Fruit of your labour
Take your pick (literally) of fresh fruit at one of these farms – all summer long.
STRAWBERRIES
Redberry Farm, George Pick and enjoy six supersweet strawberry varieties or relax in the tea garden while the kids ride ponies. When? November 2014 to end of January 2015 (Mondays to Saturdays, 09:00-16:00) Where? Geelhoutboom Road on the R404 near George Cost R15 for a 500g punnet and R25 for 1kg Contact 044 870 7123
redberryfarm.co.za
MANGOES
Mango Mania, Hoedspruit Enjoy a tractor-and-wagon ride to the mango orchard and then get yourself a bag of the finest mangoes. Taste some of the exotic new varieties grown on the farm, and buy dried mangoes and mango juice. When? 25 January and 22 February 2015 Where? Bavaria farm, 8km outside Hoedspruit on the R527 Cost R30 entrance and R5/kg for the mangoes Contact 015 795 5380;
ammiem@bavariafruit.co.za
FIGS
Hoogwater fig farm, Wolseley Have a peaceful amble in the fig orchards, and pick and eat figs until you can’t eat any more. Or buy a bottle of wine and a cheese platter – or coffee and cake – and chill under the trees. When? 23 January to 27 February 2015 (Saturdays only, 08:00-13:00) Where? Hoogwater farm, on the R43 in the Ceres direction Cost R40 per person, and R5 for a punnet Contact 083 762 2803
hoogwatercottage.co.za
GRAPES
Hands-on Harvest, Robertson During this two-month festival, you get to see how wine is made at several well-known wineries. You can also pick your own grapes or help sort and stomp them, go on a tractor ride through a vineyard, or go wine tasting on a horse-drawn cart. Visit the website for the programme. When? Saturday, 7 FebruarySunday, 29 March 2015 Where? In and around Robertson Cost Depending on activity; book at least three days ahead Contact
handsonharvest.com
BERRIES
Berry Festival, Haenertsburg Pick and eat as many raspberries or blueberries you can on one of three farms outside Haenertsburg, go on a tour of the packing facilities, and enjoy and buy some of the many home-made berry products in town. When? 14-15 February 2015 Where? Haenertsburg and surrounds, on the R71 between Polokwane and Tzaneen Cost R40 per person (R20 for kids under 10), which includes as many berries as you can eat, a tour of the packing facility and a berry juice Contact 082 903 7593
berryfestival.co.za