At some point in your camping life, you simply have to pitch your tent on a working farm. Witness the journey from farm to shelf as you kick back and take in the land that feed us. That’s exactly what you get to do at Melkhout and Leopard Trail guest farms near Bonnievale.
At Melkhout, you set up camp amid a herd of Jersey cows next to the Breede River, complete with your own bathroom. Leopard Trail lies at the foothills of the Langeberg and is part of the Sitruspoort farm, where you’ll see vineyards and orchards along the way. Forget electricity; a trusty old donkey boiler provides the hot water.
Bonnievale is renowned for its cheese and wine, but to really appreciate it, you’ve got to get to grips with its storied past. A century ago, something extraordinary took place here. First, set up camp by the river or in the mountains, then make time for a jaunt into town.
A WHILE BACK we visited Goudmyn campsite, a good 17 km from Bonnievale and some distance from Melkhout and Leopard Trail. Goudmyn is located along the Breede River, and next to it is a weir that dams the water. From here, an irrigation canal extends all the way past Bonnievale. As you drive past Goudmyn on the R314, the canal remains to your right, with the river just a stone’s throw away.
This canal is the cornerstone of Bonnievale’s success, built more than a century ago. The town’s founder, Christopher Forrest Rigg, played a big part in what, at the time, was said to be the largest privately owned irrigation system in the country.
This story is from the October/November 2023 edition of Go! Drive & Camp.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October/November 2023 edition of Go! Drive & Camp.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The pinch of the pump
In a time where every penny counts, you should be cautious about where to spend it, says Neels van Heerden.
Is the Jimny suitable for overlanding?
He has a theory on whether the Suzuki Jimny is suitable for overlanding, but he is also about to find out for himself, says Mic van Zyl.
Klein-Kariba chronicles
His family has camped so often at ATKV Klein-Kariba that they now consider this popular resort their holiday home, says Roelof van Eeden of Witbank.
So ugly it's cute
Longing for the good old days when vehicles took inspiration from aircraft? Citroën has the compact mobile home just for you.
WHO'S THE BAKKIE KING?
Eight brands, seven categories... and one overall winner. We find out which double-cab bakkie performs best when towing a caravan and off-roading.
Viva, Amarokoroko!
We take a spin through the Western Cape's Cederberg to See if the Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok retains its poshness.
Hook, line and tune
That exhilarating rush you feel when something tugs at your hook and races away with your line is what perpetually draws him back to the angler's paradise, says singer Bok van Blerk.
Discover Dinokeng: beyond the Big Five
The Dinokeng Big Five Reserve is a favourite for weekend getaways, but just past its borders lies an untapped haven waiting to be explored.
Life's a farm in Bonnievale!
Bonnievale presents a unique setting where kids, camping and church come together for a unique family holiday.
Into the heart of the Cederberg
From Duiwelsgat to Heuningvlei, from Wupperthal to the Biedouw Valley. Drive through a world where poet Boerneef's mountain goose sheds a feather and author Jan Rabie's dreamland begins.
