STRAWBERRY HILL

High on a hilltop in Africa lies Strawberry Hill. On a clear day you can see forever. It is surrounded by the rare and diminishing afromontane forests of the Southern Cape’s Garden Route.

The dramatic gorges of the Kaaimans and Silver Rivers form its boundaries. On the northern side, the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains are etched purple against a deep-blue sky.

In the South there are tantalising glimpses of the warm Indian Ocean. On quiet evenings when a big sea is running, you can hear the waves breaking on the shore at Wilderness.

Strawberry Hill is being proclaimed a private nature reserve. This is being done in order to preserve its 62 hectares of indigenous forest and about 6kms of river frontage with its magnificent profusion of fern species.

The Strawberry Hill reserve adjoins Groeneweide reserve which leads up to the Outeniqua Mountains where there are numerous hiking and mountainbiking trails through the forests and fynbos.

Strawberry Hill is situated on the historic Old Knysna Road between George and Wilderness. This road, which was built by Thomas Bain and has been declared a National Monument, meanders through the forests.

It winds across the fern-fringed streams and over the picturesque bridges that span the rivers. It is worth your while to do this trip in the daylight.

It will be an unforgettable experience.

THE TEAM

Strawberry Hill is a family affair. We are all passionate about the property and you will understand why when you see it.

Di and Bill Turner are your hosts. They have lived at Strawberry Hill since 1970. Bill is a retired pathologist and Di is a part-owner of Homenet Southcape which is a property company with a number of offices in the Garden Route. They are knowledgeable about the local trees, fynbos and the history of the area. They can give you expert advice on hiking, mountainclimbing, sailing and horse-riding.

Enid is the admin manager of the resort and has lived all her life on the property. She has her matric and has worked very hard at perfecting here office, bookkeeping and computer skills. We are very proud of her and find that any day is brightened by her lovely smile.

Pieter is in charge of the extensive gardens, the clearing of the paths, the care of the animals and the transport of staff and supplies. He has lived and worked at, Strawberry Hill for 29 years. His assistants are Coen and Elton who are descendents from the original Strawberry Hill families.

So it can truly be said that Strawberry Hill is a "family affair"

Accommodation


CANDLEWOOD SUITE
"Experience the luxury and comfort
of our Candlewood Suite."

KAMASSIE SUITE
"Our Kamassie suite offers stunning views
of the Kaaimans Gorge and Krantzberg."

SAFFRON SUITE
The Saffron suite is upstairs and has its own sitting room and a balcony looking across to the Indian Ocean. For a family, a sleeper couch in the sittingroom makes it possible to increase the accommodation available in the suite. The bedroom views into the forest-clad gorges and across to the mountains are breathtaking.

KALANDER COTTAGE
This is our fully serviced family unit which sleeps 6 people. It has 3 bedrooms, a sunroom/TV room, a diningroom and sittingroom with a fireplace. It has 1 bathroom with a Victorian bath, a shower, basin and toilet. There is another toilet and basin upstairs. The options are self-catering or B&B. Please let us know when you book which you would prefer.

The lovely garden with its tall trees is fully enclosed for children's security. It has barbecue facilities and wood is supplied. The small playground has a treehouse, slides and swings, a rocking horse and a sandpit for the kids. The pool at the Lodge is available to all our guests. Young children must however be supervised, as the pool is unfenced.

Kalander cottage is only let as a unit

TARIFFS

Out of Season Rates
(incl Breakfast)
from R200 - R350
per person

In Season Rates
(incl Breakfast)
from R250 - R450
per person.

Special Rates apply dependent on size
of group

Activities

There are many walks through our forests and along the perennial rivers in the valleys. Beautiful rock pools and waterfalls are accessible if you have a degree of fitness. We are busy labelling the trees so that you will be able to identify them. The profusion of ferns is breathtaking. In the forest clearings there are many birds for you to enjoy.

At the southern point of the land, the Silver and Kaaimans Rivers meet. From here, they flow through deep gorges and valleys to the mouth which is just west of the seaside village of Wilderness. This is an excellent midsummer trip which combines swimming, walking, and boulder-hopping and takes about 5 hours. Once again fitness is a prerequisite.

GROENEWEIDE FOREST RESERVE

Just opposite Strawberry Hill is the Groeneweide Forest Reserve. It has indigenous forest and fynbos and gives you access to the Outeniqua Mountains. There are many interesting hikes and walks in the area. One of the most popular, is an easy “there and back” walk through the forest to an 80 metre waterfall and some fabulous pools on the higher reaches of the Silver River.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Mountain-biking through forest and fynbos is of an exceptional standard and you are easily able to access the spectacular views across the coastal plain to Mossel Bay. So bring your own bike or let us know when you book whether you would like to hire a bicycle.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Canoeing, paragliding, horseriding, surfing, wale-watching and mountain trails are all easily accessible from Strawberry Hill.

If your taste runs to a lazy holiday, there is little to beat sundowners round the rock pool in the garden, which overlooks the spectacular views of forest and mountains at Strawberry Hill.

Strawberry Hill Hikes

The Fern Trail on Strawberry Hill is one of the premier short trails in the area. It requires a fair level of fitness and takes about 2 hours to complete.

It meanders through the forest, past ferns, pools and waterfalls. Several high viewpoints give you dramatic glimpses of the forest covered slopes and the river winding through the gorges far below. The confluence of the Silver and Kaaimans Rivers "The Point" This is the perfect place to stop for a leisurely swim before tacking the uphill for home.

Shorter routes are marked on a comprehensive map of the Strawberry Hill hikes.