It’s tough being South African right now. Between soaring petrol prices and continuous rolling blackouts, it often feels like we can’t catch a break. I’ve had countless conversations with family members and friends who have voiced their displeasure around the country’s current predicament, and I’m sure you have too, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Lynn Cupido.
Sometimes, it can be hard to find the magic in our country when you’re too busy searching for candles and extra coins.
Heck, I’ve even contemplated packing my bags and joining Julius Malema in sunny Spain once or twice.
But as I found myself making the gorgeous 1.5-hour trek from Cape Town to the rugged foothills of Tulbagh, a sense of gratitude washed over me.
How lucky are we to call this place home?
Following the R44, I found myself meandering through rolling vineyards, gazing upon fields as far as the eye could see, and laying my eyes upon some of the most majestic mountain ranges. An exaggeration, perhaps, but a well-deserved one.
My destination had been on my “must-visit” list for a very long time. This isn’t surprising when you consider the accommodation in question – La Bruyere’s Moonrise Dome – is literally booked out until January next year, apart from a few days scattered in between. Let’s not talk about the property’s other star, The Sunset Dome, which is fully booked until April 2023.
What’s that old saying again? “All good things come to those who wait,” and this was certainly worth the wait.
La Bruyere Farm is home to several accommodations, including its newly launched Huckleberry House, but it’s their domes that have won the hearts of holidaymakers around the country.
Jenny and Thor are the masterminds behind one of Airbnb’s most wishlisted accommodations in South Africa with this mother-son duo managing to create one of the most unique spaces for those eager to get lost in the embrace of Mother Nature, and like all incredible adventures, it all began with travel.
Months of discovering Southeast Asia found Thor inspired by the dazzling architecture, with a bit of this Asian influence scattered throughout the property, including the Indonesian-inspired deck located on the private dam. With her experience in architecture, Jenny has managed to ground this eccentric vision into reality and the results have been out of this world.
The Moonrise Dome is a love letter to the beauty of the rugged Tulbagh landscape with the property seamlessly blending with its natural surroundings. Aside from the geodome which juts out from the hill it’s perched on, you’d be forgiven for thinking there was nothing there. Even more mesmerising is the reason for its name, with guests having the opportunity to watch the moon slowly rise from behind the Witzenberg Mountains.
While I had expected the dome to feel like a spaceship which would spontaneously jet me off into outer space, it felt more like a comfortable egg, hugging and keeping me safe from the outside world while dishing up some incredible views of the Tulbagh Valley.
It really is an escape from reality, providing you with the perfect incubator to enjoy the healing powers of Mother Nature.
This particular accommodation comfortably sleeps four people, with the second space a complete contrast to the dome-shaped bedroom. The geodome may have felt like a comfortable embrace, but the treehouse feels more like a freefall into nature, but in a good way.
Nestled amongst the trees, this may very well be the bedroom that Goldilocks snoozed in. However, you’ll get no angry bears; instead, you’ll spend your days enjoying the melodic songs of birds and the quiet whispers of nature when the sun goes down. The Treehouse offers a quaint balcony for guests looking to admire the unadulterated beauty of the landscape or sip on some morning coffee while enjoying the peace and quiet.
A fully-equipped kitchen, BBQ, telescope for star and moon gazing, and a private dam for those sweltering Tulbagh summers (or a wedding proposal, perhaps) all come together to add the cherry on top of an already perfect chocolate cake.
The Moonrise Dome will certainly have you saying: “there’s no place like home.”
WATCH: Moonrise Dome Magic:
Also read:
Pictures: Airbnb / The Moonrise Dome
