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Sakkie’s Farmyard is every child’s dream

Whether you are looking for ways to entertain the kiddies during the upcoming holidays, wanting a venue to host a birthday party, for just looking for a family outing spot on a Sunday, we recommend Sakkie’s Farmyard at Casterbridge.

November 28, 2017

Lowvelder 3 minutes read

Recently put under new management, co-owners and sisters, Chanté Knoetze and Carla Engelbrecht have worked hard to ensure that Sakkie’s Farmyard gives children and adults a memorable, fun experience.

Sakkie’s Farmyard was originally just a petting zoo, with pony rides and a restaurant. When the sisters took over, they upgraded the entire property. Visitors can now expect to find giant water balls, which you climb in to and then float around on water, as well as a roller for the water, which carries 5 kids.

Also on offer are a 16-obstacle skywalk trail and the longest zip line in Mpumalanga, at a phenomenal 455 metres. There is also a 40-metre baby zip line for the little ones. A putt-putt course was also implemented (The only independent course not on a resort in Mpumalanga), along with trampolines and paddle cars (cars without engines that use paddles instead.)

The farmyard is brimming with animals and a large variety of bird species; doves, geese, swans, turkeys, peacocks and even an emu. Kiddies can purchase a bag of animal feed at R4, and stroll around the grounds feeding the goats, pigs and bunnies. “We pride ourselves on making sure that the animals are extremely well-looked-after here.

That’s why we have the signage up everywhere stating that the SPCA inspect the premises regularly,” says Engelbrecht.

Sakkie’s Farmyard is a super spot to host a birthday party, and there are two options to choose from. The “do-it-yourself package”, where chairs and tables are provided, including free entrance for the birthday kid and two activities, or the “leave it to us” package, where Sakkie’s Farmyard will really go to town. Included are all of the décor, juice, sweets and party packs, with optional restaurant platter menus available for the adults.

Sakkie’s Farmyard does birthday parties and activities for all ages, as well as year-end functions for companies and team building. They also host school groups. “We hosted a kiddies’ expo here in September, where exhibitors set up stalls with anything related to children. We will definitely do that again in 2018,” Engelbrecht said, “This is a great venue to have kiddies entertainment, especially with the stage area at the restaurant.”

Since taking over, Engelbrecht explains that the company has grown from strength to strength. “We are Christians, and strongly believe this farmyard was a gift from God. Our main focus here is the children. It’s not about the money for us, we want to see children happy.”

When asked how they came up with the name Sakkie’s Farmyard, Engelbrecht enlightened us with the story “Our dad originally bought the farmyard, and he really has a hard time remembering peoples names, so he calls everyone sakkie. We are all his sakkies,” she says laughing, “He has a great sense of humour, so we decided to go with that for the name of our farmyard.”

The divine little Restaurant at Sakkies Farmyward boasts an array of tasty meals including breakfast options with the likes of an English breakfast or flapjacks, toasted sarmies, boerie rolls, chicken or Greek Salad, and hamburgers. “We are famous for our burgers, with fresh cut fries, they are absolutely delicious if I do say so myself, “ she says smiling. “We also have the cheapest cappuccino in Mpumalanga. We love coffee”

The drinks menu offers a selection of divine coffee options, tea, hot chocolate, milo and milkshakes, and cold drinks, and is an alcohol free venue.

The dream doesn’t stop there for the dynamic duo, and Engelbrecht tells us that at the end of the month, they are getting a big swing with a motor (fun fair swing) that is 6 meters wide and 4 meters high. There are other plans in the pipeline to expand and renovate some more.

“Our dream is to branch out, and have more farmyards like this one. Not a franchise, but what we’d like to do is find more petting zoo’s and then better them. We are currently in the process of looking for another venue between Nelspruit and White River that is more central,” she says.

If you haven’ already been to Sakkie’s Farmyard then do yourself a favour and pop by. It’s a wonderful safe environment for kiddies, and adults alike to spend the day outdoors and have some fun.