[The Farm] [Day Trip 1] [Day Trip 2]
Experience a Karoo Farm
Wilgemond is a genuine working farm where you have a unique chance to learn about the various aspects to a Karoo farm. Your host Guillaume will be glad to take you on a tour of the farm and inform you about:
- ostrich farming
- seed farming
- fruit farming
- wine farming
- flower farming
In addition to the farm’s livestock various herds of wild antelope roam the extensive expanses of Wilgemond, among others a herd of some thirty-five Eland antelope. To control the number of these animals they are occasionally hunted (under supervision of a professional hunter only).
The first road through Meiringspoort - hardly more than a farm track - was opened in 1858, allowing oxwagons laden with Karoo wool to pass the Swartberg Mountains and reach the port at Mossel Bay. Meiringspport has beautiful picnic spots and a magnificent waterfall, as well as a unique vegetation.
Beyond Meiringspoort, some 40 km to the South of Wilgemond lies the quaint little town of De Rust. It was founded on a farm established by Petrus Johannes Meiring (a grandson of Pastor Arnoldus Meiring who arrived from Lingen in Germany in 1743) and rode into the Klein Karoo's Elephants River Valley. Meiringspoort is named after him. De Rust offers fine examples of 19th century architecture. More information on De Rust can be found here.
From De Rust follow the road towards Oudtshoorn and visit one of the wine estates along the route. One of these is Domein Doornkraal. An overview of wine estates in the region can be found here.
After visiting Oudtshoorn and the famous Cango Caves, you will find yourself at the Southern slopes of the Swartberg Mountains and the beginning of the famous Swartberg Pass, one of South Africa’s most spectacular mountain passes that takes you through magnificent formations of Cape Sandstone and towards the Karoo town of Prince Albert.
The Cango Caves
Prince Albert
From Prince Albert, drive in an Easterly direction back towards Meiringspoort and to Wilgemond farm, completing this round trip of approx. 300 km.
Day trip 2: Circle around the Kammanassie Mountains
Your second day trip takes you through Meiringspoort, De Rust and towards Oudtshoorn once again. However, turn off to the South at Dysselsdorp and begin your journey around the Kammanassie Moutains, a range lying in the Little Karoo between the Swartberg and the Outeniqua Mountains.
Take your time and travel the dirt road towards Uniondale as long and as slowly as you like, for it surely offers the best vistas of this beautiful mountain range!
Its highest peaks rising to 1900 meters, the Kammanassie Reserve is home to the rare Mountain Zebra. More information about the Kamanassie Reserve can be found here.
On your tour you may wish to stop over in Uniondale, famous for its ghost, its 4x4 and mountainbike trails, its Aloe Factory, the Mill Restaurant and site of a historicBritish Fort from the days of the Boer war. At Mountain Pastures Reserve you can also do a Game Drice and marvel at some of the over 500 San (bushman) Rock Paintings.
After passing through Uniondale towards Willowmore, take the turn off to Hoekplaas to the left and follow the dirt road along the Western edge of the Kammanassie where a beautiful farm is tucked away. Eventually you will reach the tar road taking you to De Rust and through Meiringspoort, back to Wilgemond Farm where you can relax from this approx. 250 km round trip.
Aloes in the Kammanassie Veld
Hoekplaas, on the Northern foothills of the Kammanassie
Wilgemond Farm - Guillaume and Nelmarie Swiegers
Tel: +27 - 23 - 541 17 56
E-Mail: wilgemond@gardenroute.de
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