Die Honnehok Chalets

Die Honnehok (which directly translated means ‘the dog kennel’) has fully equipped self-catering chalets.  Each chalet accommodates up to six persons.  The chalets are rustic, but comfortable and equipped for all essential requirements (please supply own towels).  For those not wishing to cater for themselves, the Houghs offer a superb three-course dinner in the Honnehok restaurant/pub.

While not affluent and used to living meagrely, the community of Hondeklipbaai have a pleasant and carefree nature. Here all visitors are welcome and free to meander, without restraint or apprehension, along a picturesque 14km shoreline.  Tidal pools still abound with marine life and as long as one has the necessary licence and keep to the restrictions, one can collect one’s own seafood or watch as, undisturbed, the Sandpipers, Gulls and Oystercatchers scavenge for theirs.

A stay at Die Honnehok is one of the best ways to experience this coastal life-style.

The Hough Family and Honnehok history:

The Hough’s describe themselves and Die Honnehok in their own words:

“Born and bred in the Transvaal we bought Die Honnehok in 1991 as a holiday home away from city life.  At the outset, we had no plans to develop the little cottage into a business but, as we all know, life has a bizarre way to predetermine one’s destiny.   We had found our Nirvana but then so did our friends!  The little cottage in Hondeklip Bay soon became the most popular holiday pied-à-terre amongst our friends and family.  During 1993, although still residing in Lichtenburg, we decided to build two cottages (Kennels 1 and 2) for the use of friends and family".
 
"At this stage, Hondeklip Bay had no running water and as all the water had to be carted by truck from Koiingnaas, 25km away, we soon became skilled at saving every drop of water. As there was no other tourist accommodation available in the village, Die Honnehok soon became an established stopover for tourists and folks of the surrounding area.  Particularly during the flower season (August-September), overnight and day visitors arrived seemingly from the four corners of the earth.  Since there were no amenities or restaurants in the village, day visitors arrived imploring for a cup of tea or coffee and a bathroom.  Starting out with a few windswept tables and chairs outside the, now famous, tea garden was established.  This was also the humble start of our present-day modest yet intimate little restaurant".

"The emergence of ever more visitors required that we had to confront the water shortage problem without fear or favour.  Realising that the only solution would be to drill a saltwater borehole, we pinpointed a convenient location and thus supplied the kennels with 'running water'.  Showers and toilets were run on saltwater and drinking water had to be “imported” by all and sundry. Consequently, the concept to establish a unique yet unsophisticated tourist establishment was initiated".

"After three very successful (part time) seasons, we sat down to seriously consider the possibility of realising our ambition to relocate to Hondeklip Bay and expand Die Honnehok into a viable concern.  To us the 'pro' list, even though it was shorter, seemed much more persuasive.  Thus, at the end of November 1997, we said goodbye to the 'Jones’s' in Lichtenburg and with very little resources but plenty of resourcefulness, arrived in Hondeklip Bay".

"The subsequent years were arduous but exciting and each day still begets new challenges.  We erected three more cottages and installed, against all odds, the first swimming pool (saltwater) in Hondeklip Bay".
 
"Nowadays the town attains water from Koiingnaas via a pipeline and albeit limited in quantity and quality, we appreciate every drop!  Most of our shopping is done in Koiingnaas, a 'closed' mining town approximately 25km north of Hondeklip Bay.  Often when an ingredient is not available, we simply improvise or just change the recipe!"

"Thanks to the multitude of guests that have visited us over the past five years, we are neither lonely nor bored and the limited leisure time that we have are pummelled and whittled away in our newly established K9 pottery and woodworking studio".

"Recently our daughter Ninette has joined us and, as a harmonious (pun intended) family, we are more than ever motivated to make your stay at Die Honnehok a memorable and exceptional experience.”