A family-friendly slow travel guide to the hidden gems of the Bergriver

Travelling is more than just sightseeing; it’s about slowing down and connecting with the heart of a place. 

Instead of rushing from one tourist spot to the next, take the time to truly engage with your surroundings, discover local secrets and moments that make a journey unforgettable. 

Slow travel isn’t about ticking off landmarks; it’s about feeling the pulse of a destination, meeting the people who shape it, and diving into the local traditions.

For those who enjoy travel that goes beyond the ordinary, Bergrivier on the West Coast’s hidden corners and warm hospitality offer just that. 

Here’s a few of the places that make this region so special.

Piketberg

Piketberg is a place that invites you to slow down. Stay on Pomona Farm, where protea fields roll across the hills and rare protea canaries flit through the trees. 

Evenings are best spent around a crackling fireplace or soaking in a wood-fired hot tub under a starlit sky - there’s even a stargazing net to make the most of it.

Take a scenic drive or wander through the monthly Piket-Bo-Berg Farmers Market, a local favourite featuring farm-fresh produce, home-baked treats, live music, and mountain views.

For a different kind of stay, Dunn’s Castle offers a taste of history. Built in the late 1890s, this grand retreat is believed to have been designed by Sir Herbert Baker. 

It features eight sunny Victorian-style rooms, a private pool, and a braai area. Surrounded by wheat fields, green vines and canola, it’s a timeless escape from city life.

The historical Goedverwacht Mission Station is another window into the area’s rich past - especially during sweet potato harvesting season. 

In October, the Moravian church in this little village will celebrate its 130th anniversary, standing as a proud testament to the community’s enduring spirit.

Sundays in Piketberg are known as “Silent Sundays” - a time for rest, reflection, and unhurried living. It’s an authentic taste of local life and one of those rare experiences few visitors know about.

Porterville

Porterville is a town that invites you to dig a little deeper. Start with a cooking class at Ebonymoon or try your hand at some pottery while sipping wine at AlnaPottery Studio - both allow chances to connect with local makers and learn something new.

During the annual “Art for All” weekend, the town’s creative side comes alive. 

Artists open their studios, inviting visitors to see paintings, ceramics and textiles in progress. But even beyond that weekend, many artists welcome guests by appointment, offering a chance to experience their work in an intimate setting.

For something truly special, head into the mountains to Tygerkloof Distillery, home of Ginsmith Gin. Tucked high in the hills bordering the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, it’s accessed via the scenic Dasklip Pass - famous for paragliding and breathtaking views from Table Mountain to St Helena Bay. 

Here you can meet the owners, taste unique, fynbos-infused gins, and share stories over small plates of local tapas.

For the adventurous, the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness area hides secret waterfalls along trails like the Disa Pool route, where the rare red disa uniflora blooms in summer. 

And don’t leave Porterville without having stocked up on the town's fresh produce and delicacies, including a bottle of Andanté Olive Oil.

Velddrif

Velddrif keeps rhythm with the coastal tides and the gentle flow of the Berg River.

For those curious about the area’s maritime past, the SA Fisheries Museum in Laaiplek is a small but rich stop, offering a window into the life and work of generations who’ve made a living from the sea. 

A visit to Bokkomlaan offers a deeper connection to the town’s fishing heritage. Here, you can watch fishermen at work, salting and drying bokkoms as they have done for generations. The smell of the river and the rhythmic sound of nets drying in the breeze make it an experience that’s as real as it gets.

Farmstalls in the area, like Skooltjie and Kalahari Nooi, offer locally crafted homemade jams, preserves, and comforting traditional dish of pap & kaiings. 

Be sure to visit Kokerboom Kaas for proudly artisanal creamy, locally crafted cheeses that capture the West Coast’s salty air and simple pleasures.

In winter, Velddrif’s salt pans mirror the pink from flocks of flamingos in the early light.

At Rooibaai in Laaiplek, sunset becomes an event as the sky turns pink and gold behind the fishing boats and seabirds.

When visiting Velddrif, consider booking in at Wamakersvlei Beach Farm, which offers pet-friendly, self-catering accommodation along the pristine West Coast, surrounded by 400 hectares of untouched fynbos and ocean vistas.

For those who enjoy glamping don’t miss a stay at West Coast Luxury Tents, just steps from the sea, or make yourself at home at Draaihoek Lodge, with its unspoiled 5 kms of white sandy beach and private nature reserve.

Immersive travel is about seeing a place as locals do, feeling its pulse and sharing its quiet joys, stepping off the tourist trail and letting the small, authentic moments reveal themselves. 

IOL Travel

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