Farmstay in Heidelberg
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Heidelberg
Today, you’ll arrive at Heidelberg – a 3.5 hour drive from Cape Town – where farmer Neels and his family are waiting to welcome you into their home. The farm is spread over 1200 hectares, and along with over 1000 sheep and a herd of African cattle, you’ll also spot a few ostriches wandering around.
For the next couple of nights, you’ll be staying in a stone cottage on the farm, with two bedrooms and an open-plan living room and kitchen. There’s a fireplace in the kitchen that you can use as a spot for a braai—a traditional South African BBQ where wood takes the place of charcoal. If the weather’s good, there’s an outdoor grill. Just to make things easy on your first evening, we have ordered a braai package which will be waiting in the fridge for you. This includes fresh salads, a potato bake, vegetables, lamb chops, and ostrich sausages. You will only have to switch the braai on and enjoy!
Need a different menu? No problem, just let Neels know when you arrive, and he’ll take care of it.
Days 2 – Tour around the farm
Today, you’ll give farmer Neels a hand while exploring his estate. Unlike the more commercial ostrich farms near Oudtshoorn, the animals here have plenty of space to roam freely and are only fed sparingly. The sheepdog proudly shows off how he manages to herd an entire flock on his own. Or (depending on the season) Neels shows how the sheep are sheared or will let you help feed the lambs. In the afternoon, you can take your kids for a walk in the surrounding area or relax with a book, while the children play.
Days 3 – Last morning on the farm
Breakfast is served right in the farmhouse living room. Expect fresh fruit, bread, yoghurt, and eggs from the farm’s chickens. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to farm life and continue your trip along the Garden Route or towards Cape Town. From here it’s about a 3-hour drive to Knysna, where you’ll stay in a wooden chalet on the edge of the lagoon and hear all about life in the township from the residents themselves. Or, you can drive 3.5 hours to go zip-lining in Tsitsikamma National Park, near Plettenberg.
Accommodation
