Hollybrooke Adventure Farm
our story
Farm life, 40 minutes from Johannesburg
Just 40 minutes from Johannesburg lies Hollybrooke. A little over 25 years old in its current iteration, the farm was bought by Steve Ritchie, an inventive Scotsman with a love of nature, farm life, adventure and thrill seeking, who wanted a place where visitors could come and enjoy the beauty and the excitement of it. Betsy and Steve are your hosts.
The noisy end of the day is the quad trails: an hour on a 300cc four stroke across fertile farmlands and pastures, and depending on the season onto Magalies valley overlooks or alongside the river itself. The Orango Tango zipline runs on weekends and public holidays. Our Boerperd horses go out on trails along the Magalies with a trained groomsman, and because the animal comes first we keep rides to four at a time and riders under 100kg. Clay pigeon shooting is the real thing, run by our owner Steve, a licensed shotgun holder, with a quick lesson and a gun safety refresher every round. There is also an archery and air rifle range, paintball on forest and riverside battlegrounds, and canoes on 400 metres of the Magalies river.
Walkers have the Hollybrooke and Van Gaalen trails: the 4km Legavaan Trail, a 12km circular to Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, or the 12km Vulture Trail, with a further 3km incline that summits at De Wet’s Pass. From the top of the Magaliesberg you can travel many kilometres in either direction.
The coffee shop is the farm’s headquarters, and the kitchen is the most likely place to find Tannie Betsy. Our burgers are made from our own homegrown and ground beef, and the farm deli sells fresh veg, picnic supplies and refreshments.
Stay over in one of two fully furnished self catering chalets, in the bunkhouse, or on a camping stand of about 70 square metres, with tents, caravans and roof tents all welcome. Amore Fati Spa runs our day spa, where bookings are made in advance and confirmed from R800 of treatment, and we put together team building days for companies. The farm has a small chapel too.
We are often fully booked, especially on summer weekends, so it is always worth booking far in advance. If you would rather be a walk in on the day, we will do our best to suit your adventure needs.
Main points
Services
One hour on a 300cc four stroke across fertile farmlands and pastures, and depending on the season onto Magalies valley overlooks or alongside the river. Every rider is given a clean helmet and goggles before departure, and professional trail guides ride with you. Riders 16 and older; younger children ride passenger for R200.
One full course of the zipline. R700 completes two full courses. Open on weekends and public holidays only.
A one hour trail with a trained groomsman, who provides training and protective headgear. The largest group we can take on a single ride is four, and the horses cannot support riders over 100kg.
A 30 minute trail with a trained groomsman, with training and protective headgear provided.
A 20 minute farm ride with the groomsman leading the horse, and protective headgear provided. Children can go on the longer trails too, at normal prices.
Twelve shots and twelve clays. Each round includes a quick lesson and a refresher on gun safety, run by our owner Steve Ritchie, a licensed shotgun holder. Ear mufflers are handed out before shooting.
An hour on our archery and air rifle range, for kids, colleagues and friends. Loser buys lunch.
100 balls, overalls and a sanitised mask, on forest and riverside battlegrounds. R1.50 a ball after that.
400 metres of the Magalies river to explore by canoe. Life jackets are provided and must be worn, and you must be able to swim.
A day on the farm and the Hollybrooke and Van Gaalen trails: the 4km Legavaan Trail, the 12km circular to Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, or the 12km Vulture Trail.
We specialise in mid week corporate conferences, with the venue and the adventure activities included. Strong wifi throughout for anyone who needs to stay connected to work.
A whole day in the Magaliesberg: a one hour quad bike trail, archery and air rifle, then a choice of ziplining or clay pigeon shooting, and any Hollybrooke pizza.
A one hour horse riding picnic for two, run all year round.
A one hour quad biking picnic for two, run all year round.
Price list
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Where to find them
Opening hours
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