De Ark has always been a place of restoration and relaxation on the mountains overlooking Clarens, South Africa. Guests are invited to soak in the sheer natural beauty of the farm and enjoy lazy days by the side of the pool at the lodge.
Activities on the property can include any of the following:
- A return day-trip into Golden Gate National Park
- Swimming in the pool at the lodge
- Reading your favourite book in the lounge or on the patio next to the pool
- Capturing breath-taking moments of the stunning landscapes on camera
- Hiking (10 km) along the hiking trails
- Go for a dip in the crystal clear mountain pool on the hiking trail
- Find the Bushman paintings along the hiking trail
- Mountain bike to Clarens & back (18 km) or simply go for a ride on the farm tracks
- Do a game viewing horse-ride (adjacent to De Ark)
- Order a sunset picnic basket from the lodge and sip on a glass of bubbly while watching the sun set (and perhaps then, pop the BIG question)
- Walk to "Diamantkop" (Diamond hill) and see where it got its name
- Walk to "Proteakop" and see a rare sight! (Hint: fynbos usually grows in the Western Cape and not in the Freestate)
- See if you can spot "rosehip" growing wild – the fruit that contains the most vitamin C.
- Listen to sheer silence while staring at "Clarens Cathedral" – the mountains visible from "Diamantkop"
| Clarens | 9 km |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 311 km |
| Bloemfontein | 273 km |
| Durban | 348 km |
| Paris | 9011 km |
| London | 9320 km |
| New York | 13138 km |
| Fouriesburg | 40 km |
| Butha-Buthe | 40 km |
| Bethlehem | 40 km |
| Oxbow | 60 km |
| Golden Gate National Park | 17 km |
|---|---|
| Basotho Cultural Village | 34 km |
| Casino | 40 km |
| Museums | 9 km |
| Game Viewing | 0 km |
|---|---|
| Shopping | 9 km |
| Biking | 2 km |
| Fishing | 3 km |
| Golfing | 8 km |
| Hiking | 0 km |
| Horseback Riding | 1 km |
| Hot Air Ballooning | 41 km |
| Hunting | 2 km |
| Abseiling | 10 km |
| River Rafting | 18 km |
| Rock & Mountain Climbing | 2 km |
| 4 x 4 Trails | 2 km |
| Archery | 2 km |
| Riverboat Cruises | 89 km |
Average temperatures:
SUMMER (November-March): 18 – 26 °C (Thunderstorms during late afternoons)
WINTER (April-October): -5 – 20 °C (Very dry condtions)