The 10 Best Things to Do in Elgin, South Africa

April 1, 2018 Kandra Bartel

Discover the best top things to do in Elgin, South Africa including Cape Canopy Tour, Green Mountain Trail, Almenkerk Wine Estate, Oneiric Wines, Oak Valley Estate, Houw Hoek Farm Stall, South Hill, The Vineyards, Elgin Vintners, Charles Fox Wine Estate, Highlands Road Estate.
Restaurants in Elgin

1. Cape Canopy Tour

Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve | R321, Elgin 7180, South Africa
Excellent
94%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 539 reviews

Cape Canopy Tour

Only an hour from Cape Town, this is a must do activity for all adventure and nature lovers alike! Cape Canopy Tour takes you on an unforgettable journey as you slide from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings of a World Heritage Site, the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, in the scenic Elgin Valley.

Reviewed By Louis and Judi L - Knysna, South Africa

For someone who is afraid of heights, and has osteoarthritis in knees and hips, (I am 67), I was looked after by our instructor Adrian from start to finish. The opportunity to ride in tandem with him took away all my fears and gave me the chance to enjoy the thrill without thinking I was going to die of fright! He also helped me with the 1km. climb back up to the pick-up point by taking off my harness and carrying it himself. A veritable gentleman indeed! The experience was amazing, and as safe as houses, as we were hooked onto safety lines from the word go, both on the platforms, the wooden bridge and with double safety lines on the zip lines. Going first with Adrian every time also gave me the opportunity to take loads of photos and videos of my fearless husband ( who is 74) having a ball coming down behind me! Shameel our safety man who brought up the rear of our 9 person group, also brought a lady down in tandem and helped to look after us all, plus advising those more adventurous in the group as to whether they needed to brake at all on the various lines or to just let go and enjoy the ride at full speed! A greater day out I have not had for such a long time....all told 4 hours of hilarious fun! If I can do it, then anybody can do it.....Just do not look down is my advice if heights are a problem to you.
My thanks to Adrian, Shameel and all the Cape Canopy Tour crew.

2. Green Mountain Trail

Houw Hoek Village, Elgin, South Africa +27 28 284 9827
Excellent
95%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 125 reviews

Green Mountain Trail

The Green Mountain Trail is a four day hiking trail around the Green Mountain in the Overberg region of the Western Cape.Traversing a tapestry of fynbos and fruit farms this slackpack trail offers fine food and comfortable overnights in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. Accommodation is in four star country guesthouses. Delicious , wholesome meals are provided throughout.The trail meanders around the Groenlandberg, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Guided by THETA accredited guides you learn about the biodiversity and the history of the area. Swimming in rock pools and dams on a hot day is as refreshing for the body as it is for the soul.The Green Mountain Trail is a moderate walking trail with distances varying between 11kms and 18kms each day. The effort level, as gauged by Slackpacker S.A., is set at 3.5 with 5 being the most difficult.The trail traverses privately-owned land. All landowners are members of the Green Mountain Eco Route, the world’s first biodiversity wine route, and part of the region’s efforts to conserve the environment and promote responsible tourism. All members are Biodiversity Wine Initiative champions. This enlightened initiative unites conservation and agricultural development in a complementary, mutually beneficial manner. As part of the Green Mountain Trail’s social responsibility programme, hikers are encouraged to Walk with an Alien, a project in which a personalised walking stick is carved from alien vegetation by local communities.

Reviewed By huys25 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This 4-day slack-packing walk with maximum 8 persons and two guides is very well organised and includes two excellent overnight accommodations. Two nights in the Porcupine Guest Farm and two nights in the Wildekrans Country House. The hike makes in the four days a large circle and crosses different micro-climate zones, each with different vegetation patterns, including a vineyard. In addition, the areas which had been burned off a number of years ago (both planned and natural fires) showed interesting differences in vegetation. The guides had a story for each section, as well as being very knowledgeable about the plants of the Fijnbos and the small animals living there. In the forest Amphitheatre of the Paul Cluver wine estate, Guide Jeff gave us a wonderful opera performance. What a magnificent singing talent! We were lucky with excellent weather and the Fijnbos in bloom. The tour included three wine tasting events, as well as a delicious complete buffet lunch on a hillside overlooking a Wine Estate.
The slack-packing tour is very well organised by Alison Green. Please take her advice for having well worn-in shoes and walking some hilly terrain beforehand. Two persons on our tour could not complete the 60 km. One got a failing knee and the other one had serious blisters on both feet because of poor shoes.

3. Almenkerk Wine Estate

Viljoenshoop Road 50, Elgin 7160, South Africa +27 21 848 9844
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 50 reviews

Almenkerk Wine Estate

Almenkerk Wine Estate, in the cool Elgin Valley, is a real Family Estate; owned by the van Almenkerk Family and run by Natalie & Joris van Almenkerk. While Joris makes the wine - award winning wine -, Natalie does everything from sales & Marketing, PR and admin. Patriarch Joep helps out with sales, especially in his new restaurant De Brasserie in Strand, and acts as a mentor to the business side. Sisters Lieselotte & Annelies help with sales, tasting room and - of course - harvest (while juggling their studies and boyfriends). Next to that, we have a dedicated group of family & friends, local and overseas, who come out to help us during crunch time. Most importantly, though, do come visit us! Visitors to the Estate and our tasting room are increasing and - possible more importantly - returning to taste and buy some more. Life is beautiful on Almenkerk Wine Estate. We've been winning awards and medals. Some of them even for our cellar architecture! In any event, we consider our wines to be a form of liquid architecture.

