A visit to Soekershof, Private Mazes & Botanical Gardens in South Africa is an experience for which one has to take time; 2 hours at least but 4 hours is better.

Soekershof is all a (botanical) garden should be; a place of calmness, relaxation, contemplation, humor and education. Not a garden with the money making banter of craft shops, restaurants and coffee shops.

The quest in the maze is filled with humor; local folklore visualised with objects and once found the right answers visitors can expect an unique hand crafted memento. After a break (refreshment on the house) a tour is the succulent garden with more than 2400 different succulents from all over the world under the open sky; all organically cultivated and including the oldest cactus (anno 1910) of South Africa.

The present owners bought in 2000 a farm which was neglected for 24 years and they discovered in the weed overgrown cactus garden the memorial tablet of Marthinus Malherbe; the pioneer of the South African cactus trade and also the founder of the nursery next door. Yvonne de Wit tells with passion about all the discoveries and how, while taking the weeds away she developed a passion for these strange plants with weird names as 'baby buttocks', 'old woman's tight' and 'horse teeth'.

The Philosophers Garden is a place of self confrontation and contemplation with expressions of celebrities as Albert Einstein, George Burns, Kahlil Gibran and Andy Warhol.

The website of Soekershof (just google to Soekershof) will provide you with all essential information including driving directions (last few hundred metres are very important since Soekershof is battling for over five years to obtain decent road signage), accommodation nearby, links to other activities in the region, etc.

Written by  Klaas Voogds.

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Entertaining reflection of complexity of Life

Great moments of awareness and for me real food for soul and spirit and a hugely entertaining reflection of the complexity of Life..

And since recently there is proper roadsignage and for the one with GPS in the car: -33.81109 (S) 19.98023 and you park right next to that amazing wire baobab tree.

The Soekershof nursery is outstanding with excellent advise (they really take their time for every individual customer/guest).

And the shop is extending with surprisingly high quality exclusive Soekershof designs of furniture, umbrellas, necklaces, keyrings and sprayers.

South Africans can be proud.

 

Review posted 24th October 2008 by John Silver.

Soekerhof

The original concept goes beyond prejudice perceptions and is merely based on local history and folklore, the name Soekershof (= Seekers Court) and the original succulent garden of Marthinus Malherbe (buried in his garden) including the oldest cactus of South Africa (Anno 1910).

Soekershof; Private Mazes & Botanical Gardens is all about the challenge of uncovering its mystery, with the staff of Soekershof on board to provide an enjoyable and inspirational experience in the mazes and gardens.

Your maze quest kicks off with a Stone Age Cinema screening. There is a surprise around every corner for everyone who dares to open his or her heart and mind.

Another option is a garden introduction; an interactive exploration of Soekershof’s highly acclaimed outdoor succulent collection of more than 2400 different (registered) succulent plants originating from different continents. Discover hidden ‘baby bumps’, ‘horse teeth’ and other gems. Enjoy flower tasting and other tantalizing wonders of nature.

 

Review posted 2nd June 2008 by John Silver.

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