Wildlife, Wine & City Splendour

Experience Cape Town’s highlights, from built landmarks to the city’s famous natural features (private and group tour).

•South African Museum and the Company Gardens
•Parliament buildings
•City Hall and Castle of Good Hope
•Malay Quarter/Bo-Kaap
•Green Market Square
•Signal Hill
•Camps Bay and Clifton
•Short diamond factory tour (optional)

Explore Stellenbosch like a local. Rent a bicycle for the day from our Reception.

Enjoy a delicious meal at the well-priced Oude Werf Restaurant. Dine under the cool vines in summer or inside near the fireplace for a cosy meal in winter. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available.

The landmark of Swellengrebel Street in Swellendam, better known as Swellendam's 'Historical Mile', the Drostdy Museum has been voted the best museum in South Africa and has become a landmark of South African heritage. Originally built in 1747 as headquarters for the town's magistrate after which various other outbuildings, a jail and a mill was added spanning over multiple hectare throughout the town all within walking distance from Schoone Oordt.

The creative colaboration between owners of the Bukkenburg Pottery Studio and Gallery, David Schlapobersky and Felicity Potter, started in 1973 and lead them to Swellendam in 1996 when they opened the studio. Bukkenburg Pottery Studio and Gallery is situated in Swellengrebel Street, a short stroll down the street from Schoone Oordt.

A superb family activity with plenty to do for the children and great coffee, meals and confectionery for every member of the family to enjoy. The nursery grows and stocks succulents, aloes and other rare plants.

Swellendam's 'berried' treasure - Wildebraam is a berry farm nestled in the Hermitage Valley just 2km outside town. The farm offers tastings of their unique liquers, syrups and other berry products farmed and manufactured on the estate. In berry season (November to December) the estate also offers berry picking - a wonderful family activity which you can end off with milkshakes, coffee and a light meal at the estate's coffee shop.

Situated on the banks of the Breede River the Bontebok National Park is just a 5km drive outside Swellendam. With a variety of wild life and birds a trip to the park will ensure excitement for young and old - pack a picnic basket (available from Schoone Oordt per request), drive all the way to the river bank and take in all the goodness of the great outdoors.

A very unique activity that will elate everybody's inner child

Swellendam's 9 hole, par 72 golf course is open to visitors every day of the week. With low fees and the most beautiful setting Swellendam's golf course is a great activity for every golf lover, pro or amateur.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is a 50km drive from Swellendam where the Potberg Mountains meet the shore. The reserve makes the perfect location for a day-trip and has its own restaurant that is open daily. Activities at De Hoop Nature reserve are endless - you can hike through Fynbos plains, go mountain biking along the gravel backroads, laze on the beach or take a game drive through this scenic reserve.

Marloth Nature Reserve is named after the pioneer botanist who, together with a deputation of Swellendam residents, petitioned the Minister of Lands and Forestry in 1928 to set aside part of the mountain as a nature reserve. During 1981, the reserve was enlarged to include the rest of the State Forest and the Swellendam hiking trail was opened.

The reserve’s vegetation is predominantly mountain fynbos, with patches of forest. There are several species of Protea and more than 25 species of erica, most of which flower in November. Marloth, like the rest of the southern Cape, has hot summers and cold winters. The higher mountain peaks are occasionally dusted in snow during the cold winter months.

As riding horses is not natural to the horse, we strive to keep our approach as pleasant and ethical as possible. We strive for “Harmonious Horse-Human Handling” (Debra-Leigh Mohle)

Our training techniques are based on evidence based scientific research and the horse’s welfare and also the horse and the rider’s safety are paramount at all levels of interaction.

A lot of our techniques and principles of training come from the work of Dr Andrew Mclean and the work of the international Society of Equitation Science. These techniques are firmly rooted in learning theory. Amy also spent some time training in Classical Dressage in Spain.

We take into consideration how the animal lives, behaves, how it learns and how it socializes in order to develop an uncomplicated “language” or “method” of communication between horse and rider. This allows us to safely and pleasantly influence the horse to do all the strange things we as humans require them to do.

Diesel & Crème is a Vintage Diner & Motel (The Karoo Moon Motel, House & Cottage) situated on the scenic Route 62 in Barrydale.

This place is crammed full of memorabilia which is famous for it's milkshakes in enticingly different combos. There's more, a large breakfast and lunch menu, they make a mean variety of burgers, but prepared to queue, such it's fame. Caution, it closes at 5pm.

David and Rita Trafford discovered the future Sijnn land while on holiday in Malgas in 2000. The soil and landscape reminded them of Portugal and they were immediately intrigued. A purchase agreement and more than 200 soil profiles later, approximately ten hectares of vines were planted and the name Sijnn Wines was appropriated to the venture – fittingly so as the word 'sijnn' is derived from the Khoisan word meaning riverbank. Today Sijnn Wines has become well known for our interesting and bold choices of cultivars and award-winning blends.

Open every Saturday 10:00 – 15:00 or by appointment during the week.

Sixty-one years ago, Schalk-Willem Joubert left Wellington for the fertile Tradouw Valley to farm mainly with fruit and wine grapes. His son, Jacobus Joubert, Meyer’s father, realised the potential of growing premium grape cultivars for the production of wine. They delivered Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to the Co-operative Cellar in Barrydale, Cabernet Franc was planted on the farm in 1982. The fermentation cellar was built in 1998 out of stone from the rocky soils, characteristic of the farm. In 1999, the first grapes were harvested and crushed for the production of wine. The R62 Merlot/Cabernet Blend (60:40) was released after a 14-month ageing period in Burgundy oak barrels. The production is currently just below 3000 cases per year.

