautiful surroundings. You are right on the water’s edge, and look out over lawns to the river and the Swartberg mountains beyond that provide ever-changing natural theatre. Bathed in light, the interior is open plan and unfettered with a fireplace and feature walls in raw brick. Outside, rugged rock accent walls reflect the natural surroundings and add detail to the sweeping deck and outdoor shower. A fishpond and succulent gardens complete the picture. 

The deep, shaded verandah – with ceiling fans – is the place to be in summer. Throw open the double stack doors, laze on the couches, watch for otters in the river, read, nap or prepare fire-cooked meals at leisure. That’s if you’re not fishing in the river, where you have over 50 meters of private, grassed river frontage including your very own jetty. Or you could hike, mountain bike or hunt for marine fossils which dot the area. Rocks here date back 750 million years, which gives this piece of the green Klein Karoo a sense of palpable antiquity – even the pool is fashioned from ancient rock. But in winter, take a deep soak in the bath and gaze directly onto a magnificent rock wall outside. On the property are also paddocks for horses – and with nearly six hectares of personal space, as well as access to the estate at large, there’s plenty of room to ride and roam.

Safe and secure in the gated reserve, River House has three bedrooms and a study and is beautifully compact yet with a feeling of true spaciousness. You are surrounded by wildlife too – from eland, red hartebeest and kudu to klipspringer, duiker, caracal, jackal, bush pig, porcupine and even the occasional Cape leopard. Birdlife is plentiful in the valley too. The house is perfectly ‘lock up and go’, perfectly permanent too. Ideal for holiday getaways, yet easy to work from – if you must. And when you’re not, do taste some of the Klein Karoo award-winning ports and wines from noteworthy estates just down the road.

Specs:

• Set within the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve
• Eco Estate: Approx 1,000 hectares
• Erf Size: 5.5 hectares
• Approx 50 meters of grassed river frontage
• House size: 290 m² under roof / 100 m² covered deck
• 3 bedrooms (main en suite)
• 2 bathrooms
• Open plan living area
• Study
• Scullery
• Outdoor shower
• Above ground pool (river fed / 14,000l)
• Landscaped low water succulent garden
• Fish pond
• Fully off grid on solar power
• All landscaping under irrigation

Please see more details regarding the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve here