Tortoise Hill is an incredible property in the heart of South Africa’s Western Cape wine country that has recently come on the market with Greeff Properties (the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s in South Africa). An architectural masterpiece in itself, the property also benefits from being set on a private 1,500 acre game reserve near the base of the Langeberg mountain range, offering residents peace and seclusion amongst some of the most breathtaking views in the area.
The property is spread across five separate structures and is accessed by a 2.9 km gated drive, which travels through the rare and protected landscape. It’s not uncommon to see protected game such as springbok and zebra on the reserve or to catch sight of one of the locally endemic leopard tortoises along the drive. On reaching the building compound, residents are greeted by towering Fever and Acacia trees and beautiful, architectural gardens.
[See also: Experience Luxury South Africa with Completely Unique Safaris]
Tortoise Hill has a total of seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms across the five buildings. The compound has a contemporary design, with spacious indoor-outdoor rooms to allow for al fresco dining, entertaining or living amongst the stunning landscape. In the main residence, there is a music room designed to host live music events and two kitchens to help with large-scale entertaining. There are also private spaces including a study, a library and a stargazing deck.
Two one-bedroom, one-bathroom cottages also form part of the compound, along with a fully equipped gym and an entertainment pool clubhouse. The clubhouse is another space perfect for entertaining, featuring an outdoor dining area that overlooks Tortoise Hill’s natural water lap pool. The pool is fed by a water clarifying canal that circulates over rocks and plants to make sure the pool water is naturally purified.
Also on the reserve is a barn building that acts as storage for animal forage and holds Tortoise Hill’s sustainability workings. These include a water purification plant – the reserve has abundant water rights – as well as 25 kilowatt solar power infrastructure and a backup generator, which help make the property fully self-sustaining.
From $4,990,000. Visit christiesrealestate.com for full details.