FAQs

What are the check-in and check-out times for Tula Karoo?

Check-in at Tula Karoo is from 14:00, and check-out is until 10:00 but we can be flexible depending on the next booking. Please ask Marita or Amanda.

How many does Tula Karoo sleep?

With two bedrooms and four beds, Tula Karoo can comfortably sleep four guests. If you have any questions about this, please contact us via the Book Now page.

Is Tula Karoo suitable for families?

Tula Karoo is more than spacious enough to host families, with plenty of child-friendly activity options around the area.

What does Tula Karoo provide in the welcome pack?

Upon arrival you will receive a bag of wood, firelighters, matches, coffee, tea, sugar and milk.

What else does Tula Karoo have?

In addition to very friendly hostesses, Tula Karoo has wifi, lovely electric blankets on each of the 4 beds, warm duvets, extra blankets, fresh towels, body gel and shampoo. There are pots and pans so you can make pancakes on the induction stove or on the wood-burning stove. There is a braai grid for use on the outdoor stone braai just outside the kitchen door.

There are no outdoor chairs so please bring your camping chairs. There is a lovely bench on the front stoep though.

Please bring your own flour, eggs, bacon, bananas and maple syrup if you want to make pancakes and have a good breakfast. It is not possible to have a good breakfast without fried bananas, just in case you did not know this.

Can I bring my pet?

You are most welcome to bring your well behaved cats or dogs as long as they do not chew through the furniture or dig up the garden. There is a local ginger tom-cat called Vettes (Fatty) who might come and say hello. All the neighbours feed him and he is unlikely to say no to food - hence his name. Please use the hashtag #tulakaroo on Instagram when you post your photos so we can see the fat boss cat and the fun you're having at Tula Karoo.

Please think about future guests and clean up after your pets by sensibly disposing of any mess they may leave. Keep in mind some people have allergies so we don't want pets jumping on the beds or furniture please.

I've not used a wood burning stove before, how does it work?

The stove in Tula Karoo is in the kitchen and is a Welcome Dover size 6.

In summary, like with any fire, start small and build it up. Put wood in from the top by lifting the plates. Start with providing a lot of air and then as it catches fire, restrict the airflow to slow down the rapid burning and to retain the heat.

Here is the longer explanation:

Firstly, it is advisable to place a water filled pot (or whistling kettle) on top of the stove (directly above the fire section) prior to lighting it. This protects the stove and prevents the cast iron from cracking as it suddenly warms up.

Secondly, in the front, above the oven door and just below the cooking surface, there is a small lever. This must be pulled out (forward) in order to close off the vent to the oven, and to ensure that the initial thicker smoke is directed up the chimney and not towards the oven area.

Then, insert your kindling into the burning section, light it and wait for it to achieve a good burn, and chimney draw, before pushing the lever in again. The good burn will indicate that the chimney is drawing correctly and with the increase in heat and flames, the initial smoke will be decreasing.

Finally, once your wood is merrily burning, and your fuel section is filled with wood, close the door, and slide the vent lever at the bottom of the door to a spot where it is open enough to create a draught to burn your wood, but not too wide to send the heat the fire is creating up the chimney because the wood is burning too quickly.