A typical Fernhill Day

We are a fully functioning, hands-on farm, so we encourage you to put on a pair of gum boots and join us in experiencing farm life during your stay.

Come and milk a cow with us, feed and cuddle one of our babies, or join us in putting our sheep to bed, where there is never a shortage of cuddles to be found. The donkeys and horses are also quite demanding of attention, always eager for a scratch or a treat, not to mention Pixie and Pickle, the pot belly pigs that roam the farm looking for cuddles and treats.

Explore some of the gorgeous forests and farmlands on our farm walk, where cows peacefully graze and time stands still. At Fernhill you will find the Peace that is lacking in our modern fast paced world. Allow the forests and our animals to teach you how to slow down, breathe deep and be at one with nature. Take time to savour the sunrise and sunset and do not forget to look up at the night sky...our stars will amaze you!!

Cuddles

Our animals all want to be loved. From our bottle-fed calves and lambs, to the fluffy rabbits and even our adult animals all want a scratch and a little bit of TLC. Our sheep especially enjoy their cuddles in the evening when we bring them into their night time enclosure. We guarantee that after spending some time with our animals, the world will seem like a much brighter place....

Milking

Our Jersey cows are hand milked at 7h30 and 16h30 daily and this is the perfect opportunity to join in the fun. Our cows are very patient and extremely tame, so all ages are welcome to give it a try. We are very proud of our small dairy and our cows love it too!!

To see how it all started, click here.

Feeding

Besides our free-roaming chickens and potbelly pigs, we have a variety of animals that love their treats. Our horses come right up to the cottage fences looking for an apple or carrot, while the donkeys enjoy their night time spoil when the sheep are put away for the night. We also often have lambs and calves that we bottle feed, so be sure not to miss out on this activity during milking times...

Farm walk

The best way to explore the form is on foot and our 3km hiking trail will take you through beautiful indigenous forests full of ferns, bypassing several of our dams and you may even come across our herd of cows that roam the fields. Be on the look-out for bushbuck and duiker, as well as many bird species, including the beautiful Knysna Loerie.

In the area...

Restaurants

These are a few suggestions, tried and tested by the Fernhill Team. Please contact them directly for opening times.

Butterfly Blu-Brenton on Sea (22km)
Drydock Food Company - Knysna Waterfront (20km)
Black Loerie - N2, Opposite Buffelsbaai turnoff (15km)
The Cowshed-at Portland Manor, Rheenendal (7km)
Wildside Beach Restaurant-Buffelsbaai (22km)

Markets

Wild Oats Farmers Market & Mosaic Village & Craft Market- simply the best market around, Every Saturday. Sedgefield (30km)
Totties Country Market - Every Sunday, Rheenendal (7km)
Mosaic Food Fare-Wednesday evenings (closed during winter), Sedgefield (30km)
Harkerville Saturday Village Market – Every Saturday, Midway between Plett & Knysna on the N2 (40km)

Beaches

Buffelsbaai-a family beach with safe swimming and great surfing conditions. (23km)
Bollard Bay Beach - plenty of shallow areas for the youngsters. Leisure Island, Knysna (26km)
Brenton on Sea - the 5km long beach stretches all the way to Buffelsbaai. It's safe to swim in certain areas but be careful of rip currents. (20km)
Gericke's Point- the more adventures con explore the rock pools during low tide, excellent for snorkelling. Sedgefield (25km)

Hiking Trails

Circles in the Forest - an easy to moderate hike with a choice of a 3km or 9km hike through the Knysna forest. Goudveld SANparks (9km)
Drupkelders - a moderate 3,6km hike through the forest to the Homtini river. Perfect for a swim or picnic in the warmer months. Goudveld SANparks (9km)
Half Collard Kingfisher Trail - a moderate 7,2km hike next to the Touw River ending at a waterfall. Ebb & Flow Camp SANParks, Wilderness (47km)
Featherbed Co-guided eco experience in the Featherbed Nature reserve. Knysna (19km)

Water Activities

Ocean Odyssey-offers unforgettable marine adventures. Our close encounter, boat-based whale watching. Thesen Island (20km)
Magic Lagoon Charters - operates cruises aboard vintage wooden vessels on the Knysna River Estuary. Thesen Island (20km)
Knysna Boat Rentals - if you have a skippers licence why not rent your own boat for the day. Crabs Creek (13km)
Canoe & Paddleboat Rental - on the Goukamma river at Riverdeck Restaurant on the Buffelsbaai road (14km)

Adventure Activities

Scootours Knysna - Downhill Fun for Everyone through the Knysna forest. Thesen island (20km)
Knysna Zipline-a unique zipline adventure within one of our most pristine National Parks. Harkerville (37km)
Eden Adventures-Canoeing, abseiling or kloofing, choose your adventure. Wilderness (50km)
Dolphin Paragliding-Paragliding Tandem flights in Sedgefield and Wilderness.
Wild Boar Tactical-Shooting range. Rheenedal (6km)

Animal Encounters

Knysna Elephant Park - Elephant Encounters. Situated along the N2 between Knysna & Plettenberg Bay (42km)
Birds of Eden-A free fight aviary for birds from all over the world. The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (72km)
Monkeyland-free roaming multi species primate sanctuary. The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (72km)
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary - home to captive wildlife whom can not be released into the wild. The Crags, Plett (63km)
Braveheart Equestrian Riding School - horse riding centre, outrides, picnics or a breakaway. Rheenendal (7km)