Stay in a treehouse at Tulbagh in the Cape Winelands

​By Roxanne Reid
How would you like to sleep in a treehouse with a view of wildlife, vineyards, orchards and mountains? You can if you choose your Tulbagh accommodation carefully and book a luxury treehouse at Vindoux Guest Farm at Tulbagh in the Cape Winelands. 

---

You’ll find Vindoux Guest Farm & Spa on a country road just outside the town of Tulbagh, about 90 minutes from Cape Town. Tulbagh’s Church Street, restored after a disastrous earthquake in 1969, is now a treasure trove of heritage buildings and national monuments. This alone is a good reason to visit, but there are lots of other things to do in the area too (see the link at the end of this post).

Tulbagh accommodation: luxury treehouses
The Vindoux treehouses are on a working farm at the foot of the Saronsberg mountains, surrounded by vineyards and orchards. There are roses and pretty gardens around the reception and guest areas too. 

The honeymoon treehouse is set a little apart from the others for privacy

Our unit wasn’t built into the tree branches in the higgledy-piggledy way of the treehouses of my childhood. Instead, it stood on a platform among tall trees. But it could still be called a treehouse because it was elevated and there were tree trunks growing through the deck front and back.

​It was beautifully decorated inside, with crisp linen, quaint pictures on the walls, comfy wicker chairs facing the French doors to the deck, and a spa bath. It had just started to rain when we arrived, which put the deck out of bounds and obliterated the view – a great pity. But we sat with the French doors open, watching springbok graze in the drizzle below us. 

Once the sun came out, the deck proved its worth. From there, we had a view out over springbok, wildebeest and zebra among purple flowers in the game camp below, then to orchards in the middle distance and grayish-blue mountains beyond, revealed for the first time when the mist cleared. 

Our breakfasts were delivered on a tray and set up on the table on the deck; nothing better than starting the day with some fresh air.

Communal area and other accommodation
Near the treehouse was a communal area with pool, loungers and daybeds, picnic tables, green lawns, shade trees, a big braai area and a raised deck where we could relax and watch the sunset. 

The deck is open to everyone, including those staying in the self-catering cottages

When we stayed there in late October, they were just about to launch summer cocktails and music on the deck (above) on Friday and Saturday evenings.

If you want to self-cater, choose one of the farm cottages with a full kitchen. For groups or large families, there’s a self-catering treehouse lodge with two en suite bedrooms and a third with a separate bathroom, full kitchen and its own pool and braai area (pictured below).

What to do
Feeling energetic? Hire a bike from reception and go on a Wine by Bike adventure. From Vindoux, it’s only a short ride to Saronsberg and Krone wine estates, so you don’t need to be cycle-race-fit to enjoy this activity. Your bike is even equipped with a special carrier to bring back any gotta-have bottles.

Wine by Bike, photo courtesy of Vindoux Guest Farm & Spa

You can also venture away from the guest farm to explore wine estates, an olive farm and the museums along Church Street in town. See 17 things to do in Tulbagh, Cape Winelands for more inspiration and activities in and around Tulbagh.

But perhaps the best things to do at Vindoux are simply to unwind, go for a stroll among the vineyards, or have a massage or other treatment in the day spa; remember to book ahead. Have coffee and a bite at the tiny kitchen in the vineyard (pictured above), or order a picnic to eat on the lawns around the pool while you sip on something cool at the end of a relaxing day.

Note: I was a guest of Vindoux Guest Farm & Spa for two nights, but had free rein to write what I chose. We paid for all our travel costs and meals except breakfast.

Did you enjoy the article? Pin this image!

You may also enjoy
Why to visit Vine Guesthouse in Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za