Overview

This Sutherland experience takes guests into the quiet beauty of Rogge Cloof, a historic farm dating back to 1756 that has been transformed into a dark sky and biosphere reserve.

Located at an altitude of between 1 400 and 1 700 metres, Rogge Cloof is known for its magnificent clear skies, expansive plains, nature experiences, fossil fields, and unforgettable stargazing.

The journey also includes a visit to the town of Sutherland, the South African Astronomical Observatory, Sutherland Planetarium, Sterland, and notable town landmarks.

Experience Highlights

• Stay at Rogge Cloof, a historic farm dating back to 1756
• Experience the Sutherland Dark Sky Reserve
• Enjoy an estate inspection tour and afternoon nature drive
• Take part in a wine tasting experience
• Enjoy dinner followed by a stargazing experience at Star Plains
• Hike to Salpeterkop Volcano, an extinct volcano in the region
• Explore natural caves with traces of Khoisan people and ancient wildlife remains
• Join a guided game and fossil field drive
• Visit the South African Astronomical Observatory and SALT
• Enjoy a guided walk through Sutherland town
• Visit Sutherland Planetarium and Sterland

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town to Rogge Cloof, Sutherland

Meet your host at the Cullinan Hotel at the Waterfront before departing from Cape Town. Enjoy a coffee stop en route before arriving at Rogge Cloof in Sutherland.

On arrival, enjoy a light lunch before settling into your accommodation. Rogge Cloof dates back to 1756 and has been transformed into a dark sky and biosphere reserve.

In the afternoon, enjoy an inspection tour of the estate before joining a nature drive and wine tasting experience.

Dinner is followed by a stargazing experience. The Plains at Rogge Cloof is situated in the Sutherland Dark Sky Reserve and has earned the name “Star Plains”, offering a spectacular and unique stargazing experience.

Departure Point: Cullinan Hotel, Waterfront

Overnight: Rogge Cloof, Sutherland

Day 2: Salpeterkop Volcano, Caves, Game Drive and Fossil Field

After breakfast, begin the morning with a hike to Salpeterkop Volcano. This extinct volcano is described as the most southern and presumably the last volcano in South Africa to have been active.

Continue to explore natural caves where traces of Khoisan people and the remains of lions, eland, and the extinct brown hyena can be discovered.

After lunch, depart on a guided game and fossil field drive. The Rogge Cloof Permian Age Fossil Field covers an area of at least 1 500 square metres and offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient landscapes.

Imagine the landscape alive with animals such as Pareiasaurus and dinosaurs as they moved, grazed, and fought through primeval marshlands and rivers.

End the day with dinner served in an authentically restored farmhouse dating back to the late 1700s, lovingly turned into a great dining hall reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

Overnight: Rogge Cloof, Sutherland

Day 3: Sutherland, SALT, Planetarium, Sterland and Return to Cape Town

After breakfast and check-out, the Rogge Cloof destination experience comes to an end. Travel to the town of Sutherland for a visit to SALT, a short town walk, the Sutherland Planetarium, and a botanical and fossil walk at Sterland.

The South African Astronomical Observatory is home to the Southern African Large Telescope, one of the world’s major astronomical research facilities. Located near Sutherland at high altitude in a cold, semi-desert area ideal for stargazing, it offers a unique perspective on the stars.

Enjoy a guided tour of Sutherland town, passing architecturally prominent buildings including the home of the Van Wyk Louw writing family and the Groot Kerk, dating back to the 1870s.

Visit the Sutherland Planetarium, located in the centre of Sutherland, before lunch at Boorgat Restaurant. After lunch, enjoy a tour at Sterland before heading back to Cape Town.

Drop-off: Cullinan Hotel, Waterfront

What’s Included

• Meet and departure from Cullinan Hotel, Waterfront
• Transport from Cape Town to Sutherland and return
• Accommodation at Rogge Cloof
• Light lunch on arrival at Rogge Cloof
• Estate inspection tour
• Afternoon nature drive
• Wine tasting experience
• Dinner and stargazing experience
• Breakfasts as listed
• Hike to Salpeterkop Volcano
• Natural caves visit
• Guided game and fossil field drive
• Visit to SALT / South African Astronomical Observatory
• Short Sutherland town walk
• Visit to Sutherland Planetarium
• Botanical and fossil walk at Sterland
• Lunch at Boorgat Restaurant

Exclusions

• Items of a personal nature
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary

Important Notes

• Stargazing experiences may depend on weather and sky conditions
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for hikes and walks
• The itinerary includes outdoor activities, nature drives, cave visits, and fossil field experiences
• Departure and drop-off point is the Cullinan Hotel at the Waterfront

Added Value

• A unique combination of dark sky stargazing, fossils, nature, heritage, and astronomy
• Stay at a historic farm transformed into a biosphere and dark sky reserve
• Explore Sutherland’s scientific, cultural, and natural highlights
• Ideal short escape from Cape Town with memorable night-sky experiences

Departures & Pricing