Located on the iconic Route 62, between Montagu and Barrydale and a quick 2½hr drive from Cape Town, Starry Starry Night Eco Mountain Reserve is located in the foothills of the rugged Langeberg Mountains.
Conveniently close to surrounding towns yet far away for that middle-of-nowhere feeling so you can properly switch off. The reserve is perfectly positioned as a midway stop-over between Cape Town and the Garden Route. Our reserve is blessed with two stunningly beautiful rivers, waterfalls, hiking routes, natural rock pools, views that seem to stretch into the future, an abundance of stunning fynbos, organic herb and veggie garden, tranquility, fresh air, dazzling night skies and the chance to truly disconnect from the busy-ness of everyday life and properly recharge your batteries.
As one of our recent guests observed: “Starry Starry Night is tonic for the soul. Plain and simple”. We cannot argue with that – why not book and come see for yourself? After meeting in London 6 years ago, François and JD have travelled the world extensively, and stayed in some of the most unique and extraordinary lodges across the globe – ranging from quaint backpackers to sophisticated high-end resorts.
“With Starry Starry Night we wanted to take all the most special, out-of-the-ordinary and magical bits we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying at various lodges over the years, wrap it all together into one breath-taking experience, and price it at a level people can afford,” explains JD.
Cradled by the foothills of the towering Langeberg mountains, Starry Starry Night is located exactly half-way between Cape Town and the Garden Route on the scenic Route 62, just a short 2½hr drive from Cape Town and 3hrs from Wilderness. There is plenty to see and do on the reserve itself, and loads to explore in the surrounding towns of Montagu, Barrydale, Swellendam and Bonnievale if you fancy a day excursion. From wine tasting, scenic tractor rides, cheese farms and hot springs to weekend markets, antique shops, rock climbing and hiking there is something for all tastes.
We recommend a stay of 3-nights or longer to truly get to experience everything our beautiful eco mountain reserve and its surrounds have to offer.
With over 370ha of pristine mountain wilderness to explore and experience your stay at Starry Starry Night can be as action-packed or relaxed as you want it to be. During the day you can relax on your patio just soaking up the views stroll through the organic herb garden, cool off in the pool or go for a stunning hike to explore the hills valleys and natural rock pools of this beautiful piece of land.
You can also enjoy mountain biking and there are some gorgeous cliffs that lend themselves to trad rock climbing . At night enjoy a tasty braai or head down to the Star Deck and send your dreams and wishes off into the glittering night sky…
- If you cancel 7 days before arrival, we will forfeit 100% of the booking.
- If you cancel 14 days before arrival, we will forfeit 75% of the booking.
- If you cancel 21 days before arrival, we will forfeit 50% of the booking.
- If you cancel 30 days before arrival, we will forfeit 25% of the booking.
Ethos: We do everything in our ability to manage the reserve in a way where everything is at harmony with everything else. Please help us protect and nurture this very special and beautifully pristine slice of mountain heaven through your respect. Part of our ethos is a policy to live-and-let-live, and we do nothing to harm any other animals with who we share the mountain reserve.
Rates: Per night and are subject to change without prior notice.
Conservation: Please help us keep the reserve pristine by taking all rubbish and “foreign matter” with you, including wrappers and fruit peels/cores.
Starry Starry Night has unfenced pools. Guests and their children use these pools strictly at their own risk, and young children, whether swimming or not must, therefore, be supervised by at least one suitably capable adult at all times.
Dogs are allowed by prior arrangement with management and must conform to the following requirements: - They must be socialised and controllable. We have our own dogs on our property and, though we have fences around our property, there is a good chance the dogs will meet each other along the way. - Any dog poo around the homestead area and on any trails must be bagged and removed. - Under no circumstances must dogs interfere with local wildlife and chase or kill other animals or birds. - Our furry friends are not allowed to swim in the pools or climb onto or lie on couches and beds.
Please help us keep our gorgeous 100% pure cotton sheets bright and white.
Access: The final stretch to our reserve is via a 2km long access road that consists of a combination of gravel and concrete sections. We are continuously improving the road surface, and while it is certainly no highway, our guests have had no problem reaching us even with super compact cars like VW up! and compact cars like Ford Fiesta, but it is not suitable for very low-slung sports cars. Just take it slow, and enjoy the adventure of travelling to this beautifully remote corner.
