Jade Brennan
Whether you want to go peach picking in Jo’burg or cherry picking in Cape Town we have something for everyone. Here’s where to pick fruit in South Africa
To go straight to a fruit picking farm in your area, click on a province below:
Mpumalanga Kwazulu Natal Free State
WESTERN CAPE
Wildebraam Berry Estate, Swellendam
Pick your own berries and then relax with a picnic basket taking in the calm of the countryside.
The farm kitchen produces a tempting array of liqueured fruits, jams, dessert syrups, chutneys, relishes and pickles which can all be sampled before purchase.
Fruit: Youngberries, blackberries
Season: November to mid December
Open: Monday to Friday 08h00-17h00, Saturday 09h00-16h00
Cost: R10 entrance fee, R25 p/kg for youngberries and R18 p/kg for blackberries
Where: Hermitage Valley, Swellendam (Get directions here)
For more info visit the Wildebraam Berry Estate website here
YOU MIGHT LIKE: STRAWBERRY LEMON SORBET
Klondyke Cherry Farm, outskirts of the Ceres valley
Take a two hour drive from Cape Town to experience the beauty of Klondyke Farm, a working fruit farm with cherries, pears and apples.
Several varieties of cherries are available depending on the season. Spend the day at the farm and have a picnic or braai.
Fruit: Cherries
Season: November to end December
Open: Open 7 days a week, 08h30-16h30
Cost: There is an entry fee of R20pp and children 1-5 years are free. R50 per kg of cherries.
Where: Klondyke Cherry Farm, Ceres (Get directions here)
Remember to bring a warm top or jacket with you as the wind can be cold, even in summer.
For more info visit the Klondyke Cherry Farm website
GAUTENG
Upatree Farm, De Wildt area
Fruit: Figs, tomatoes, pomegranates
Season: Late October to early December, but please check the website as different produce ripens at different times
Time: Call Adele (071 843 8185) to arrange a tour
Cost: R120pp for basic orchard tour; R40 per kg of fruits picked, brunch orchard tour and fruit picked estimated to be R210 pp, for large groups it is R50pp
Where: The farm is situated on the R513 (De Wildt road), between Pretoria North and Brits
For more info please visit the Upatree website here
The Strawberry Farm, Skeerpoort
Spend a day out picking strawberries and then head to the restaurant, Forage & Feast, whic offers breakfast and lunch.
Taste many delicious desserts (the cheesecake is divine) or treat yourself to a double thick strawberry milkshake made with real strawberries! For more info, view the menu here.
Alternatively you can soak up the sun and enjoy a picnic near the strawberry fields. Entrance to the picnic area is R40 for adults and R20 for children under 12. Picnic baskets can also be arranged and start at R440 for two people. Click here for more info.
Fruit: Strawberries
Season: October to December
Time: Saturdays and Sundays. The fields open at 07h30 and close at 16h00
Cost: Adults R50pp, Children R30 per child under 12. Strawberries are charged at R10,50 per 100g
Where: Tangaroa Farm, S46 on R560 near Hartbeespoort Dam, Skeerpoort (Get directions here)
For more info visit the Tangaroa Farm website here or call on 012 207 1116 or email [email protected]
LIMPOPO
Blueberry Heights Organic Blueberry Farm & Products, Haenertsburg
An organically certified blueberry producer, Blueberry Heights is a small farm in Limpopo that has been growing berries since 1995.
No industrial fertilisers are used and the farm makes use of natural composting. Get your hands on these delicious organic bluberries and then grab a bite to eat at the cafe.
The newly renovated Mountain Cafe is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 09h00-21h00 for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. For more info please email [email protected]
Fruit: Blueberries
Season: December to end of February
Time: Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: Adults R50pp ,R30 per child
Where: R71 about 7km’s from Haenertsburg on the way to Tzaneen (Get directions here)
For more info visit the Blueberry Heights website here or call Jonathan on 083 880 8787
The Magoebaskloof Berry Festival
Usually held during the first weekend in February, the Magoebaskloof Berry Festival attracts visitors from all over the country. Not only can you pick cherries at Blueberry Heights, but also at Kuhestan Organic Farm.
For more info visit the Berry Festival website here
Kuhestan Organic Farm, Magoebaskloof
An avo and raspberry farm, Kuhestan Organic Farm only offers raspberry picking during the Berry Festival. Make a weekend of it, and stay in accommodation situated in beautiful gardens overlooking the Woodbush Forest.
Persian cooking classes and buffet group lunches can also be arranged.
Fruit: Raspberries
Season/Time: Berry Festival, between February and March
Cost: R40pp and R20 for kids
Where: Magoebaskloof (Get directions here)
For more info on Kuhestan visit their website here :>>MPUMALANGA – TUMI to find out Terebinte Berry Farm
FREE STATE
The Cherry Festival, Fiksburg
Known as the cherry capital of the world, every year in mid November, Fiksburg hosts its cherry festival where you can go on cherry farm tours, buy cherry trees and more.
Fruit: Cherries
Season/Time: Visit the website below for dates
Cost: Tours start at R170pp
Where: Fiksburg
For more info visit the Fiksburg Cherry Festival website here or call 051 933 6486
KWAZULU-NATAL
The Litchi Orchard, Umhlali
The Litchi Orchard is wholly family-owned and run. Litchi season traditionally kicks off in the December holiday period and runs for a few short weeks into January.
During this time you can buy fresh litchis directly from the farm at wholesale prices. Only pre picked fruit is available.
Just because litchi season is over doesn’t mean the fun must stop. The Litchi Orchard hosts regular farmer’s markets, night markets and more. View the event calendar here.
Fruit: Litchis
Season: December holiday period to the beginning of January
Time: Monday to Sunday, 08h00-16h00
Cost: Prices are yield dependent
Where: Seaforth Drive, KZN (Get directions here)
For more info visit the Litchi Orchard site here
MPUMALANGA
Terebinte Goose and Berry Farm, Graskop
Situated at the foot of the Mpumalanga
Fruit: Blackberries
Season: starts late November
Open: Monday to Saturday 08h00-17h00
Cost: R20 per punnet but eat as much as you like while picking berries
Where: R533 Bushbuckridge Road, Graskop, Mpumalanga (Get directions here)
For more info visit the Terebinte Facebook page here or call 076 424 5902
*Prices may vary at different times of the year.
