Inspired by nature

the farms

Kransfontein was established in 1833. The farm making up Kransfontein Estate were originally the farms Birdsong, Muffets and Milkwood. These farms were collected by the internationally acclaimed novelist Wilbur Smith over many years. Many of his earliest novels were written on the Estate. In 2000 the farms were purchased by the current owner. He enlarged the property by adding the farm Drie Heuwels to it in 2004. On these four farms, collectively known as Kransfontein, the olive trees were planted that produce the nationally acclaimed olive oil.

Riethuiskraal (across the river from Kransfontein) was also previously owned by Wilbur Smith and purchased by the present owner. This is where the stud was established.

Our Horses

Apart from the recently planted 10 000 olive trees, Riethuiskraal is a thoroughbred stud. The stud has had remarkable international success. Horses bred by the stud include CRIMSON PALACE (by Ellidor (FR) ex Perfect Guest) who became the first South African bred filly to win a Grade 1 race in America and earned her breeder the Equus Breeder’s Award for Exceptional International Achievement in 2005. Crimson Palace was rated the 4th best filly that year in the world. NATIONAL COLOUR (by National Assembly (USA) ex Rainbow Cake) was voted South Africa’s Horse of the Year in 2006, then rated the fastest filly in the Southern Hemisphere.

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Our Olives

Kransfontein is the only olive farm that has won three consequetive “top five” ABSA awards; to boot for the same variety, the spicy Coratina oil. (By the third year the “top five” was expanded to the “top ten”.) Our Frantoio oil carries the distinction of being crowned South Africa’s champion oil in the distinguished competition run by Marco Zichella in 2016. More than 20 000 olive trees have been planted at Kransfontein and Riethuiskraal.

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An Eco Experience

All development has been aimed to be in harmony with nature.

The farm walk was build from sandstone cut by master masons, a craft now largely lost and forgotten. The walk, magically lit by night, will take you through the Birdsong forest to the Birdsong dam and the most charming stone bridge, surrounded by pools with water lilies, flanked by hundreds of agapanthus and other wildlife flowers. 

Here you will find yourself surrounded by two of the biggest mulberry trees you have ever seen, well grown avocado trees that bear almost throughout the year, quince trees and banana plants. Having crossed the bridge, the pathway takes you past citrus trees of five varieties, many different varieties of plum, peach, and apricot trees and through pergolas of grinadellas and quavadillas. You end up at the Boat House, overhanging the Goukou river, nestled amongst giant strelitzias, protected by enormous pecan nut trees.

Go Explore
Kransfontein-Olive-Oil-Range
Riethuiskraal Stud
Muffets Bush Braai
Kransfontein
Olive Tasting
Nature Walk
Nature
Nature Bird
Fish Eagle
Clivia
The Making of Olive Oil
Waterski @ Kransfontein
The Uilhuis stallion box
Kransfontein Accommodation Stilbaai Uitsig 1