.JPG "Exquisite Properties")
Kanoneiland, Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa
Agent: Cliff Jacobs - Managing Principal Estate Agent & CEO (Nat.Dpl.Hotel Man (UJ). M.P.R.E.)
Agent Cellphone: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951
Agent Office Number: +27 (0) 21 554 0283
Agent Email Address: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com
Type: Guest House & Spa
Bedrooms: 14
Bathrooms: 14
Showers: 14
Parking: 20
Yield: Not Disclosed
TGCSA Rating:
Upington
Upington is a town founded in 1873 and located in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, on the banks of the Orange River. The town was originally called Olijvenhoutsdrift ('Olive wood drift'), due to the abundance of olive wood trees in the area, but later renamed after Sir Thomas Upington, Attorney-General and then Prime Minister of the Cape. It originated as a mission station established in 1871 and run by Reverend Christiaan Schröder. The mission station now houses the town museum, known as the Kalahari Orange Museum. The museum is also the home of a donkey statue, which recognises the enormous contribution that this animal made to the development of the region during the pioneering days of the 19th century.
The elevation of Upington is 2,742 feet (835 metres). It is the closest large centre to the Augrabies Falls (arguably the greatest of South African waterfalls) and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The landscape is very arid but the soil is fertile and crops such as fruit are grown in irrigated fields. The area is best known for its export-quality grapes, raisins and wines, which are cultivated on the rich flood plains of the Orange River.
The Upington 26
On 13 November 1985, a black policeman was killed following a disturbance at a political meeting in Paballelo, a black township on the outskirts of Upington. Twenty-six people were charged with the killing, of whom twenty-five were convicted of murder on the basis of common purpose, and one convicted of attempted murder. Fourteen were sentenced to death, although the death sentences were later overturned on appeal. In 2011, a memorial in honour of the Upington 26 was unveiled in Upington by Hazel Jenkins, the Premier of the Northern Cape. In 2014, the Australian film A Common Purpose was made about the case.
Wine industry
Upington's most famous wines are produced by an organisation known as Orange River Cellars. The organisation has six depots in the area (all of them on the banks of the Orange River) at Upington, Kanoneiland, Grootdrink, Kakamas, Keimoes and Groblershoop. Their wines are exported, inter alia, to Europe and the USA.
Transportation
Upington Airport has scheduled flights provided by SA Airlink (an affiliate of South African Airways). One of the airport's runways is 4,900 m in length, the unusually long runway allowed Boeing 747 aircraft to use the airport for refuelling stops on long-haul flights.
Shopping in Upington is characterised by High Street shopping, with most stores located along Scott, Schroder, Nelson Mandela and Mark Streets. Upington has a mall, which is the area's first super-regional mall. The Kalahari mall is anchored by Game, Checkers, Spar, Woolworths, Tiger Wheel & Tyre and clothing stores, banks and restaurants. It is located on the corner of Van Riebeeck and Malherbe Streets.
Geography and climate
Upington is located on the northern banks of the Orange River and is surrounded by irrigated vineyards. The hottest month of the year is January, with average daily temperatures swinging from 36 °C (97 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F), while in the coolest month of July temperatures range between 21 °C (70 °F) and 4 °C (39 °F). Also the driest month of the year, July sees an average rainfall of only 2 millimetres (0.079 in), while the wettest month of March sees 37 millimetres (1.5 in). Upington has been noted as being the sunniest location on the planet for three months of the year, from November through January.
Upington has a hot desert climate (BWh) with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Precipitation peaks during late summertime.
About Us
This award winning 4-star & AA superior guest house is also home to one of the few signature Kalahari Spas in South Africa, using Kalahari ancient desert products. Escape and disconnect from the big city life and revitalize your body, soul and mind at the Wellness Spa with an added Outdoor experience.
Our guest house combines magical ingredients to create an unforgettable farm stay experience that includes free Wi-Fi. The ambience, food, treatments, personalised service and modern accommodation combine to deliver country hospitality at its best. Guests are welcome to experience the wellness spa, enjoy the exquisite garden and rich birdlife, experience local food and wine pairings or relax at the poolside. Spacious, beautifully appointed rooms, from standard to luxury, open out onto the green oasis of a garden that is alive with birds. Dinners are served on request, as are six-course food-and-wine pairings (bookings essential).
The guest house is uniquely located on a working grape farm on Kanoneiland (“Cannon Island”) in the middle of the Orange River, South Africa’s longest river and offers a lovely venue for weddings, functions and conferences.