Appliances: All energy to the cottages are provided through solar panels that are strong enough to power the lights, a fridge/freezer and to charge appliances like mobile phones and laptops. It cannot heavy energy consumers like microwaves, toasters, and hairdryers etc. Please let us know if we can help plan your trip.
Smoking: Starry Starry Night is a smoke-free reserve, inside or outside the cottages, or anywhere else on the reserve. We are located in a very high fire-risk area, and must do everything we can to prevent the start of a fire.
Fires: Please take care with fires and barbecues when it is windy, as the veld is dry and will burn easily. If you notice a fire please alert the owners immediately, or call the local police (10111). Do not leave any fires unattended.
Drones: While we do love our drone and allow others to fly their drones on the reserve, this should always be done in a way that respects the privacy of guests in the other cottages and the owners. If we receive complaints or observe continued mis behaviour in this respect we reserve the right to insist that drone use cease immediately.
Parties: Our guests come here to experience the tranquility of the Little Karoo, so we kindly please do not play loud music or disturb the peace in any way.
DISCLAIMER: Management and staff or any other person associated with Starry Starry Montagu PTY LTD will not be held liable for any loss, damage, injury, or illness incurred or suffered by any guests or any other person whilst on the premises of Starry Starry Night.
1. Directions from Montagu:
When passing through Montagu, zero your odometer as you pass the Barn on 62, on your right just before leaving town. Follow the signs for the R62 in the direction of Barrydale.
Drive for 17.8km, approx. 12min. Take the Rietrivier turnoff to the right off the R62, turning towards the mountains. There is a small red postbox at the turn-off.
Follow this gravel road for 4.6km, approx. 5min, always sticking to the main road as it winds through farms. You will pass through some fruit orchards and over three white low water bridges.
Not long after the third low water bridge you will see a green sign for “Bobbejaanskrans”, turn right at that sign towards the mountain. This is the start of our access road and where your adventure begins :) If you drive through huge grape vineyards that are covered by shade cloth, you’ve gone too far.
The road is a bit bumpy, but looks much worse than it is. Just take it easy and drive slow to stay on the concrete tracks as much as possible. Follow this road for ±2km as it snakes its way up the mountainside.
There is a small fork towards the right about half-way, don’t turn onto that as it goes to the labourers’ cottages. Just stick to the main road on the left. You will pass through two farm gates – please close them behind you, and hook the lock back in without locking. The second gate has some Starry Starry Night signage on it, enter through that and continue until you reach the main house.
As you pass through the second/top gate, take care to steer your car as far to the right as possible to navigate over the rather big cement bump at the gate.
2. Directions from Barrydale:
As you drive through Barrydale, zero your odometer at The Route62 Stop / Caltex petrol station (on your right just before leaving the town). Continue along the R62 in the direction of Montagu for 37.3km. Take the Meulplaas turnoff to the left.
At the bottom of the turnoff is a small picnic area under trees, turn left towards the Langeberg mountains and follow this gravel road for 3.5km, approx. 5min, always sticking to the main road as it winds through farms. You will pass through some fruit orchards and then through a large section of table grapes under cream shade cloth. Not long after the shade cloth section you will see a worker cottage with a dam
behind it on your left. There is also a green sign for “Bobbejaanskrans”, but you will be seeing its back. This is the start of our access road and where your adventure begins :)
This is the sign with the shade cloth vineyards in the background
Turn left on the small track. The road is a bit bumpy, but looks much worse than it is. Just take it easy and drive slow to stay on the concrete tracks as much as possible. Follow this road for ±2km as it snakes its way up the mountainside.
There is a small fork towards the right about half-way, don’t turn onto that as it goes to the labourers’ cottages. Just stick to the main road on the left. You will pass through two farm gates – please close them behind you, and hook the lock back in without locking. The second gate has some Starry Starry Night signage on it, enter through that and follow the sign that says Cottages.
As you pass through the second/top gate, take care to steer your car as far to the right as possible to navigate over the rather big cement bump at the gate.
Children: 0 to 15 years stay free
16 to 17 years pay 100% of the sharing rate
