Travelling is so much more than sightseeing; it’s about slowing down and connecting to the heart of a place. So, instead of rushing from one tourist spot to the next, imagine taking the time to truly engage with your surroundings – unearthing local secrets while savouring the small, authentic moments that make a getaway unforgettable.
Immersive travel is a world away from the average exercise of ticking off landmarks. For those who crave travel that pushes those ordinary parameters, Bergrivier’s hidden corners and warm hospitality offer just that.
Here’s a guide to finding the treasures that make this region so special.
Piketberg’s slow Sundays and life in the protea fields
Piketberg is a place that invites you to slow down. Stay on Pomona Farm, where bright protea fields roll across the hills and rare protea canaries flit through the trees.
Evenings are best spent around a crackling fireplace or soaking in a wood-fired hot tub under a starlit sky, accompanied by a stargazing net. Take a scenic drive or wander through the monthly Piket-Bo-Berg Farmers Market, a local favourite featuring farm-fresh produce, home-baked treats, live music and mountain views.
Sundays in Piketberg are known as ‘Silent Sundays’ – a time for rest, reflection and unhurried living. It’s an authentic taste of local life and one of those rare experiences few visitors know to seek out.
Dunn’s Castle
For a different kind of stay, Dunn’s Castle offers a taste of history. Built in the late 1890s, this grand retreat is believed to have been designed by Sir Herbert Baker. Boasting eight sunny Victorian-style rooms, a private pool equipped with a braai area. Surrounded by rolling fields of wheat, canola and green vines, it’s a timeless escape from city life.
Stop by the historical Goedverwacht Mission Station during sweet potato harvest season for some more history with a side of small-town wholesomeness.
In October, the Moravian church in this small village will celebrate its 130th anniversary, symbolising the community’s enduring spirit.
Porterville creativity, nature and hidden trails
Porterville is a town that invites you to dig a little deeper. Start with a cooking class at Ebonymoon or try your hand at some pottery while sipping wine at AlnaPottery Studio; both are chances to connect with local makers and learn something new.
‘Art for All’ weekend
During the annual ‘Art for All’ weekend, the town’s creative side comes alive. Artists open their studios, inviting visitors to see paintings, ceramics and textiles in progress. But even beyond that weekend, many artists welcome guests by appointment, offering a chance to experience their work in an intimate setting.
Tygerkloof Distillery, home of Ginsmith Gin
For something truly special, head into the mountains. Tucked high in the hills bordering the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, it’s accessed via the scenic Dasklip Pass, famous for paragliding and breathtaking views from Table Mountain to St Helena Bay.
Here you can meet the founders themselves, taste unique fynbos-infused gins, and share stories over small plates of local tapas. It’s an experience that feels personal and grounded in place.
For the adventurous
The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area hides secret waterfalls along trails like the Disa Pool route, where the rare red disa uniflora blooms in summer.
And don’t leave Porterville without having stocked up on the town’s fresh produce and delicacies, including a bottle of Andanté Olive Oil, another example of the care and craft that defines this region.
Velddrif: Coastal traditions and salt pan sunsets
For those curious about the area’s maritime past, the SA Fisheries Museum in Laaiplek is a small but rich stop, offering a window into the life and work of generations who’ve made a living from the sea. A visit to Bokkomlaan offers a deeper connection to the town’s fishing heritage.
Here, you can watch fishermen at work, salting and drying bokkoms as they have done for generations. The smell of the river and the rhythmic sound of nets drying in the breeze make it an experience that’s as real as it gets.
Farmstalls in the area, like Skooltjie and Kalahari Nooi, offer locally crafted homemade jams, preserves, and the comforting traditional dish of pap & kaiings. Be sure to visit Kokerboom Kaas for proudly artisanal creamy, locally crafted cheeses that capture the West Coast’s salty air and simple pleasures.
In winter, Velddrif’s salt pans turn into quiet mirrors, reflecting flocks of flamingos in the early light. At Rooibaai in Laaiplek, sunset becomes an event. The sky turns pink and gold behind the fishing boats and seabirds.
When visiting Velddrif, consider booking in at Wamakersvlei Beach Farm, which offers pet-friendly, self-catering accommodation along the pristine West Coast, surrounded by 400 hectares of untouched fynbos and ocean vistas. For those who enjoy glamping, don’t miss a stay at West Coast Luxury Tents, just steps from the sea. Or make yourself at home at Draaihoek Lodge, with its 5km’s of unspoiled white sandy beach and private nature reserve.
‘Immersive travel is about seeing a place as locals do, feeling its pulse and sharing its quiet joys. In Bergrivier, that means stepping off the tourist trail and letting the small, authentic moments reveal themselves. Take your time here. Let the proteas, pottery wheels, and sunsets draw you in. And when you leave, you’ll carry a piece of the West Coast’s soul with you,’ concludes Nomonde Ndlangisa, CEO of Bergrivier Tourism.
Website: www.bergriviertourism.co.za.
Also read:
The art of doing nothing: Slow travel escapes in South Africa
Picture: Catherine Pate