Reviewed By Ariana Nizza C

At Almenkerk they really know what they are doing! The wines are spectacular! I have been to many wineries in the Franschhoek/ Stellenbosch/ Elgin regions and Almenkerk wines were the best! The family who runs the winery are true experts and very friendly too! And...MoreWow Ariana what a massive compliment, thank you so much. We are very happy you enjoyed all we have to offer here!

4. Oneiric Wines

76 Highlands Road, Elgin 7180, South Africa +27 71 481 9560
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 32 reviews

Oneiric Wines

Oneiric: the exquisite wine farm tucked away in the Kogelberg Biosphere, in Elgin, Western Cape. Surrounded by trout dams, an array of fauna & flora (2000 indigenous trees were planted, along with plants typical of the area) attract an assortment of bird life. Releasing its 2009 vintage in 2013 to rave reviews. With ratings in their 90’s, Oneiric is set to become one of South Africa’s top wineries.

Reviewed By Ali_Zee01 - Nelspruit, South Africa

Thank you to Mark for hosting a great wine tasting experience. We had a great time. Interesting gift shop. Lovely setting.Thank you for your recent visit to Oneiric. We hope to welcome you again soon.

5. Oak Valley Estate

Oak Avenue, Elgin 7180, South Africa +27 21 859 2510
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Oak Valley Estate

Established in 1898 by Sir Antonie Viljoen, this magnificent 1786ha family estate is one of the pioneering farms in the country. In 1908 a wine cellar was built, but was sadly mothballed during the Second World War when fruit was in greater demand. New vineyards were established in 1985, followed by the release of our much-acclaimed maiden vintage in 2003. With vineyards located on mountain slopes over 450m above sea level, ripening occurs slowly and vines bear ultra-low tonnages.The Fruit Division at Oak Valley today consists of 350 hectares of apple and pear orchards with 70% planted to apples and 30% to pears. The Greenhouse Division covers over 17 hectares of greenhouse and shadehouse cutflowers, the largest in the Western Cape, with the speciality crop being Chrysanthemums for the local and export market.Mountain biking has become a major attraction, with our trails rated as some of the best single track in the country. On a typical summer weekend, Oak Valley attracts up to 150 mountain bikers and theirsupporters.The Pool Room Restaurant at Oak Valley is a tourism destination in its own right. The menu is simple, focussing mainly on Oak Valley’s meat products, grass-fed beef and acorn-fed pork, along with a range of dry-cured meats (or charcuterie) crafted in an on-farm curing facility.

Reviewed By NickandMaretha - Faro, Portugal

The cottage is a delight. Very pretty and set in a large lawned garden amongst mature trees and the whole is surrounded by apple orchards. Well equipped, comfortable and clean, the care and attention to detail was evident throughout. Highly recommended.

6. Houw Hoek Farm Stall

N2, Elgin, South Africa +27 28 284 9015
Excellent
43%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
13%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 37 reviews

Houw Hoek Farm Stall

Reviewed By MrsB010 - Bath, United Kingdom

Bought two individual quiches today which were very poor. Seemed like they were all pastry, what little filling there was was dry and tasteless. One bite of the Broccoli Quiche was enough for me, the rest went straight in the bin. We only stopped here because Peregrine had sold out. Never again, waste of money.

7. South Hill, The Vineyards

113 The Valley Road, Elgin 7180, South Africa +27 21 844 0888
Excellent
64%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

South Hill, The Vineyards

Reviewed By thehungrytraveller10 - Windhoek, Namibia

My husband and i did wine tasting today and it was very good. We would have liked better descriptions from the hostess and a new glass for each wine, but it is a lovely setting and the wines are tasty :)

8. Elgin Vintners

Appletiser Road, Elgin 7180, South Africa +27 21 848 9587
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 9 reviews

Elgin Vintners

Elgin Vintners award winning wines has recently opened the beautiful renovated Victorian style Ridgelands Homestead as Elgin Vintners Manor House. Wrapped by orchards, picturesque vineyards and sloping pasture this wonderful historic home has 3 luxury en suite bedrooms and a family wing with 2 luxury bedrooms sharing a bathroom and is also available as a function venue. Guests can enjoy the beautiful farm, take the walking trails along the Palmiet River or relax in the English country garden next to the swimming pool. Vineyard tours and wine tastings are also available to do on the farm while visiting.

Reviewed By MES196 - Pretoria, South Africa

Not only is it one of the most beautiful wine tasting facilities in Elgin with a magnificent view over the valley, but also the best personalised service we found in the valley.

9. Charles Fox Wine Estate

89 Valley Road, Elgin 7180, South Africa +27 82 569 2965
Excellent
61%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
17%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 17 reviews

Charles Fox Wine Estate

Cap classique wine specialists

Reviewed By Ian B - White River

This was perhaps the one disappointment of our trip. From the moment we walked in we felt uncomfortable and unwelcome. We were served but we felt that they were waiting for us to leave. It is the one wine estate where we did not purchase...MoreDear Ian B I am sorry you had a bad experience. We shall endeavour to improve our customer service, and hope you visit us again in the future. Kind regards Charles & Zelda Fox

10. Highlands Road Estate

75 Highlands Road, Elgin, South Africa +27 71 271 0161
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Highlands Road Estate

Reviewed By AlistairCoy - Bingley,UK

We have now visited Highlands Road Estate twice on a current holiday in South Africa and have fallen totally in love with the place. It isn't like some of the bigger estates we have visited. It has an intimacy which makes it very, very special...MoreThank you for visiting Highlands Road Estate - again! It was a pleasure having you, and we hope you are able to come and visit us again in sunny South Africa very soon!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.