Lifestyle farms off the beaten track in W Cape’s Ceres

Buyers are beginning to look beyond the beaten track for good value when it comes to lifestyle farms.

This 1 200ha property for sale in Ceres is currently being run as a guest farm, and includes a main house and four guest cottages with verandas and stunning views. It is selling for R5.995 million - click here to view.

This is according to Nelia Retief, Seeff’s agent for the Tulbagh/Witzenberg area, who says Ceres and surrounds is a region that is beginning to grab attention for its beautiful lifestyle farms and excellent value on offer.

Prices are generally still in the R5 million to R6 million range for properties with excellent infrastructure and housing, says Retief. This despite the close proximity to Cape Town and the fact that the area falls within the popular tourist route.

As an example of the good value on offer here, Retief says a 4.2ha property with a modern four bedroom house, a dam and borehole, stunning mountain views as well as a separate house for a manager is on offer at around R4.7 million in the Prince Alfred Hamlet area, close to Ceres.

Also in the area, and in the same price range, is a 4.7ha smallholding. It also features a four bedroom home with two lounges - one with a fireplace, a separate bar room finished in solid wood, store rooms, a swimming pool and lovely mountain views.

In the nearby Tankwa Karoo, another gem for lifestyle farm buyers can be found, says Retief. “A stunning property with guest cottages that is fully furnished and equipped is on offer as a going concern for just under R6 million.”

This 4ha smallholding selling in Prince Alfred Hamlet is planted with pear trees and surrounded by scenic mountain views, perfect for the lifestyle buyer. It is on sale for R4.7 million - click here to view.

She says it is located about 55km from Ceres at the foot of the Swartruggens Mountains. The 1 200ha property includes beautiful landscapes with a natural mountain stream, rocky outcrops and a wide variety of Karooveld and fynbos. There are also plenty of interesting wildlife, including rabbits, small buck, jackal and even leopard.

The property includes a main house, as well as four guest cottages with verandas and views. Natural stone and wood were used in the construction, and there are braai facilities, a boma and three swimming pools.

The Ceres Valley ranks amongst the most scenic and popular tourist areas in the Cape, says Retief.

“Surrounded by the Hex River Mountains, it is particularly fertile, and Ceres is actually named after the Roman god of fertility. It is especially known for its fruit production, and is the home of the well-known Ceres fruit juices’ brand,” she says.

“Ceres is about 135km from Cape Town and under two hours’ drive. It is the administrative capital of the Witzenberg municipality that includes Tulbagh, Wolseley, Op-die-Berg and Prince Alfred Hamlet.”

This 609ha lifestyle farm for sale in Wolseley is located in the Breede River Valley. The two bedroom, one bathroom cottage has an indoor fireplace. It is selling for R3.9 million - click here to view.

Retief says the area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts, especially with weekenders often heading here to enjoy the clean air while indulging in hiking and mountain biking.

The Breede River also has its origin in the mountains of Ceres, meaning the area attracts canoeists and other water sport enthusiasts as well. There are also nature and game reserves in the area.

The ‘Koue Bokkeveld’ region which includes Prince Alfred Hamlet is known to be one of the coldest areas in the country, and usually attracts the first snow fall during winter.

Retief says Ceres area is also attracting attention for cherry picking. The Klondyke farm, for example, is popular for this, while the Du Toit group is now farming with cherries - a first in the area.

“Although sought after, commercial farms are seldom on the market, and anything for sale is usually snapped up quite quickly by a neighbouring farmer,” she says.