SPECIAL FEATURES
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On arrival guests are welcomed by the hosts then personally taken to their suites and shown special features in their rooms (e.g. Fine books & maps, individual history manuscripts of the estate and their rooms, complementary sherries etc.), the historic heirlooms and antique furniture, the original yellowwood beams and ceilings in the historic 1760 house, the original works of art in every room, the garden setting, private patios and the peaceful surroundings.

In the evening, when arriving at the drawing room before dinner, guests are introduced to each other, and wines and sherries offered as an appetizer.

The decor of the reception rooms includes 18th and 19th century antiques, rare private porcelain and glass collections, fine oriental carpets, splendid works of art and paintings, as well as comfortable old settees and couches.

The proprietors of Hoogekraal are personally involved in its management, and each night host the candle-lit dinner parties. Fresh farm produce and seafood from the bay, together with carefully selected house-wines, port and brandy contribute to the excellent ratings given by guests from all over the world. The hosts are at hand after breakfast to help plan trips and drives which may interest the guests.

Some will travel on the Steam Train or Power Van, others tour the famous passes, some will spend the morning on the beaches close by, while a few may go for walks on the Estate.
Part of the fascinating Africana Library of Hoogekraal is also available for guests, who may want only to sit quietly in the garden and read, or look at picture books of South African nature and the animal kingdom.

George as a tourist attraction

George is the largest town between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The Garden Route traditionally starts west of Mossel Bay and ends near Storms river. George is the capital of this famous Garden Route, so named for its natural flora and fauna, and, paricularly because of its own unique climate.

Steam train enthusiasts never miss the transport museum in George, from where all steam train excursions commence. Also the "POWER VAN" trips start here, taking up to ten passengers on picturesque old rail routes. At the museum are locomotives and passenger coaches from the 19th century to the Royal Train of 1947.






These will thrill young and old, as will the old stage coaches, mule wagons, old busses, horse-drawn field ambulances and rail-line construction cranes. Even a horse-drawn hearse of a hundred years ago, attracts interest. On display are dozens of veteran and vintage cars from pre- and post-World War 11. Everyone in the family will want to spend time in the ‘Hall of Models’.. Light meals are served in original teak and mahogany panelled dining saloon coaches going back to the twenties and thirties of the last century. Also, you may indulge in restful reading of old railway journals in the club library, set in an original railway conference coach.

Amongst the good restaurants and steak houses in the town of George are top class bistros specialising in seafoods and those offering local cuisine.

Nationally famous and excellent art galleries and leather shops,  craft markets and traditional Xhosa art and tours are 'MUSTS' in George.

Golf is widely catered for, with two of the finest in the country in the centre of George, with mashee courses and driving ranges close by.

Internationally known flying instruction schools are established at George airport. Its runways cater for all national jet flights including jumbos. Many find it more convenient and timesaving to fly to George from Cape Town or Johannesburg, hiring cars from the better-known firms stationed at the airport.

There are many well-known beaches in the area of George, catering for those who wish to laze in the sun, play in the surf, or stroll the many miles of white sand and rock pools. Boating, hiking, hang gliding and nature trails are some of the more popular outdoor 'fun things' of George. Whale watching on the coasts near George is well known.

Top Hospital Care is available in George and its fine clinics, as well as the wide range of medical specialisation and alternative medicine, can afford additional peace of mind to visitors.

Hoogekraal directors can help you plan full-day and  half-day tours and trips to the main towns and villages on the Garden Route and Karoo - Knysna, Plettenberg, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Prince Albert, Mossel Bay, Storms River Mouth, and trips could include:


Breath-taking mountain passes and gorges, amongst the finest in Africa, superb and varied scenic countryside, nature and wild animal reserves of cheetah, crocodile and ostrich farms, sea trips and deep sea fishing, launches up the rivers and boating picnics, bungie jumping, mountain peak picnics, world famous seashell and butterfly collections, pony riding, shark cage diving, historic road ventures, fish, oyster, and trout farms, Cango Cave tours, vintage car rallys, Golf, art, crafts and antiques.




The historic family in 'HOOGEKRAAL' ownership has been in the area for over 280 years, so let us help you optimally plan your valuable time.  We probably know better than most.

There are also nature reserves in the general area, which have been established to conserve the unique ecology of this coastal region, as well as encourage the return and expansion of the fauna and flora indigenous to the Southern Cape. These include those in the 'Wilderness' area, the Serpentine, Groenvlei, Saasveld, Knysna Lagoon, Tsitsikamma and Storms River as well as the Outeniqua Mountain reserve. In addition, the coastal areas support marine and wetlands conservation areas.

A variety of game birds, small-birds and waterfowl may be seen from boats, hiking trails and bird-hides. Other small game may also be found,   including grysbok, waterbuck, bosbok and blue duiker (the smallest antelope in the world), as well as tortoises, dassies, otters, aardvark, hares, rock rabbits, rooikat, civets, porcupines, jennet (members of the wild cat family), blue monkeys, and baboons (beware), all in their natural habitat.