SOTHEMBA LODGE - Karoo Farm Accommodation
Situated a distance of 83km from Ceres, on a world renowned bird-finder route, a wide species of birds make it an ideal base point to explore the Tankwa Karoo. With an approximate 400 metre rise between the guest house and upper reach of the farm, very significant changes in the flora and fauna and bird life can be found. At the top of the farm views of the whole Karoo right to the Skoorsteenberg of Tankwa and the Roggeberg can be viewed. As there is no electricity or municipal services, extensive use is made of sun power and we try to live as eco-friendly as possible.
General Information and Activities
Walks are in abundance from gentle strolls amidst the date palm plantation and olive groves and several dams, to energetic and physically testing such as 5 – 6 hour hikes in magnificent gorges.
San painting viewing can be arranged with our guide as approved by university listed management plan. The farm is one of the largest San Artifact sites in the Karoo.
Mountain bike rides range from the farm roads and tracks which allow free exploration to severe Kloof experiences where minimal tracks exists (bring your own bikes.)
Trips to Tankwa and adjoining game farms can be organised either in your own or driven in our vehicle (prior arrangements to be made).
The Lapa provides an opportunity to experience the Karoo in its wide magnificence and the adjacent Boma allows either private or pre-arranged braais to be made while you can enjoy the facilities of Soutie's Bar.
The swimming pool is an eco-friendly pool which allows nature to co-exist with the commercial by providing a base home for a myriad of local inhabitants. While the water is fed from our underground supplies, it is regularly changed with no chemicals added and thus enjoys a 'dam' type atmosphere which advances the local flora and fauna.
The Karoo Toad and endangered Platanna are in full evidence in summer and will serenade you at night. At night a walk a few metres from the Lapa allows you to enjoy the vast open expanse of the wide Karoo sky. On moon nights one can almost read in the bright clear moonlight (no air pollution).
A myriad of natural game and species exists on the farm. Snakes are shy creatures but the Cape spitting cobra, the pofadder and other species require some respect. The geckos here are fat little creatures and reminds one of little dragons – quite harmless. You will see at various times the grysbok, klipspringer, springbok and duiker. The aardvark will only be seen by a lucky few in the deep of the night but you'll find plenty of evidence when you find their holes in the strangest places (middle of the farm road)!
There also can be seen various species of scorpion, spiders, dassies, baboon, ostrich and if you're lucky – leopard tracks. The mountain hare, muishond and porcupine are also prevalent and the bird life is too numerous to be mentioned but the cinnamon breasted warbler is resident in our kloof. We also have the black eagle in our and adjacent kloofs and the well known Skittery Kloof is on the road going through our farm.
Being situated on the scenic 'round' route from and back to Ceres, allows one to experience theSwartruggens and Katbakkies Passes with classic views of the Swartruggens.
San painting viewing can be arranged with our guide as approved by university listed management plan. The farm is one of the largest San Artifact sites in the Karoo.
Mountain bike rides range from the farm roads and tracks which allow free exploration to severe Kloof experiences where minimal tracks exists (bring your own bikes.)
Trips to Tankwa and adjoining game farms can be organised either in your own or driven in our vehicle (prior arrangements to be made).
The Lapa provides an opportunity to experience the Karoo in its wide magnificence and the adjacent Boma allows either private or pre-arranged braais to be made while you can enjoy the facilities of Soutie's Bar.
The swimming pool is an eco-friendly pool which allows nature to co-exist with the commercial by providing a base home for a myriad of local inhabitants. While the water is fed from our underground supplies, it is regularly changed with no chemicals added and thus enjoys a 'dam' type atmosphere which advances the local flora and fauna.
The Karoo Toad and endangered Platanna are in full evidence in summer and will serenade you at night. At night a walk a few metres from the Lapa allows you to enjoy the vast open expanse of the wide Karoo sky. On moon nights one can almost read in the bright clear moonlight (no air pollution).
A myriad of natural game and species exists on the farm. Snakes are shy creatures but the Cape spitting cobra, the pofadder and other species require some respect. The geckos here are fat little creatures and reminds one of little dragons – quite harmless. You will see at various times the grysbok, klipspringer, springbok and duiker. The aardvark will only be seen by a lucky few in the deep of the night but you'll find plenty of evidence when you find their holes in the strangest places (middle of the farm road)!
There also can be seen various species of scorpion, spiders, dassies, baboon, ostrich and if you're lucky – leopard tracks. The mountain hare, muishond and porcupine are also prevalent and the bird life is too numerous to be mentioned but the cinnamon breasted warbler is resident in our kloof. We also have the black eagle in our and adjacent kloofs and the well known Skittery Kloof is on the road going through our farm.
Being situated on the scenic 'round' route from and back to Ceres, allows one to experience theSwartruggens and Katbakkies Passes with classic views of the Swartruggens.
