Welcome to Wilderness on the Garden Route and your new home and life on the shores of the Indian Ocean!

South Africa is a country full of contrasts. This gives rise to one thing above all else for South Africans: the hope for (and thus the fight for) a world in which differences have a unifying effect and hold their country together as a whole instead of working against each other. Although apartheid was still a reality 30 years ago, South Africa is now considered one of the most modern countries in Africa!

The economy is slowly getting stronger, the population is slowly getting richer and the young scene is growing and flourishing. Cities such as Cape Town or Johannesburg provide an urban feel, a drive along the picturesque Garden Route enchants with dreamlike scenery and the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most famous cliffs in the world.

The Garden Route has so much to offer that you could stop every few kilometres. We look forward to chatting with Dirk and Christoph, who run a successful and lovingly-run guesthouse in Wilderness near George on the Garden Route. This little paradise is 435 kilometres east of Capetown, right on the beach. Now they want to let go of the reins and part with their dream property.

The first thing that captivates you is the breath-taking view of the Indian Ocean. You immediately sense that this natural paradise has not been robbed of its soul. We are surrounded by garden couture that seems like boundless freedom and the spacious villa, built in Italian country house style, appears functional, straight¬forward and clear as well as informal, personal and individual, rounding off the inspiring atmosphere.

Rethinking relocation completely? From time to time, we present properties that catch our eye and this property is definitely one of them! We took the opportunity to quiz Dirk and Christoph about their life in South Africa and the property.

Riviera Buzz: It’s beautiful where you live! Nature and art, where aesthetics mix with passion. Tell us about the beautiful and the difficult things in and around your new home? We discuss bureaucracy up and down. What were the biggest challenges for you?

Dirk and Christoph (laugh): ‘ You can imagine the purchase, operation, construction and expansion of a guesthouse as a wonderful start to a new and interesting phase of life that is also enriching in its own way. We both had completely different professional experiences in Germany.

In short: at some point we had the idea of running a special guesthouse here ‘at the most beautiful end of the world’. After a short period of settling in, we became more and more fond of the African way of life and realised that it wasn’t that difficult to make contacts. We were also very lucky to have wonderful neighbours and friends who helped us with the first steps. And, very importantly, we had good advisors who guided us wisely and competently in all matters relating to residence, tax, etc. They guided us wisely and competently with all the questions that arose. After almost 7 years, we are happy and proud to say that it was the right and really good decision to come here.

Riviera Buzz: A beautiful property like this offers an emotional dimension that other asset classes don’t have. Investing money, but the right way! Our grandparents thought Krugerrand gold coins were a good investment (they are). Today Africa is seen as a continent of opportunity. What makes a property in South Africa valuable? Regardless of the budget…..

Christoph: In general, the infrastructure is an important criterion! We love the proximity (20 minutes by car) to the growing district town of George (the airport is connected to all major domestic cities and has several flights a day, e.g. from Johannesburg or Cape Town).. George offers excellent medical care and infrastructure. This explains the considerable increase in property prices over the last few years.

Our property on the Garden Route and directly on the Indian Ocean guarantees style, joie de vivre, enjoyment as well as physical activity and mental relaxation. The scenic area and the nearby mountains of the Outeniqua Range offer countless opportunities for sporting activities: cycling, paragliding, windsurfing, hiking, fishing, sailing, etc.

Riviera Buzz: Have you developed personally?

Dirk: I think the decision to move to another continent was a challenge and I am very proud to have accepted it. You look back and remember: Who were you? What were you like? And who are you now?

In fact, we see some friends here more often than before in Germany. In the age of the internet, physical distance no longer plays a decisive role anyway. You’re always in contact if you want to be (laughs).

Dirk and Christoph: What we can also see is that the reality in a country often has very little to do with the (pre)judgements about the country and its people – viewed from the outside and often reinforced by the media. Be it keywords such as ‘corruption’ or ‘crime’ that may come to mind when thinking about Africa. Be it bureaucratic hurdles and the most blatant social upheavals that may come to mind. The reality is more nuanced and the experiences more varied. Our impressions are often very different to what one or two clichés actually demand! We often hear this from our many guests, many of whom have been travelling the country for many years and who keep coming back to us (much to our delight).

It is also interesting to note that some observers believe that South Africa is finally ‘growing up’ politically. Most recently at federal level with the formation of a coalition government including the liberal Democratic Alliance (DA), which ended the ANC’s autocratic rule. The Western Cape has been governed by the DA for decades, apparently to the satisfaction of the majority of the population here.

Christoph: The growing positive appreciation of (South) African artists is remarkable. Well-known South African galleries are represented at all international fairs and, conversely, European galleries are increasingly interested in local artists and are also taking part in fairs here in the country (Investec in Cape Town).

Riviera Buzz: What tips do you have in general for travellers to Africa and potential interested parties?

Christoph: We can only advise everyone not to be afraid of the unknown. Experiences, whether good or bad, help you move forward. By leaving your comfort zone, you grow professionally and personally.

Riviera Buzz: You’re not thinking about retirement? I’ve got to know you as long-term people who don’t just do projects for one or two years. Moving forward, where are you heading?

Dirk: So now to new shores in the direction of Cape Town. That’s the plan. We want to set up a studio there so that we can work more artistically again. If we can also help one or two people to gain a foothold there and get a pied á terre, all the better. In the meantime, we have also had very good experiences in supporting projects and now actually have grateful customers and friends. It remains exciting and interesting.

Riviera Buzz: We wish you much joy and success with the realisation and look forward to seeing you again in Cape Town! Until then, all the best from the Riviera!

The Property… some details.:

The spacious villa, built in Italian country house style, is situated in a unique location directly on the Indian Ocean. On the park-like estate with swimming pool there is also a cottage with separate access from the street. The villa (with double garage) is currently used as a highly sought-after guesthouse (www.TheTuscany.de). The reviews are excellent.

Guests have 4 rooms/suites at their disposal, all with balconies and sea views. High standard and very well maintained overall condition. The owners and operators currently live in the cottage.

The main house was originally designed for a family and is therefore also suitable as a family residence.

The usable area of the villa is approx. 350 square metres, that of the cottage approx. 80 square metres.

Price: Euro 1.1 million

If you are interested, please contact: Christoph +27 060 830 2595 (mobile/WhatsApp)

This beautiful property is for twenty-somethings who are thinking about property so that you don’t get in too late. Because the prices grow with you. For older people who want to spend their retirement in South Africa, for artists and bon vivants. Or simply for discerning and forward-looking people!

All photographs courtesy Dirk and Christoph