Outstanding Uitsig: An Unforgettable Weekend in a Cederberg Cottage
It was with a heavy heart that I said, "I need this."
It came after two deep losses in less than a week. The first was my uncle, Nic Wolpe, who died on 24 August 2024 following a battle with stage four brain cancer. The second was on 30 August when The first horse I ever bonded with was put down. I didn't get to say goodbye to either.
Nic's funeral was set for 5 September, the day before we were meant to leave, so we deliberated knowing it was the wrong time to go but possibly exactly what we needed – expansive space, uninterrupted solitude, and resounding silence.
Deciding not to push the weekend back to a later date, we packed our bags and headed out just before noon. Stopping only for lunch, we made the three-hour drive easily and arrived mid-afternoon to the sunny mountaintop Cederberg farm where Michael's remote stone cottages were nestled.
Following Michael's directions, we found our cottage, Uitsig, easily despite it not being visible from the road. We parked, unpacked and set about exploring the wild, beautiful area outside our doorstep.
The space
Uitsig Stone Cottage is built into large grey slabs of rock that jut out and mask it from sight unless you're essentially on top of it, or directly in front of it. From the neighbouring Middleberg Peak to the far-off Sneeuberg pinnacle, stunning views welcomed us wherever we looked.
Inside, the cottage is furnished with wooden and antique accents, giving it a warm and welcoming feeling. It has everything you need for a simple weekend away – a gas stove to cook on, a fireplace to keep warm, and a fridge to keep food fresh. The stone-clad bathroom has an overhead shower. An outdoor bath invites a hot soak on a cool, windless evening.
The silence beckons you to sit back, enjoy, observe and reflect. For the two nights that we were there, we saw a couple of people in the distance only and the only sounds we heard were the tunes of birdsong and the flap of their wings. The crisp mountain air didn't stop our grief but it was a tonic that helped us see the light as we watched the sun set and rise over the horizon.
Things to do
With an abundance of nature literally at your doorstep, there's no shortage of things to do. There are many hiking trails and a helpful, simple map to get you going. Hikes range from short and medium three-hour routes, and longer full-day hikes.
There's also a rather slippery plunge pool for those brave enough to face its icy water, which we were both mad enough to do throughout our stay. At night, if it's a clear sky, the stars shine bright, clear, and awe-inspiring.
Above all, the cottage offers plenty of opportunity to relax, from a tot of sherry on the porch with valley views sweeping out before you to cosy mornings in front of a warm, glowing fire. With limited cell reception and no Wi-Fi, a book and nature-watching are your best friends. During our stay, we spotted a few types of birds, some lizards, a family of dassies, and a couple of cute elephant shrews.
