Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve is a striking, rugged reserve in the Breede River valley, about 15km south of Robertson on the road to McGregor. The rocky landscape is starkly beautiful, dominated by succulents, dwarf trees and shrubs of the Robertson Karoo. In spring the reserve lives up to its name, which means happiness, as splashes of bright orange botterblom daisies light up the veld.

The reserve is a rewarding destination for birders, with hides and trails through renosterveld and sweet-thorn, and offers hiking, mountain biking and picnicking. Summers are hot and dry, making the cooler months and spring the most comfortable times to visit.

Vrolijkheid has five well-equipped self-catering cottages, each sleeping up to eight people, with an outdoor braai and a wood-fired hot tub at every unit and a pool at one. It is an easy two-hour drive from Cape Town and makes a comfortable base for exploring Robertson, McGregor and the Breede River winelands.