Location
The farm is situated midway between Grahamstown and Port Alfred and approximately 15km North West of Bathurst in the heart of East Cape pineapple country plus cattle and game country.
Size
Comprised of 1 title, the property is 27, 8970ha in extent.
Description
This piece of land is exceptionally pretty. While perhaps considered small, the diversity of terrain and feature and undulating topography makes for a very large and interesting 27ha. The focal point of the property is the permanent stream which meanders through the centre of the farm and which supports the lush riverine forest. The forest has a high canopy that one can easily walk beneath and is alive with forest bird species including trogons, Knysna Loeries and scaly throated honey guide to name but a few.
The
balance of the property is mostly thorn savannah rising up to the elevated grassy plateaus. The sheer diversity of habitat would allow the property to carry a broad spectrum of game species, and with a 1 LSU – 4ha carrying capacity, do so in reasonable numbers considering the compact size of the farm.
Veld types
As described above, the property has a very pleasing diversity of veld types and habitats. The bulk of the property would be considered thorn savannah. Areas of almost exclusively Acacia Karoo are very well grassed with a large variety of sweet veld grass species. These include sporobolis, hetrapogon, pannicum, digitaria, and eragrostis curvula. The wetter areas along the stream display a healthy density of pannicum. All in all, the grazing is very healthy indeed, with an official carrying capacity of 1 – 4 and sufficient variety of grass species to ensure palatability late into the winter months.
The diversity of tree species is equally impressive. In addition to the forest species like milkwood, cape ash, white ironwood and ficus; there are some very large: wild olive, sneezewood, tree euphorbias, cabbage tree and scotia specimens as well as stands of guarri, common star apple etc.
Approximately 9ha to the North was cleared of Acacia Karoo to make way for the pecan nut plantation which was developed 4 years back meaning production should start in another two years. There are +- 900 pecan nut trees with the irrigation water supply being borehole water. Apparently the income potential should be around R 150k per month once production starts.
Rainfall / Water
The farm falls in a summer rainfall area with an annual average in excess of 800mm. The topography of the surrounding area funnels all run off to the above mentioned stream and in addition there’s a natural spring that also feeds into it. Domestic water comes from an excellent borehole at the house and the water is of exceptional quality. There are a total of 3 equipped boreholes on the farm and one in particular is rather strong being able to deliver up to 12 000lts per hour.
Game species
The farm is currently run as a lifestyle undertaking and this small property is ideally suited for game on a recreational and aesthetic scale plus for the intensive breeding of high value species. Almost the entire spectrum of plains game species would do well here and resident game currently includes: sable, black impala, springbuck, bushbuck, duiker and warthog.
Improvements
The superb main dwelling has 4 beds with 2 bathrooms plus 1 guest toilet and a large open plan kitchen and dining room with scullery plus there are 2 large lounges. There is also a swimming pool and a manicured garden.
Alongside the pool/main dwelling is a massive lapa area complete with indoor braai and pizza oven plus an office area that could work well as a reception area should one choose to venture into hospitality.
There is a free-standing cottage with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and open plan kitchen and lounge. Plus there’s a nearby 1 bedroom unit complete with en-suite bathroom.
There’s a further 1 bedroom cottage with en-suite bathroom and spacious lounge and kitchen located alongside the smaller of the two equipment sheds. The largest shed/workshop area can be used as an equipment store as well as a function venue should this be required.
Other outbuildings/facilities include: laundry room, gym and a few smaller storerooms.
There is a staff compound located near to the horse stables.
The entire property is enclosed by a full spec 2.4m game fence which is also electrified for good measure. There is also an electrified enclosure around the yard space and all fencing is in an excellent condition. The farm is currently divided into a few camps.
For peace of mind there are a large number of CCTV surveillance cameras with monitors on the property.
The property has the full compliment of livestock handling facilities such as kraals, loading ramp and rearing facilities etc. There is even a touch farm which is home to some dwarf goats and geese plus there are a few miniature horses. There are facilities for free-range chicken farming, for up to 1000 chickens and the property has an impressive butchery complete with cold room plus a separate meat processing room.
There is Eskom power on the property as well as a backup generator.
Conclusion
As a potential lifestyle opportunity, this farm is one of the best, if not the best value propositions I have ever seen with the substantial fixed improvements that are all well maintained. As a small scale livestock farm or game breeding project, the property is equally compatible. I have no doubt that, with its almost unparalleled diversity of terrain, topography and feature, that it will prove an extremely rewarding acquisition for any outdoorsman. The income earning potential of the developed pecan nut plantation could become a rewarding money spinner once production starts in about three years.
Price R 6.75 Million (no Vat payable). Can be sold with some livestock, furniture and equipment; all of which is excluded from the asking price but can be negotiated on as an optional extra.
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