CAPE WILDERNESS The Farmhouse Hotel

Highlights

General Information

This gracious hotel sits on the hill above the Langebaan Lagoon on the Cape West Coast of South Africa. Originally built in 1860 as the Panorama Farm Homestead, it was beautifully restored in 1992, recreating the original Cape Dutch farmstead atmosphere. It retains the charm of reed ceilings, huge fireplaces and outstanding views of the lagoon.

The Cape West Coast is a unique region, most famous for its beautiful scenery, sea food, bird life, wines and friendly locals. The climate in the region is arid and the sea breeze is cooled by the Benguella current whose cold fertile water supports an abundance of marine life. The area around the Lagoon (30 000 ha) was proclaimed a National Park in 1985 and is home to one of the world's largest populations of sea birds. In summer thousands of waders migrate here. The off-shore islands offer safe breeding sites for many species notably the Cape Gannet and the rare African Oyster Catcher. At certain times of the year pink-winged Flamingoes and graceful Pelicans also visit this haven which is an ornithologist's paradise.

This unique landscape is blessed with another of nature's miracles. In Spring the coastal fields of unique fynbos are transformed into a floral sea of gently swaying colour, alive with millions of wild flowers, from pure, gentle white to deep luxuriant purples and blues.

No pictures or descriptions quite capture its magnificence so visitors from all over the world come here every year between August and October to witness the spectacle.