ACTIVITIES

Rafting, Paddling and Trails on the Breede

Rafting, Paddling and Trails on the Breede

A river at the bottom of the garden, hills behind it, and Swellendam and Bontebok National Park a short drive away.

A river at the bottom of the garden, hills behind it, and Swellendam and Bontebok National Park a short drive away.

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2 Adult, 0 Children
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1 Room
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AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES

The River Sets the Pace Here

Most of what there is to do at Stonehill River Lodge happens on the Breede or within sight of it. Rafting runs through Levels 1 to 3 rapids with a guide, paddle boards go out by the hour, and rods and reels are hired at reception for anyone who would rather sit still and watch the water.

Away from the river there are walking paths out to the picnic spots, mountain bikes for hire, a supervised archery range, and bontebok, eland, zebra and springbok grazing the property. Bookings for the paid activities are taken at reception, in advance, and everything here is weather dependent.

Enquire Now
  • ON-SITE

Archery

A supervised archery session runs Monday to Saturday with thirty arrows to a round, booked in advance at reception. It suits complete beginners, and it usually turns quietly competitive by the second end.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

River Rafting

Rafting on the Breede runs through Levels 1 to 3 rapids with a qualified river guide, over one to two hours, and depends on the water level on the day. Bookings are taken in advance, Monday to Saturday.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

Stand Up Paddle Boating

An hour on a paddle board on the Breede River, available Monday to Saturday and booked at reception.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

Fishing

Fishing rods and reels are hired from reception for twenty-four hour periods, and hooks, bait, sinkers and spinners are sold there too. The Breede runs the length of the property, so the walk to the water is short.
Booking: Reception
  • ON-SITE

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes are hired from reception for twenty-four hours at a time, and the trails run out from the property itself.
Booking: Reception
  • free, ON-SITE

Hiking

Walking paths run out from the property and lead to some very good picnic spots along the river. Hiking is free, and picnic packs with utensils and blankets are collected at reception before you set off.
Booking: No booking
  • ON-SITE

Archery

A supervised archery session runs Monday to Saturday with thirty arrows to a round, booked in advance at reception. It suits complete beginners, and it usually turns quietly competitive by the second end.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

River Rafting

Rafting on the Breede runs through Levels 1 to 3 rapids with a qualified river guide, over one to two hours, and depends on the water level on the day. Bookings are taken in advance, Monday to Saturday.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

Stand Up Paddle Boating

An hour on a paddle board on the Breede River, available Monday to Saturday and booked at reception.
Booking: Reception, in advance
  • ON-SITE

Fishing

Fishing rods and reels are hired from reception for twenty-four hour periods, and hooks, bait, sinkers and spinners are sold there too. The Breede runs the length of the property, so the walk to the water is short.
Booking: Reception
  • ON-SITE

Mountain Biking

Mountain bikes are hired from reception for twenty-four hours at a time, and the trails run out from the property itself.
Booking: Reception
  • free, ON-SITE

Hiking

Walking paths run out from the property and lead to some very good picnic spots along the river. Hiking is free, and picnic packs with utensils and blankets are collected at reception before you set off.
Booking: No booking
  • free, ON-SITE

Bird and Game Watching

Bontebok, eland, zebra and springbok are resident on the property and can be watched on foot. Bird and game watching is free and needs no booking.
Booking: No booking
  • free, ON-SITE

Outdoor Chess

An outdoor chess set is laid out on the property and is free to play.
Booking: No booking required
  • free, OFF-SITE

Movie Night Under the Stars

Stonehill runs a movie night under the stars when the weather allows. It is free, and reception will confirm on the day whether it is going ahead.
Booking: No booking
  • free, OFF-SITE

Arts and Crafts Table

An arts and crafts table is set up for children and is free to use.
Booking: No booking
  • OFF-SITE

Swellendam

Swellendam is one of South Africa's oldest towns, with art stalls, coffee shops and galleries along the way, and the Drostdy Museum covering its history from the Dutch East India period.
Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent
  • OFF-SITE

Under the Oaks Village Market

The Saturday morning market in Swellendam offers up a slice of South African country living, with traditional fare, homemade arts and crafts, soaps and sweets.
Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent
  • OFF-SITE

JW’s Beekeeping Honey & Equipment

This Swellendam shop keeps a hive of honey bees behind a glass enclosure, so you can watch them at work before you
Distance: About 23km
Booking: Independent
  • OFF-SITE

Bontebok National Park

The smallest of South Africa's national parks holds eland, springbok, zebra and the antelope it is named after, along with 126 bird species. The roads are easy to navigate and the Breede runs through it, which makes it good for a picnic, a ride or a hike.
Distance: Near Swellendam
Booking: SANParksl
  • OFF-SITE

