Wolfkop Private Nature Reserve lies at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, overlooking the Olifants River near Citrusdal in the Western Cape.
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Made up of 450 hectares, this family-owned reserve has grown from strength to strength with its glamping offering as part of the Wolfkop Camping Villages and Cottages.
The reserve, remarkably has never been farmed and has incredible biodiversity both in terms of wildlife and plants.
But an offering of this nature does not happen overnight.
"The Wolfkop name came from the Dutch word Jakkel. The surrounding mountain is called Wolfkop, it is where everything started for us, including Wolfkop Nature Reserve," say owners Werner and Melanie Rontgen.
The reserve has been in their family for three-generations. Rontgen's dad bought the mountain from a local farmer, and wanted to protect the fynbos land from becoming a citrus farm.
Rontgen recalls playing in the area as a child, never quite imagining it would be the sought-after, immersive experience in nature it is today.
Slowly, Rontgen says he began buying over title deeds from his father and in his late twenties started his own tourism and glamping business.
"The farmer at Grootfontein farm, Hardy van der Merwe was the first farmer that gave me the opportunity to pitch two tents there that he could advertise and rented out to customers.
"This concept got great feedback, and 14 years later Wolfkop now has numerous joint ventures with farmers and businesses in the area. The success of the Wolfkop brand over the years is thanks to the many individuals, workers, farm owners, the Citrusdal community and the staff that played a pivotal role in molding the group.
Rontgen explains that while the citrus industry has been booming the past couple of years, properties on the farms and in Citrusdal town are quite limited due to the demand of farmers.
But as with all industries, Covid brought many challenges - specifically for the hospitality and tourism industry.
"The events industry was completely down and none of that revenue would come in. We solely had to rely on accommodation rentals to look after our staff," adds Rontgen.
They in turn used every last cent to upgrade some of their units to keep staff busy and also to enable them to offer more upmarket facilities, with better earning potential once domestic travel re-opened.
As a big drawcard for the reserve's glamping offering, including their annual Wolfie Family Festival, the family have had to navigate a number of new red flags to ensure the utmost safety standards.
"Our customers safety comes first. We also started doing rapid tests for everyone entering the site.
An addition to this, a number of health & safety protocols were put in place, including a health & safety officer, life guards and medics.
But despite all the challenges, the most rewarding part is seeing their customers happy in nature doing the hiking trails, body boarding tours, complimenting the staff, giving us tips, enjoying the Cederberg night skies.
"That is what the logo stands for, barefoot, down to earth, symbiotic relationship, between the yin & yang of man and nature," he adds.
"We are continuously upgrading our glamping units and will hopefully introduce hot tubs, pizza ovens and splash pools to all of our units by end of the year. We have also started exclusive custom designed glamping/hiking/catering tours in the Cederberg and West Coast.
An ideal retreat into nature, offering solitude and silence, Wolfkop private cottages range from one-bedroom to five-bedroom buildings, and all have a fireplace, aircon, and a braai area and jacuzzi outside. They are also some 200m apart, ensuring total privacy.
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"Aside from the stunning scenery and fields of flowers on your doorstep, the self-catering cottages offer a front-row seat to the beauty of the reserve.
Keep your eyes peeled for the array of animal life, such as duikers, porcupine and tortoises – and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot a leopard skulking into the comfort of the surrounding caves."
For more information on Wolfkop click here.
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