Mimosa Lodge - Route 62, Garden Route, Robertson, Wine Valley, Food eating out

The Robertson Wine Valley has so much to offer, you can keep busy for weeks! Whether you’re here for a weekend or stay for a week, the Robertson Wine Valley will keep you entertained. However, if you are pressed for time, choose from these popular attractions – in no specific order! WINE TASTING With 48 wineries offering FREE wine tasting, you’re bound to discover many new favourites! Tear-off maps are available from all our wineries and tourism associations and contain useful information, such as who’s making what type of wines, trading hours etc.

If you are new at tasting wine, don’t be shy - the friendly staff are there to help and guide you. Some wineries offer informative cellar tours (by appointment), and a number of wineries have additional activities, such as boat cruises, tractor trips etc. Contact the Robertson Wine Valley office for more information. OLIVE TOURS AND TASTING The Robertson area is ideal for olive growing and many farmers have planted olives trees in the last decade.

The quality is as good as anywhere in the world and the value is unbeatable! Join an olive tour, learn about the different varieties and styles and sample some products such as smoked olives, olive chutney, olive oil and even … olive chocolate! Two worthwhile stops are Rhebokskraal in McGregor and Olyfberg in the Eilandia area – remember to book in advance though. GAME DRIVES Klaas Voogds Game Reserve situated on the Pat Busch Private Nature Reserve offer affordable game drives led by a trained personal guide in open viewing vehicles.

