About us

After travelling to Senegal in 2003 and Namibia in 2004 Namibia, we finally discovered South Africa in 2005. Immediately we fell in love with this magnificent country and its tremendous variety of nature, people and culture.

During several holidays in South Africa we began thinking about starting up a guesthouse there. From an early stage, it was clear that we felt a strong attraction towards the picturesque village of Noordhoek. We found all the space and tranquility we needed, there's a stunning beach and yet it's within a half hour reach of the vibrant Cape Town.

When we found our house in the Wolfpower Close in Noordhoek, our South African adventure began. Bram sold his restaurant and bar in the centre of Bruges and Margaux gave up her job at P&O Ferrymasters in the port of Zeebrugge to start up a new life under the South African sun with beagle Lola.

They say that Africa tests you and that is certainly what happened to us. In our first months we lost Lola who was hit by a car after she escaped during the renovation works. As that wasn't worse enough, Bram had a narrow escape after a long embolism. But we persevered, successfully finished the renovations and had our opening in September 2008. In April 2010 we welcomed our son Julian into the world.

It's our aim to make your stay as enjoyable as possible by offering a warm welcome in a stylish accommodation where you can fully come to rest. We are committed to do this with respect for the environment. Keeping an organic vegetable garden, working with environmentally friendly cleaning products and using solar power to warm all our water are only a few examples.

Though South Africa is a beautiful country in many ways, we are not ignoring the social problems it is facing. By supporting the project WOR(L)DS of Maud Bekaert and the HOKISA project in the local township Masimphumele, we like to contribute to the rainbow nation of the new South Africa.

We look forward to meeting you at African Queen guesthouse!

Bram and Margaux

Our dedicated team:

Gloria has been with us since the very beginning. She lives with her husband Wellington in Masimphumele. Her three children Lindile, Sandile and Odwa stay with her family in the Eastern Cape where they go to school. Always running around with a smile on her face, we are truly blessed to have her on board.

After opening the guesthouse in September 2008, we quickly realized we needed some extra help. Siphokazi was the answer to our problem! She lives in Masimphumele with her husband Thomas and her son Banele. Her other son Anovuyo stays with her family in the Eastern Cape. A little shy but very kind, she's always there when we need her.

Lameck performs miracles in our garden. Originally from Malawi, he came to Cape Town in 2003 in search for a better life. He now lives just outside Masi with his son Goli while his wife Eunice stays with the rest of the family in Malawi. His skills are so versatile we can ask him anything from building a stable to making an owl box.

Our pets:

Badu, the "gentle giant" Rhodesian Ridgeback (no worries for the non doglovers, he has his own designated area in the garden).

Oscar, the rescue donkey spends his time grazing in the garden and being spoiled by our guests.