By Vicky · Published Jan. 27th, 2026
This guide to Gifberg Holiday Farm helps plan your trip and discover the hiking options before you go.
Page Contents:
Location
Gifberg Holiday Farm is about 4 hours north of Cape Town, and 3 hours south of Springbok. To get to the farm, first head to Vanrhynsdorp. This is the last place for groceries, where you’ll find a Usave and SaveMor. There’s also a nice Padstal in town and several places to stay* if there’s no space at Gifberg itself.
From Vanrhynsdorp, head south on the road past the Caravan Park. The road changes from tar to decent gravel, heading across the plains towards the red cliffs. The uphill starts as the road winds its way through the scenic rocks and into the mountains. The steepest section is tarred, and the small road continues along the edge of the cliffs.
There’s another short section of tar, after which you take the first left. Follow the signs for Gifberg Holiday Farm, and this should bring you all the way to the reception. It takes 45 minutes to 1 hour from Vanrhynsdorp. Normal cars can make it, though it’s more comfortable with a 4×4.
Gifberg Holiday Farm Map
Tips for Gifberg Holiday Farm
- Reserve your accommodation at the farm in advance, as it’s quite a drive back if there’s no space. Alternatively, stay in Vanrhynsdorp* and visit for the day to go hiking and swimming.
- Be prepared for diverse weather – it can be very sunny and very rainy on the same day!
- There’s a pool and natural rock pools for swimming, though in the dry season, the latter can be dry.
- Bring everything you need and top up on fuel in Vanrhysdorp, as there’s nothing available apart from firewood and rooibos at the reception shop.
- For more details on several of the hikes, read our Potholes Route, Hammerkop Route and Gifboom Route guides.
- For more fun guides and hikes, check our South Africa page.
Things to do at Gifberg Holiday Farm
What can you do at Gifberg Holiday Farm?
- Go on a hike
- Take a refreshing swim
- Admire rock paintings
- Challenge yourself with a 4×4 drive
1. Go on a hike
Hiking is the main activity at Gifberg Holiday Farm. There are four hikes to choose from: Potholes Route 1.9km, Hammerkop Route 3.2km, Gifboom Route 7.3km and Bushman Route 19km. It’s free to hike if you’re staying here, while it’s R50 for day visitors. All these hikes can be challenging when slippery, with the Potholes Route the easiest, and the other hikes more difficult.
The Potholes Route is the most popular as it’s quite short and has spectacular scenery of the potholes in the river. You’ll also see some cool rock formations and bushman paintings towards the end of the hike.
The Hammerkop Route is longer and passes several impressive waterfalls (sometimes dry). You do have to do some easy scrambling and cross over the river on this route, so it’s not recommended for young children. If you want to visit the rockpools for swimming, there are some above and some below the main waterfall.
The Gifboom Route is a lovely half-day hike. There’s a variety of scenery, plus great views. It feels more wild than the two shorter hikes as you get quite far away from the farm, and you will probably see or at least hear some baboons!
The Bushman Route is much longer and takes a full day. You need to be prepared for changeable weather and some scrambling. It’s a lovely route if you are fit and make sure you take enough water!
2. Take a refreshing swim
Not only is there a lovely swimming pool at Gifberg, but there are also several natural rock pools where you can take a dip! An easy pool to get too is just past the far end of the campsite, called Spook se Gat Rock Pool.
Near the start of the Potholes Hiking Route, you can take a dip under the ‘Shower Head’, a small waterfall flowing behind a rock ledge. Alternatively, there are many lovely pools on the Hammerkop Hiking Route. Note that the easiest way to reach these is walking up the road first, rather than the other way around.
3. Admire rock paintings
There are several Bushman Painting sites located on the farm. The most easily accessible is at the end of the Potholes Hike, though it’s very close to the main buildings if you walk the opposite way around. The rocks the paintings are on are also impressive!
There are more paintings close to the start of the Hammerkop Route, while the most impressive are on the long Bushman Route Hike.
4. Challenge yourself with a 4×4 drive
If you have a suitable vehicle, you can drive the 4×4 track. It’s 11 km each way and you can camp at the river after asking at reception in advance. The last bit down to the river is quite difficult, but the rest is only moderately challenging.
Accommodation at Gifberg Holiday Farm
You can either stay in a cottage or camp at Gifberg Holiday Farm, check here for more details. Cottages start at R600 per person, while camping starts at R200 per person.
The camping is on a big, grassy field with ablutions and a dish-washing area. There is no electricity.
There are also six cottages, which accommodate from four to thirteen people. All are self-catering with kitchens and a braai stand. Most of them are near the reception and swimming pool, while Kleinplasie Cottage is past the far end of the campsite.
Accommodation Nearby
There are several places to stay in Vanrhynsdorp, just under an hour away. One of the best is Mountain View Guesthouse*, which has lovely, clean rooms and a nice little garden. Alternatively, off the road on the way to Gifberg is Maskam Guest Farm*, another great place to stay nearby. Here, there’s a pool, a fantastic location and view, and a delicious breakfast.
Recommended Guidebook
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Gifberg Holiday Farm. For more hikes and activities, check out our Guide to South Africa.
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