Every now and then, you stumble upon a hidden gem close to home—one of those places you add to your bucket list and say, “One day, I’ll go there!” For me, that place was the Dragon Fruit Farm in Patensie.

Fast forward a few years, and my husband, Roger, tried to surprise me with a Valentine’s weekend getaway there. But let’s be honest—I’m like a detective when it comes to surprises. I sniffed this one out before he could even pack a bag! So, while the surprise was a bust, the treat was still very much on, and off we went for a weekend surrounded by pink, spiky fruit and pure tranquility.

Arriving in Dragon Country
We hit the road on Friday afternoon at 1 PM, excitement brewing as we neared our destination. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the lovely owner, Jackye, who gave us the lowdown on the farm, some house rules, and a bit of history. After getting settled in our cozy little cottage, we knew one thing for sure—this was going to be a weekend of relaxation, nature, and, of course, plenty of dragon fruit!

Braais, Bikes, and Bat Caves

The cottage was a dream—an intimate space with a stunning view from the kitchen, a private outdoor shower, and a small pool that quickly became our favorite spot to cool off. With nature all around us, we decided to embrace the great outdoors with a good old-fashioned braai both nights. Because honestly, is there anything better than a braai under the stars?

Mornings were for adventure, and we kicked things off with an early cycle each day. On Saturday, after our ride, we met up with Jackye’s husband, Stuart, who offered to take us to the dragon fruit orchard later in the evening. But before that, we decided to explore a bit more and took the 4×4 to check out a hidden cabin in the woods and a bat cave!

Now, let me tell you—if you ever go bat cave exploring, dress for the occasion. We, unfortunately, did not. We waded through a stream to get there, and the moment we stepped inside, the distinct scent of guano (a fancy word for bat poop) hit us like a ton of bricks. As we cautiously ventured in, we heard an eerie squeaking and the flutter of wings. Nope. That was our cue. We turned around faster than you can say Dracula’s den and made a hasty exit back to the cottage.

The Magic of the Dragon Fruit Orchard

At 5 PM, we met up with our hosts and finally got to see what we came for—the dragon fruit! It turns out, this was the first farm in South Africa to grow dragon fruit commercially. Jackye had a vision, took a chance, and after much trial and error, she and Stuart turned it into the thriving orchard it is today.

Seeing the fields full of vibrant pink fruit was breathtaking, and I even got the honor of picking one of the biggest dragon fruits myself! Just as we were leaving, Jackye showed us something even more special—the dragon fruit flowers that would bloom that very night. Since these flowers only bloom for one single night, it felt like witnessing something truly magical.

The Buzz Box – A Bizarre but Brilliant Idea
On our way back, we stumbled upon something called the Buzz Box. Now, imagine a glass box you can climb into, and underneath it? A bunch of beehives. Yep, real buzzing bees! Jackye explained that the sound of bees can be incredibly calming, helping to reset a person’s equilibrium. While I wasn’t quite ready to lie down above a swarm of bees this time, it’s definitely on my list for next time!

Farewell, Dragon Paradise
Sunday morning was all about soaking in the last bits of this beautiful place. We went for one last bike ride, cooked up a delicious breakfast, and enjoyed a refreshing dragon fruit salad before saying our goodbyes.

This weekend was pure food for the soul—a mix of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. One thing is certain: Patensie’s Dragon Fruit Farm was definitely worth the wait, and I can’t wait to go back