Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pet-Friendly Magaliesburg Guest Farm

Yes. Saamrus is genuinely pet-friendly and your dogs stay completely free of charge. Every cottage has its own private garden, fully enclosed with 1.2m-high wire mesh fencing and extra bird-wire along the bottom, so even the smallest four-legged family members can roam safely while you relax.

Yes. Well-socialised dogs are welcome to enjoy the freedom of running off leash along our designated mountain, forest and river trails.

Yes. Please make sure your dog is treated for ticks before arrival, as they will be exploring natural veld during your stay.

Saamrus has nine private, self-catering cottages spread across our 14-hectare farm, grouped into three areas:

• Valley & Riverside Cottages (Tarentaal, Kiewiet, Hoephoep): on level ground at the foot of the hill, close to the woodland paths, mountain stream and swimming pool, and rich in birdlife.
• Bushveld Hillside Cottage (Piet-my-vrou): tucked halfway up the hill and screened by bush for premium privacy, with beautiful distant mountain views.
• Ridge-Top Cottages (Karee, Olienhout, Kiepersol, Akasia, Suikerbos): perched high on the mountain ridge with panoramic views and spectacular sunsets.

It depends which cottage you book:

• Valley & Riverside Cottages are reachable by all standard vehicles.
• Piet-my-vrou is reached via a short scenic walk, or by 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle.
• Ridge-Top Cottages are best accessed with a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle, or on foot, due to the rugged terrain.

Yes. Every cottage has a well-appointed, fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette with all the utensils, cutlery, crockery and appliances you need to cook independently. Dishwashing liquid and cloths are also supplied.

Yes. Every unit comes with clean linen and bath towels.

To help you settle in, we provide welcome tea and coffee facilities as well as braai salt in the kitchen. In the bathroom you will find hand soap, shower and bath soap, hand and body lotion, and shampoo.

Yes. Every cottage has an indoor wood-burning fireplace, which becomes the heart of the cottage on chilly Magaliesberg nights.

Yes. Each cottage has ceiling or standing fans for the warm summer months and wall-mounted panel heaters to keep things cosy in winter, in addition to the wood-burning fireplace.

Each cottage has a private outdoor space with a firepit or braai, perfect for cooking over an open fire and relaxing under the stars. Please note that Tarentaal and Kiewiet do not have patios or firepits yet, only a braai and a shaded seating area outside.

No. Part of the Saamrus experience is unplugging from the city rush. Please bring your own data or Wi-Fi connection if you need to stay connected.

All cottages have TV sets, but there is no reception without a decoder. You are welcome to bring along your own DStv decoder, or simply connect a laptop.

Yes. There is a small communal pool at the foot of the hill, close to the Valley & Riverside cottages.

Every cottage has its own dedicated parking space, and shade-net carports are available directly at most units. Dedicated shade ports for Tarentaal, Kiewiet, Hoephoep and Piet-my-vrou are currently under construction. In the meantime, guests staying in those units are welcome to use the general shade-net parking at the foot of the hill.

Yes. Our cottages are intentionally spaced and screened by natural bush, stone walls and clever layouts, so your time together is entirely uninterrupted and it feels as though you have your own private piece of the mountain.

Most of our couple-focused cottages have king-size beds, which can be converted to twin beds on request.

Our signature handcrafted cement and rock-built baths are deep, spacious and big enough for two, making them the perfect way to unwind after a long walk on the mountain trails.

Our farm itself is 14 hectares, and guests enjoy exclusive walking access to an additional 500 hectares of pristine mountain veld and communal grazing land, where we maintain a scenic network of hiking trails.

There is something for every level of walker:

• River path: an easy stroll beneath a deeply shaded canopy, with bridges and paths built throughout to keep it enjoyable in all weather.
• Hillside bush path: a gentle walk past indigenous trees, aloes and veld grasses.
• Plateau hikes (2km to 8km): trails winding through golden grasslands with uninterrupted views over the Magaliesberg foothills, including the remains of historic 1800s Tswana settlements and shaded resting spots in the kloof.

Saamrus is home to a wide variety of wildlife. You may spot birds from the comfort of your patio, while a quiet walk into the veld often rewards observant guests with sightings of blesbok, kudu, warthogs, duiker and mongooses, along with an incredible array of butterflies, insects and birdlife.

Comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and plenty of water for all outings. Trail maps are available to help you plan your route.

To ensure peace for everyone in the valley, please avoid walking on the road leading towards our neighbouring properties.

Yes, but to keep the farm peaceful and uncrowded we limit the number of day visitors, so booking is essential. Please contact us at info@saamrus.co.za to check availability. Day-visitor information is available on our Rates page.

Plan B is our on-site artisan business and reception shop, managed by Leonard. It stocks raw multi-flora honey harvested directly from the beehives managed by Chris and Leonard on the farm, a range of handcrafted beeswax products, and a nursery selection of hardy succulents, fresh herbs, plants and vegetable seedlings grown here at Saamrus.

Our shop carries the items guests most often need, saving you a trip back into town. For the braai we stock high-quality charcoal, briquettes and firelighters. For treats and snacks there are cold drinks, chips and chocolates. Kitchen basics include long-life milk, sugar and other small items, plus locally sourced seed rusks.

Saamrus is in Doornkloof, Magaliesburg, 1791, Gauteng, nestled in a tranquil valley of the Magaliesberg foothills. Full directions and a map pin are on our Location page.

Saamrus is a true family-run farm, founded and operated by the Geldenhuys family alongside our dedicated team.

You can book online using the Book Now button at the top of any page, or get in touch with us directly on +27 72 487 1733 or +27 82 559 1693, or email info@saamrus.co.za.