Pick Cherries in a Ceres Orchard

For just a few weeks each summer, the orchards at Klondyke Cherry Farm turn into one of the Western Cape’s sweetest treasure hunts. Wander between rows of cherry trees, searching among the leaves for perfectly ripe fruit and picking your favourites straight from the branches. Set against the mountains outside Ceres, it’s the kind of wonderfully simple outing that’s worth making a road trip of — pack a picnic, bring the family or a few friends, and head home with cherries that have travelled all of a few metres from tree to basket.

BEFORE YOU GO
Cherry picking is highly seasonal, with the season typically running for only a few weeks around late November and December. Opening dates depend on the harvest and can change from year to year, so check that picking is open before driving from Cape Town. Weekends during the short season can get very busy, so arrive early if possible. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and comfortable shoes suitable for an orchard. Picking availability can also change depending on weather and how much ripe fruit remains.