Apies Bay Cabin is an attractive looking self-catering stone cabin, offering the ultimate in rustic retreats. Situated right on the edge of Lake Gariep, the cabin has stunning waterfront views, and gives guests the chance to relax and enjoy some of the best wildlife watching the Eastern Cape has to offer. It's an eco-tourist's dream!

Apies Bay Cabin is located in Oviston Nature Reserve, which is populated by large numbers of Springbok, Ostriches, Gemsbuck, Zebras and Hartebeest. The Nature Reserve is situated in the north eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province, along the southern shoreline of the mighty Gariep Dam (formerly known as the Hendrik Verwoerd Dam). It covers an area of approximately 16,000 hectares and stretches from the dam wall on the west, to the Bethulie railroad bridge in the east. Oviston and Venterstad are both situated 7km from the reserve entrance.

This stone cabin has basic facilities, which include four beds, a gas refrigerator and stove. The cabin is tucked away amongst big Sweet Thorn trees and is ideally situated during the hot summer months. Lake Gariep is literally a stone's throw away from the cabin.

Type: Self-catering stone cabin with basic facilities.

Capacity: The cabin sleeps 4 people.

Facilities: Four beds, mattrasses, gas refrigerator and stove.

Ablutions: Outside shower and pit toilet.

Closest petrol, shops, restaurants: Gariep Village.

Power: No

Access Road: Not suited for sedan vehicles.

Apies Bay Cabin is self-catering, with a gas refrigerator and stove for use by guests. The nearest shops and restaurants can be found at Gariep Village.

This is a semi-desert area so it can get blindingly hot during the day, followed by nights in which the temperature plummets. Due to this climate, the area is quite dusty which helps to give the extraordinary sunsets experienced here. The landscape consists of vast, open grassland with low "koppies" (small mountains) and is truly part of South Africa's "Big Sky" country.

Rain falls generally as thundershowers between October and March; the rainfall season peaks from February to March. Temperatures are mild for most of the year, with very cold snaps from June to August and periods of intense heat from January to March. During winter, frost is common.

There are many eco-tourism activities available at Oviston, including game viewing by private vehicle, walking trails, fishing and bird-watching. The area is also very popular for most kinds of water related adventure tourism activities.

• Game viewing
• Bird watching
• Walking trails
• Picnics
• Water sports

Cabin accommodates 4 people max. Rates subject to change without prior notice.