Welcome to the
Simply Bee
Observation Centre
Welcome to the official website for the Simply Bee Observation Center in Hopefield, Western Cape.
This is the educational space we created at Simply Bee to showcase our bees and their life cycle. The aim of this center is to inform, educate and create an opportunity to observe our honey bees while they are at work.
At the Observation Centre, Simply Bee offers an informative, educational and interactive way of learning everything about the incredible life-cycle of honey bees, how bees make their honey and how Simply Bee produces such a high standard of organic honey and propolis, whilst proudly maintaining traditional and responsible farming practices.
We also proudly boast the West Coast’s first glass bee-observation hives with 2 live bee colonies.
The hives have glass panels which offer a safe opportunity to view a bee colony in their natural environment, and to learn in an unobtrusive yet safe way about the incredible work ethic and processes of how bees feed their young, make their honey and communicate with each other.
We offer special age appropriate educational packages for school groups, study groups or tourist groups.
By prior arrangement and if the weather permits, there can also be demonstrations arranged by the beekeeper to show visitors how honey is harvested, the tasting of honey and to learn more about the fascinating practices of the beekeeper.
On display in the centre, we have a life size Honey Badger taxidermy mount. Being a near threatened species, Simply Bee supports the fact that more should be done now to ensure the long-term survival of the African honey badgers before they reach a critical status on the IUCN Red List. All of Simply Bee’s hives are placed on badger-friendly stands.
Simply Bee offers special package deals for tour and school groups (over 10 people). Picnic style snack packs & drinks are available – bookings are essential to ensure this deal and full educational demonstrations.
Observation Centre information
We offer a coffee and gift shop at out Observation Centre where you can enjoy freshly baked scones, cakes and muffins.
Tours & Visitors Information
Group Bookings:
Special rates apply and booking are essential to ensure full educational experience and demonstration.
Honey tasting available.
Walk-ins:
Entrance free
(donations towards Badger protection welcome)
Demonstrations not guaranteed.
Trading Hours
Mon – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturdays: 9am – 4pm
Sunday and public holidays: Closed
Book an Observation Centre tour
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The life cycle of a honey bee
The life span of a honey bee depends on various factors. Worker honey bees have a life span of only six weeks during honey production seasons, when...
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Value of the honey bee
It cannot be denied that the honey bee is the greatest pollinating machine when it comes to agriculture. Their large perennial colonies can be move...
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Bee diseases – Part 1 – Bacterial: American Foulbrood
Infection is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. This disease can result in severe colony losses. It affects only the bro...
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Bee diseases – Part 2 -Bacterial: European Foulbrood
This brood disease is caused by the non-spore forming bacterium Melissococcus pluton. It affects open brood and is common during spring when brood...
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Bee diseases – Part 3 – Fungal diseases
Chalkbrood This is a disease affecting sealed brood and is caused by the fungi Ascosphaera apis. The presence of chalkbrood is influenced by clima...
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Bee diseases – Part 4 – Virusses
Honeybee health can be dramatically affected by viral diseases that are linked to Varroa mites. Varroa mites are known to favour the outbreak of v...
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Bee diseases – Part 5 – Parasitic Mites
Varroa destructor These are external parasitic mites that feed of the haemolymph (blood) of developing and adult bees. Examples of the damage caus...
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10 Facts about Honey Bees
ONE Honey bees are super-important pollinators for flowers, fruits and vegetables. This means that they help other plants grow! Bees transfer polle...
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World’s largest bee, feared to be extinct, found again!
Deep in the jungles of Indonesia, the world’s largest bee nl. ‘Flying Bulldog’ was rediscovered. The bee (full name Megachile plu...
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SOS for SA bee research
Numerous threats to the environment, including climate change, disease and habitat destruction, have placed the global bee species under threat, ma...
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Plan launched to save Western Cape bee population
Cape Town – Although the Western Cape’s deciduous fruit industry is currently meeting the pollination requirements needed, the sector is expe...
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Spying on bees reveals pesticides impair social behaviour
A new study that allowed humans to spy on bumblebees inside their nests showed that pesticides can impair social behaviour, making it hard for bees...