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Magical Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof

7/6/2017

12 Comments

 
Baviaanskloof accommodation: Speekhout tree house
​By Roxanne Reid
As a child I dreamed of climbing the Magic Faraway Tree to find a different world among its branches. Spending a night in a magical Speekhout tree house  in the Baviaanskloof made me feel like a kid again with its crooked corners and mismatched colours, its secret garden below.

​You’ll find the Speekhout tree house 19km east of the Nuwekloof Pass, on the Willowmore side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Baviaanskloof in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. It’s named for the speekhout, or wild peach tree, which was used to make spokes for the wheels of ox-wagons in the old days. Despite its name, the tree house crouches in a spreading red karee tree.

It seems to have grown organically, fitting around branches and not a straight line to be found. The windows are odd sizes and shapes, and a 10cm-thick polished plank of wood forms the table in the living room. 
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Living room
​There are six beds – a double behind a curtain in the living room, a double and two singles in a bedroom up a few steps around a tight corner. The curtains are all odd, some green with geometric pattern, some plain blue, some rust coloured. A nice touch is the stargazing blind above the double bed in the upstairs bedroom. You can pull it back and watch the stars through the branches as you lie in bed.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Entrance through the garden gate
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The outdoor shower looks out on these mountains behind the tree house
​Through a door with a porthole window is the bathroom, with its outdoor shower (with hot water) and flush loo, and reed screens for privacy. The shower overlooks twin koppies behind the tree house. There may be six beds, but given that there’s only one shower and loo and the space is compact, I was glad there were only two of us.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Outdoor loo and shower, surrounded by nature
Electricity powers the lights and a microwave in the open-plan kitchen, while the water heater and two-plate cooker run off gas. There’s also a bar fridge.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Kitchen and front door to the garden
Sharing digs with nature
The tree house is not a place for those who freak out at sharing space with insects or a few creepy crawlies. You’re close to nature and nature claims right of way. A little striped mouse also came to visit us on its way from one tree branch to another, straight through the house which now stood in its way.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Wander the stone paths and see what you can find
​Speekhout has a ‘magic forest’ feel to it, lush and green with little stone paths below gnarly trees. The tree branches stretch quite far horizontally, with support beams around 6m or more from the main trunk and tree house.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The braai patio
I loved the upstairs and downstairs decks, the forested area that’s watered from an aqueduct so hen & chickens, plectranthus, ivy, agapanthus and ferns grow in happy profusion. I loved the big old fireplace for cold nights and watching the sunset from the wooden swing bench. 
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Lovely big fireplace for cold winter nights
​I discovered it was good to be short here – I didn’t have to bend to get under the tree branch across the entrance stairs, or between the downstairs and upstairs rooms. My 1.82m husband was slightly less enchanted.

Have a braai in the garden, listen to birds like turtle doves and sombre greenbuls calling, sleep with the curtains open so you can peer out the window into the tree branches when you wake.
Baviaanskloof accommodation: Speekhout tree house
The tree house seen from the bathroom
​The farm was taken over by new owners in January 2017. They plan to rehabilitate the plant and animal life and to replant indigenous cedar trees.

What to do
This is a wonderful place to kick back and do nothing but read a book, but if you’re feeling energetic there’s plenty to do.
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Swimming pool for hot summer days
  • Bring your mountain bike and go riding in and around the kloof.
  • Walk one of the trails on the farm. Some of them take you up the mountains for views over the valley, others to seasonal waterfalls and rivers.
  • Take your binos on your ramble and look out for birds. You may even see tortoise, klipspringer or mountain reedbuck.
  • Take a dip in the above-ground pool near the tree house to cool off in hot weather.
  • If you’re keen on rock art, talk to the owners who can tell you where to find some.
  • Visit the Baviaans Craft Shop nearby or enjoy tea and a roosterkoek at Vero’s Restaurant on the opposite side of the road (see Baviaanskloof’s unusual tea garden).

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Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Speekhout tree house in the Baviaanskloof, Eastern Cape, South Africa #treehouse
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Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
12 Comments
Sarah - Chasing the Rainbow link
7/6/2017 07:04:39 pm

I am in love with this treehouse and absolutely HAVE to take my family to visit and explore. Thanks for the inspiration Roxanne.

Reply
Roxanne
7/6/2017 08:00:38 pm

Always happy to inspire someone to travel our lovely country, Sarah.

Reply
Derek
25/6/2017 09:27:52 pm

It looks and sounds like a place out of a fairytale?

Reply
Roxanne
26/6/2017 07:59:14 am

Yes, Derek, it kinda feels like that too :-)

Reply
tania redpath
19/3/2018 10:02:26 am

Pricing per night

Reply
Roxanne
19/3/2018 10:34:50 am

Tania, I suggest you follow the link I gave to the Speekhout Tree House's website in the blog (beginning of second paragraph) and then navigate to "rates".

Reply
Willie Viljoen
1/2/2022 01:44:43 pm

Please send me contact number for price and bookings.

Warm regards

Reply
Roxanne
5/2/2022 09:01:28 am

There is a direct link to their website (in blue) at the beginning of the second paragraph of the blog post.

Michelle link
8/10/2021 12:22:39 pm

Great Article! Thank you for sharing this very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one.

Reply
Roxanne Reid link
8/10/2021 12:46:30 pm

Glad you found the post helpful, Michelle, it really is a charmingly rustic little place.

Reply
Neels Terblanche
19/12/2021 09:20:43 pm

Is it available from 24th to 27th Des please

Reply
Roxanne Reid
20/12/2021 06:53:11 am

I couldn't tell you - I'm just a writer who wrote about our visit there. You'd have to contact them directly to find out. There's a link to their website at the beginning of the second paragraph above.

Reply

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
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