AGRI TOURISM
The original and very popular agri-tourism tour through Cape Agulhas, the Wool Route, was established in 1983, at the time of the growth of tourism in the region. The community accepted the Wool Route project as their own, and contributed to its growth, collecting articles for display and helping to raise funds. The route started at the Shipwreck Museum and from there visited wool farms in the area, with the focus on the region’s wonderful hospitality, and was enjoyed as a great day out by tourists and locals alike.
With the eventual falling away of the Wool Route, Cape Agulhas Tourism identified the need for a new agri-tourism activity in the area. It was decided that the new tour, the BKB Agri View, should encompass more than just the traditional wool farms, and should embrace the vast range of farming activities in the Cape Agulhas area. This district rates the highest wool yield per sheep in the country. However, the region is also home to dairy and wheat farming, fynbos flower harvesting, and a new and exciting wine route with excellent restaurants. Add to that tourist attractions such as the Southernmost Tip if Africa in the spectacular Agulhas National Park, as well as the De Hoop and De Mond Nature Reserves, and the result is a fascinating, fun-filled and informative tour, led by competent local guides.
With the changing global environment, the need was identified for this tour to showcase not only the wonderful goodwill and hospitality of the area, but also to highlight sustainable farming practices in our region. Therefore only farms that are employing such practices are visited. A number of farms in the L’Agulhas to Elim area have recently formed a new protected area, the NuweJaars Special Management Area (SMA), with the aim of ensuring sustainable development and biodiversity conservation within defined zones. The SMA is also visited on the BKB Agri View, and boasts a herd of the Cape buffalo – buffalo were last seen in the area in the 1700s – as well as a family of hippopotami. For further information on the BKB Agri View, call the Bredasdorp Info office on 028 424 2584.