Whether your wish is to go river rafting, game viewing, bird watching, wine tasting or on a scenic photographic safari, the guest house is an ideal stop over on route to some of South Africa’s most iconic destinations in the Northern Cape.
Experience relaxed top Upington accommodation at our guest house & Spa on Kanoneiland.
Accommodation
The owner knows that the key ingredient for a magical stay is a good night’s sleep. At our guest house's Kanoneiland Accommodation, every effort has gone into ensuring that the rooms, each uniquely named after a cultivar of grape, offers luxury and comfort, from the cotton percale linen to comfortable armchairs and well-appointed tea and coffee service. Whether you check into the postively palatial Ruby Cabernet luxury suite (at 140 sq metres) or the standard Hanepoot room, all are equipped with minibars, airconditioning, DSTV, lock-up parking and a cool, comfortable retreat from the long road.
The Wellness Spa
The friendly Spa team welcomes you to include a spa experience in your escape to our guest house.
From couple’s spa sessions in one of the treatment rooms or outside next to the stream, followed by lunch/dinner, to having therapists treat your guests with mini-treatments at your wedding, function or special event – our guest house offers it all.
We specializes in treatments using Kalahari Ancient Desert Secrets products, developed from indigenous Kalahari plants by international business woman Carina Franck. Add light lunch or breakfast to any of your treatments.
Weddings / Events
Venue with air-conditioned hall, garden for service, crockery & cutlery, ice buckets, jugs, 150 phoenix chairs, tables, 2 room nights for the bridal couple, couple’s massage for bridal couple, cleaning of hall after removal of catering & decor items. The bridal suite for the evening before the wedding for the bride can be used for the bride and 2 bridesmaids, including breakfast.
Included: Catering, including dinner with canapes or starter. You can choose 3 meat dishes, 2 veggies, 2 starches, 2 salads & dessert. Water jugs and juice on tables. Venue hire includes 15 tables (8-seaters), or 6 x 22 seaters, phoenix chairs (150); tables for music, buffet, wooden benches and chairs for wedding ceremony, cash bar (including short, long & shooter glasses), cutlery & crockery, wine & champagne glasses, 2 bar attendants & ice for cash bar and cleaning there-of.
About Kanoneiland
Kanoneiland (or “Cannon Island”) is the largest island in the Orange River and the largest inhabited island in South Africa. It is 14km long and 3km at it widest point, covering an area of 2553 hectares where the fertile alluvial soil and ready waters of the river are used for the cultivation of sultana grapes, lucerne, pecan nuts and even cotton.
The island was once a stronghold of the nomadic Koranna tribe led by Klaas Pofadder who used the thick cover of the indigenous bush as a hide out, from whence they conducted cattle and sheep rustling sorties on horse back in the surrounding areas.
From 1868 (the Second Northern Frontier War) many skirmishes took place between the colonial forces and the island renegades, coming to a head in 1879.
The story goes that in 1879, the Cape Artillery Corps had driven the Korannas back to the island, which they proceeded to bombard with cannon fire. Not to be outdone, Pofadder fashioned a homemade cannon out of the trunk of a large quiver tree, loaded it with gunpowder and pieces of stones and scrap and fired it across the stream. When the smoke cleared, six of his men lay dead, killed by their own gun. The cannon used by the Cape Field Artillery can still be seen in front of the old school building in the town.
The cultivation of Kanoneiland dates back to 1928, when 52 settler families started to clear the land for farming. Initially, they relied on a raft to cross the stream to the mainland. Over time, this was replaced with a regular ferry service. In 1940, the island was connected to the southern bank of the river with a single lane bridge. In 1954, a second bridge to the northern bank was completed, finally connecting the island to both sides of the river.
Today, around 1 374 hectares of this rich land is intensively cultivated, with virtually every available inch of soil under irrigation.
Cliff Jacobs (Nat Dpl Hotel Man (UJ). MPRE. GA Level 5 TEFL) Managing Principal / CEO Exquisite Hotel Consultants (Pty) Ltd Mobile: +27 (0) 84 413 1071 / +27 (0) 61 716 6951 Landline: +27 (0) 21 554 0283 Email: cliff@exquisitehotelconsultants.com Skype: cliff.jacobs Web: https://www.exquisitehotelconsultants.com © All rights reserved Terms and Conditions apply Scroll down to view our Hospitality Properties and Businesses for sale or lease or lease-to-buy or partnership arrangement or management agreement arrangement
