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Shades of Africa

Oudtshoorn - South Africa

Email Shades of Africa Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com booksa@madbookings.com

Located in the beautiful Little Karoo, conveniently close to both the Garden Route and Route 62, we offer a unique base from which to enjoy and explore the beauty of this region. For the sophisticated young at heart, we offer an African experience with comfort, tranquility and style, furnished with hand-picked African artifacts, textiles and art. Experience our wide open spaces, our wealth of beauty consisting of clear skies, mountain passes, sunny hot days and wind still evenings filled with bright stars. A nature lover’s paradise!

Breath our un-polluted fresh air, soak up the sun (wear sun block!) and enjoy undisturbed walks, golfing, mountain biking, hiking, caving , bird watching or sight seeing, whatever you wish…. It’s a world full of surprises, silence, shadows, shades, stories and colours.

It’s a Destination and not just a stop over!

Shades of Africa Accommodation

We offer 4 double or twin bedded rooms, private entrance each with own bathroom plus shower. We even offer a magnifying mirror for those wanting to check out their wrinkles!

Equipped with television MNET, overhead slow fans, comfortable furnishings, air conditioners, heaters and hot water bottles, hairdryers and tea and coffee making facilities.

We offer a hearty breakfast, either in the dining room, equipped with a fireplace or outside in Summer on the patio. All our guests have access to the kitchen area and courtesy bar. Real home from home living!

At Shades of Africa, we offer no fuss and no pretence. What you see is what you get. We don’t believe in accolades or stars….you can judge if this is what you want. We chose to be alternative.

If you need us, there will always be somebody available to answer your questions, assist you with problems, reservations, or just a friendly ear, but we will also respect your privacy and space and provide you with enough time to write your postcards from Africa!

There are no wild animals running around, besides Tiger and Lucy our two friendly cats and please don’t freak out for an occasional non poisonous mosquito or “gogga” in your room. We offer odourless DOOM just for that! After all, you did intend to experience Africa?

Facilities at Shades of Africa include:
A sense of fun and humour is clearly visible, when approaching Shades of Africa.

A sumptuous Little Karoo breakfast is served, either in the dining room or on the patio, overlooking the pool.
We offer:
· Sparkling swimming pool
· Safe parking on premises
· Self-contained kitchen and courtesy bar
· Sumptuous breakfast with a Little Karoo flavour
· Fax facility available
· Major credit cards accepted
· Wireless Internet

Our relaxing bed and breakfast retreat, is built on the adjoining property, for ultimate privacy. It is situated in a typical Klein Karoo indigenous garden, complementing the ethnic architecture. We offer an African experience with comfort, tranquility and style.

Oudtshoorn is known for:
· Sunshine and Smiles
· Scenic surroundings
· Safe environment
· Crisp mountain air
· Healthy Climate
· Hospitality
· Meerkat Magic

Things to do:
Shop for ostrich leather products and bags on a working ostrich farm, “Lugro” where highly skilled staff manufactures chic Italian inspired bags, belts and purses.

The Swartberg Pass
The 27 km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world: an untarred road that winds to the summit 1583 metres above sea level in the steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn.
The road is supported in places by hand-packed stone walls, a trademark of brilliant road engineer Thomas Charles Bain.
Along the way there are relics of an old prison, toll hut and other interesting historical sites. Often covered with snow in winter, the mountain's unique micro-climate supports fynbos and a rich bird life in contrast with the arid zone flora and fauna outside its cool shady kloofs.
The Swartberg Pass was declared a National Monument in its Centenary year, 1988.

Gamkaskloof
Gamkaskloof, (also known as "The Hell") is a fascinating valley near Prince Albert where a small, proud community lived in isolation for more than 100 years.
Access was only on foot or horseback and harvests of dried fruit and wild honey were eaten by passing animals. When a road was carved into the valley in 1962, a gradual exodus began, with the last farmer, Piet Swanepoel, leaving in 1991.
Their modest homes and relics of fruit orchards can still be seen. Access to Gamkaskloof is 15 kms from Prince Albert near the northern summit of the Swartberg Pass.
Visitors should allow almost a full day in a sturdy vehicle to travel the 57kms to end of the valley and back.

De Rust - Meiringspoort:
Soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations line the 25 km tarred road which winds along the floor of the gorge, crossing the Groot River 25 times.
Entry to the poort is via Klaarstroom, 55 kms east of Price Albert en route to Oudtshoorn and the coast. Hardy plants, including indigenous pelargoniums, cling to the precarious rockfaces while birds, baboons and smaller fauna abound in the projected kloofs and crevices.

Among the most scenic spots is the waterfall tumbling into the dark pool which, legend has it, is bottomless. Meiringspoort has been flooded several times in its 140-year history - 1885, 1968 and 1996 were devastating - and so the idea for building a high road over the mountains was born.
The Swartberg pass was opened in 1888.
A drive through this famous poort, the inspiration for generations of South African painters and poets, a traveller is enchanted by scenery with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours, depending on the light and time of day.
It attracts the plant lover, bird watcher, geologist, photographer, hiker or biker and even the lazy driver who goes there to be part of its beauty.

Waterfalls:
· Meiringspoort
· Rust and Vrede waterfall

A Paradise For:
Horticulturists, Geologists, Artists, Photographers, Bird watchers, 4X4 Trips, Enthusiasts, Sun worshippers, Hikers, Bikers, Mountaineers.

Email Shades of Africa Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com