Garden Route Unearthed

5 of the best things to do this Heritage Day Weekend in the Garden Route.

September is Heritage Month in South Africa and the 24th September is the public holiday known as Heritage Day.

This year Heritage Day falls on a Sunday so, Monday the 25th September is actually the observed day off from work, resulting in a long weekend. Because of this, it means there are plenty of different and fun events and activities being planned across the country.

In this blog, I am going to share 5 great things you can enjoy over Heritage Day Weekend in the Garden Route and perhaps some of you will find time to check them out. I will be trying to get to a few of them myself, that’s for sure.

But, before we move onto talking about all the fun stuff there is to do, let’s find out a little bit about Heritage Day, what is represents and why we celebrate it here in South Africa.

Heritage Day was declared a public holiday in 1996.

It is the public holiday that recognises and celebrates the cultural diversity of South Africa and in essence encourages the celebration of cultural traditions, communities and heritage and acknowledges and demonstrates the reason South Africa is called the Rainbow Nation.

On Heritage Day, many people wear traditional outfits and gather together to eat traditional foods.

In fact, there is nothing more South African than gathering together with friends and family lighting a fire and cooking a meal on it.

Some South Africans call it Shisa Nyama, others Ukosa and others still a Braai (BBQ). and it is so popular on Heritage Day, that the public holiday’s other name is National Braai Day.

With Heritage Day falling in Spring, it is also a good excuse for a braai as the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer, so welcoming in the Spring is another great reason to celebrate this public holiday.

Let’s now take a look at 5 great things you can do and enjoy in the Garden Route over the Heritage Day Weekend.

(1) SANPARKS launches its National Parks Week.

National Parks Week takes place from the 16th – 24th September and enables all South Africans to FREE day visitor entry into any of the SANPARKS National Parks across the country.

The free access aims to inspire citizens to take pride in the country’s cultural heritage and to take time to immerse themselves in the true beauty of the stunning nature South Africa has to offer and enjoy.

Many people living within a stone’s throw of these National Parks have never visited them, yet one of the reasons so many visitors come to South Africa from different parts of the World is to experience and spend time in it’s nature and to see it’s wildlife.

This free entry is a fabulous initiative and 2023 marks the 18th year of the SANPARKS National Parks Week. So, why not take advantage of this wonderful opportunity this Heritage Day Weekend!

In order to gain free entry, all you need to do is take your South African ID with you and present it when you sign in at any of the National Parks Reception areas.

To find out where the 19 SANPARKS National Parks are located, please follow this link: SANPARKS

(2) Portland Manor – Pot in die Bos Fees (Potjiekos Festival).

Portland Manor is a stunning 17th Century Manor House and Hotel located in Rheenendal outside Knysna. We have written a blog about it in the past (click here to read this entry).

On Heritage Day, Sunday 24th September 2023, Portland Manor are hosting a Pot in die Bos Fees (or Potjiekos Festival). This is planned to be an Annual event and this year marks the inaugural competition.

The Potjiekos Competition is already fully booked, so guests can enjoy watching the teams battle it out to see who wins.

With the tantalising aromas from the potjiekos filling the air, guests will also be treated to live music from a number of different musicians and bands, from 10.00am onwards.

In addition, there will be several prizes, raffles and accommodation specials being offered throughout the day.

From 13h00, lunch will be available, which will be a Portland grassfed lamb potjie, with vegetarian and chicken options also available. Bookings for lunch should be made via the Cow Shed Restaurant (cowshed@portlandmanor.co.za) or by calling: 060-753-7870.

What better way is there to celebrate Heritage Day with friends and family, than with an Authentic South African Potjiekos Event.

Tickets prices are R150pp for adults and R75pp for children.

To book your tickets click on this link: cowshed@portlandmanor.co.za

(3) The Old Toll House – Montagu Pass – enjoy a plethora of activities over Heritage Day Weekend!

The Old Toll House located on Montagu Pass is an intriguing historic building with a fascinating past, which has been beautifully restored to it’s former glory. We visited it earlier in 2023 and wrote a blog about it then (click here to read this post).

Over the Heritage Day Weekend they have a host of different events on each day, so if you are looking for fun for all the family, why not pop to the Old Toll House on the Montagu Pass Road.

On Saturday 23rd September they have horse rides and donkey cart rides available, plus some traditional South African foods and some live music.

On Sunday 24th September, you can enjoy delicious pancakes with a milk tart filling, which sounds extremely indulgent and decadent and definitely worth a taste. In addition there are butter churning and candle making demos on offer,

Then, finally on Monday 25th September, there will be 15 classic cars on display for you to browse around and the Heritage Day public holiday will be rounded off in true South African style with a bring and braai. So, you bring your meat for the fire and the Old Toll House will supply the pap and sauce to accompany it.

The activities take place from o8h30 – 14h30 each day and with the stunning views, peaceful environment and wonderful memorabilia on display, the Old Toll House will be the perfect venue for a Heritage Day Weekend visit.

(4) Heritage Bakery – Monday 25th September – All-You-Can-Eat Pizza.

Heritage Bakery in located just off the N2 between Sedgefield and Wilderness, If you are travelling from Sedgefield, you will pass Timberlake Village on your right-hand side and you will then see the signs for Heritage Bakery on your left-hand side.

Heritage Bakery, however, is not just a bakery, although their sourdough and artisan breads, as well as their croissants, carrot cake, brownies and cheesecake are all divine and should not be missed.

They are also a restaurant serving breakfast and lunches, a shop selling handmade crafts, such as soaps, candles, pottery and woodwork, a small petting farm which includes alpacas and dwarf goats, and to top it off, they are also a garden nursery selling a large variety of herbs, flowers, shrubs and plants for your borders.

It is a delightful and peaceful venue, surrounded by tall tress and wonderful gardens and is a lovely trip out for the entire family.

If you are looking for somewhere to while away a few hours on the Heritage Day public holiday on Monday 25th September, why not visit Heritage Bakery for an All-You-Can-Eat Pizza meal. Ouma and Oupa will love it, the kids will enjoy petting the alpacas and dwarf goats and you can even take your furry friends, so long as you keep them on a lead and sit in the pet-friendly section.

To book this pizza extravaganza, contact the number show above and enjoy your visit to Heritage Bakery.

(5) Open Day at Utopia Clivias in Sedgefield

Utopia Clivias in Sedgefield is owned and run by Carrie and Luke Kruger and was established in 1998.

They grow and supply Clivia seeds, seedlings and mature plants all over the world and over the years have become experts in growing and cultivating rare, special and unique Clivias, many of which have gone on to win awards.

Once a year they open their gardens up, offering the public the opportunity to wander through their tranquil gardens gasping in awe at the multitude of different species and vibrant colours of 1000’s of Clivias in full bloom.

This year one of their Open Day Weekends falls over the Heritage Day Weekend, so if you are a plant and flower lover, you must not miss this spectacular open day.

Many of their different species and colours of Clivias are on sale during these Open Days, so if you wish to brighten up some dark and shady areas of your borders, then why not celebrate Heritage Day Weekend by treating yourself to one (or a few) or these stunning plants.

Whatever you decide to do over the Heritage Day Weekend, we hope our suggestions have given you some inspiration and we wish you a happy, fun and enjoyable Heritage Day Weekend.

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