Escape with Justin Bonello

‘There are no bad cooks just friends who aren’t hungry enough’

A unique hosted and guided 3 night / 4-day Escape at Onderhuis on the farm Keurbosfontein in the Red Cedeberg.

If you’d like to join Justin on a food-inspired Escape where you deep dive into how to make his favourite foods in the Waenhuis Kombuis, get your hands dirty and harvest your own food, or walk up to the Wolfberg Arch for sunrise, maybe even camp out under the stars or immerse yourself in the daily life of the farm.

This unique and authentic Escape is for you.

Hosted by Justin, South Africa’s Bush Cook and Ultimate Braai Master, this deeply personal food journey focuses on seasonal fire inspired food.

The Experience

An old-world traditional culinary experience with a twist at the Onderhuis on Keurbosfontein in the Red Cederberg.

Interactive fire and food experiences with Justin.
Sunset Appreciation.
Ensuite Accommodation
Hikes in and around Keurbosfontein
Rock Art Excursion
Wine Tasting at Cederberg Wines
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (Justin’s cooking)
Selection of local wines and beers.

Limited to 4 couples sharing.

Dates

SEPTEMBER 2023
Spring Escape 1 | 1 September to 4th of September, space left for 3 couples
Ladies Only Escape | 27 September to 1 October, Fully Booked

OCTOBER
Spring Escape 2 | 5 to 8 October, Space left for 1 couple
Spring Escape 3 | 16 to 19 September, Space for 1 couple

NOVEMBER 2023
Sneaky Summer Escape | 30 November to 3 December, Fully Booked

JANUARY 2024
Summer Escape 1 | 31 January to 4 February, Space left for 2 couples

FEBRUARY 2024
Summer Escape 2 | 22 to 25 February, Space left for 4 couples

MARCH 2024
Summer Escape 3 | 14 to 17 March, Space left for 4 couples

APRIL 2024
End of Summer Escape | 18 to 24 April

RATES

R8000 PPS Ex Vat 2023
R8800 PPS Ex Vat 2024

Includes all meals, en-suite shared accommodation (no more than two guests per room with your own bed), excursions and guides and a selection of local wines and beers

GROUPS BOOKINGS ARE WELCOME
Please enquire directly with me so that I can tailor an experience for dates that suit you and your requirements

EXCLUDES
Travel to & from Keurbosfontein Farm, Gratuities

Our cup runneth over...

Truth be told, you had us at Wolfberg Arch, but upon reflection we received so much more. The food journey aroused all our senses. "Afterall, one cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well." Justin - your food is authentic, wholesome, medicine for the body and soul, "gesondheid uit die grond uit" with a huge splash of love. Hiking up to the Wolfberg Arch was not only breathtakingly beautiful, but a wonderful sense of achievement for both of us. The best views really do come after the hardest climb.✔️ Then the waterfall....an eat, pray, love moment. Finding peace, restoring balance, letting go, having a conversation with God.🙏 The crackling fires, the crazy plunge into the icy cold pool, the stories told were fascinating and funny 🤭(you girls are truly diep mooi). 😄 Emmy, Paul such salt of the earth people. Cory, you rock! 🌱(no pun intended). Justin thank you for sharing your sacred space with us. It is a very special place indeed. ❤ 🇿🇦 Life is beautiful!

Hayley | July 2023

"Natural Beauty"

Over many years I have travelled more than 200 000 kilometres in and around Africa. I was stunned to find a place like Bakkrans, hidden right here on my doorstep in the Cederberg Karoo – a place with truly spectacular natural beauty and unspoilt serenity, unsurpassed anywhere else around here. My stay at Bakkrans was filled with an overwhelming sense of spirituality and appreciation for the greatness of our creation. Thank you for making it possible for me to share this wonderful place with my family.

From Cape Town, a seasoned traveller writes

"Freedom"

We have just returned from our third visit to Bakkrans. Thanks again, for sharing this very special place with us. We so much enjoy the freedom and clean air. What we find most pleasant, is that there is no need at all for us to get into our vehicles at any time to explore this beautifully sculptured landscape. The klipspringer family spent a lot of time amongst the houses and we were amazed at how nonchalant they were. The youngster can only be a few weeks old but is already an expert on the rocks. Please let us know when next the black eagles are nesting in the waterfall as we would love to witness that.