Whale Watching

Between June and December, Southern Right and Humpback whales are watched from Hermanus, De Hoop Nature Reserve and Mossel Bay, all within day trip distance. Pick up fresh fish and chips on the coast while you are there.
Distance: Day trip
Booking: Independent
  • OFF-SITE

Wildebraam Berry Estate

Wildebraam lies in the Hermitage Valley about 2km outside Swellendam. In November and December you can pick your own youngberries, blackberries and blueberries, and homemade liqueurs, jams, dessert syrups and chutneys are sold there.
Distance: About 2km from Swellendam
Booking: Independent

Destination

Distance and drive

Highlight

Kruger National Park

Pilgrim’s Rest

Blyde River Canyon

Bourke’s Luck Potholes

God’s Window

Sudwala Caves

Echo Caves

Available at an additional cost

  • Extended horse riding
  • Spa treatments
  • Premium beverages
  • Babysitting
  • Additional scheduled activities beyond inclusions
  • Beverages outside 10am to 10pm are excluded.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

What to Know Before You Go Out

Weather

All activities are weather dependent and subject to availability.

Booking

Archery, river rafting and stand up paddle boating are booked in advance at reception. Paid activities run Monday to Saturday.

Equipment

Mountain bikes and fishing rods and reels are hired at reception. Hooks, bait, sinkers and spinners are sold there.

Guiding

River rafting is accompanied by a qualified river guide. Archery is supervised.

Rafting conditions

Rafting depends on the water level on the day

ARTS AND CULTURE

One of South Africa's Oldest Towns, Twenty Minutes Away

Swellendam

Art stalls, coffee shops, galleries and the Drostdy Museum, with a Saturday market under the oaks.

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Swellendam, and Why It Is Worth an Afternoon

Swellendam holds the distinction of being one of South Africa’s oldest towns, and the Drostdy Museum offers a glimpse into its history from the Dutch East India period. The town centre keeps its museums, galleries, restaurants and friendly-faced locals close together, which makes it easy to do on foot in an afternoon.

Demonstrating a commitment to evolving with modern travel preferences, the resort shifted to a fully all-inclusive model in 2024 to provide guests with seamless cost transparency and enhanced value.

Early 1900s Tea Garden

The resort originally began humble operations as a remote tea garden. It catered to early travellers negotiating the rugged mountain passes of the Drakensberg range.

Alpine Transformation

Over the decades, the property evolved from a simple rest stop into a fully fledged mountain lodge. It features authentic thatched roofing, local wood furnishings, and iconic, Swiss-alpine-style self-catering chalets designed to complement the dramatic mountain terrain.

The 2012 to 2014 Road Closure Crisis

The resort faced severe financial and operational hardships when the main access road leading past the property was completely closed for two years. This cut off the lifeblood of the business, forcing a temporary shutdown before its eventual revival.

Community Integration

Following its reopening, the resort established an extensive on-site hydroponics program. The system grows fresh spinach, lettuce, and tomatoes used for guest meals and directly sustains the nearby Langkloof school and orphanage.

2026 Shift to All-Inclusive

In March 2026, Little Switzerland completed a major strategic repositioning by transitioning into a fully all-inclusive resort model. The modern format bundles all meals, high teas, select beverages, and on-site adventure activities into standard stays.

A FEW SUGGESTIONS

More Information On These Activities

Drostdy Museum

Under the Oaks Village Market

Bontebok National Park

Wildebraam Berry Estate

Whale watching on the Overberg coast

Drostdy Museum

Under the Oaks Village Market

Bontebok National Park

Wildebraam Berry Estate

Whale watching on the Overberg coast

FAQ

On site there is archery, air golf, mini golf, remote control car racing, painting, walking trails, birdwatching, a games room and a playground. Walking and birdwatching are free; archery and mini golf carry a small per person fee.

Yes. Activities at Piekenierskloof are booked in advance at reception, and all of them are weather dependent and subject to availability. Booking the day before is usually enough, but school holidays fill up faster.

Archery at the resort is supervised throughout by an instructor and is suitable from around eight years old, or whenever a child can comfortably hold a bow. Fifteen standard bows are supplied and no previous experience is needed.

Citrusdal forms part of the Cape Flower Route, where wildflowers run through the surrounding landscape between July and October. The wider region carries over four thousand flower species, which makes spring the busiest and most colourful season around Piekenierskloof.

Citrusdal has a nine hole course roughly eight kilometres from Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, laid out on the banks of the Olifants River with the Cederberg behind it. It is regarded as one of the better nine hole courses in the Western Cape.

Yes. Trails lead directly out from Piekenierskloof into the fynbos along the top of the pass, with no gate or reserve entry in between. They are free to guests, and it is worth telling reception which route you are taking.

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+27 (0)861 010 347

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