Peace, tranquility, adventure and excitement – Fun for everyone!
Enjoy nature’s wonderland with boat cruises, swimming, canoeing, hiking/cycling to stunning mountain pools, waterskiing, and much more.

Cruises on a double decker barge for up to 35 people. We park in the gorge where you can braai, take a canoe trip to the waterfall, hike up the mountain, swim or just relax.

Canoes for fishing, exercise or sight seeing
Hiking or cycling on a stunning route along the river to mountain pools & water falls
Buffeljags Dam is perfect for Watersports, so feel free to bring your own boat

Our guided or self-guided walks take you on trails through the beautiful indigenous fynbos flora. On the one side of our 600ha property we have awesome views of the Indian Ocean that can surprise you with whales, dolphins or seals. Its pristine golden sandy beaches stretch out to the distance.

On the rest of the farm looks over the backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains and borders the Swartvlei Wilderness Wetland area. You’ll have a good chance to see some of the general game that roam freely: eland, zebra, bushbuck or waterbuck

Credit: Simbavati Lodge Collection

Credit: Simbavati Lodge Collection

Book a 4×4 Fynbos Nature Drive with our experienced guides. You climb onto a 4×4 game-viewing vehicle and enjoy a drive through the 600ha fynbos property. Our guides love to share their knowledge of the beautiful indigenous fynbos vegetation with all its medicinal, aromatic and herbal qualities. In the verdant Garden Route, the fynbos grows in abundance all around us. Fynbos is a distinctive part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest but most abundant and diverse Floral Kingdoms in the world.

Credit: Simbavati Lodge Collection

Book a tandem paragliding flight to take off at the well-known Gerickes Point Lookout close to the lodge. This has 120m high cliffs going down to the magnificent beaches of the Indian Ocean. You’ll glide with an experienced pilot on the thermals to give you 360 degree views of the spectacular Outeniqua Mountains, Swartvlei Wetland Area and surrounds.

See as far as Mossel Bay in the west and Buffalo Bay to the east. Look for whales, seals and dolphins in the ocean as well as birds of prey in the skies around you.

Adrenaline boosting, exhilarating and exciting and on the doorstep of Fynbos on Sea!

Credit: Simbavati Lodge Collection

Credit: Simbavati Lodge Collection

Visit the protea farm on our estate for an insight into how proteas grow and get farmed commercially.

We recommend adding our Sundowner experience to our 4×4 nature drive. stop at the magnificent Gerickes Point view point for some snacks and drinks. Try to spot Southern White and Humpback whales in season (July to November). Or seals and dolphins in the summer months.

Lalibela is a conservation project that currently consists of 10,500 hectares (approximately 26,000 acres) and is home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal & lynx.

Unique to our area of South Africa, we are blessed with vast areas Savannah Grassland, the biome that has by far the highest carrying capacity – this means that we are able to sustain truly vast herds of plains game like zebra, impala, wildebeest, red hartebeest, blesbuck and eland. This, in turn, allows us to sustain a remarkable density of free-roaming lions.

Lalibela is a conservation project that currently consists of 10,500 hectares (approximately 26,000 acres) and is home to the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard) as well as other predators like cheetah, hyena, jackal & lynx.

Unique to our area of South Africa, we are blessed with vast areas Savannah Grassland, the biome that has by far the highest carrying capacity – this means that we are able to sustain truly vast herds of plains game like zebra, impala, wildebeest, red hartebeest, blesbuck and eland. This, in turn, allows us to sustain a remarkable density of free-roaming lions.

Game viewing is carried out during the morning and evening when you are guided by your game ranger in an open game viewing vehicle. If you have a particular interest, please mention it to your ranger; who will be happy to merge your plans with those of the group.

The game drives will take between three and four hours, with a sundowner stop at sunset and a coffee stop in the morning. The evening game drives usually return to the lodge after dark. Game drive times are seasonally adjusted. It is always advisable to bring warm clothing along, even in summer. Please do not forget to bring your binoculars, cameras and sunhat along.

Optional late-night game drives by arrangement with the lodge at an additional cost.

Big 5 Walking safaris:

Guests have the option of booking a Big 5 Walking safari during their stay at Lalibela. This will take place on the main reserve where guests may encounter Big 5 animals on their walk. Walks are led by our qualified rangers.

- Big 5 walks (Ages 16-65).
- Weather dependent therefore you are required to book during your stay.
- Bush walks are an additional cost. Guests to settle direct with the lodge.

Soft Walking Safaris (Non-Big 5 area):

Not only did the “Big 5 area” of Lalibela increase in size, but the acquisition of an additional 2,000 hectares adjacent to the existing Big 5 area, means that Lalibela now has a pristine wilderness range that will be used as a breeding area, and to reintroduce endemic game species to the Eastern Cape.

In this new predator-free area, “soft” walking safaris have been introduced. This breeding area offers a more relaxed “on foot” safari experience for the whole family where you can get up close and personal with game such as zebra, giraffe, warthog and various antelope in a safe environment.

- Soft walks in Non-Big 5 area (All ages).
- Weather dependent therefore you are required to book during your stay.
- Bush walks are an additional cost. Guests to settle direct with the lodge.