There are many different things to do at Bartholomeus Klip, although plenty of our guests love to spend their time with us just switching off.  However, if you want to do something more strenuous, we provide mountain bikes for cycling through the reserve or along the farm roads through the wheatfields, and there are plenty of wonderful routes to choose for walks. 

Down at the dam guests can take to the water in canoes, or go windsurfing, trout fishing or birdwatching.

Even the most relaxed guest will want to join our rangers on the morning and evening game drives through the reserve, where there is always something different to discover. 

View the activities by season

From Bartholomeus Klip we look out over the Riebeek Valley where many wine and olive farms can be visited, as well as the house where Jan Smuts was born, now a museum.  Half an hour away the charming restored village of Tulbagh is reached via a scenic pass winding through the mountains, and farther afield, Wellington, Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch have much to offer visitors, especially those interested in wine and food.

Along the West Coast, easily reached from Bartholomeus Klip, the West Coast National Park near the town of Langebaan is a mecca for birders and, in the springtime, for flower lovers.  Also near Langebaan, the West Coast Fossil Park is one of the richest fossil sites in the world, with an open archaeological dig where the bones of extinct giraffes called sivatheres are clearly visible among a jumble of other fossilised bones.  The small town of Velddrif has a bird hide and boardwalk overlooking the Berg River Estuary, a ‘hot spot’ for rare waders and waterbirds in general, and the nature reserve at Rocherpan nearby is renowned for wildflowers and whale watching as well as for its wide variety of bird species.

We are surrounded by interesting places, all of which are well worth a visit.  Among them are the following:

www.riebeekvalley.info – an excellent site with plenty of information on our beautiful Riebeek Valley

www.kloovenburg.com – a wine and olive farm in a beautiful setting across the Riebeek Valley, whose award-winning products we are proud to stock in our shop

www.solms-delta.co.za – not only interesting and unusual (and very delicious) wines, but an important museum on a historic farm on the outskirts of Franschhoek

www.tulbaghtourism.org.za – this site has details of the many attractions of the little town of Tulbagh

www.sanparks.co.za/parks/west_coast/ – the informative website of the West Coast National Park

www.iziko.org.za/iziko/partners/wcfp.html – visit this site for more information on the West Coast Fossil Park

www.capenature.co.za – on this site, look up the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness very near to us, famous for ericas and disas

www.capewestcoast.org – find info on the West Coast Bird Route on this site

Guests are welcome (pre-booking essential) to come and enjoy the morning with us visiting the Buffalo Breeding Project and the Quagga Breeding Programme, and tracking  the rare geometric tortoise in our wonderful 4 000 hectare private nature reserve, escorted by our qualified guides in an open game viewing vehicle.

In addition guests can see antelope species unique to the Cape, such as Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra, as well as many others such as Eland, Springbuck and Black Wildebeest, and numerous indigenous plants, birds and animals.

Game Drive Option One

10.00am:  Arrive at Bartholomeus Klip for a champagne breakfast outside in the gardens or in our conservatory. 11.00am:  Game drive to view our breeding projects and the unique flora of the reserve, and track the rare geometric tortoise 01:00pm:  Enjoy a cold drink or glass of wine under the oak trees in the garden.

Game Drive Option Two

Alternatively we can also offer a three-course lunch which could be enjoyed under the trees after the game drive.  The arrival time would then be around 10:30am to enjoy some coffee or tea, and then head off at 11:00am for the game drive.

Lunch Package:  Arrive at around 12:00 noon, enjoy a pre-lunch drink followed by a three-course menu served in the gardens or conservatory. 

Brunch Package:  Arrive at around 9:30am, and enjoy a full brunch.

High tea Package:  Arrive at around 3:00pm, and enjoy an afternoon high tea with scones, savouries and cakes, served on the veranda or in the lounge.

Game Drive Package:  Enjoy a game drive in the 4 000 hectare reserve to see many of our special antelope, plant and bird species.

Dinner:  A three-course dinner, including tea and coffee.  Can be booked, by arrangement only.

All packages are subject to availability, and booking is required two days in advance. Sadly, no children under the age of 16 years allowed at the Main House.