Numbi Valley tells a story of moving from aridness to abundance and the potential for transformation through hard work, perseverance and an organic approach.
Meet Kath and Ross, owners of Numbi Valley, a permaculture farm situated in a secluded valley just 12km from the Klein Karoo town of De Rust. Together they have created a piece of paradise and built a unique cob home using only sustainably harvested natural materials with repurposed doors and windows. They have been entirely off-grid since 2004, and are passionate about living in harmony with nature, regenerative agriculture, sustainable living and creating abundant eco systems for all to thrive.
It’s difficult to believe that when they arrived 20 years ago, there were no trees, no open water and very little bird life. I had a cup of tea with Kath and was curious to hear about how they came to find this piece of land and what their journey has looked like.
Kath shares that Ross and herself had been working in Botswana in game lodges for a number of years and longed to buy land in South Africa. For 5 consecutive years they would make an annual pilgrimage to South Africa and be on the hunt for a suitable place. They originally had their minds set on the Garden Route because of the forest, the sea and like minded people. They wanted to pay cash and discovered they could only afford about 4 or 5 hectares. They were used to being in such remote places in Botswana and the idea of seeing neighbours’ lights didn’t feel right for them.
They eventually met a Zimbabwean agent who understood what they wanted, and suggested that if they came over the Outeniqua Mountains, with the same amount of money they could buy 70 hectares as opposed to 4. He showed them the farm and they spent the night in a tent by the river. They heard the jackal calling that night and the next morning they bought the farm. Kath says she remembers crying the next day, almost as if on a deep level she knew what lay ahead. They arrived in November 2004 and the first landing was really hard as no one had lived on the land for 10 years. It was a degraded Ostrich farm devoid of diverse life. They struggled just to get things to grow and to improve the soil so that the soil could produce.
Having always worked as a team gave them the strength to take on this vast project and they had the necessary skillsets having both studied agriculture. Kath adds that if she could do things differently during that initial hard time, it would be to enjoy the process of developing rather than wanting the outcome. Instead of fighting the hardship and wanting it complete, to rather allow it happen in its own time. When they arrived there were only the front walls of a cottage, no roof, no floor. It had been a shelter for animals. There was no running water, and they cooked on bricks with a gas pot. Then came the roof but they didn’t have windows for a long time.
One of the first developments was to plant olive trees and put irrigation in. Because the trees were just little sticks and they’d put all the water in, they decided to make wise use of the space. They planted vegetables in between the olive trees and also ran chicken tractors. Soon they were in full production and making a living from selling vegetables and eggs to the local community in De Rust. They would sort everything in their cottage kitchen and fill their little yellow car with baskets of veggies. Ross would go into town and deliver to each house, unpacking the order and coming home with all the empty baskets. He was affectionately known as Mnr Groenteman. They didn’t have staff and had no other way of making an income.
After 5 years they received an offer to go back to Botswana, which prompted them to turn the cottage into a liveable house so that people could stay and look after the farm while they were away. It ended up being a 2 year contract, and shortly after that they received another incredible opportunity to work in Tanzania, in the Serengeti, at a lodge where the migratory Wildebeest crossings take place. Their ability to go with the flow of what was being presented to them opened up new opportunities. Kath adds, “Ross and I are not forward planners. We cannot have a one year plan. We have a one week plan if we’re lucky!”
When they returned the olive trees had gotten so big and the roots had gotten into the space where they had been growing the veggies. Suddenly they couldn’t do that full time anymore. This is when they started to Airbnb the cottage. They had also just been to Ireland volunteering and learning about cobbing and what was originally going to be a packing shed with reed walls was transformed into their current cob home which they built themselves over a year. Everything has been very organic in their approach. From being in the bush for so long, they had an instinctual knowing of how to be and work with the land. Along with a lot of reading, researching, learning and experimenting.
Kath shares, “After 10 years it started to ease and now 20 years later it feels as though it is almost in its original state, it’s healed.” Their passion for regenerative and sustainable practices is evident and is incredible to witness. When you arrive at Numbi Valley, you immediately sense the energy that’s been poured into the land and it touches you in subtle ways. Their hope is that when guests come and stay, that they experience a connection with nature and a connection with simplicity so that they leave knowing they don’t need more.
Their home is warm, welcoming and authentic. I love all of the round, organic elements and tactile qualities. Enjoy the tour!
Cob houses provide thermal regulation and will keep you cooler in the summer while staying warmer in the winter.
Characterised by thick walls, rounded sides and flexibility in design. The cob construction allows for artistic details and embellishments.
The natural stone floor is practical and grounding, no need to be constantly sweeping away dust.
Veggies from the garden | A wonder bag slow cooker is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for cooking.
Receive a healing massage | The outdoor bath is transformed at night under the starry sky with herbs, epsom salts and candle light.
Cob is an ancient natural building material consisting of clay, sand, water and straw in varying proportions to create a rock-hard, finished structure.
Veggie garden | Homemade pizzas in the cob pizza oven
Kath and Ross truly embody a beautiful way of living in tune with nature’s rhythm and I find their unconventional approach so inspiring. Kath shares, “I love teaching yoga, then massaging, then gardening, then building and doing a workshop. Every day is so diverse.”
Kath and Ross have woven in some beautiful additional offerings to allow their guests to create their own tailored retreat experience should they wish to.
~ Order an organic fruit and veggie basket which guarantees that you are well nourished during your stay. (They have not made use of pesticides or herbicides in 20 years. You will begin to understand the benefits of nutrient dense food, it energises and enlivens.)
~ Book a pizza night under the starry Karoo skies. The bases are prepared on the day and topped with ingredients from the farm garden. Pizzas are prepared in the wood fired oven and Kath and Ross create a relaxed, intimate evening of connection and story sharing.
~ Enjoy a blissful, soulful outdoor bath experience. Herb teas and epsom salts are added for the health boost they can impart. Option to have intermittent cold showers to stimulate the positive effects and allow you to extend the time you can spend enjoying the occasion.
~ Kath offers beautiful yoga classes and trigger-point massages.
~ Ross offers permaculture tours and cob building workshops to share the natural building technique they used with others.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: numbivalley@gmail.com
WhatsApp: 072 1918672
Website: www:numbivalley.co.za
Facebook | Instagram
ADDITIONAL READING:
Discover Ross & Kath’s self-catering cottage
All photography: Lana Kenney ©
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