Kinmel Guest Farm, a place to break away, reflect and rejuvenate. Come visit and enjoy the magnificence of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains.
Just past the picturesque town of Rhodes, recently declared a conservation area, you will find the outstretched fields and mountain slopes of the farm Kinmel. We offer a complete break away from it all, as Kinmel is only reachable by gravel road.
The old barn were transformed and divided into 2 comfortable, private, fully equipped, fresh and easy to live in chalets. Each offering: full kitchen, 3 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (bath and shower), perfectly furnished and spacious enough for groups of up to 8 per chalet, and at the same time, still cosy enough for a break away weekend for 2.
Combine both chalets for a relaxing getaway and get-together for the whole family.
Kinmel is perfectly situated at the heart of some of South Africa’s most spectacular mountain passes. Very near to the foot of Naude’s Nek pass and a mere 20km from the Tiffindell ski resort and mount of Ben McDhui (the highest peak in the Cape). Ten of the country’s top and most spectacular high altitude mountain passes are within easy reach from the farm.
Apart from our child friendly chalets, complete with fireplace, the perfect ‘stoep’ for a ‘braai’ and out-stretched lawn, Kinmel is also a fully functional and active farm. Many a sheep bleating away adds to the farm’s peaceful and refreshing atmosphere. Only topped by trout meandering in the farm’s crystal clear personal stretch of the Bell River, a mere 500m from the chalet, making Kinmel a fly fishing hotspot.
Daytime hiking offers a possible glimpse of the endangered Bearded Vulture as well as various other wild life and spectacular flora. Night time offers unparalleled star gazing.
Come Winter, Kinmel’s outstretched lawn can transform overnight into a white and snowy wonderland.
Kick your day of with an early morning hike, take a drive up some of our countries most spectacular mountain passes, spoil your fly-fishing rod with a scintillating sunset stroll down river…and as the quiet darkens settles….sit, breathe and put your feet up next to the crackling flames of a cosy fireplace.
Kinmel … where eagles come to stretch their wings.
Enjoy invigorating hikes in the surrounding mountains, swim in the river or play in the rock pools, go fly-fishing, walking, bird watching and mountain biking, top that with Winter snow-skiing at the nearby Tiffindell. Savour the scenery on many famous mountain pass trails, enjoy a leisurely picnic beneath the willows down by the river, or you can simply put your feet up, relax and enjoy the splendour which the Southern Drakensberg has to offer.
Wild rainbow trout swimming side by side with elusive yellow fish abound in the Bell River, making it a fly-fisherman’s paradise. Kinmel has its own stretch of the Bell River, specifically reserved for our guests only. The region also boasts a number of dams and more than 200 km of rivers and crystal clear running water in which to cast your fly.
We also are a fully functional active farm where guests and especially children are invited to acquaint themselves with a variety of farm animals. We fully support the principles of eco-tourism, defined as responsible travel to natural areas, which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local inhabitants.
Bring windbreaker jackets and lots of warm clothing (also in summer). Weather on the mountains can change in an instant - and can reach freezing temperatures of up to minus 18 degrees Celsius.
From Bloemfontein take the N6 to Aliwal North:
- In Aliwal North turn left onto the R58 travelling via Lady Grey to Barkley East.
- In Barkley take the R396, a gravel road, to Rhodes.
- Drive straight through Rhodes onto the Naudes Nek/Maclear road. 1.6 km out of town.
- Having passed the Tiffendel Ski Resort turn of on your left
- Carry on for 500m and turn right where the Kinmel Mountain Retreat sign board indicates.
