Things to Do in Bonnievale

Famous for it's indigenous medicinal plant project, the beautifully restored Joubert House is well worth a visit. The oldest house in the village of Montagu, it bears a rich history and has a rustic yet elegant charm.

One of Montagu's most popular and easily accessible attractions is the Leidam. Situated in the heart of the town, it’s well worth a visit. Here you will be able to easily spot a large variety of birds. Frequently residents include Grey heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, African Sacred Ibis and the Common Weaver. The bird count totals 18 local species as well as 52 migrant species. The best time to visit is just before sunset when hundreds of birds fly in to roost in the treetops.

Sip soetes and swirl your glass in Montagu’s oldest winery. Uitvlucht Winery is named after the farm Uitvlucht, on which the picturesque town of Montagu was founded. Uitvlucht also happens to be the oldest winery in Montagu. Uitvlucht Winery features a fine selection of sophisticated wines as well as full-bodied sweet Montagu Muskadel and Port for which Montagu has become renowned across the globe. Climb aboard the Muscat Express! Experience a two hour scenic tractor tour through this historical town with a glass of Muscadel in hand. View significant scenery and historical buildings while experienced guides tell all the stories. The highlight of the trip is the winetasting in the barrel aging cellar of Uitvlucht Winery. Here you can experience a candle light wine tasting of Montagu’s famous wines. Need to know? Wine sales and tasting hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8:30am to 1:30pm. Uitvlucht Winery is a member of the Biodiversity Wine Initiative.

If you're visiting Montagu pop into the dried fruit and nut shop. Here you can stock up on all sorts of tasty nibbles. It all started in 1991 when a small fruit drying operation started in Montagu, the heart of thedried fruit "pantry" of South Africa. Since then they have grown to becomeone of the largest exporters in the Little Karoo. Everyday during thesummer months an enormous variety of fruit is prepared and dried to satisfythe requirements of all lovers of dried fruit.

Montagu is muscadel country with the town hosting the annual Muscadel Festival. Muscadel is a sweet, full rounded wine with rich fruit flavours that is drunk on crushed ice or at room temperature. It's definitely worth joining the festive townsfolk who celebrate the muscadel tradition with great country hospitality and style.Montagu Wine Cellar was established in 1941, producing wine of the variety of the day, namely Muscadel. Just grapes of the highest quality with a minimum of 24° B were used. Monis’ marsala and moscato had its origin in this cellar and this special and unique method is still used.Today the cellar makes dry table wines as well, receiving a number of awards. The cellar has several times been the Champion Co-op Cellar of the region and their red Muscadel was already four times chosen for the Nederburg Wine Auction where it was described as "the best wine for the price anywhere in the world". Unlock the ambience of Montagu with a glass of Montagu Cellar muscadel, put your feet up and enjoy the peace and quiet.

The Montagu Golf Club course is a 9-hole country course situated in the picturesque town of Montagu at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains.The well-maintained course is surrounded by typical Klein Karoo vegetation with scenic views of the adjacent farming activities. With fabulous weather all year round, you're assured of an enjoyable Klein Karoo golf experience.Need to know? Montagu Golf Club is open every day. For visitors a reasonable fee is charge. Montagu is a two-hour drive from Cape Town (200 km).

Internationally renowned for exceptional quality and great value wines, Rietvallei is one of the oldest wine farms in Robertson. The family-owned estate has been in the hands of the Burger Family since 1864. Today the fifth and sixth generations of the Burger family, Johnny and his son Kobus, are actively running the estate. Tasting hours and sales: Monday to Friday 08:30 – 17:00 Saturday and Public Holidays 10:00 – 14:00 +27 (0) 23 626 3596 www.rietvallei.co.za GPS: 33°49'36"S 19°58'39"E

The Donkey Sanctuary will warm your heart. The Sanctuary provides a home for abused, neglected and elderly donkeys. Here they can live out their lives with respect and dignity, surrounded by their own kind in a protective and natural environment. You can even adopt one of the donkeys. Facilities include a restaurant, farm stall and kids playground.

Surrounded by the rolling Langeberg mountains in the Breede River Valley and bordered by vineyards and orchards, the new 18 hole Robertson Golf Course on the Silwerstrand Estate opened for play in April 2009. It is the only 18 hole golf course in the beautiful ‘Valley of Wine and Roses’. Described as a fun leisurely course, it is extremely golfer friendly with comfortable walks from tee to green. It has a great mix of long and short holes, with course designer Danie Obermeyer’s signature “rivet faced” bunkers providing punishment for the wayward shot!The tenth (par 4) and 12th (par 5) are expected to be the toughest holes, especially if the North Westerly wind is blowing, whilst the 18th (a par 5) is a rewarding finishing hole.