Game drives available Wednesday’s – Sunday’s at 10h00 or 16h00, other days and times by appointment. Game include Black Wildebeest, Gemsbok, Vaal Rhebok and Zebra to name but a few. We recommend the sunset-game drive with breathtaking views as the sun sets over Rooiberg Mountain. CHEESE SHOPS Langewater, La Montanara, Parmalat, Mooivallei and Stillerus are just some of the cheese making establishments we have in the area. Before you leave, be sure to visit some of their shops – find out more at the local tourism bureaus. local tourism association. 4 X 4 ROUTES Mountains, rivers and valleys: sceneries simply inviting 4x4 enthusiasts! Popular trails include Mount Eco and Groot Toren (both previously listed in the top 10 in SA), Hessequas, Leopard Trail, Rooiberg Eco Route, Pat Busch Eco Route and Protea Farm. Along many of these trails you’ll be able to stop and cool off in fresh mountain streams. For those not fortunate enough to own a 4x4, we recommend the Leopard Trail Sundowner trip with wine tasting on the slopes of the Langeberg, snacks served in the veld and many interesting stories of the area. RIVER CRUISES & RAFTING The Breede River is the lifeline of the area and there is plenty to do on and around the river! You can choose between 3 different boat cruises: Kolgans River Restaurant, Viljoensdrift’s Uncle Ben and the Breede River Goose, which offer cruises lasting between 1 and 2 hours. Or if you want to be more hands-on, join one of Rafting Route 62 trips paddling down the river, something the whole family can do together. Booking is essential and can be done at the local tourism bureaus. HAVE A PICNIC Enjoy a picnic at one of our wine estates. Try Viljoensdrift, Janeza, Goedverwacht or Rietvallei, each of which offers (pre-booked) picnic baskets. Otherwise bring your own picnic and visit Buitehof, Rooiberg, Zandvliet, Wolvendrift or Weltevrede. Be sure to phone ahead and let them know of your visit. BIRD PARK Bird’s Paradise in Robertson is ideal for families (especially children!). With over 260 exotic birds, monkeys, lamas, crocodiles and ponies, kids will be well entertained while you relax and enjoy something from the coffee shop. Open 7 days a week. ARTS & CRAFTS Each town has a great variety of artists, galleries, and many studios. Paintings, sculptures, wire-work, clothing, linen, pottery – it’s all here! Please consult the local tourism bureaus for the complete list of artists in the area. VISIT OUR MARKETS With so much fresh produce it’s to be expected that there will be some markets! Products range from fresh fruit and veggies (including organic), breads, croissants, rusks, olive oil, local cheese, freshly cut flowers to arts & crafts. Visit the Montagu Craft Market (09h00 – 12h00) and McGregor Morning Market (09h00 – 11h00) every Saturday morning and the Robertson Farmers’ Market the 1st Friday (08h00 – 10h00) of every month. Come early as products tend to sell quickly. Consult the local tourism bureaus for more information. HIKING Robertson Wine Valley is a must for hikers, with plenty trails to choose from: Arangieskop (Robertson-20.9km), Bloupunt (Montagu-15.6km), Cogmans (Montagu-12.1km), Dassieshoek (Robertson-34km), Boesmanskloof (McGregor-Greyton-14km), Rooikat Vrolijkheid (McGregor-19km) and Fish Eagle Trail (Van Loveren-8km) to name but a few. Contact the local tourism bureaus regarding bookings and/or permits. FISHING A great outdoor activity for the family! Bass is plentiful – try your luck at the following wineries, all bordering the river: BurCon Wines, Viljoensdrift Wines, Wolvendrift Winery or Weltevrede Estate. If you don’t have a fishing rod, visit Outdoor Arena in Bonnievale, where a large variety of fish such as largemouth bass, carp, barbel, blue Tilapia, blue gill and grass carp are kept in their well stocked ponds. Fishing rods can be hired. FARM TOURS Merwenstein offers one-hour guided “Fruit About” tours on a working farm, where you can view the vineyards, apricot, plum, peach and persimmon orchards and pick fruit in season. End the day with some wine tasting and a traditional South African meal on the river bank. Only for groups of 10 or more, by appointment only. HORSE RIDING If you love horses and the outdoors, this is a must. No experience is needed, safety-helmets are provided and, with groups no bigger than 6 (minimum 2), each rider will receive personal attention. Trails vary from 1 hour, half day, full day (which includes wine tasting and lunch at a nearby organic wine farm) to 3 day trails. We love Rene Burger of Nerina Guest Farm for her patience and “never-give-up” attitude! TRACTOR TRIPS Montagu Tractor Trips - a legendary outdoor activity since 1985 and certainly one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. It takes you to the summit of the Langeberg with stunning views of the Koo and Robertson Valleys. Fresh fruit, grown on this working farm, is served on your way up, with local muscadel being served at the summit. Afterwards enjoy traditional South African “Potjiekos”, served under magnificent pine trees. Booking at the Montagu Tourism Bureau. Weltevrede Wine Estate offers informative Terroir Tractor Trips, outlining the Jonker’s passion for Chardonnay and the area. Both these trips are great for families! HOT SPRINGS Avalon Springs is beautifully situated at the entrance to Bath Kloof, only 3 km outside Montagu. Visitors can enjoy hot pools (said to work miracle cures!) at a constant temperature of 43˚C, . A putt-putt course and children’s play area are also on site. QUAD BIKING Bonfrutti (Bonnievale) offers guided farm tours, with stops at the ostrich camps, and the trips extend drives half way up the Langeberg Mountain. Personal attention, with a maximum of 4 people per group, no experience needed, makes a great family outing. Views are stunning, so don’t forget to bring the camera. Waboom Mountain in Montagu also offers quad biking. ROCK CLIMBING Montagu is one of the top sport climbing areas in South Africa, offering routes for the absolute beginner to the hardest route in the country. Slabs, Cracks, Face steep, Roofs Multi pitcs , they’ve got it all. Contact Montagu Tourism Bureau for more information. GOLFING Bonnievale and Montagu both have 9 hole courses. (Robertson course is currently being expanded to 18 holes). Also try Outdoor Arena’s Kaps ‘n Raps course - played on a 9 hole par 3 course on lovely green lawns between the fish ponds. MAZE / CACTUS GARDENS Soekershof Walkabout Maze is different in almost all aspects. Incorporating the world’s largest hedge-maze, succulent gardens and a stone-age cinema, the concepts are almost as weird as the hosts. Open your mind for strange stories, legends and quests. A great activity for families. Also visit Sheilam Cactus Garden next door to the maze, Robertson’s little Mexico, with over 2000 species of cacti and aloes. HISTORIC TOURS & MUSEUMS There are various historic tours, walks and museums in every town. Try the Robertson Walkabout, visit the Myrtle Rigg Memorial Church in Bonnievale, join McGregor’s Historic Tour or visit Joubert House in Montagu. Contact the local tourism bureaus for more information.