Globally and locally, waterfront residential property is acknowledged as commanding a premium price. However, in the Karoo’s premier resort town of Vanderkloof, situated on the Vanderkloof Dam on the mighty Orange River in the Northern Cape, a home on or close to the waterfront is still accessibly priced, says Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties area principal.
Says Rubidge: “Still relatively undiscovered and with a laidback and tranquil outdoor lifestyle, Vanderkloof offers hundreds of kilometres of waterfront leisure space, with numerous water sports, good value for money, and importantly, a lack of noise and pollution. Activities on hand include kayaking, river and dam fly fishing, hiking, boating, skiing, jet skiing, or simply cruising the shores of the dam scanning the banks with binoculars for glimpses of the prolific bird and wildlife.
Local Pam Golding Properties agents Steve Mosely and Nannie de Villiers say: “Situated in a water-rich area just 2.5 hours from Bloemfontein, surrounded by the 8 400 hectare Rolfontein Nature Reserve and with picturesque views, this appealing town sees homes selling between R850 000 for a two-bedroom house to approximately R2 million for a three-bedroom home with scenic views across the dam – which resembles a large lake, while a waterfront residence runs into several millions – which is still comparably less than coastal homes.
“Ninety kilometres away there is also the 9 388ha Doornkloof Nature Reserve with its newly refurbished chalets and rocky hills – home to a myriad of bird species, including the magnificent fish eagle. Apart from the chance to enjoy various hiking trails, mountain biking, or overnight camping, you’ll also find wildlife such as kudu, nyala, impala, buffalo and herds of sable antelope. T here are also a number of game farms in the area.”
Says Moseley: “The most sought-after price range in Vanderkloof is between R1.2 million and R1.5 million. While we still get a few properties that list between R800 000 and R1 million, most are priced from R1.2 million and R2.3 million, with the occasional property selling for up to R2.7 million. Vanderkloof is six hours from Johannesburg, nine hours from Durban and 9.5 hours from Cape Town.
“Since the provincial borders were opened after the hard lockdown ended in September 2020, there has been a massive increase in interest in Vanderkloof. Many of the buyers are young families who can work from home and seek a quieter way of life away from the bustle of the cities and in the safety that the town offers. Most are purchasers from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga and a re split between young families and retirees looking for a safer place to stay, as well as middle-aged couples buying as part of their five-year retirement plan.”
Adds de Villiers: “Being situated on the banks of the second largest dam in South Africa, a host of water-based sports and activities are right on your doorstep. In addition to the adjacent nature reserve, there are plenty of green belts within the town which coupled with the surrounding rolling hills, has the feel of living in a wildlife estate.”
For further information contact Pam Golding Properties Vanderkloof agents on steve.mosely@pamgolding.co.za (073 176 5738) or nannie.devilliers@pamgolding.co.za (063 772 0042).
