After a delicious breakfast, we departed from Seeplaas in Groot Brakrivier and started making the journey back to Cape Town.
READ: Road trippin’ part one: from Cape Town to Groot Brakrivier and Road trippin’ part two: from Botrivier to Groot Brakrivier
As we did with the journey from Cape Town to Groot Brakrivier, we decided to have a stopover in Botrivier once more, only this time, staying at Avani Private Nature Reserve Lodge.
We arrived slightly late, since we missed the turn off the first time and had to turn back to Caledon for groceries. Nonetheless, we made it. We drove up a winding gravel road to our accommodation. The previous night at Seeplaas, we made the mistake of piling on more and more wood into the wood-fired hot tub because it was not getting warm fast enough. Before we knew it, the water was literally boiling, so for your first time using a wood-fired hot tub, remember – patience is key.
Much to our relief, thanks to the manager, Liza, the tub was already up and running when we arrived. We were also paid a visit by the rather large resident cat, Sebastian.
Shortly after we arrived, there was load shedding, but it didn’t put a damper on our evening since there was a small gas stove which we used to make a late lunch.
Once the electricity was back on, we decided to have a braai on our final night of the trip. We were given ample firewood, so we kept the fire running after dinner to warm the house.
After lounging in the tub for a while, we stared at the starry night sky through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The next morning the sun poured in through the windows, highlighting the spectacular biodiversity.
After we loaded our bags into the car, it was time to go back home and, sadly, return the Mazda CX-5. We made it back to Cape Town in the early afternoon, and that concludes the trip!
If you want to visit Avani Private Nature Reserve Lodge, use this GPS code: P6CP+37 Botrivier.
Take your pick from these options:
Parrastoel Indoor Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps six
- Large entertainment area
- Indoor wood-fired hot tub
- Wraparound deck
- Private braai
- Gas stovetop
- One bedroom with queen size bed and en suite bathroom
- One bedroom with two single beds and en suite bathroom
- From R1 800
Truffle Indoor Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps four
- Indoor wood-fired hot tub
- Indoor braai
- Gas stovetop
- One bedroom with queen size bed and en suite bathroom
- One bedroom with two single beds and en suite bathroom
- Outdoor shower
- Wheelchair accessible
- From R1 800
Oyster Under Roof Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps two
- Wood-fired hot tub under roof
- Braai under roof
- Queen size bed or two single beds
- Open-plan bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchenette
- From R1 200
Hen of the wood Under Roof Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps two
- Wood-fired hot tub under roof
- Braai under roof
- Queen size bed or two single beds
- Open-plan bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchenette
- From R1 200
Pine Ring Stargazing Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps two
- Wood-fired hot tub under roof
- Braai under roof
- Queen size bed or two single beds
- Open-plan bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchenette
- From R1 200
Stargazing Hot Tub Unit
- Sleeps two
- Wood-fired hot tub under roof
- Braai under roof
- Queen size bed or two single beds
- Open-plan bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchenette
- From R1 200
For more information, contact 082 883 3329 or visit their website.
Pictures: Supplied
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