We spent two nights at Red Stone Hills Guest Farm in 2013, but it was raining on-and-off and the landscape was very wet from the rains. We picked this farm because it is in an area that is known for the diversity of succulents. Unfortunately the Little Karoo, as the area is known, does not have reserves or parks where the succulent plant enthusiast can explore and enjoy the succulent plants. Farms in this area are probably the best and only way to have the freedom and flexibility to explore the land.
Redstone Hills Guest Farm is a working farm with some sheep, ostriches and also some vineyards. They have 2-3 cottages for rent and a variety of activities such as birding and hiking on their trail are possible. The owner mentioned that porcupines were abundant and that leopard and baboons could also be around.
Vineyards at the farm.
One of the owners is a painter as well. This is a picture painted by her.
The road to get to the farm is dirt, but in good condition and a regular car can drive on this road.
Heading for Red Stone Hills farm.
Our cottage was at the end of a short road. The surroundings were beautiful.
Our very large and very private cottage.
The hills in this area are indeed red, hence the name of the farm (Red Stone Hills).
The hills are some kind of conglomerate, and dominate the views from the cottage. Yellow lichens were covering large parts of the rocks.
View of our cottage from the hill.
Our cottage and car and in the background and one of the other cottages available for rent. Note the dense but short vegetation.
The cottage was very large and well appointed. We enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as the beautiful surroundings. We were able to order dinner from the owners and the food was brought to our cottage. Everything provided was delicious.
A delectable meal provided by the farm staff.
The Enon trail, a fairly long trail, is found in one section of the farm. The first part of the trail takes you through a flatter, less rocky area which is also more disturbed due to grazing. Once the trail starts to climb the landscape becomes rockier and the vegetation changes as well. Succulent plants become more evident in this rocky terrain. Due to the persistent rain we were not able to walk the entire trail and spend more time in the interesting succulent plant habitat.
Enon is the name of the long trail.
Starting the trail.
Mike next to a large plant of Portulacaria afra.
Portulacaria afra.
- A close up of Portulacaria afra. Note the water drops.
Millipedes were out and around after the rains.
Very large thorns on the acacias at the beginning of the trail.
View of the surrounding hills from the trail.
Interesting natural rock arch.
After abut 30 minutes the trail (actually a 4X4 road) started to climb and the terrain became hillier. The soil changed, it became less reddish and whiter. The vegetation changed as well.
A very succulent Tylecodon wallichii.
Closer view of Tylecodon wallichii.
Rosario next to a Cotyledon orbiculata.
Cotyledon orbiculata.
A Senecio sp.
A differet Cotyledon sp flowering .
Closer view of the flower.
Crassula rupestris and another Crassula species.
Crassula rupestris.
Aloe sp.
Close view of the conglomerate rock and the lichens
Adromischus sp.
Aloe ferox.
Nymania capensis, a common shrub in the Little Karoo. This plant is in the Meliaceae family.
Closer view of the pink puffy seed heads of Nymania capensis.
Hadeda ibises flying above our cottage.
In spite of the rain we enjoyed our time at Red Stone Hills Farm and we would like to return to this area so we can explore a bit more. Hopefully during a drier time.
THE NATURALIST'S TRAVEL PAGE 