n a t u r e / e c o
C l i c k t o d o w n l o a d l e a f l e t s
NAMAKWA and West Coast
Flower Route |
VELDDRIF Birding
|
West Coast
National Park |
Namaqua
National Park |
Augrabies Falls
National Park |
Kgalagadi
Transfrontier Park |
Tankwa
National Park |
Namaqua West Coast
+27 (0) 27 201 3376 info@namaquawestcoast.com www.namaquawestcoast.com/attractions |
Ais-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
+27 (0)12 428 9111 reservations@sanparks.org www.sanparks.org/parks/richtersveld |
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Swartland Birding Route
The Swartland Birding Route begins some 50 kms north of Cape Town and consists of the regions between the towns of Malmesbury in the south, Darling and Yzerfontein in the west, Moorreesburg and Koringberg in the north and Riebeek West and Riebeek Kasteel in the east. |
West Coast National Park
The key conservation areas of West Coast National Park are the Langebaan Lagoon and the offshore islands in Saldanha Bay, together form the Langebaan Ramsar site. The lagoon has a rich diversity of marine invertebrates and seaweeds and supports approximately 10% of the coastal wader population in South Africa. The offshore islands provide important nesting areas for several red-listed seabird species. |
Cape Columbine Nature Reserve
The Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, which includes Tietiesbaai, covers an area along a rocky stretch of coastline with numerous inlets and coves. The entrance is about 5km from the fishing hamlet of Paternoster and the vegetation is typical of West Coast veld, ranging from the well-known West Coast fynbos to Karoo succulents. |
Velddrif Birding
The town of Velddrif forms the backdrop for the birding region stretching from Cloeteskraal and Kruispad in the east, Varkvlei in the south and the salt pans on the R27 towards Dwarskersbos in the north, approximately 24,000 ha. The Berg River Estuary has become well known as a ‘hot spot’ for rarities and more than 200 different species are to be found here. |
Rocherpan Nature Reserve
This coastal nature reserve teeming with birds and colourful wildflowers. The reserve, which lies 25km north of Velddrif on the Cape West Coast, consists largely of a seasonal vlei that is usually dry between March and June. Established as a nature reserve in 1966, the adjacent section of the Atlantic Ocean was declared a marine reserve in 1988. |
Flamingo Birding Route
The West Coast, stretching from the Atlantic shores from Cape Town northwards to the Olifants River, is best known for coastal wetlands and spectacular spring wildflower displays. Birding is excellent with an abundance of migrant waders and a host of other waterbirds. Darling and Swartland, Dassen Island, West Coast National Park, Lower Berg River, Verlorenvlei, Bird Island and Olifants River Estuary. |
Lamberts Bay Cape Gannet Colony
The Cape Gannet colony at Lambert’s Bay is one of the birding highlights of the West Coast. Nearly 14,000 pairs breed on the bay’s Bird Island, now connected to the mainland by a wide concrete breakwater. Small numbers of African Penguin can also be seen here, and all four marine cormorants breed on the island. A host of gulls and terns, including Swift Tern, are also present. Cape Fur Seals may also be seen in the vicinity. |
Bartholomeus Klip
The Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve is a formally declared a provincial nature reserve in recognition of its importance to conservation, especially preserving remaining portions of highly threatened renosterveld and fynbos plant groups. The Quagga revival and Geometric Tortoise projects as well as disease free buffalo herd and bird watching are also features. Guest can to join rangers on the morning and evening nature drives. |
Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness is known for its rugged, wild landscape, with exceptional rock formations carved by the elements. This mountainous area lies about 120km north of Cape Town, near Porterville. The greater Groot Winterhoek conservation area is particularly important for protecting mountain fynbos and wildlife. It is also one of Cape Town’s sources of fresh, clean water, and is a World Heritage Site. |
Beaverlac Natural Heritage Site
As a natural heritage site, Grootfontein farm is committed for posterity to the preservation of one of the few remaining wilderness areas. Owned by the Olivier brothers, Grootfontein farm adjoins the Groot Winterhoek Mountain Catchment Area and the Cederberg Leopard Conservation Area and is a successful example of agritourism. |
Cederberg Conservancy
The Cederberg Conservancy was constituted in 1997 and at its centre is the Greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor. Bird watching or easy hikes to the Stadsaal cave and Elephant rock art are features. More adventurous visitors can ride mountain bike trails or overnight hiking trials that vary from one to five nights. Custodian of the Clanwilliam Cedar and Cape Leopard refuge. |
Bushmans Kloof
Walking tours or drives in this spectacular, diverse nature reserve.with ever-changing landscapes and some of the Cape’s most rare species protected here. There is much to be seen and heard after sunset. Unparalleled stargazing and an opportunity to spot elusive, nocturnal wildlife such as the Aardwolf, African Wildcat, Bat Eared Fox, Cape Fox and Porcupine. |
Buffelsfontein Game & Nature Reserve
Once home to a handful of cattle, ostriches and small buck this was the Loubser family piece of heaven. After a large fire destroyed much, it was decided to start anew by improving the infrastructure and with the introduction of wildlife. The new Buffelsfontein was born in 2002, sharing the experience of a working West Coast farm and wildlife. |
Thali Thali Game Lodge
Situated in an area of the important Saldanha Flats Strandveld, game like kudu, oryx, giraffe, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, springbok, black wildebeest, duiker, bontebok, steenbok, ostrich, dromedary camel and emu roam the reserve, which is also home to many bird species. Guests may enjoy a walk in the fynbos to view these species. |
Papkuilsfontein
The awesome Oorlogskloof canyon and its 100m waterfall, and a natural rock pool. In spring, world-renowned flowers in this Serengeti of the floral kingdom, known as the bulb capital of the world because it has the highest speciation of indigenous bulbous flowers. Rich bird life, fauna, and San rock art. Hiking trails through sandstone rock formations and mountain biking or 4x4 routes. |
Witsand
The unique white dunes sands of the Kalahari bear archaeological witness to the length of human occupation of the region. Today the reserve hosts numerous activities including hiking amongst the resident fauna, and flora too. Stone walls erected by Boer rebels give testament to later activity. A place to witness the passage of time. |