Welcome to Our Great Karoo Sanctuary in the ‘Hantam’ Region
We are a Cape Town-based family on a mission to restore a 1940s farmhouse in the sleepy town of Brandvlei, the heart of the ‘Hantam‘ Karoo in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Since 2006, we have been documenting the evolution of our future retirement home, balancing the grit of construction with the beauty of South Africa’s “big sky” country.
What You’ll Find Here:
| The Renovation | The Region | The Lifestyle |
| Honest updates on our 1940s farmhouse project. | Detailed tourism guides for the Hantam Karoo. | Insights into the Brandvlei community. |
| DIY trials, tribulations, and restoration tips. | Must-visit spots and travel logistics. | Embracing the peace of the Northern Cape. |
The word ‘Hantam‘ is derived from the KhoeKhoe (Khoisan) language, specifically the word!Han-ami.
The most widely accepted meaning is:
“The mountain where the red bulbs grow.”
Breaking it down:
- The “Red Bulbs”: This refers to the Pelargonium bifolium (known in Afrikaans as rooiuintjies or “red onions”). These are small, edible bulbs that are indigenous to the region.
- The Landscape: While it specifically refers to the bulb, it’s also intrinsically linked to the Hantam Mountains that dominate the skyline near Calvinia.