Balgowan, Midlands
13 farm guest rooms with private en-suites
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Five 2-bedroom AfriCamps Glamping Tents
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About Us
Family Owned & Managed
Welcome to Gowan Valley Guest Farm, owned and managed by the Bouwer family, graced by the crystal clean Mpofana river and blessed with the scenic beauty of the Natal Midlands. The farm is the perfect place to spend time with loved ones, take time out and relax with beautiful views surrounding us. Spend time exploring our property or visit the many stops along the Midlands Meander routes surrounding us before coming back and ending off with a picnic along the river.
Gowan Valley Guest farm offers two types of accomodation on the property. It has 13 beautifully decorated guest double rooms, all with their own private ensuite bathrooms. Your stay includes a delicious full farmhouse breakfast, cereals, yoghurt, fruit juice, tea, coffee, to be enjoyed whilst watching the gushing Mpofana river below and Nguni cattle in the fields.
Gowan Valley is also home to KZN’s first AfriCamps glamping location with 5 fully equipped tents, each sleeping 5 guests in two bedrooms. Each tent also boasts their own private outdoor wood-fired hot tub making total relaxation and star-gazing a must when visiting. Here guests can self-cater or take advantage of pre-book delicious ‘cook-your ‘own’ breakfast and dinner baskets consisting the freshest ingredients for a full meal in the comfort of your tent.
Gowan Valley Guest Farm is the perfect venue for small to medium sized functions. It has been chosen as a reception and wedding venue for a few small intimate weddings. We have also hosted Christmas parties, 70th birthday lunches and pre-dance functions for Michaelhouse and St Anne’s parents and children.

Gowan Valley Guest Farm is owned and managed by Brett & Deanne Bouwer and Terry and Tessa Bouwer (past co-owners and managers of Umngazi River Bungalows). As a family, we also built, loved & owned the highly successful, nearby Orchards Wedding Venue. Gowan Valley B&B has been extensively renovated, redecorated and re-landscaped since taking ownership in March 2015. Our Farm now also offers the first KZN AfriCamps Glamping experience. We look forward to welcoming you to our little piece of paradise.
STAY
Rooms
Farm Cottage Guest Rooms & AfriCamps Glamping Tents

Thatch Guest House
Our renovated thatched guest house boasts 6 beautifully furnished guest rooms, each with a character of their own. These comfortable guest rooms are made even cosier with their heaters, percale linen (flannel in winter) and tea and coffee making facilities.
Each room has it’s own bathroom en suite.

The River House
The River House boasts two renovated, lovely bedrooms with shower AND bath en suite.
Room 7 – King XL Bed (A favourite as closet to the river)
Room 8 – King XL Bed

Garden Rooms
Garden Rooms – 5 fresh, spacious and tranquil garden rooms are available, all with lovely large walk-in showers.

AfriCamps Tents
Five 2-bedroom self catering AfriCamps boutique glamping tents are situated on Gowan Valley Guest Farm. Each tent consist of a spacious open plan lounge, kitchen & dining area. The tent is equipped with aircon to cool the tent in summer and a fireplace for heating in the winter months. Each tent has it’s own private outdoor wood-fired hot tub.
Information
Amenities
Farm Guest Rooms
WiFi
Secure Parking
Kettle (Tea & Coffee)
Breakfast Included
Hairdryer
Complimentary Toiletries
Microwave & Fridge
Ironing Board & Iron
DSTV
Two Common Lounges
Fireplaces
AfriCamps Glamping Tents
WiFi
Secure Parking
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Airconditioner
Electric Blankets
BBQ
Wood-fired Outdoor Hot Tub
Tea & Coffee
Self-catering
Meal baskets available to purchase. Book prior to arrival.
Two Bedrooms (Sleeps 5)
2nd bedroom with queen and single bunk
PRICING
Rooms & Glamping Tents
Farm Guest Room Rates 2021 – 2022
Adults – R875 per person per night sharing
Singles – R975 per person per night
Children 2 – 12yrs – R375 per child per night sharing
Extra adult / teen – R475 per child per night sharing
AfriCamps Glamping Tent Rates 2020 – 2022
Rates from 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021
Low season
1 May 2021 to 30 June 2021
1 July 2021 – Sept 2021 (Sun-Thurs)
R1190 per couple sharing
High season
1 October 2020 to 3 December 2020
10 January 2021 to 30 April 2021
1 July 2021 – 30 Sept 2021 (Weekends)
R1690 per couple sharing
Peak season
4 December 2020 to 9 January 2021
R2190 per couple sharing
* Rates for additional Guests (up to 5 guests per tent allowed):
R275 per adult, R175 per child 3-16yr, child 0-2 years stay free
Rates from 1 October 2021 – 30 Sept 2022
Low season
1 May 2022 to 30 June 2022
1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022 (Sun – Thurs)
R1240 per couple sharing
High Season
1 October to 9 December 2021
9 January 2022 to 30 April 2022
1 July 2022 to 30 September (Weekends)
Long weekends between 1 May 2022- 30 Sept 2022
R1740 per couple sharing
Peak season
10 December – 8 January
R2240 per couple sharing
* Rates for additional Guests (up to 5 guests per tent allowed):
R275 per adult, R175 per child 3-16yr, child 0-2 years stay free
Double Bedrooms
Glamping Tents
Total Guests
Food & Drink
Meals at Gowan Valley
Guest Farm Rooms: Join us for breakfast in our dining area. This is part of the River House, where you can watch the gushing Mpofana River. This stunning breakfast view is accompanied by a delicious full farmhouse breakfast, with cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit juice and seasonal fruit on offer.
AfriCamps Boutique Glamping Guests: ‘Cook-your-own’ breakfast and dinner baskets are available for guests to prebook at an additional cost. Everything you need to create a delicious meal will be in these baskets which saves you from needing to head to the shops for food before you arrive.
Checkin & Checkout
Check-in for all guests between 14.00 and 18.00
Checkout at Guest Rooms: 11.00 | AfriCamps tents: 10:00
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to room type, dates and duration of stay.
House Rules
- All children are welcome.
- Free! All children under 2 years stay free of charge.
- Cots/cribs available on request.
Farm Guest Rooms
- One child under 12 years is charged ZAR 425 per night when using existing beds.
- All children under 12 years are charged ZAR 425 per night for extra beds.
- All further older children or adults are charged ZAR 595 per night for extra beds.
- The maximum number of extra beds in a room is 1.
- Any type of extra bed or child’s cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
- Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.
Pets
- Pets are not allowed.
AfriCamps Boutique Glamping Terms & Conditions
- Please click here to see full AfriCamps Boutique Glamping terms & conditions here.
Have a Question?
Talk to the Host
Information
Location & Nearby Attractions
Activities in the area
Golfing (enjoy Gowrie and Boschoek, two of South Africa’s greatest golf courses right on our doorstep)
Mountain Biking – www.midlandsmeander.co.za/biking
Karkloof Canopy Tours
Horse Riding – www.midlandsmeander.co.za/horseriding
Hot Air Ballooning – www.hotairballooningsa.co.za
Midlands Meander
The Junction – www.nottiesjunction.co.za
Piggly Wiggly – www.pigglywiggly.co.za
Nelson Mandela Capture site – www.thecapturesite.co.za
Midmar Dam (home of the famous Midmar Mile!) is close by and is perfect for boating, fishing, sailing or just soaking up the sun! – www.kznwildlife.com/accomodation/resorts/midmar.html