From Camps Bay, Cape Town

"Fantasties!"

Ons ry al vir jare deur die Cederberg en kon nie glo dat ‘n plek soos Bakkrans al die tyd daar weggesteek is nie. Die aardsheid en eenvoud is fantasties om te ervaar. Komende vanaf Springbok, was ons aangenaam verras om al die blomme op Bakkrans te sien. Wat ‘n fonds! Ons kom definitief weer!

Vanaf Springbok

"Spectacular Views"

Thank you, we had a lovely time at Klipwerf. We cycled on the back road right up to Groot Swartkrans, as well as the Wupperthal road and were amazed by the abundance of spring flowers along these routes. One morning we hiked up the Tierhoksberg and encountered a group of six ribboks lower down and then later two groups of klipspringers near the Keurbosfontein beacon. We found some spoor of the Bakkrans mountain zebras at this border fence where it runs along the plateau. The views from the top towards the Roggeveld mountains in the Karoo are spectacular. We took some unusual pictures of the Cederberg from up there.

A letter from Cape Town

"Karoo-Plaas"

Ek het op ‘n Karoo-plaas met ‘n watervoor grootgeword. Die afgelope naweek toe dit so warm was, het ek my skoene uitgetrek en met my voete in Keurbosfontein se koel watervoor onder die akkerbome gaan sit. Vir ‘n oomblik het ek weer soos ‘n kind gevoel. Oom Arrie-hulle het lusern ingery toe ons daar was. Ai, hoe wens ek, ek kon ‘n bietjie van daardie lusern-reuk in ‘n botteltjie opvang en met my saamneem stad toe”. (Translated into English: A woman from Cape Town writes: “I grew up on a Karoo farm, which had a water furrow. This past weekend when it was very warm, I took off my shoes and sat under the oak trees with my feet in Keurbosfontein’s cool water furrow. For a moment I felt like a kid again. Oom Arrie and his men were harvesting lucerne while we were there. Oh, how I wish I could put a little bit of that lucerne smell into a bottle and take with me to the city”).

n Vrou vanaf Kaapstad skryf

"Peace & Quiet"

Thank you, we have enjoyed our stay at Keurbosfontein very much. Just as promised on your website, the cottage is spacious and was spotlessly clean. And the farmyard and gardens are neat and beautiful. I was glad to learn that you use only organic fertilizer in your gardens and also no pesticides - very important if you do not want to kill essential insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and so many others! We appreciated the peace and quiet, which made our visit extra special. Please thank Paul and Emmie from us for their care and friendliness.

A letter from from Switzerland

"Hidden Gem!"

What a hidden gem Bakkrans Reserve turned out to be for us, an earthy place, fortunately not spoilt by offerings of excessive luxury. We all enjoyed the opportunity to explore this beautiful landscape at a gentle pace, setting our own timetables. We particularly enjoyed walking the Leopard Trail, and the stars at night were absolutely amazing! We have to commend you for allowing the local craftsmen the freedom to express their “hand-made” mastery when building and restoring the houses. Their unpretentious styling, together with the sensitive layout, allowed Bakkrans to evolve into something very special indeed. Your light footprint is an example of responsible tourism to many in the industry. Well done!

Visitors from an outdoor magazine wrote

"Fantastic Place!"

Bakkrans is such a fantastic place, we so enjoyed every aspect of it. The attention to detail is so subtle and so appropriate to the site. I took many photos of the wonderful landscape, the cottages, even the catches on the windows. It was also amazing to be able to have exclusivity. We enjoyed also the information book and the style in which it is written. The modesty of the way you have done things is outstanding.

A letter from Cape Town

"Comfortable Cottage"

Just to let you know how much our family enjoyed our stay in your comfortable cottage. We found Keurbosfontein to be a perfect base from where to explore the greater Cederberg, and yet it is nicely hidden away from the busy tourist spots. Our kids enjoyed joining Paul when he tended the sheep. I was fascinated to hear from him that those fat-tailed sheep are descendants of the old Khoi sheep?

From Hermanus