The Fernery & Forest Ferns

In 1985 Frans and Meg Gerber and their three young sons, Johan, Peter and Andrew moved from Johannesburg down to the Tsitsikamma where they acquired an undeveloped farm that had belonged to Meg's deceased father, Selwyn Tucker.

Frans had been working for a South African perishable airfreight company in London where he had had a great deal of contact with flower importers who were keen to find new foliage products for the cut flower market. The Tsitsikamma, with its high annual rainfall and vast forests and plantations, is a good foliage producing area, and the idea was to export the much sought after rumohra adiantiformis (seven week fern) to Europe. Forest Ferns cc was established in 1986 and  within a few years had become a large employer in the area with a staff of well over 100 people and exports of between 10 and 15 tons per week.

During the first few years the farm was tamed and infrastructure developed for the picking and packing of rumohra fern. It soon became evident however that extra products were needed in order to help cover the oveheads, and within 5 years they had built up a product variety of 30 different ferns and restios.

Due to the interesting nature of the business many gardening clubs and other interest groups began visiting the farm in order to view the operation and enjoy the magnificent surroundings. This lead to the building of The Fernery – a unique eco-tourist attraction which consists of a vaulted construction containing a magnificent display of indigenous ferns and running water, where guests can enjoy light meals and drinks. It was opened in February 2000 and is flanked by a large fern and restio plant nursery for retail sales.

In 2001, as a result of their partnership in the luxury Dolphin Trail (a 3 day hiking route including meals and accommodation), beautiful 4 star chalets were built on the farm overlooking the Sandrift River. These proved to be so successful that Frans and Meg converted their stunning cliff side home into a luxury Lodge and added additional en suite self catering chalets with 2 en-suite bedrooms each, and plunge pools. Local staff were employed and trained to 4 star service standards and The Lodge Restaurant has become well known for its excellent cuisine.