We celebrated our son’s birthday at Huckleberry Fish Farm in Stellenbosch. Here’s what to expect from the fishing, braais, animals and family activities.
When we started looking for somewhere to celebrate our son’s fifth birthday, we wanted somewhere he could simply be a kid. A place where he could run around, explore, get a little muddy and keep himself entertained while the adults enjoyed a slower pace.
That search eventually led us to Huckleberry Fish Farm in Stellenbosch, just a couple of minutes from the Winelands Light Railway, which we visited a few years ago.
Although they’re close to one another, the two attractions offer completely different experiences, and Huckleberry quickly proved to be the kind of place where an entire day disappears before you even notice the time.
First impressions
The first thing we noticed wasn’t actually the farm itself. The parking area sits beneath several towering electricity pylons, which initially feels a little unexpected for a countryside outing. Thankfully, that impression changes almost immediately after walking through reception.
We paid the R120 entrance fee per person (children aged three and under enter free at the time of our visit) and were welcomed by a friendly team of staff who remained helpful and approachable throughout the day.
Once inside, the farm opens into wide, well-maintained lawns that feel designed for families. Children were running between the playgrounds, climbing jungle gyms and making the most of the water slide despite the cooler weather.
One thing I always notice when visiting family attractions is the condition of the facilities. The restrooms were exceptionally clean and well maintained, which is something parents always appreciate after spending several hours outdoors with young children.
A braai with a little more wind than expected
Before arriving, we’d phoned ahead to reserve one of the braai areas. We decided on a shaded spot beneath the trees, thinking it would provide the perfect setting for a relaxed birthday lunch. For about half an hour, it did.
Thankfully, we managed to enjoy one of the most important moments of the day before the weather had other ideas. We gathered around as our son blew out the candles on his colourful birthday cupcakes from Creative Kidz Cupcakes, a family tradition we’ve come to look forward to each year. They looked fantastic, tasted just as good, and gave us a chance to celebrate together before the wind decided to make the rest of lunch a little more adventurous.
Then the Stellenbosch wind arrived. What started as a gentle breeze quickly became strong gusts that made lighting the fire surprisingly difficult. My husband spent quite some time coaxing the flames into life, and despite bringing our own wood, we eventually had to buy an extra bundle from the farm to keep things going.
Fortunately, the farm shop stocks most of the essentials, including firewood, charcoal, firelighters and ice, while braai grids and utensils can also be hired if needed. Running water nearby also made it easy to rinse lunchboxes, utensils and permanently sticky little hands.
The wind, however, refused to cooperate. At one point, our container filled with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers launched itself off the table and straight into the dirt. Lunch quickly became an exercise in eating before the next gust—or a determined fly—arrived. Being situated alongside the dam, a few flies are probably part of the experience, but thankfully they didn’t stop us from enjoying what turned out to be an excellent braai.
The smoky chops and boerewors were worth the battle with the wind, and the leftovers tasted just as good the following day.
The surprise fishing champion
Despite the birthday celebrations, the fishing ended up stealing the show. The farm hires out both traditional fishing rods (R50) and bamboo rods (R20), complete with bait, making it easy for beginners to give fishing a try.
Our son’s technique was… enthusiastic. Every few seconds he insisted on pulling his line out to “check” whether he’d caught anything. Against all expectations, he was the only person in our family to actually catch a fish.
Watching him confidently pick up his very first fish with his bare hands was something none of us expected, and judging by the grin on his face, he’s now convinced he’s officially the family’s fishing expert.
To this day, he still reminds us that he’ll happily teach Mommy and Daddy how it’s done.
Feeding the farm animals
After fishing, we wandered over to the animal enclosures. For just R5, visitors can buy a bucket of animal feed from reception, and it quickly became another highlight of the afternoon. The farm is home to cows, sheep, goats, ducks and roosters, giving younger children plenty of opportunities to interact with the animals at their own pace.
It added another layer to the experience, making the outing feel like a genuine day on a working farm rather than simply a fishing venue.
Plenty to keep children busy
One of the things that impressed me most was how many activities are included in the entrance fee. Families spent the day picnicking on the lawns, celebrating birthdays and simply enjoying the open space.
Our son especially loved the pedal go-karts, although most of our effort went into pushing him around the course rather than watching him pedal. There’s also a zip line for older, more adventurous children, while we finished our afternoon with a round of putt-putt golf, which is also included.
By the time we packed up, we had one very tired five-year-old asleep in the back seat before we’d even left Stellenbosch.
Would we visit again?
Absolutely. The wind was the only thing we couldn’t control, and it’s the one piece of advice I’d give anyone planning a visit. If a windy day is forecast, I’d recommend choosing one of the sheltered braai areas rather than sitting beneath the trees.
Other than that, Huckleberry Fish Farm delivered exactly what we’d hoped for.
It offered enough space for children to explore, enough activities to keep them entertained for hours, and enough quiet corners for the adults to slow down and enjoy the day too.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly day out near Stellenbosch, Huckleberry Fish Farm is well worth adding to your list. Between the fishing, farm animals, braai facilities and open spaces, it’s the kind of outing that leaves everyone pleasantly tired—and already talking about coming back.
1 Comment