Rietfontein Ostrich Palace

Buffelskloof, South Africa, South Africa

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Rietfontein Ostrich Palace is a historic, family‑run guest farm and ostrich farm located near Buffelskloof on the Route 62 between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, about 32 km from Oudtshoorn and roughly 18 km from Calitzdorp. It is the oldest working ostrich farm in the Cape Colony, established in 1897 by the Potgieter family, who started the world’s first ostrich farm in the Cape Colony during the feather‑boom era, and the property now combines that heritage with boutique accommodation and a popular restaurant. The “palace” refers to an intriguing early‑1900s house built in 1909 by architects Freeman & Bridgeman, noted for its exceptional architecture and once used as a backdrop for the film “Einmal so wie ich will” (My Way), starring Senta Berger and George Goetz, giving the property a unique architectural and cinematic history. Accommodation is offered in three beautifully restored 4‑star cottages (six rooms in total), each with an en‑suite bathroom, air‑conditioning, TV, minibar, and tea/coffee facilities, some with fireplaces, and surrounded by a handmade garden with indigenous flowers and plants, with options ranging from self‑catering chalets to tent and caravan stands for those who prefer a more rustic stay.