A summer weekend at Bartholomeus Klip Drizzle and Dip

I spent my birthday weekend at my favourite Bartholomeus Klip Bo Herman. It had been two years since I was there, also for my birthday weekend and at a strange time during covid where we were in a senseless liquor ban and the lodge was closed. The South African borders were shut due to the Omnicron variant debacle and tourism came to an almost grinding stop. A handful of my closest family and friends stayed at their large private Heron House which was perfect. We had the property to ourselves as there were no other guests, and it was a very special time that I will always treasure.

Bartholomeus Klip is a small luxury lodge/house on a working farm right next to the Elandsburg Nature Reserve. The main house has 5 luxury rooms and en suite. There are two self-catering houses, Heron House and Wild Olive House. One sleeps 10 and the other 6.

As soon as you arrive you never want to leave and you don’t have to. Accommodation in the house secures you a full board package which includes a lavish brunch, decadent afternoon tea, and dinner. Game drives are included along with any activities such as cycling or kayaking on the lake.

The kitchen is headed up by chef Louise Gillet who along with her twin sister Lesley has been running the lodge for over 20 years. You arrive as a stranger and leave as a friend as is a testament to the six English couples we met who return year after year. A few of these swallows had met at BK many years ago and now schedule their stays to overlap when they visit the Cape. One couple was on their 15th visit which tells you a lot about a place.