YUrt Camp-Malachite

SOUTHERN YURTS is situated on the beautiful Diepklowe Nature Reserve, just 90 minutes (100km) from Cape Town. The Yurt Camp offers guests a perfect and private glamping opportunity that will suit a full range of getaway requirements - whether you’re looking for a quick midweek escape (wifi available onsite), a private experience for two, or a full retreat into nature with family and friends.

There are two sites that can be booked separately or together at the Yurt Camp (there are no shared facilities):

Malachite Yurt Site sleeps 2 - 4 in private accommodation and you can read more about this accommodation below.

Kestrel Yurt Site sleeps 2 - 4 in private accommodation and you can read more about this accommodation here.

*SMALL CHILDREN (<2 years) AND PETS ARE WELCOME, WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT - A SMALL ADDITIONAL FEE IS APPLICABLE.

*Note for pet owners: this is a nature reserve and during spring and summer months there are ticks in the veld.

Malachite: PRIVATE CAMP

The Yurt Camp offers guests a unique stay in a private nature conservancy, with resident Black Eagles soaring above. Situated between a breathtaking cliff-face and a gentle stream, guests will enjoy a truly memorable glamping experience. The Yurt Camp is split into two visually separated, but neighbouring sites called Malachite and Kestrel. These two sites can either be booked separately or together, and each site is equipped with its own private wood-fired hot tub, bathroom, kitchen area with small indoor fireplace, and outdoor braai area. The two sites are screened from each other offering guests visual privacy - please note that there are no shared facilities at Southern Yurts.

MALACHITE site sleeps 2 - 4 guests in two Camping Yurts, each equipped with a double mattress, headboard, lights, bedding, towels, blankets, and hot water bottles (in winter). Adjacent to the Yurts is a bathroom with hot shower, a self-catering kitchen for 4 people with an indoor fireplace, and a private wood-fired hot tub.

Malachite is equipped with solar power and charging facilities, a gas stove top for cooking, a fridge and small freezer, crockery, cutlery, utensils, braai facilities, firewood, firelighters, soaps, shampoos, salt, pepper, filter coffee, sugar, and tea. You need only bring your food and drinks!

Book the whole Yurt camp:

Guests can either book Malachite (2 - 4 guests) and Kestrel (2 guests, and space for two children) separately, or the two sites can be booked together for a group of 6-8 people with an interlinking passage that we open for group bookings only. When booking the whole Yurt Camp, please check our online calendar to ensure that both Kestrel and Malachite are available for your desired dates. Each kitchen area has a daybed which can be made up with linen to accommodate an additional two guests, and extra camping is available for up to four campers.

Both Kestrel and Malachite are equipped with solar power and charging facilities, gas stove tops for cooking, fridges, crockery, cutlery, utensils, braai facilities, firewood, firelighters, soaps, shampoos, salt, pepper, filter coffee, sugar, and tea. You need only bring your food and drinks!

ACTIVITIES

Southern Yurts is located on Diepklowe Nature Reserve, which is also home to Porcupine Hills Guest Farm - a small olive growing operation and nature conservancy. Guests staying at Forest View Yurt are situated in the conservancy and have full access to the farm during their stay. The farm itself has a range of activities, including marked and mapped hiking trails, trail running, bird watching (bird books and binoculars provided), and a small farm dam with a canoe and kayak. Fishing (catch and release) is also available at the farm dam, and fishing rods and gear can be rented by prior arrangement. If you’d like to explore the surrounding area, activities such as wine tasting, zip lining, horse-riding, farmer’s markets, and more, are all within a 30 minute drive.

Whilst Southern Yurts accommodation is self-catering, Sundowner Baskets, Dinner Baskets and Breakfast Baskets can be arranged - please contact us for more information on what the basket contains when you book.

RATES

STANDARD MALACHITE RATES 2024: 15th January - 30th November 2024

MALACHITE (sleeping 2 - 4):

R1250 per night, sleeping two | R 1650 per night, sleeping four

Weekend rates (Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday): R1700 per night, sleeping two | R 2100 per night, sleeping four

HOLIDAY & HIGH SEASON RATES (School Holidays, 1st December - 13th January 2025): R1700 per night, sleeping two | R 2100 per night, sleeping four

*PLEASE NOTE THAT A CONSERVATION FEE OF R75 pp PER STAY WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR BOOKING TOTAL.

ADDITIONS AT SOUTHERN YURTS

Please let us know if you would like to add any of these options to your booking at least 3 days prior to arrival:

☕ Breakfast Basket - R500, catered to 2 people (eggs, bacon or sausages*, fresh farm bread, fried tomato or mushrooms*, fresh muffins, butter, jam, and milk)

🥂 Sundowner Basket - R550, catered to 2 people (Cheese and cold meats styled-platter with dips, pickles, crackers, chips and wine)

🔥 Dinner Basket - R500, catered to 2 people (Ready to braai meal, with meats, veg, garlic bread, salad and snacks)

*all meals have Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal options

🦮 Pet Fee - R100 per pet per stay
🐟 Fishing permit - R50 per person, bring your own rod
🎣 Fishing rod rental, includes permit - R150 per rod, two rods available

🕯 Additional firelighters - R40 per pack
🪵 Additional firewood - R100 per crate

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT AT SOUTHERN YURTS?

We strive to provide a high quality experience for our guests. Each of our unique accommodations offers a stylish and interesting experience, where guests can connect with the beautiful natural surrounds without compromising on comfort. One can expect to create stories to share, and memories that linger.

At Southern Yurts, we operate with a strong ecological conscience. All of our firewood is harvested from alien eradication efforts in the Botrivier. Accommodations are built from up-cycled materials, alien wood sourced from around the Western-Cape and our Yurt canvas and hemp covers are produced by South African companies that, like us, care about supporting local industry. All accommodation units are equipped with biodegradable soaps, shampoos and conditioners, and water is reused on gardens, or returned to the river systems via natural filtration.

More on the DIEPKLOWE CONSERVATION TRUST

The Diepklowe Conservation Trust, started in 2022, is a non-profit fund that is devoted to ensuring the management and maintenance of the Diepklowe Nature Reserve - in which Southern Yurts is located. A conservation fee of R75 per person per stay is added to each booking, and goes directly to this fund. Maintenance programs in the reserve are primarily centered around alien clearing in the riverine areas, erosion management, hiking trail access and rewilding of the unique Renosterveld Biome. Programs are generally executed in autumn and winter months when conditions are more safe and conducive to bush work. For more information on the conservation and how you can make a donation or get involved, please email us at info@southernyurts.co.za.