HOME ON THE RANGE
Just 50km from the buzz of Johannesburg sits a soft sanctuary. A place where fiery-necked nightjars sing their “Good-Lord-deliverus” tune and the yelps of black-backed jackals pierce the grassland at night. Where a glorious garden is under way. Where soils are prepped and lovingly laid to bed, covered in hay, ripe and ready for healthy farming.
Once upon a time it was a dairy farm. Now, Farmhouse 58 operates as the hospitality wing of the Nirox Foundation. Sleek, simple, understated, yet warm and enriching, itʼs within 180ha of mostly undeveloped land and forms part of the Cradle of Humankind Unesco World Heritage Site.
Everything about it is inspired by the earth, right down to the soil-toned interiors. After just a one-night stay – which included a honey-highveld sunset overlooking fossil-rich and storied hills, some profound fireside talk at the outdoor boma, clean but decadent meals (prepared by chefs under the skilled guidance of Andrea Bürgener from Melvilleʼs beloved cafe, The Leo-pard) and a thought-triggering mindfulness walk with Epic Hikes – I checked out feeling a whole lot more zen.
And all it took was a 100km round trip from my gate in the metropolis.
I always wondered who would be savvy enough to bring some version of the Cape Winelandsʼ Babylonstoren to the city slickers of Joburg because Iʼm not the only one looking at ways to retreat to the
