About Groenvlei Plaas
Groenvlei Plaas is situated on the banks of the Olifants River in Koekenaap, near Lutzville, on the West Coast of South Africa.
It is the perfect stop-over on your journey, being just off the N7 Cape-Namibia Route, and just four hours away from Cape Town.
The plaas has been owned by the Wickens family since 1942.
James De Villiers Wickens, the third generation Wickens, and the newest member of the silver fox club, is the current Boer.
The Wickens mainly farms with sheep, cattle, lucerne and hawer. You will also find some very aggressive chickens and sexy pigs on the plaas.
Groenvlei Plaas is home to Kliphuis, Boomhuis and The Swart Tobie Hiking Trail.
After years of farming, Oupa Jack and Ouma Lenie started Kliphuis in 1989. The legacy of Groenvlei Plaas and Kliphuis was passed on to the 2nd generation, Wynie and Ronel Wickens.
Staying true to being Wickens, Wynie and Ronel farmed on Groenvlei and entertained at Kliphuis for years. In 2002 they felt it was time to diversify (one of Wynie’s favourite words) and added The Swart Tobie Hiking Trail.
Fast track to 2018, Groenvlei Plaas, Kliphuis and the Swart Tobie Hiking Trail were passed on to James and Laurette. In 2020, Boomhuis Wild Camping and Pick-a-Doos were added to the legacy.
About the Boer
James De Villiers Wickens was born in Vredendal and grew up on Groenvlei Plaas.
As a boy he spent his days outside with a winbuks and throwing kleilat with his siblings and friends. The farming bug bit James at the age of four when he drove his first tractor and a goofy smile appeared on this face.
The smile can still be seen today when he gets on the tractor and tends the land with passion.
After completing his studies, James started working as a mechanical engineer in 2006. This gave him the opportunity to enhance his skills and travel the world.
James loves adventure and spent his December holidays backpacking through Asia and South America.
It was while travelling in 2018 when life threw him a curve ball and he made his way back to Groenvlei.
The Plaas and its responsibilities came for James about twenty years earlier than expected. With amazing people in his life, years of experience, knowledge and skills (and not being a farmer) James took up the reigns of the beloved Groenvlei Plaas.
Being Koekenaap’s first ‘fake boer’, he is still pursuing his full-time occupation as a professional engineer, while also being a full-time boer. With the help of his loyal and devoted plaas team (never giving him any grief & always following his instructions to the T…), James is building Groenvlei’s legacy and impressing all the omies in the district.
Die Lewe op Groenvlei Plaas
About Groenvlei Plaas
Groenvlei Plaas is situated on the banks of the Olifants River in Koekenaap, near Lutzville, on the West Coast of South Africa.
It is the perfect stop-over on your journey, being just off the N7 Cape-Namibia Route, and just four hours away from Cape Town.
The plaas has been owned by the Wickens family since 1942.
James De Villiers Wickens, the third generation Wickens, and the newest member of the silver fox club, is the current Boer.
The Wickens mainly farms with sheep, cattle, lucerne and hawer. You will also find some very aggressive chickens and sexy pigs on the plaas.
Groenvlei Plaas is home to Kliphuis, Boomhuis and The Swart Tobie Hiking Trail.
After years of farming, Oupa Jack and Ouma Lenie started Kliphuis in 1989. The legacy of Groenvlei Plaas and Kliphuis was passed on to the 2nd generation, Wynie and Ronel Wickens.
Staying true to being Wickens, Wynie and Ronel farmed on Groenvlei and entertained at Kliphuis for years. In 2002 they felt it was time to diversify (one of Wynie’s favourite words) and added The Swart Tobie Hiking Trail.
Fast track to 2018, Groenvlei Plaas, Kliphuis and the Swart Tobie Hiking Trail were passed on to James and Laurette. In 2020, Boomhuis Wild Camping and Pick-a-Doos were added to the legacy.
About the Boer
James De Villiers Wickens was born in Vredendal and grew up on Groenvlei Plaas.
As a boy he spent his days outside with a winbuks and throwing kleilat with his siblings and friends. The farming bug bit James at the age of four when he drove his first tractor and a goofy smile appeared on this face.
The smile can still be seen today when he gets on the tractor and tends the land with passion.
After completing his studies, James started working as a mechanical engineer in 2006. This gave him the opportunity to enhance his skills and travel the world.
James loves adventure and spent his December holidays backpacking through Asia and South America.
It was while travelling in 2018 when life threw him a curve ball and he made his way back to Groenvlei.
The Plaas and its responsibilities came for James about twenty years earlier than expected. With amazing people in his life, years of experience, knowledge and skills (and not being a farmer) James took up the reigns of the beloved Groenvlei Plaas.
Being Koekenaap’s first ‘fake boer’, he is still pursuing his full-time occupation as a professional engineer, while also being a full-time boer. With the help of his loyal and devoted plaas team (never giving him any grief & always following his instructions to the T…), James is building Groenvlei’s legacy and impressing all the omies in the district.
