Eendkuil, Swartland
Eendekuil lies in a valley not even half an hour's drive north west of Piketberg, in the northerly reaches of the Swartland (translated directly to mean 'black land' for the rhenosterveld found in the area).
Scenically, the valley is beautiful. Stands of yellow lupin leap into bloom during spring, whilst the Olifants River Mountains and Piketberg surround Eendekuil, giving it views that are worthy of any little wineland town.
As towns go, though, Eendekuil is small. Its major function is as a small rail centre. And, despite its size, it plays a significant role in the citrus industry as the station closest to the farms around Citrusdal (almost due west of Eendekuil - give or take a mountain pass). There is also a bus service between Citrusdal and Eendekuil.
Eendekuil also has its own hotel, originally built in 1900 (and then rebuilt in 1952), a well-known watering hole for Wild Dog Adventure Bikers.
Its name does have something to do with ducks (for those who don't speak Afrikaans, 'eend' is a duck) and refers to the huge numbers of water birds, particularly wild ducks, that use the stretches of the Verlorenvlei and Kruismans rivers that drain the Eendekuil basin.
Bird watching in the valley is of the best in the area.
Once upon a time Eendekuil produced fairly good cheeses at its Zebraskop Co-operative cheese factory. But several cheese factory mergers later, it no longer functions and locals get most of their work on citrus farms in the area.
Eendekuil does have its own annual gymkhana and a bicycle trail. And Winkelshoek wine cellar (producing wine from its farms Schenkfontein and Kliprivier) is worth a stop to sample their brandy, and wines.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Abbotts Hill
Abbotts Hill is a farmhouse on top of a hill, surrounded by vines and views of the rolling valleys in Swartland. Love yourself. Spoil yourself wi...
Shades of Provence
Shades of the Valley is situated in the heart of Riebek Kasteel where you can enjoy the countryside, peace, tranquility and clear skies where you...
Dunn's Castle
Dunn's Castle was built in the late 1890's and offers cosy rooms with Victorian finishes. Piketberg is a small farming town at the foot of the Pi...
Bloemendal Guest Cottage
Bloemendal Guest Cottage is a lovely self catering Cottage is situated in the Riebeek Kasteel valley a mere hour and a half drive from Cape Town....
SuNel's Guest Rooms
SuNel's Guest Rooms offers bed & breakfast accommodation in Malmesbury. This picturesque area offers the ideal place for a peaceful stay while st...
Excelsior Farm Self Catering
Excelsior is an old colonial style farm house which offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large cozy farm kitchen, a small second kitchen and ...
The Silo @ Kalmoesfontein
Silo @ Kalmoesfontein is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. It has one open plan master bedroom furnished with a king size bed, luxury cotto...
Moreson Manor
Moreson Manor is a Victorian Guesthouse offering two self catering flatlets. Only a stones throw form the village square, you are close to a numb...
Noteworthy attractions
Swartland Wine Route
Meaning ‘black country’ and named after the indigenous Renosterbos, which turns a dark colour at a certain time of the year, the wine route exten...
Dasklip Pass
Near the town of Porterville you will find Dasklip Pass, famous for its launching pad for experienced hang-gliders. Local paragliding championshi...
Renosterveld Reserve
Situated in the village of Darling, the Renosterveld Reserve, which you will find at the top of the village on a hill just behind the Darling Pri...
Tienie Versveld Reserve
The Tienie Versveld Reserve lies just outside Darling en route to Yzerfontein, part of a farm that was donated to the National Botanical Society ...
Berg River Region
North of the Berg River lie the little towns of Piketberg, Porterville, Wittewater, Goedverwacht, Veddrif, Aurora, Eendekuil and Redelinghuys. Kn...
Bartholomeus Klip Renosterveld Reserve
On Bartholomeus Klip's grassy plains you will find wild animals in one of the last spaces, so close to a city, that still allows for game to free...
Bothmaskloof Pass
Bothmaskloof Pass connects the towns of Malmesbury and Riebeeck Kasteel on the R46. Sometimes also known as Bothmanskloof, the pass takes one ove...
Nuwekloof Pass
The Nuwekloof Pass connects the town of Tulbagh with Riebeek-Kasteel and Wellington. Historically it has been called the Oudekloof, Tulbaghkloof ...
Verlorenvlei Heritage Settlement
What was once a thriving little hamlet on the shores of Verlorenvlei (40 buildings or ruins were still in evidence in 1992) is only a few survivi...
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