klein karoo wine route - day trip 1

George – Herold – Dysselsdorp – De Rust – Oudtshoorn – Mossel Bay

At the foot of the Outeniqua Pass between George and Oudtshoorn, take the turn-off onto the historic and scenic Montagu Pass and follow the signs to Herold Wines. Things to do: cellar tour, wine tasting; tearoom; bring your own picnic; mountain pool; farm and fynbos walks.

From here, travel through Herold, turn right onto the R62 and left onto the gravel road to Dysselsdorp over the Perdepoort Pass. Things to do: Liquorice factory, ostrich feather sorting; dried fruit. Turn right (north-east) onto the N12 to Domein-Doornkraal for their Tickled Pink sparkling or some fortified wines. Visit De Rust for some Klein Karoo hospitality and Excelsior-Vlakteplaas Muscadel. Things to do: Glass products, antiques, art gallery; donkey car rides. For more info please visit www.derust.org.za or phone +27 (0) 44 241 2109.

Take the N12 to Oudtshoorn. Kango Wine House has quite a diverse product range and the tasting room in Van der Riet Street is well worth a visit. Things to do: Hug, ride or feed an ostrich; stroke a cheetah; dive with crocodiles; Meerkatmagic; feed an elephant; ride a camel; Cango Caves; ostrich products; township tours; Tanttinkies goat’s milk cheese experience; Klein Karoo cuisine. For more info please visit www.oudtshoorn.com or phone +27 (0) 44 279 2532.

The shortest route back to George is the N12 or, if you are more adventurous, stock up with Ruby Port, traditional witblits and liqueur at Grundheim Wines. Travel from there on the R328 over the Robinson Pass to Mossel Bay for a sundowner on the beach.

Easily done in an unforgettable day

klein karoo wine route - day trip 2

Mossel Bay – Calitzdorp – Ladismith – Van Wyksdorp – Herbertsdale

Take the R328 over the Robinson Pass to Oudtshoorn. At the Volmoed turn-off, turn left to visit Grundheim Wines for Ruby Port, traditional witblits and liqueur. Follow the old cement road to Calitzdorp. The cellars of Boplaas, De Krans, Peter Bayly Wines and Calitzdorp Wine Cellar are know for their Port and the full-bodied dry red wines made with traditional Portuguese varietals such as Touriga Naçional and Tempranillo. Things to do: Hot springs; Sophia’s Mustard; mountain biking; canoeing; fishing; hiking; 4X4 routes; birding; passes; Karoo succulents. For more info please visit www.calitzdorp.co.za or phone +27 (0) 44 213 3775.

From here, travel over the Huisrivier pass to Ladismith. Visit the distillery at Ladismith Cellar and taste some of the local wines. Things to do: Abseiling; mountain biking; kloof swimming; game reserve; mountaineering routes; 4X4 routes; guided day tours; hiking; nature reserves; bird watching; archaeology sites; geology sites; museums; Karoo succulents; cheese tasting. For more info please visit www.ladismith.org.za or phone +27 (0) 28 551 1378.

Take the R327 past Van Wyksdorp and follow the gravel road in the shadow of the Langeberge over the spectacular Cloetes Pass to Herbertsdale and then back to Mossel Bay. 

Easily done in an unforgettable day