Blanco Guest Farm - near Tarkastad - Eastern Cape
Deep in the heart of the Eastern Cape interior is a place that’s always ready to remind you what holidays are all about. Allow Chris and Kim and the Blanco team to welcome you to Blanco and experience for yourselves the reality of country-style hospitality.
Blanco Guest Farm is warm and friendly and its unique formula makes it the ideal getaway for those who want to simply relax, unwind and enjoy the peace and tranquility of life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Surrounded by the vast natural beauty of the Winterberg Mountain range, you will enjoy a stay that offers relaxation, hearty meals and great companionship.
At Blanco you will appreciate life again as you experience the peace of unhurried days and nights.
Accommodation is in rustic cottages which are situated within the gardens around the main building. There is a choice of twin rooms, three quarter family rooms or two bed roomed family cottages. All are serviced daily and have private bathrooms. Blanco also caters for conferences and group functions and is one of the few resorts that has its own landing strips.
We are a full board establishment and the rates are inclusive of the following:
English Style Breakfast
Mid-morning tea
Country style lunch
Mid afternoon tea with eats
5-course dinner
Activities !!
TENNIS AND SQUASH : We have three all-weather tennis courts and a squash court with a wooden sprung floor.
HORSE-RIDING :
There are some lovely rides with plenty to see. Blanco horses are very tame and suitable for beginners and experienced riders. A guide goes with all rides and will point out any buck or birds of interest. There is a small charge for horse-riding. Children 8 years and younger have pony rides every morning and afternoon, at 8am and 4pm respectively, which are free of charge.
BOWLS : We have a full size championship rink with Florida grass. Bowls, jacks, mats and scoreboards are all available for guest use.
GOLF : We have an eight green golf course. It consists of a chip and putting course, with three greens and nine different approaches.
SWIMMING POOL : A wonderful swimming area is available. Pool Towels are not provided. Swimming is done at guests own risk.
SAUNA : A lovely Sauna is lit daily at 5pm in season and upon request out of season.
CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND : We have a lovely playground for little people who have a lot of energy to expend.
WALKING :
There are some lovely walks that suit the needs of all.
Game park: 8 km through the Blanco game park where 17 different species of game live.
Dam walk: 3 km up to three very large dams.
Ostrich walk: 5km seeing ostriches and two large dams.
Trail walk: 13 km through the mountains.
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: Loskop and Kranskop are lovely mountains to climb. Loskop is in the game park. Mary and Martha can also be climbed with permission from the respective farmers
BIRD WATCHING : Nearly 200 species have been seen and recorded. Bird lists are available from the office. Bird watching is particularly good in the early morning up at the 2 dams.
TRACTOR CART RIDE FOR KIDS : This is a tradition at Blanco and was started to allow guests to have a rest after lunch. The tractor cart leaves from the swimming pool area at 2.30pm every day and returns in time for afternoon tea.
FARM ACTIVITIES : Blanco is an active farm and things happen that are of great interest. We have cows, horses, sheep and pigs giving birth at unpredictable times. When it does happen, we will try to call anybody who might be interested in watching.
4 by 4 TRAILS : We have numerous 4 by 4 trails that run through the surrounding mountains.
FISHING : We have a few dams on Blanco for the not so serious Fisherman and a wonderful fly fishing Dam in the Winterberg for those of you who take your fishing more seriously.
TOUCH PARKS : The rabbit and chicken touch park is behind the squash court and children are encouraged to feed the rabbits and to touch them. There are also various species of ducks in the duck pond enclosure. They may be fed daily but touching them is not recommended.
MASSAGE SALON : We have the most wonderful local lady who is an expert masseuse and will come out by appointment to massage away the stress of daily life.
