Kurland

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A Cape Dutch Homestead for private holiday rental. Situated on the renowned Kurland Polo Estate

The family owned and operated Homestead is located near the picturesque beach resorts of Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley, in the heart of the Garden Route, South Africa. This boutique, Luxury Home, available for private rental, offers gracious country living with just 12 suites that afford utter privacy and it has acquired a reputation as an exclusive hideaway located on a vast 700 hectare (1, 700 acre) private Estate of incredible natural beauty, situated between the mountains and the pristine beaches of Nature’s Valley and a 20 minute drive to Plettenberg Bay. Kurland Hotel has been designed with exceptional facilities for family holidays and due to the area enjoying a Mediterranean climate; it makes this the ideal year round destination for fun vacations, romantic getaways, exclusive weddings and family reunions.

10/11/2026

By 1998, Kurland was ready for a new chapter. Clifford and Nicky Elphick had bought the estate from Baron Nicolas Behr, building on the Behr family legacy and bringing a new vision for the farm, with polo at its heart.

The Behrs had introduced polo to Kurland in the 1970s, but under Clifford’s ownership, the game was about to become something much bigger. He set about establishing Kurland as a first-class polo estate, developing the fields, paddocks and facilities that would pave the way for polo on a much bigger scale.

As Clifford remembers, “When we started it was a small thing, one field, played amongst friends, sort of farm-polo. But it became so popular we needed more facilities in addition to Kurland.”

This led to the development of additional venues at Stonefield and Bitou, helping put the Crags on the polo map.

07/11/2026

Polo has been part of Kurland’s story for longer than many people realise.

The Behr family first introduced the sport to the farm in the 1970s, playing what was then a fairly informal game amongst friends. It was very much farm polo, with just one field and a shared love of the sport.

Little did they know how much it would grow over the years, or quite how important polo would become to Kurland and the wider Crags community.

And that’s just the beginning of Kurland’s polo story. More to come!

Image 2014 Plett Tourism

28/10/2026

But Kurland’s story was about to take another turn.

In 1998, a devastating fire swept through the farm, destroying much of the pine forest that had taken decades to grow. It was a difficult sight, but that same year brought new owners and a new vision.

Clifford and Nicky Elphick bought Kurland from Baron Nicolas Behr, seeing potential in the land beyond the fire damage. They dreamed of creating a polo estate that would make the most of this beautiful setting — and so, a whole new chapter in Kurland’s story began.

Follow along as we share more chapters from Kurland’s past.

24/10/2026

It’s the season for eating under the pepper trees…

23/10/2026

Baron Behr had big plans for the farm.

Alongside orange groves and youngberry bushes, he established a pine tree nursery with the ambition of building a timber business. Over the years, he planted an extraordinary number of trees, setting in motion a venture that would leave its mark on Kurland’s story.

The farm later passed to his son, Baron Nicolas Behr, who continued his father’s work, planting more pines and bluegums.

And so the Kurland story continued, with each generation leaving its own mark on this beautiful stretch of countryside.

More of the story soon!

18/10/2026

So, what happened next? In 1941, Kurland found its next custodian.

Baron Peter Behr, a Russian émigré who had come to South Africa to work, bought the farm with his wife, Ena. He went on to acquire the neighbouring farms of Redford, Woodlands and Loredo, with a vision for what this beautiful stretch of countryside could become.

And the name Kurland? That came from the Baltic province where Baron Behr was born, and where his family had lived for generations. Quite a long way from the Garden Route.

Life here was simple and centred on the land. Water from the Salt River powered a grain mill, and the farm was very much a place of hard work and self-sufficiency.

It was the beginning of another chapter in Kurland’s story, one that would leave its mark on the place we know and love today.

More to come!

16/10/2026

Did you know Kurland’s story goes all the way back to 1885?

Back then, it was a humble stopover for ox wagons travelling between the Cape and Port Elizabeth. The main road ran right past the dwelling, where weary travellers and their horses could stop for a rest before continuing their journey.

Quite a different Kurland from the one we know today. But every story has to start somewhere.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing more of Kurland’s history, the people and memories that have shaped it, and news about what lies ahead as Kurland begins its next chapter.

There’s quite a story to tell, so do follow along.

12/10/2026

If you don’t know Katarina’s, it’s our rustic barn-turned-restaurant — a much-loved Kurland setting that has hosted so many memorable occasions over the years.

With views across the paddocks and mountains and character in every corner, it was the perfect setting for Sandy’s Leopard’s Feast during the recent gourmet weekend.

Katarina’s was transformed with warm reds, leopard print, rich textures and copper bowls, while the table was laden with Greek-inspired dishes.

We have a soft spot for Katarina’s...especially when we light the candles and enjoy good food together.

📷 Candice Searle

Address

The Crags
Plettenberg Bay
6602

Website

http://www.kurland.co.za/

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