The Story
James and Marc lead busy lives in Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city, where they run an advertising agency. Marc had always wanted a hideaway in the vast Great Karoo, where there is no light pollution and the stars blaze at night. The Karoo is semidesert, with endless open plains broken up by mountains. So in 2018, the couple set off on a road trip through its villages and towns.
Along the way, they spent a few nights in Nieu-Bethesda and were instantly smitten. As luck would have it, the charming house next door, built in 1879, was for sale. They fell in love with its proportions and friezes and bought it without setting foot inside. What followed was a careful renovation and a rewarding interior-design adventure, filling the house with art and magpie finds.
The Cottage
The house was clearly designed with comfort in mind: a small garden and patio with a wood-fired hot tub for stargazing at night, a small round pool and a fire pit, all with super-comfortable outdoor seating. Indoors, two fireplaces keep you warm on cold winter nights.
As mentioned, the house is full of perfectly curated art and design and very welcoming. Each of the two bedrooms has a private bathroom, and the kitchen is fully equipped for anyone who wants to slow-roast Karoo lamb. You eat at the big kitchen table or out on the patio.
You will also find a quiet library filled with lovely books for the avid bibliophile.
The village
Mukti is in a village with no paved roads, no streetlights, no gas stations, no ATMs and no shops apart from a basic general store. It was reportedly the last municipality in South Africa to get electricity, in 1991.
The community is home to some talented artists, including the famous Owl House, and with quite a few B&Bs, you won’t feel lonely in summer; the village is quite an attraction and full of life. Beautiful hikes and fossil tours start on your doorstep, and Camdeboo National Park, outside the larger town of Graaff-Reinet, is less than an hour away.
Restaurants
Small as Nieu-Bethesda is, it has a few restaurants, and Marc and James will send you an up-to-date list of their favorites by WhatsApp when you arrive.
Prices
190 euros per night for two people, 220 euros for four. In high season (December 16 to January 10), 270 and 330 euros respectively. Minimum stay two nights.
Recommendation
On a trip to South Africa, we recommend flying into Cape Town and making it your first base (stay at fellow Pretty Hotels member Trevoyan Guesthouse). Then, of course, a stay in the Winelands (for example at 7 Koppies), before driving into the Karoo to Nieu-Bethesda, home of Mukti.
After the Huguenot Tunnel, your first stop is Matjiesfontein, a historic country village and a wonderful place for lunch. It is worth an hour or two of exploring, or even an overnight stay to break up the trip.
You are now deep in the Karoo, a semiarid landscape with the road stretching out ahead. Head for Beaufort West, where you leave the N1 and take the R61 to Graaff-Reinet, another historic little town.
Graaff-Reinet is your last chance to stock up for your stay. You can buy basics in Nieu-Bethesda, but it is wise to pick up some treats here. From there it is another 30 to 40 minutes or so to Mukti, though you will want to stop along the way to marvel at the breathtaking landscape.
Good to know
In the Karoo, evenings and nights get cold even in summer (pack a jacket and sweater), and in winter there is the occasional snowfall.
Booking & Contact
Mukti
James Moffatt
Pienaar Street
6286 Nieu Bethesda
South Africa
