LOCATION
A sensitively tamed, landscaped corner of the wild west coast, roughly 100km from Cape Town and 8km from the dramatic West Coast National Park, and close to the pristine Langebaan Lagoon, home to flocks of marine bird species including the endangered black oyster catcher.
It's a brisk few kilometres' walk to the coffee shop and curio holiday town of Langebaan itself, with the busy port town of Saldanha Bay around 20km up the coast.
LIFESTYLE
The 450ha estate has been built for both holidaymakers and residents, with permanent homes as well as holiday rentals. The lodges, sleeping up to eight, and suites, sleeping up to four, are all self-catering with a fully-equipped kitchen, TV, washing machine etc.
As you stroll the peaceful walkways, you can admire the indigenous planted gardens, encounter the occasional dog walker and feel right at home. Reminding you that you are not, however, are the grazing bontebok on the greens and scuttling mongoose in the rough.
EATING ARRANGEMENTS
You can cook and braai in your own unit, or treat yourself to some wholesome family fare at the upstairs Horizon restaurant, at the estate clubhouse overlooking the stretch of manicured greens and bunkers. The changing menu offers items such as pizza and seafood nights, blackboard chef's specials (the prawn curry is legendary) and roast on Sundays.
Understandably, the Blaze Bar next to the restaurant does a roaring trade. With all the sporting action, breakfast is imperative - there are weekend and Saturday Park Run specials, or a Hole in One bacon and egg in a bun at the new Range Café next to the Driving Range, where you can have snacks and smoothies throughout the day.
ACTION PLAN
Sports facilities are the key appeal here. Choose from the 18-hole golf course; 18- and nine-hole mashie, driving range (pro tuition offered), foot golf, a pro-putt course, bowling green, swimming pool, tennis and netball courts, and bicycle hire.
There's also a Park Run trail on the estate and in April they host the annual Weskus marathon, that goes through the national park. There's also a mountain-bike challenge and fun ride on November 10 and 11.
PLAN B
If not everyone in the family is a sports nut, there's also a kids' entertainment centre with pool table and all sorts of fun stuff, a giant trampoline, outdoor jungle gym and an arts and reading centre. For adults there's a well-equipped gym with personal trainers available. And mercifully, for some well-earned down time, there's a spa.
BEST TIME TO GO
Spring - August to end September - when the national park and whole surrounding region is a spectacle of flowers. But it's said it "never rains on a golf course" - so any time is good.
RATES
From R695 per person per night in a two-sleeper lodge, including wifi, access to all facilities and 20% discount on green fees. Excludes meals. Kids under 12 stay free and there's a 20% pensioner discount. Play and stay group specials from R450 midweek, R550 weekends per golfer per night.
BOOKINGS
Visit llangebaanestate.co.za
• Richards was a guest of the Langebaan Country Estate...