A peaceful escape to the picturesque Overberg
As someone who travels regularly between Cape Town and Hermanus, I’d always been intrigued by an unmissable sign for Jackal River Farm, just off the N2.
In a continued travel article series, we investigate three must-do activities in the Western Cape Overberg, as well as where to stay.
It’s 7am on a Saturday morning, and I found myself wandering happily in an apple orchard. Gentle rain begins to fall as the early morning exploration draws to a premature end, but not before taking in some stunning views of the surrounding Elgin valley in the picturesque Overberg region of the Western Cape.
It proved to be the perfect way to start a day as we set out to explore more of what the area has to offer.
As someone who travels regularly between Cape Town and Hermanus, I’d always been intrigued by an unmissable sign for Jackal River Farm, just off the N2. And so, with our nine-month old baby in tow, we set off for a weekend stay at this stunning working orchard farm, just an hour outside of Cape Town.
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Overberg, the farm’s variety of self-catering cottages exude a rustic charm, with each boasting comfortable amenities and a private space to unwind, such as the KolKol wood-fire hot tub that came in great use on one rather chilly night.
It also served as the perfect ‘gateway’ to explore a stunning region of the Western Cape that has no shortage of activities and sightseeing.
WINE AND DINE IN THE OVERBERG
When it comes to wine country, Western Cape hot spots such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek have become world-renowned destinations, but the Overberg is a hidden gem in this regard.
Wildekrans wine estate and Beaumont family wines are two stunning spots that we popped past in nearby Bot River, but a personal favourite turned out to be Gabrielskloof Estate. As you enter the winery, rolling hills and vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, while the a la carte menu at the Farro restaurant is packed with mouthwatering options.
During our spontaneous ‘wine tour’, we also took a drive through the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde valley, where we eventually settled in at the Spookfontein estate, where we managed to make space for the most delicious pork ramen dish. And, of course, more incredible wine.
HEAD TO HERMANUS
While the Jackal River farm itself provides a haven for relaxation, the surrounding area does beckon with its own unique charm. A short drive takes you to the vibrant town of Hermanus, renowned for its whale watching during the season from July to November, with the most incredible cliff path running for kilometres on end.
Here you can explore the town’s bustling harbour – interestingly there is both a ‘new’ and ‘old’ harbour – indulge in fresh seafood at a local restaurant, or simply soak up the sun on several pristine beaches.
For the more adventurous, the region offers endless opportunities for hiking, cycling or kayaking. Knowing the area well, though, we ticked off a long-awaited to-do activity as we jumped on board the Ocean Quest catamaran for a sunset cruise that cannot be recommended highly enough.
POP IN AT AN ELGIN ‘HOT SPOT’
On our final day, we headed to the Elgin railway market that can be found just off the main route back to Cape Town. The quirky market is located within an old apple warehouse that has been converted into a ‘steampunk, art deco’ food and craft extravaganza.
The Ceres Rail company, with their stable of 80 year old steam trains, in fact operates a Cape Town to Elgin weekend return trip, but we will have to save this activity for another day.
Instead, we saved our energy and appetite for a lunch stop at the Melting Pot, which is just a stone’s throw from the market. Renowned for its ‘sharing plates’, we indulged in the likes of west coast mussels, yellowtail sashimi and fried fish tacos.
WHERE TO STAY?
The stunning Jackal River Farm proved to be the perfect spot to explore the Overberg, offering comfortable accommodation, genuine hospitality, and the opportunity to connect with nature.
Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or simply a solo escape, Jackal River Orchard Farm offers a unique and relaxing setting to both unwind among the apple orchards, and explore the multi-faceted surrounding areas.
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