Follow the sweet trail through the Overberg, where beekeeping, farms, fynbos and local food come together in the countryside around Stanford.
Image used for illustrative purposes/By: HUIZENG HU/Getty Images
There is more to honey country than jars of golden liquid. In the Overberg, bees move through fynbos, orchards and farmland, while small producers turn their harvest into honey and other products.
A weekend around Stanford offers a chance to see some of that process up close, with time for countryside walks, farm produce, local cheese and a slow drive through the Klein River Valley.
Here is how to spend 48 hours following the honey route.
Day one: Get to know the bees
Start in Stanford
Make Stanford your base for the weekend. The small Overberg village sits between the Klein River and the surrounding mountains, with historic streets, restaurants, farms and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.
Start your morning at Overberg Honey Company, where you can browse locally produced raw South African honey and other bee products. The company has a shop in Stanford and also operates shops in Hermanus and Elgin.
It is worth buying a small jar for the road, but save the proper tasting for later.
Meet the bees at Willowdale Farm
For a more hands-on experience, head into the Stanford Valley to Honeybee Heroes at Willowdale Farm.
The farm is home to more than 100 honeybee hives and offers beekeeping experiences by appointment. Visitors can learn the basics of beekeeping, put on a bee suit and get close to the hives before finishing with a honey tasting.
The experience also gives some context to the landscape. Honey tastes different depending on the plants visited by the bees, making the final product a reflection of its surroundings.
Book ahead, as visits are by appointment.
Have a countryside lunch
Keep the afternoon relaxed with a farm-style lunch or local produce stop around Stanford.
One option is Klein River Cheese, where you can browse locally made cheese and other regional products. The cheese and wine cellar stocks cheese alongside charcuterie, preserves, jams, crackers and other produce.
It is a good place to pick up ingredients for a picnic or simply add another local flavour to the weekend.
Walk beside the Klein River
Work off lunch with the Stanford Wandelpad, a walking trail that follows the Klein River and passes through the village.
The walk is relatively short, taking about 45 minutes, and offers views of the river and opportunities to spot birdlife.
The slower pace suits the theme of the trip. Instead of rushing from one producer to another, take time to notice the landscape around you.
Stay in the valley
Spend the night in or around Stanford, preferably somewhere surrounded by countryside.
The village has a range of guesthouses and cottages, while farms and country accommodation around the Klein River Valley offer a quieter option. Stanford’s tourism route includes everything from village cottages to farm stays and country lodges.
Day two: Follow the landscape
Begin with breakfast in the village
Start the second day with breakfast and coffee before heading back into the countryside.
Ou Meul Stanford is one option for a relaxed breakfast or bakery stop. Alternatively, look for a Saturday market if your visit coincides with one.
Stanford’s Saturday market brings together local food, crafts and produce, while the monthly Sunset Market adds food and wine on selected Friday evenings.
Take the scenic route through the valley
Spend the late morning exploring the roads around Stanford rather than heading straight home.
The surrounding landscape combines farmland, mountains, fynbos and the Klein River, making the drive part of the experience. The area is also known for walking, hiking, birding, river activities and scenic viewpoints.
Look out for farm stalls and small producers along the way, and leave room in the car for fresh produce.
The idea is not to tick off every attraction, but to slow down and experience the countryside that supports the farms and bees.
Make time for fynbos
Floral region of the Cape/Rialfver at nl.wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons
The Overberg is part of the Cape Floristic Region, so add a short nature walk if you have time.
Stanford lies within a rich fynbos landscape, with hiking routes and nature areas in the surrounding mountains.
This is where the honey story comes full circle. The flowers, vegetation and changing seasons provide the food source for bees, while the bees play an important role in pollination.
Take the route towards Elgin
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If you are heading back towards Cape Town, make Elgin your final stop.
The valley is known for its orchards, cool climate, farm stalls and mountain scenery. It is also home to the Elgin Railway Market and several established farm stalls selling produce, baked goods and preserves.
Stop at the Dassiesfontein area or one of the Elgin farm stalls for a final countryside meal or coffee before continuing home.
Pick up one last jar of honey
Finish the journey at the Overberg Honey Co shop in Elgin, near the Elgin Railway Market.
The shop stocks raw South African honey as well as products made from honey, beeswax and propolis.
It is a fitting final stop: after two days of seeing where the honey comes from, you can take a little of the Overberg home with you.
Plan your trip
- Base: Stanford, Western Cape
- Best for: Food lovers, nature lovers, couples, families and anyone looking for a slower countryside weekend.
- Allow: Two days and one night.
- Book ahead: Honeybee Heroes’ beekeeping experiences are by appointment.
- Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, a water bottle and a cooler bag for local produce.
- Best approach: Do not overpack the itinerary. The appeal of this route is in the combination of small producers, countryside roads, walks and unhurried meals.
- Good to know: Check opening times directly with individual producers before travelling, particularly if your trip falls on a Sunday or public holiday.
The honey is the starting point, but the real reward is discovering the landscape behind it: the farms, flowers, rivers and small businesses that give this corner of the Overberg its flavour.
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