CradleLicious Nguni Farm Cottage♡

A disappointing stay at a place that has potential to improve, near the Cradle of Humankind

3.0

We stayed for one night in this farmhouse in early June 2026 mainly because it is near the Cradle of Humankind and the caves. The photos look promising and we were actually looking forward to the stay. Our first impression of the cabin was still great and we were shown around by Bernard. I like the ostriches pecking outside our cabin as well. During our stay, there were workers building a new cabin beside ours.

− The experience turned drastically bad as the day went, and I was just glad to checkout the next morning. This was the most disappointing guesthouse I have stayed on my 2-week road trip around the north of South Africa and Eswatini. 1) There is no wifi at all. The source is in the main house, and the signal in the cottage is too weak. They could have at least install a wifi extender. 2) The TV does not have connection to the wifi, so it is just a decoration of temptations. A deco of disappointment. 3) Bernard is just a worker going about with his boss' demands. He was attentive and responsive, but it got awkward and uncomfortable quickly when he had to come frequently on check on us, oftentimes even entering the cabin. 4) The cabin is very cold. There is only one heat pump and it is in the room. It is also intermittent between hot and cold air despite setting it at 30 dC. There are no electric blankets. We had to ask for more blankets and a portable heater. 5) There are no doors. The toilet has no door, which is very strange. They could have at least installed a sliding door. Since there is some gap between the curtains and the window beside the bed, you can see the window of the main house from the toilet bowl when you do your business. No privacy. 6) The configuration of the cottage is awkward. You have to squeeze through the gap between the double bed and the wall to the toilet. The carpet here is a positive tripping hazard. 7) Meals, if you ordered them, are served ridiculously late between 8-9 PM. We tried to ask for an earlier dinner and it was not accepted. It is best to use the kitchenette instead. I fell asleep waiting. The dinner was also not good. We had beans stew with cured meats and tendons, paired with fried dough. Dessert was cake submerged in custard with grapes. Most of dinner was left uneaten. So don't bother with the 150/ pp dinner. 8) Breakfast was simple but it's already in the booking.

The houseboy/ labourer Bernard was polite and helpful with the keys and room.

5.0

The peace and quiet.

− The fact that although we asked to have dinner there , it was not at all what we expected. We were told it would be delivered to our room, It finally arrived at 8:15p.m after I phoned and queried where our meal was. We were given a hamburger and cold chips. Thankfully they had a microwave in our room. We did not stay for breakfast.

Guest review

10.0

Overall farm experience - great break away from city. Tinus was a great host!

− The bathroom just need a railing or hooks for the towels, but I did take it up with Tinus and he already bought it.

Overnight with kids

8.0

Friendly staff. Cute cottage. Lovely nature and relaxing.

− Wi-fi was unstable.

Wasn’t good as I v expected because of network

6.0

The comfort of the bed

− The Tv wasn’t working at all for the 2days i spent there,the WiFi not working at my room and the network was so bad