Returning to our reality in the city after our recent immersive experience of the Karoo and its people has been contrasting; contradicting. But, here in our reality, we’ll find ways to create our little pockets of slow. With our memories of the Karoo Winter Wool Festival and our stay at Dwarsvlei Guest Farm still vivid and fresh, we’ll continue to turn our home into a haven, with a renewed passion for all things wool and natural fibre!

Never heard about the Karoo Winter Wool Festival? Here’s a full rundown of our experience – the ultimate Karoo travel experience, if you ask me:

Dwarsvlei Farm

If you are planning a Karoo road trip any time soon and if you’re keen on heritage travel in South Africa, perhaps Dwarsvlei might tickle your fancy. Home to a homestead turned guesthouse, but also options for the more adventurous at heart, there’s something for everyone. Their Wild Olive Mountain Cottage is something we really want to try next, or perhaps their camp sites (in summer). You can also book a simple stay in their converted horse stables – an experience that brings the heritage of the farm full circle.

Probably one of the most authentic Karoo farm stays, Dwarsvlei’s offering is raw and real. And, the recent Karoo Winter Wool Festival took shape mere metres away from our enormous family suite in the main homestead. From our room, with its vintage cupboards, high ceilings and quirky, old-school bathroom tiles, we could see the garden – often covered in frost. This year’s festival was apparently exceptionally cold, yet 2,500 festivalgoers braved the weather for the immersive Karoo experience.

At Dwarsvlei, breakfasts and dinners are normally served in the large dining room. Here, Mark and Jen treat their guests to true Karoo cuisine and hearty English breakfasts. Tip: You’ve got to try the homemade marmalade!

Karoo farm stays: A bit of history on Dwarsvlei

Dwarsvlei farm was established in the mid-19^th century. An old wagon track – believed to be the earliest road from Graaff-Reinet – passes through the vlei and it’s also here where you’ll find a rock with names etched into the surface, marking an outspan point.

The farm was bought by one of the world’s most noted horse breeders, Henry Nourse, in 1900. He was also involved in mining and a military man. At some point, Nourse is said to have had the largest thoroughbred stud in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the largest in the world, with 700 horses spread over his three farms, Dwarsvlei, Kalkfontein and Rietfontein.

Apart from his impressive horse breeding business, Nourse also farmed with merino sheep and jersey cattle studs. The farm apparently was also home to an extensive vegetable garden and fruit orchard, supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to Middelburg.

The main homestead on Dwarsvlei was built to entertain Nourse’s officer friends from Groot Fontein where 7000 British troops were stationed during the South African war. It was not used for this purpose for long, though, as it was only completed in 1910, the year of the union.

After Nourse’s death in 1944, the farm was bought by Nourbet Erleigh – a mining man who later became notoriously known for salting a gold mine, resulting in 5 years’ imprisonment. Alfred John van Lingen later bought the farm from Erleigh in 1963 and now, his son and grandson, Matthew and Andrew van Lingen run the farm. Dwarsvlei has since become a beautiful cycling and running venue and clearly a grand destination for an immersive Karoo experience at the annual Karoo Winter Wool Festival.

The Karoo Winter Wool Festival

Between 3 and 5 July, people came streaming in on the poplar-lined dirt road, reveling in the beauty of the Karoo. This festival continues to showcase what slow living in the Karoo really means. To the right, a farmer was preparing for his sheep dog demonstrations and in front, little kids were riding their bikes onto festival grounds. While farmers work hard and their lives can also be full and frantic, somehow the Karoo encourages you to slow down.

This year’s festival was filled with so many exciting, educational experiences – perfect for families and friends to gather, have fun and learn at the same time. In fact, the Karoo Winter Wool Festival has now been declared one of my top mindful travel experiences to date. From live sheep shearing, classing, spinning, weaving and more, there was something for everyone. The four women behind the festival certainly aren’t afraid of dreaming big! There was even a Wool Market (one of the largest gatherings of wool product manufacturers in South Africa) and this year, they reported a record number of sales.

In addition, the festival’s Boerepraatjies and the Speaker Programme brought various experts onto stage, including Standard Bank, Annelize Crozby, Prof Piet Croucamp, Prof Waldo Krugell and Dr Imtiaz Sooliman among others, sharing their insights.

The Wool World exhibition was a definite highlight, though. A sensory exhibit – curated by Viviers Studios and Hoven Design – showcased works by roughly 50 other artists and designers and was truly something to behold. A sheering shed was transformed into four season-inspired quarters of the Karoo. It celebrated all the Karoo could be – from its cold winters to its colourful summers and everything in between – through wool and the community that shapes this fibre from farm to form.

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Karoo cuisine, live music and wool(y) gatherings

Of course, a Karoo experience is never complete if you have not tasted it. The festival came alive with karoo flavours filling the air from early in the morning until late at night. We indulged in lamb sosaties, pancakes, lamb curry with roti and more.

Karoo Lifestyle Programme

I wasn’t there just for the fun and the food, though. In collaboration with the MS360° charity, I also presented two talks at this year’s Karoo Winter Wool Festival.

The first was on Less is Luxe, focusing on how you can create a more sustainable wardrobe and how you can style your wool garments fashionably. I got to mix and match garments from my own wardrobe, but also from fashion stores like H&M, Levi’s, Milk & Honey, Curve Gear, Luminous Ware, Gerber & Co and Crystal Birch to show those in attendance what’s possible.

The second talk was on the pace of the Karoo and embracing a slower lifestyle that results in a more mindful, intentional  life with deeper connections and stronger relationships.

BOOK ONE OF THESE TALKS FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT HERE.

With Cape Wools SA as partner and major sponsors including OVK, Standard Bank, BKB, Sappi Verve, National Wool Growers Association, SAMIL, Stucken, Agrisell, Babylonstoen, SPAR Middelburg, Ilse Olls and Johan van der Ahee, this year’s Karoo Winter Wool Festival was a huge success and raised the bar even higher for the next one.

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