Where To Pick The Best Fruit In South Africa

Fruit tastes so much sweeter when you’ve picked it yourself and these top working farms allow visitors to get their fill of whatever’s in season. Here’s our round up of where to pick the best fruit in South Africa.

Blueberry Heights Organic Blueberry Farm & Products, Haenertsburg

During December, January and February, Blueberry Heights opens its orchards to the public to pick their own berries. Make sure to browse the farm shop; it stocks fresh berries as well as other locally produced products and the Mountain Café serves a mean cuppa for those who want to relax after foraging.

Fruit: Blueberries
Cost: R50 per adult, R30 per child (includes a picking punnet to take home)

Klondyke Cherry Farm, a working farm in the spectacular Ceres Valley, grows cherries, apples and pears. The three friendly dogs on the farm keep guests entertained and there are three self-catering cottages and a campsite on the farm for those wishing to extend their stay. Guests can pick several cherry varieties and enjoy a picnic or braai under the pine trees.

Fruit: Cherries
Cost: R25 entry per person / R55 per kg of cherries

Kuhestan Organic Farm, Magoebaskloof

Each year, from mid-February to the end of March, raspberries are ripe for picking and Kuhestan Organic Farm offers visitors an unforgettable experience on the beautiful farm. The land is situated in the lush Magoebaskloof, a popular tourist destination set on a stunning road-tripping route.

Fruit: Raspberries
Cost: R40 per adult and R20 per child

Lakelands Strawberry Farm, Tiegerpoort

Lakelands Strawberry Farm hosts an annual strawberry festival where visitors enjoy live music, food and craft stalls and of course lots and lots of strawberries. Aside from the festival, visitors to the farm can also pick their own strawberries (when in season) or lounge around in the tea garden which serves delicious freshly baked goods.

Fruit: Strawberries
Cost: R20 per person; R75 per kg

Polkadraai Farm, Stellenbosch

You can’t miss Polkadraai Farm when driving into the quaint town of Stellenbosch. The colourful scarecrows scattered throughout the fields immediately draw attention. The farm is a firm favourite for a day-out and most visitors leave with buckets full of strawberries.

Fruit: Strawberries
Cost: R35 – R190 (depending on size of container)

Red Berry Farm, George

This family-friendly farm is home to the largest hedge maze in the Southern Hemisphere, which is enough reason to visit. Then there are the strawberries, more than 400 tons of which are produced each year, including jams, syrups and other products.

Fruit: Strawberries
Cost: R20 – R30 per person (depending on size of container)

Terebinte Goose and Berry Farm, Graskop

Terebinte Goose and Berry Farm is found in the foothills of the Mpumalanga Drakensberg and produces mainly blackberries. Terebinte also farms avocados and geese – as such they sell amazing goose down products, such as duvets and pillows as well as ready to eat avocados – all to be purchased on the farm.

Fruit: Blackberries
Cost: R20 per punnet

The Strawberry Farm, Skeerpoort

The Strawberry Farm is situated near Hartbeespoort Dam and is a short drive from Pretoria and Johannesburg, so it’s the ideal day trip to get out of the city and into nature. The farm also boasts a guest house and day spa, a top class restaurant and hosts many events throughout the year – just keep an eye on their website.

Fruit: Strawberries
Cost: R20 per adult and R15 per child under 12
Rates are adjusted during strawberry season: R50 per adult, R30 per child under 12

Upatree Farm, De Wildt

Upatree Farm is situated between Pretoria North and Brits and produces figs, pomegranates, gooseberries, granadillas and tomatoes. Visitors can pick a variety of fruit and can also stock up on delicious jams, preserves, dried fruit and more.

Fruit: Figs, pomegranates, gooseberries, granadillas, tomatoes
Cost: Orchard tour: R120 per person; fruit picking: R40 per kg

Wildebraam Berry Estate, Swellendam

Situated just outside Swellendam, Wildebraam Berry Estate produces delicious liqueurs, jams, syrups, chutneys and more plus guests can pick their own berries to take home. After getting your berry-picking fill, grab a picnic basket and enjoy the fruits of your labour while soaking in the beautiful scenery.

Fruit: Youngberries and blackberries
Cost: R10 entrance fee, R25 per kg for youngberries and R18 per kg for blackberries

Not to be missed events

Ficksburg Cherry Festival

Ficksburg, also known as the cherry capital, is host to the much anticipated Ficksburg Cherry Festival which was established in 1967. Visitors can book cherry tours, enjoy jazz and cabaret, live music and craft beer, and, of course, cherries and more cherries.

Magoebaskloof Berry Festival

The Magoebaskloof Berry Festival is all about supporting local working farms which guests can visit to pick their own berries. There’s also a trail run, a market and many local restaurants to dine at as well as many sights.

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