Southern Yurts
Southern Yurts is owned and managed by partners, Tobin Davenport and Kate Brink. The business-core, including Yurt accommodation and manufacturing, operates from Porcupine Hills Guest Farm - a beautiful guest and olive farm, that also conserves 200 hectares of indigenous Renosterveld.
Over the past six years we have established three private and memorable glamping sites in the heart of this nature conservancy and two stylish Cabins. Each accommodation is equipped for self-catering, with private kitchens, bathroom facilities, and wood-fired hot tubs from which to enjoy the location’s exquisite views. For bookings and availability please see HERE, or email us at info@southernyurts.co.za. You can also WhatsApp us on 0760607424.
Southern Yurts prioritises the balance between an outdoor experience and comfort. Great care is taken with each step of the manufacturing and design process at each accommodation to ensure that our Yurts and Cabins are of quality. When you book a Southern Yurt getaway, we believe it is this attention to detail that lies at the core of your experience.
the HISTORY OF THE YURT
The traditional Mongolian ger (pronounced gair, meaning home) is a structure that has changed little through time. Archaeological records left by nomadic people are often difficult to find, but descriptions of ger-like tents can be dated back as far as 480 BC. It is therefore thought that the ger emerged at least 2500 years ago in Central Asia, most likely in today’s Northern Mongolia and Siberia.
Centuries of design has refined the ger to serve functionality first. Quick to set up and down, and easy to transport, the ger was essential to a seasonal nomadic life. Later, as the dwelling became more popular in other parts of the world, the structure shifted to take on more contemporary features such as windows, and is now commonly referred to as the ‘yurt’ (Russian, yurta).
It is known that the successful Huns warriors were housed in ancient yurts between the 4th and 6th centuries AD. Later during the 12th century, Genghis Khan began forming what was to become the most successful empire at the time. His reign was greatly aided by the ability to travel across central Asia, unifying tribes, with his home in tow. Khan would have lived in a large traditional ger that is said to have been pulled by 40 oxen.
The ger is still widely used across central Asia today and its symbolism has found it’s way into religion (Buddhism, the wheel of dharma) and national pride (the flag of Kyrgyzstan). Many people who are new to the yurt design, have come to understand how unique it is - a structure that offers great spaciousness and security of form.