Situated between Stanford and Cape Agulhas amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the richest floral biome in the world – the Cape Floral Kingdom – is an 800-hectare reserve and retreat offering sweeping views over the Agulhas Plains towards the Southern Cape coastline.

Farm 215 is a haven of tranquillity for anyone seeking respite in a part of the Overberg almost untouched by man. This sustainable operation, certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, places the integrity of the natural ecosystem first, with all practices aimed at keeping the human footprint at its lowest. It is a vital sanctuary for both rare and common plant species and a haven for wildlife.

Guesthouse operations take this into account and all new buildings blend into the landscape. Solar power and water heating predominate, with backup provided by gas. Only bio-degradable detergents are used, and waste water is filtered without chemicals and rerouted back to the stream that originates in the mountain catchments where the guesthouse water is sourced. All waste is separated: glass, paper, plastic and cans are recycled, as is organic matter.

Even the beautiful 25m-pool gets the non-chemical treatment and is filtered by means of sand and salt. But this doesn’t mean that accommodation is either lacking or ‘primitive’. Three types of luxury, 4-star accommodation are offered: three freestanding suites, two spacious rooms on the first floor of the homestead or a large suite on the ground floor.

While seemingly remote, the regions offers a host of activities for the more energetic tourist. Various hiking trails, as well as guided botanical walks, are available. The African Horse Company, situated on the farm, offers a variety of horse rides - in the mountains or on pristine beaches. During season, whale-watching or shark spotting is a short drive away, as are numerous sandy beaches that are home to African penguins and other sea-birds.