We have over 200 species recorded, of which eight are red data species.
The greater and lesser Honey Guide are two species of birds which are frequently seen on Honeywood. You will see them fly in and out of the gum trees down near the workshop where the staff treat, fix and assemble beehives. There are several resident pairs of forest Buzzards that nest high in the trees that grow alongside our driveway. The Knysna Woodpecker, Olive Woodpeckers and Knysna Warblers can also be found in the forest and the button Quial on the mountainside in the heather. Click here to download a more comprehensive list of birds.
Birding enthusiasts often request dinner, bed and breakfast so they can focus exclusively on finding birds and not cooking. Meals are served in the main house and by arrangement only. Miranda is a marvelous cook and bakes the most delicious bread so you can also request a packed lunch to enjoy in one of the bird hides in the nature reserve.
We have birding guides bring birding enthusiasts from all over the world to the farm regularly. For more info on organised tours you can contact:
Tropical Birding
Avifauna
Dieter Oschadleusn
Brians-Birding Tours
Birding Africa
Birding EcoTours
Various mountain biking trails can be found on and around Honeywood Farm. You can choose from four different routes, red, blue, green and black and they range in technical difficulty. If you are wanting gentle rides or for those looking for exciting single track challenges. We have more than 150 kms of trails are available at present. All the tracks are available to download here
The routes take you through the foothills of the Langeberg, with a range of natural vegetation, mountain fynbos, indigenous forest, renosterveld and spectacular scenery. The total trail distance for cycling is 58km and this includes several circular routes ranging from 8km to 25km long. Other more challenging longer routes are available outside the Conservancy, suitable for experienced cyclists wanting to ride gravel roads. The conservancy has received funding from the Table Mountain Fund and WWF for extending trails for hiking and mountain biking in the area – creating job opportunities as well as opening up the area for enviro-tourism.
You can purchase a mountain biking permit from the Honeywood Office on arrival.
Rides are by arrangement only Riders need to be happy with their mounts in the ring before venturing out on horseback.
Booking is essential but rides can be arranged once you have arrived and settled in.
Riders need to provide their own safety gear and riding is at your own risk. Riding is also only offered to guests staying at Honeywood farm.
We are not hard and fast about this. We want to know what kind of dog you have before agreeing to allow them to come too. We have horses, cats, farm animals, staff and our own scraggly rescues who we adore. If your dog is a chaser, a biter or just doesn’t like other people or dogs or needs to be on a leash all the time please ask your sister or pet sitter to take care of them. If they are easy going, well-adjusted and if we know in advance that they are coming we will most likely welcome them.
Moms, have you ever tried to do yoga or meditate with a children under five running around you while on ‘holiday’’? Well, if you have, you’ll know it isn’t a thing worth trying again. What works is putting your toddler down on a forest floor, carpeted in ferns and allowing the magic to take hold. Heart rates slow with the sound of a mountain stream gurgling over mossy rocks. Shoulders drop and kids tend to get busy in a playful, healthy way that means they sleep deeply at night.
If they are older and more adventurous, follow the paths that meander through the pockets of indigenous forests on our farm that exist between the Fynbos and Renosterbos. Yellowoods, Red Alders, Ironwood and the orange barked Saffran trees that are home to the rare Forest Emperor Butterfly and the Ghost Frog.
Purchase a permit and you can extend your walks, cross our boundary and hike through the Nature Reserve - be on the lookout for grysbok and bushbuck. To download a map of the trails, click here.