Sondagskloof: Getaway to the Vlei Chalet

You’re on a picturesque farm. In front of you is a forest of poplar trees abuzz with twittering birds. To the right, cows are grazing. A gentle stream flows. To the left, a vegetable patch is flourishing next to a wide open field. Behind you are two dams.
You’re in Sondagskloof; Vlei Chalet.

For the first time since the start of the pandemic we ventured out. This wasn’t an ordinary trip, of course, for a myriad of reasons. I searched for a location that checked all the boxes, unique to our family’s needs. The result, and clear winner, was the Vlei Chalet at Sondagskloof. I cannot find the right words to describe how breathtaking this place is. The pictures are simply a shade, for the whole palette can only be seen with the naked eye. 

It’s situated a little over two hours away from Cape Town, in the heart of the Overberg. Sondagskloof has 3 eco-cabins. They rely completely on solar energy and the water is from the spring dam (read more about the chalets). 

Once we settled in, I was able to gradually take it all in. The sheer beauty of the farm, the stylish modern interiors of the cabin, the privacy, and the convenience of having everything we could possibly need to enjoy our getaway. There’s little to no signal, hence no reception. And time moved slowly. Purposefully. Living off the grid for those days was something my husband and I needed: a detox from our hyperconnected lives. Yes, there was a short withdrawal period, and no, we suffered zero FOMO.

The solitude was refreshing with ample calm spaces to sit back and relax. 

The location presented us with many photo opportunities, and I got to experiment with the iPhone 13 Pro camera. Between the iPhone 12 and 13 Pro, dare I say we didn’t need a DSLR to capture some of the essence of Sondagskloof. (I still love my Canon!)

iPhone 13 Pro Macro Shots

Cathy, our host, is such a warm and hospitable person. We were offered to pick vegetables from her veggie patch. And the fresh farm eggs left for us in the kitchen were a great personal touch too. We wouldn’t think twice about returning in the future for another 5* experience.