Fox Den

Built to catch travellers moving between Bloemfontein and Colesberg, Fox Den sits three kilometres off the N1 in Trompsburg, roughly midway on the North-South run through the Free State. The guest house works less as a destination than as a punctuation mark on a long drive. Twelve self-catering units make up the property, ranging from open-plan rooms with a double or twin beds to two-bedroom units that sleep up to five. Each has its own kitchen, a TV with DSTV, ceiling fans, and an electric blanket for winter. Linen and towels are supplied throughout. A continental breakfast is left in every unit, available whenever guests choose to eat it. Evenings favour a fire and a braai; packs of karoo lamb can be ordered ahead, or guests can walk into town for the restaurant near the entrance, a bakery up the street, or one of the local coffee shops. Parking sits onsite, and each unit has its own private entrance. Hunting grounds lie within 30 kilometres for those breaking the journey for longer. It is a compact stay, built for one night rather than a week, and priced toward function over flourish. The Free State sky does the rest after dark.