Hidden valley, secret sanctuary
Buchubos Villa, named after the scented buchu bush, is in the Banghoek Valley Nature Reserve between Piketberg and the wild shores of the West Coast.
The air is crisp, dry and fragrant with fynbos and an intermittent whiff of wood smoke from the Kolkol heating gently on the hillside. Birds are chirping, sunlight is streaming in, and the views are nothing short of spectacular from every window. This is Buchubos Villa, hidden deep in the little-known Banghoek Valley, past 21kms of citrus farms and the occasional blueberry tunnel.
Its elevated perch at the start of the Banghoek Valley Nature Reserve gives it mesmerising 360-degree views of the rugged peaks behind the Piketberg on one side and a steep massif on the other – the last of the mountain ranges before the Atlantic Ocean. There’s only one dirt road through the valley and if you keep going it’ll take you to Redelinghuis, in the direction of the Citrusdal, a drive worth doing as you’re likely to have this off-the-beaten track route all to yourself. But this is one of those houses that invites complete relaxation with sun streaming in every window, the cosiest blankets for afternoon reads and fireside chats, and a kitchen for cooks and coffee lovers. And with the inviting pool and Kolkol, it’s quite possible not to leave, with the exception of an evening walk into the orchard below in the valley or up the hill for even more striking sunset views.
Inspirational interiors for absolute comfort
This is the quintessential Perfect Hideaways weekend escape, where the house is often so lovely and so inviting that you can’t bear to leave it (and come home with interiors inspiration for your own!). The bathrooms are in the signature style of Dominic Touwen and Camilla Fraser who have perfected these Moroccan-styled sanctuaries, each one with different tile patterns and colours. But a colour that unites the entire house is a palette of greens, most notably the luscious emerald Mervyn Gers ceramics.
Expect the softest down cushions, quality linens and superb solid wood joinery everywhere – particularly in the welcoming open-plan kitchen – and nooks and stoeps everywhere with hanging chairs or loungers with views. Cooking here is a dream but for most of the year you’ll find yourselves gathering around the pizza oven, or the outdoor braai or boma area while the kids play in the pool, enjoy a game of table tennis or go cycling on the mountain bike track just below the veggie garden. In winter, the place to be is in the steaming hot Kolkol (switch off the house lights at night and prepare yourself for a stellar show – night skies literally glow with twinkling stars) or gather around the toasty hearth indoors with a good glass of red for an evening of delicious food, board games and a long overdue catch-up with special friends.
What we love!
- Multiple glass double doors lead out on all sides so that it’s always wonderfully breezy and cool indoors in summer – not to mention wraparound mountain views.
- It’s a great house for multigenerational families. Teens will love it too – the lower level has a double bedroom plus a bedroom with four sturdy bunk beds. Both have access to the lower garden and are en suite.
- Two of the bedrooms upstairs have air conditioning and fans as they get summer sun, but in winter they are cosy cocoons.
- The lower lawn gets shade on very hot days – a wonderful spot for yoga with the sunbirds to keep you company.
- Mountain bikers can enjoy their very own pump track with berms and jumps, but if you want to explore the nature reserve, Strava routes are available for the valley.
What you need to know…
- The Kolkol has swoon-worthy views – a real treat. It can be lit at around 1pm and stays hot till late at night.
- The pool has a cover for safety with children (and to prevent water evaporation).
- CCTV cameras for security (these may be switched off from 11pm to 6am for privacy on request).
- It’s just over two hours’drive from Cape Town via the N7 towards Piketberg. There is no cell phone reception for the entire duration of the dirt road into the valley (SUV recommended as the 21km stretch is currently corrugated in parts, but not essential) but the house has WiFi, which is strongest in the upstairs bedroom area, and has a UPS and is well equipped with rechargeable lamps for loadshedding.
- Although set in a nature reserve, there is prolific bird and plant life, but no big game here so you can enjoy lovely walks. Walking routes are in the house manual.
- A trip to the coast is highly recommended if you’re staying a few days: book a blow-out traditional seafood lunch at Muisbosskerm, a 90-minute drive away (5kms south of Eland’s Bay).
- If Buchubos Villa isn’t available, browse our collection of West Coast hideaways.
- Buchubos Villa may be booked as a shoot location.
Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon