FARMHOUSE58 is one of South Africa's most memorable stays, just 1 hour from the centre of Johannesburg. FARMHOUSE58 is a rustic, luxury accommodation located in Krugersdorp next to the Cradle of Humankind. The Cradle of Humankind is an important geological and paleoanthropological area. The region is known as the Cradle of Humankind because it is where some of the earliest ancestors of modern humans originated. The accommodation is a great base to explore this stunning rural area, explore cycling roads or relax.
The safari vehicle trundles along the dirt roads that lead to FARMHOUSE58 in Krugersdorp, a rural area known for its natural beauty. This stunning property has accommodation and dining and is placed just one hour's drive outside of Johannesburg‘s city centre. During the weekend it will be busy with guests wanting a getaway and a switch off break from the madness of worklife. It’s also a popular place to stay for cyclists who enjoy the winding roads and natural views.
The Cradle of Humankind is a fascinating area and houses some of the earliest and most significant hominid fossils. The UNESCO World Heritage Site area's rich fossil record includes significant fossils like the renowned "Mrs. Ples" and "Little Foot". It is also where there is evidence that humans first controlled fire at least 1 million years ago at Swartkrans. They discovered that burnt bones found near stone artifacts and bone tools were heated to over 200°C /390°F (above the normal temperature of a natural bush fire) suggesting controlled and sustained fire use. Unfortunately the Sterkfontein limestone caves are currently closed at the time of our visit.
FARMHOUSE58 is located in Krugersdorp, a former gold and lime mining town sitting on dolomite rock. The property sits on 673 hectares of farmland with donkeys, chickens, sheep and 150 cows in residence. The greeting from staff is warm and once the short drive to the farmhouse is over, we are met with refreshing, aromatic towels. Look closely and you’ll see another visitor in residence: locusts are everywhere clinging to branches of spindly trees. These don't bother us at all.
There are different types of accommodation here. The most established are within the main building attached to reception. There are three levels of room: standard deluxe and premium, the difference being the size of the room. The premium and deluxe rooms face out onto the front of the main farmhouse while the standard rooms face the back. There are also newer accommodation set to open any day. We have a walk through these mid-construction and they're very modern and spacious with each room having a large bath.
I’m staying in one of the original deluxe rooms. Availability can be a challenge as it is school holidays so you are advised to book ahead of time. A gentleman called Happy shows me to my room. It’s just as pictured on the website: a wonderfully understated luxury experience with soft, smooth sheets, a king bed and grass hats repurposed into lighting ornaments by NATURA.colab. Curtains are in a neutral linen. A canopy of red Virginia flowers provide a burst of colour among the calming neutrals.
The bathroom has a spacious shower with exposed copper piping and there’s beautifully scented shower products provided. There is no air-conditioning but there is a fan in the room and although this is rustically gorgeous there are USB port right next to the bed and Internet is fast and free. Our visit is during Winter and that means a very warm room courtesy of heated floors - it's so warm that I strip down to my underwear, pull the curtain shut and relax.
While relaxing is in order, there are also a range of activities from cycling paths, art tours as well as yoga and nature walks. Each activity has a tariff between R100-R300/$8.28AUD-$24.86AUD/$5.50USD-$16.57USD. There are also two libraries in the house in the main reception area up a wooden ladder - turn left or right when you see the bales of hay. There is one power outage during our stay that lasts for 15 minutes and I spend that time in the main lobby area.
We walk around the extensive gardens which were designed in 2021 around the existing trees. As this is a UNESCO site, they were not permitted to dig into the soil. No trees were cut down and all structures were made on existing foundations including the restaurant building, the Lapa and pool area.
The on-site restaurant "Shed" features a range of the property's regenerative farm's produce and locally sourced meats. We start with open faced sandwiches and then dive into delicious spicy meatballs served with pap (maize porridge).
Lamb chops are wonderfully tender with delicious spiced potato wedges. All of this is washed down with the house ginger beer and mimosas.
We also join our guide Lesotho for a short guided walk to a waterfall area. He doesn't like calling it a hike and calls it a, "Slow, contemplative walk". It's fairly easy although there is some scampering up rocks required. When we reach the waterfall we take one of the yoga mats provided and sit in meditation for 2 minutes listening to the sound of the waterfall before heading back.
To the left of the accommodation is a small path that leads to the farmhouse's expansive fruit and vegetable garden. It covers around 2 acres and was built during 2019 and 2020. They grow so much produce that they also supply the restaurant And Then There Was Fire.
The next day after breakfast of a freshly pressed juice, smoked salmon and eggs benedict, we head to And There Was Fire for lunch. This restaurant is a few minutes drive away and connected to the NIROX sculpture park. As the restaurant is located near the Cradle of Humankind, where humans first took control of fire, it makes sense that the wood fire grill is where things really shine. The menu also satisfies the South African trend of International food menus with Korean fried chicken, Portuguese prawns and tacos.
Guests of Farmhouse on 58 will recognise the oatmeal linen curtains and the hats repurposed as lighting fixtures. The flooring is sandy with long, raw wooden tables with a view of the sculpture garden. There's a range of interesting soft drinks and non alcoholic cocktails as well as wines and cocktails.
I mentioned Korean fried chicken didn't I? It's one of my favourite starters. Crisp, saucy, slightly tangy Gochujang vinegary glaze is paired with a sweet corn sauce that is a surprise hit.
The oxtail stew comes in a little ceramic pot with toasts. It's soupy and the meat is soft although it could use a bit more seasoning to make it pop.
The marrow bone is served split and grilled and we spoon out luscious scoops of marrow on the toast.
Having just toured the extensive gardens at Farmhouse 58 we go straight for the peppery rocket salad with large, fluted leaves still perky from only being in the ground just a few hours before. The crumbled blue cheese, toasted walnut and syrupy poached pears make this my other favourite entrée.
Then we come to the wood fired courses. The pork belly is edged in fat but is delicious, especially with the spicy chimichurri accompaniment. The free range steak is superb: cooked medium rare and tender in each bite. To the side are some grilled spring onions.
The Portuguese style prawns sit in a puddle of garlic, white wine, chilli and coriander sauce with a timbale of couscous on the side. The prawns are well cooked and succulent and the spiciness of the sauce is very appealing.
The roasted baby carrots are also delicious, paired with salty feta cheese and chilli sauce for a bit of pep. The texture of the carrots are meaty and moreish.
And for dessert, I'm so taken with the pear salad that I also really enjoy the poached pear with whisky syrup, caramelised walnuts and vanilla ice cream. There's a generous amount of nuts and they're rolled in spices and candied.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you ever visited the Cradle of Humankind? What do you think of the accommodation?
NQN stayed as a guest of South African Tourism but all opinions remain her own.
FARMHOUSE58
https://www.farmhouse58.co/
And then there was Fire
https://www.andthentherewasfire.com/
If you would like to book transport or a tour (which I recommend), we used Tshuku Tours (mpho@tshuku.co.za). If you want a specific food tour, you can also contact Anna Trapido @trapidoterritory or email her here.
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