Verkykerskop Country Village & Farm Retreat

Verkykerskop Plaasdorp (Country Village) lies nestled amongst the table topped sandstone mountains of the Klein Drakensberg escarpment in the eastern Free State province of South Africa. Where five roads from all directions meet, the farms Verkykerskop and Aansluit were the logic point of contact during the Boer War, and the subsequent establishment of a police outpost, one room school, grain mill, blacksmith shop, post office, and auction kraal brought about the birth of this village. The village remained unchanged for a century until city folks, Matt Hoffman and Beth Hillary, yearning for th

Verkykerskop Plaasdorp (Country Village) lies nestled amongst the table topped sandstone mountains of the Klein Drakensberg escarpment in the eastern Free State province of South Africa. Where five roads from all directions meet, the farms Verkykerskop and Aansluit were the logic point of contact during the Boer War, and the subsequent establishment of a police outpost, one room school, grain mill, blacksmith shop, post office, and auction kraal brought about the birth of this village. The village remained unchanged for a century until city folks, Matt Hoffman and Beth Hillary, yearning for their roots, bought the village and started reviving it to its yesteryear glory. An old farm shed now serves as a performance and wedding venue, and together with the “Boeresaal”, has hosted regular festivals with performers such as Chris Chameleon, Valiant Swart, Ollie Viljoen, The Parletones, Jannie du Toit, Karen Zoid, Frank Opperman and Sean Else. The well-known de la Rey musical by Bok van Blerk and the movie Platteland were shot in the area. Original homesteads as well as the old school and blacksmith shop were converted into guest houses and cottages. The old general dealer was revived into a pub, tea garden, antique shop and Smileys Restaurant. New facilities that were added include the Central Motel, a deli butcher shop, agricultural shop with fuel, and the modernization of the police station. Matt subsequently convinced his friends Louis Grobler, Chris Cameleon and Tony Pitout to join him in buying the 700 hectare farmland surrounding the village on which the original Aansluit Landgoed was rebuilt as a working farm and conservation area, boasting antelope, Nguni cattle, and the Aboukir Arabian Stud. Our accommodation at Verkykerskop is three star graded and covers the full spectrum including camping, farm and village cottages, guest houses, and the fully en suite Central Motel. (On the Safarinow platform, only Afsluit Guesthouse and Old School Cottage are listed - the other accommodation in the village managed by Matt Hoffman are to be booked directly with them. We cater for quiet farm stays, family get togethers, tour bikers, mountain bikers and other adrenaline junkies, as well as for weddings and corporate conferences. With over 30 km of trails on the estate we offer horse and mountain bike rides (bring your own bike), as well as fishing and wetland birding. We welcome you with your pets, including your horse. Its this winning combination of country village and outdoor living that makes this destination so unique. Our country hospitality and the pleasures of farm life will surely see you return.