A DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS

Baviaans mountain route - 

NB – Not recommended for vehicles that have low ground clearance and /or have low profile tyres. 

Although it is possible to do the whole of this route in a day, if you start early, the likelihood is that you will want to linger and enjoy what the gardens have to offer. The scenery is awesome and the driving can be tiring, so be prepared to prioritise and edit your plans as you go.

Leaving Bedford, travel west on the R63 and take the turn to the right (BGF board).  

You could stop at the historic Glen Lynden churches then head for Skelmkloof farm  garden - it will take you slightly over an hour from Bedford. One of a kind, this is an arid Karoo type garden with a quirky sense of humour and wonderful hosts, who will offer you teas and vetkowk. Francois can also tell you about the geology and fossils found in the area.

Your next stop could then be Huntly Glen for one of Ernest Pringle’s fascinating talks and an intro to his famed butterfly collection.

Definitely don’t miss Eildon with its magnificent garden that will beckon you through its six different ‘rooms’ each with a unique character and more happy roses than you can imagine. Ploughman’s Platters are on offer for lunch on Fri, Sat & Sun.

Travelling back down the valley, turn right into the Seekoei Valley to visit historic Fair Holt with its bold waterwise indigenous landscaping.

Further along the road, Belmont awaits you with refreshments and showers of glorious roses.  

Baviaans River

BELMONT Ria & Henry Moolman  087 7003 440 Entry: R20pp. Tea.

EILDON David and Taryn Pringle 071 4228792 Entry: R20pp LUNCH Fri, Sat & Sun - ploughman’s platters.

FAIR HOLT Lucy & Oggy Pringle  082 879 5006 Entry: R10 

HUNTLY GLEN  Butterfly collection & talks Anne & Ernest Pringle 046 685 0706 Entry: donation

SKELMKLOOF Hilda & Francois Marais 046 685 0632 Entry: donation. Tea, lunch Fri, Sat & Sun