Location
Maitland Mines is situated alongside the coast, 6km from Maitland’s Beach, 30km from PE airport and approx. 55km from Jeffreys Bay.

Size
Made up of thirteen titles the farm is just over 623ha in extent.

Description
I am a huge fan of the Maitland’s area and the property overlooks the Maitlands River mouth and is bounded by the coastal dunes to the south and the Maitlands River gorge to the west plus the De Stades River to the north and north-west. Because of its relatively high rainfall and deep fertile soils this farm displays a microcosm of lush sub-tropical thicket, towering coastal forest, fertile savannah grassland and even patches of coastal fynbos including the long leafed cycad. The topography is diverse enough to be interesting while still being accessible with the high ground consisting of open rolling country separated by well wooded valleys and the dramatic kloofs formed by the above mentioned rivers. The neighbour to the east is the Maitland Mines Nature Reserve which is one of the best kept secrets amongst hikers and bird watchers. From the elevated spots the property has truly superb views of the Lady Slipper mountain range and panoramic sea views. With the areas exceptional carrying capacity, the farm is home to cattle, sheep and game and with its undulating topography and varied habitat, it provides for an enjoyable game drive experience.

Veld types
Historically the bulk of the farm would have been classed as displaying the sub-tropical thicket and coastal forest biomes, which have since largely been cleared to create the pleasing blend of open grassland and mature trees on the more sloping ground. There is a fantastic diversity of tree species including Yellowwoods, Cape Ash, Milkwoods, Wild Olive, Cabbage Trees, Boer Bean (Schotia), White Ironwood, Knobwood and Sweet Thorn to name but a few. The Maitland’s region boasts amongst the highest, sweet veld carrying capacity in the province. Couple to this truly superb browse with a good ratio of palatable to unpalatable tree species. The overall carrying capacity for grazers would be estimated in the region of a sustainable 1LSU to 2ha meaning the farm can carry 311 LSU and this is without factoring in the 15ha of irrigable land (supplementary) which can be put into production to boost the numbers. Conservative stocking ratios and sound management have ensured that this farm’s cocktail of sweet grasses remains healthy. The open areas are dominated by pasture grasses with Kikuyu, Rhodes and Eragrostis being the dominant species, while around the forest areas and where the tree canopy is broken there are lush stands of Panicum. The net result of the above is a habitat that is ideal for a diversity of game at a stocking ratio that will ensure an impressive density or alternatively continue farming mainly with livestock and game to a lesser degree.

Rainfall / water
The farm falls in a transitional rainfall area with an annual average of approximately 800mm.
The water supply is from one solar equipped borehole with a submersible pump delivering 12 000lts/hr. Plus as a backup water can be pumped from the Maitlands River using a mono pump which delivers 14 000lts/hr and there is a second unequipped borehole which previously delivered 14 000lts/hr (mono pump). The water reticulation system has been well laid out with water being pumped to storage tanks and these then gravity feed the entire farm with each camp having at least one water point. Rainwater is also harvested and collected in tanks.

Game species
Game species that are currently on the property include:
Bushbuck, Blue Duiker, Common Duiker and probably Cape Grysbok.
The available browse and grazing however will support a broad spectrum of species.

Improvements
Main house has: 5 bedrooms (main en-suite plus an extra bathroom), office, kitchen, 3 living rooms, sunroom and swimming pool.
Adjacent to the main house is an office/flat/garage complex.
A short distance from the main house is a large cottage which offers 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen, lounge and dining room.

Additional outbuildings are as follows:
Storerooms, cool-room, skin room, shed and workshop.
There are 6 labourers cottages.

Electricity: the farm has Eskom power.

The farm is an operational stock farming enterprise running both cattle and sheep and accordingly has all the associated handling facilities plus internal camp system with 19 dry land camps, 17 natural veld camps and 3 bush camps with all fencing being in a reasonably good condition.

Development potential
It could certainly be worthwhile exploring the possibility of selling off the 11 smaller titles which range in size from 8ha – 25ha in order to turn a tidy profit as smaller parcels of land attract a much higher rate per hectare.

Conclusion
For anyone looking for a truly unique, safe, discreet, up market farming/lifestyle location, one would be hard pressed to find better. The Maitland’s area is one of the few sections of Cape coastline that can genuinely offer the best of both in terms of high carrying capacity, diverse game country coupled with remote and expansive nearby white beaches. Couple this to its proximity to PE airport and ease of access plus previous reputation as an eco- tourism, hiking and 4X4 destination and it simply doesn’t get any better.

Price R39 500 000 plus Vat Read more...