Alpha Excelsior Guest Farm

The Alpha Excelsior farm is situated in the Agter Pakhuis Valley, no more than a 10-minute drive after the top of Pakhuis Pass which is home to world famous bouldering sites.

Alpha Excelsior began to take shape from as early as 2003, after Connie and Lizzie followed their African Dream to buy a farm together. Their new home was named Alpha Excelsior, which translates from Latin to “aspire to something higher”, and which was inspired by the old farm name, Alpha Farm, and Connie’s old family farm’s name, Excelsior.

A few years after Connie and Lizzie bought the farm, Connie began his olive orchards. After many years of passionate work, Alpha Excelsior Farm now grows vineyards, 6.5 hectares of olive orchards and 15 hectares of rooibos tea, while offering delightful accommodation to climbers and holidaymakers and operating the season coffee shop, The Hen House. This working farm is a vibrant accommodation spot, where your hosts Connie, Lizzie, Becky and James will ensure your warm welcome.

Alpha Excelsior Guest Farm offers a range of fully equipped, self-catering accommodation, including two larger farmhouses, two smaller cottages and seven cosy caravans.

Farmhouse Accommodation:

Alpha Excelsior offers two charming farmhouse accommodation options, including the Homestead (8-9 sleeper) and the Old Farm House (8-10 sleeper). Both farmhouses have their own story and unique character, with the Homestead built in an old Cape Dutch style and the Old Farm House built more than a century ago.

Both farmhouses include:

  • Fully equipped kitchen (cutlery and crockery, fridge, cooking stove, microwave, kettle, toaster)
  • Outside braai area
  • Towels and bed linen (excluding swimming towel)
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Fans and gas heater provided (excluding gas bottle and refills)
  • Swimming pool access
  • Outside seating area

Cottages:

The two Alpha Excelsior cottages, Weavers Cottage (2-4 sleeper) and Riverside Cottage (2-3 sleeper), offer privacy from the other farm buildings as well as unspoiled views of the surrounding Cederberg terrain. These are ideal spots for a romantic getaway or small family holiday in the mountains. Where Weavers Cottage offers a cosy indoor fireplace, Riverside Cottage looks onto the quiet Pakhuis River, flowing only in the winter months.

Both cottages include:

  • Fully equipped kitchen (cutlery and crockery, fridge, cooking stove, kettle, toaster)
  • Outside braai area
  • Towels and bed linen (excluding swimming towel)
  • Free Wi-Fi at The Hen House (200m away)
  • Fans and gas heater provided (excluding gas bottle and refills)
  • Swimming pool access
  • Outside seating area
  • Pets by prior arrangement only

Caravans:

The Alpha Excelsior also offer seven fully equipped Retro Caravans in their Rocklands Donkey Camp, with each caravan sleeping a maximum of two adults and two children. These cosy caravans are set against a backdrop of orange Cederberg sandstone and offer the perfect budget getaway in the mountains.

All seven Retro Caravans include:

  • Electricity
  • Fridge
  • Gas stove
  • Two double beds
  • Towels and bedding
  • Outside seating area
  • Free Wi-Fi from The Hen House (200m away)
  • Shared bathroom facilities with hot showers
  • Access to communal lapa (covered eating area with braai, fridge and cooking facilities)
  • Access to clean dam (300m away)
  • Pets by prior arrangement only

Additional Notes:

  • Crash pads available for rent
  • Coffee shop only open in climbing season
  • All accommodation excludes TV, air-conditioning and oven
  • No electric heaters
  • Braai wood for sale

Bouldering:

As per the rest of the accommodation sites in the Rocklands region, the Alpha Excelsior Guest Farm offers extremely close proximity to some of the best bouldering in the world. Crash pads are available for rent from the office and permits must be obtained from Cape Nature to climb at the main bouldering sites on Pakhuis Pass. The neighbouring farm, de Pakhuys, also offers some popular bouldering sites nearby.

Winery and Olive Shed:

Alpha Excelsior have harnessed a passion for wine and olives into their Pinotage, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in addition to their Frantoio and Mission olive orchards spanning 6.5 hectares. Using traditional methods, the farm produces their very own boutique red wines and extra virgin olive oils.

Guests are welcomed to wander through the vineyards and olive orchards, as well as to learn more about the farm’s wine and olive-making process by visiting the small winery and olive shed. The wines and olive oil are available for tasting upon request and for purchase at the winery or office.

The Hen House:

This cute coffee shop began during the climbing season in 2009 where it has since remained opened for the climbing season between around June till the end of September (exact opening dates can vary). The Hen House is a cosy space for climbers, travellers and like-minded individuals to relax over books, games, stories and more. It buzzes during the climbing season when it offers wholesome breakfasts, freshly brewed coffees and scrumptious cakes. The Hen House also offers free Wi-Fi and a general chilled environment to be enjoyed both on- and off-season.

Hiking:

In addition to walks around the farm, Alpha Excelsior also provides access to a comfortable waterfall hike. The trail starts from the farm, where it first passes their rooibos tea fields before entering the nearby Cederberg rock formations and finally ending with a swim in refreshing waterfall rock pools.

Please see our activities page for further exciting activities in the Rocklands region.