Practice your swing and tee off on De Kloof's golf driving range and putting green. De Kloof Luxury Hotel and Estate provides its own private short golf driving range and putting green for guests. The facility, clubs and balls are supplied at no extra cost.

Diagonally opposite the 1838 Cape Dutch-style Oefeningshuis is the 'Moederkerk' – Swellendam's Dutch Reformed Church. Built in 1910, this giant wedding cake of a building displays a wonderfully eclectic fusion of architectural styles. Cape Dutch gables, Gothic windows, Renaissance entrances, and a Baroque spire combine into an attractive fairytale-like building. Great for happy holiday snaps!

The popular Boesmanskloof Trail winds through the only gap in the rugged Riviersonderend Mountain range. This lovely hiking trail links the quaint little towns of McGregor and Greyton. The route can be hiked either way starting at Die Galg, roughly 14 km from Greyton and McgGregor. It traverses some spectacular mountain scenery with deep rock pools and waterfalls – perfect for cooling off in summer. Perdekop viewpoint offers fabulous views of the steep gorges of the Riviersonderend Mountains and the lush Greyton and McGregor valleys. A great diversity of plant species can be seen, particularly proteas and ericas. Between July and October the flowering king proteas are magnificent. Hikers have the option of overnighting at Die Galg – book in advance. Permits are required from Cape Nature for the day trail – wwwcapenature.org.za 0861 227 362 8873.

Hike along the road to nowhere – The Galg Road. The original pass from McGregor towards Greyton leads up to the mountains and mysteriously disappears at the edge of a steep krantz. Many local stories speculate about the reason why the road was never completed. In 1862 the village of McGregor was officially proclaimed and the land divided into 2.5-hectare plots and sold to 19 farmers who were under the impression that the road from Cape Town would pass through their village. This never happened and neither did the planned road over the mountains through the Boesmanskloof Pass to Greyton – the road simply passes through the village and comes to an abrupt end.

Oak Falls is situated halfway between Greyton and McGregor on the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail. It’s quite feasible to take a picnic and spend the day at this lovely waterfall or cool off in the natural pool if you’re doing the Boesmanskloof Hiking Trail. Permits are required from Cape Nature for the day trail – wwwcapenature.org.za 0861 227 362 8873.

Even more reason to visit Greyton! Chocolatier Richard von Geusau crafts sublime handmade chocolates from the best Belgian couverture. It’s impossible not to drool while browsing the Von Geusau range of truffles and slabs – spiked with the flavours of roasted hazelnut, almond, pistachio, rose geranium, cardamom, crème brûlée, pear, lemon, vanilla and liqueurs. Need to know? Find the von Geusau Chocolaterie at the Oak & Vigne in Ds Botha Street, Greyton. +27 (0) 28 254 9100 www.vgchocolate.co.za

Something of a Greyton institution, The Inside Story retails an eclectic assortment of old and new. Merchandise ranges from fantastic handmade bath soaps to Indian textiles, scarfs and shawls in vibrant colours to unusual furniture. Artwork by shop owners, Michelle Holloway and Carol Gibbs adorns the walls. The shop's relaxed atmosphere makes browsing a pleasure. +27 (0) 28 254 9827

One dark autumn night in the beautiful Overberg town of Napier, three friends got together and started discussing what they could do to bring some extra sparkle to their village. As they sat drinking beer after beer, the answer became obvious. It was staring them in the face. A quality local beer! Napier Bier was conceived that night and over the coming months the three friends set out on their journey to produce such a beer. Brewed naturally on the outskirts of the village, Napier beer has become firmly established as a favourite of locals and visitors alike and is most certainly a case of where 'local is lekker'. Brews now include lager, ale and stout.

Genadendal Handweavers started as a job-creation project initiated by The Kraal Gallery, but partnered by the Department of Economic Development, Rotary International, private family trusts and the community. Their mantra is ‘weaving broadens horizons’, evident in the vibrant hues and diverse range of beautifully woven products. The business employs locally trained women to create innovative and desirable items and works of art. 082 433 3540 www.thekraalgallery.com

Take a trip back in time at a South African National Cultural Treasure, the Genadendal Mission Museum. See the country's oldest pipe organ, the oldest fire engine, household implements, books, tools, and musical instruments, and a brilliant example of an original ox wagon. Displays examine the life of Moravian Missionaries in the Cape during the 18th and 19th centuries. Open Monday to Thursday 09:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 17:00, Friday 09:00 – 15:30, Saturday 10:00 – 02:00 +27 (0) 28 251 8220

Visit the Genadendal Pottery Studio and purchase an unusual ceramic piece or hand-painted tableware. This project of the Genadendal Mission Museum is located on the Moravian Church Square behind the Information Bureau. Open Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 14:00. +27 (0) 28 251 8291