Meet Jan and Astrid
In 2005, Jan and Astrid emigrated from the hospitable town of Sint-Oedenrode in the Dutch province of Brabant to the wine regions of South Africa. For thirteen years, they—along with their son and two dogs—enjoyed the good, "Mediterranean" lifestyle of Stellenbosch.
After their son Floris returned to the Netherlands, they decided in 2018 to take the step of moving to a game farm in Limpopo. There, Astrid realised her dream of opening a small B&B with a "living room" style restaurant. It was not only great fun but also a success, and it allowed her to express her creativity. Jan brings to life the interior design and garden ideas Astrid comes up with; together, they make a formidable team. Zeelandhuys Opikopi was a dream come true: a life in the bush, surrounded by sweeping views and African wildlife.
In 2025, Jan and Astrid moved to Aberdeen—a small, dusty, yet incredibly hospitable village in the Karoo—to start all over again...
Coming full circle
Given their surname, Van Zeeland—referencing the Dutch province of Zeeland—choosing the name "Zeelandhuys" was an easy decision. The cottage's name had to follow suit, so they chose "Leijntje", an old Zeeland girl's name. "Lyntjie"—the Afrikaans spelling—is also a traditional name here and even features in a 2023 song by the Afrikaans group De Pisangskille.
The cottage is built in the Cape Dutch style and, much like the murals by Coleen Emmenis, reflects a blend of Dutch and South African influences in many ways.
Let us plan your visit
Tell us when you would like to visit, how many people are coming and whether you would like to stay, dine or both. We will be in touch to discuss availability and arrangements.