West
Coast
Travelling
up the West Coast from Cape Town on the R27, through Milnerton,
and Bloubergstrand, the first recommended stop would be
Yzerfontein, a small holiday and fishing village.
There is a deserted beach ideal for suntanning and surfing.
The town of Darling is best known for its Wild Flower
and Orchid Show in September. The Darling Flora Reserve
and the Darling Tienie Versveld Flora Reserve are
both worth visiting.
Hopefield is a quiet little town is in the centre of
the fynbos area.
The Postberg section of the West Coast National
Park is recommended for visitors (open during the flower
season).
Take the road around the lagoon, to Langebaan. The
lagoon is the focal point of this magnificent wilderness
and wet-land area and of the growing West Coast tourist
industry - the bird life here is a delight.
On the northern side of the lagoon is one of the finest
natural harbours in the world, Saldanha Bay.
Vredenburg is the business centre of the area. The small
fishing village of Paternoster (Cape Columbine) has
a beautiful, long, deserted beach to offer. Around the corner
is St Helena Bay which was discovered by Vasco da
Gama in 1497.
Further north, Velddrif is situated at the mouth
of the Berg River, and the estuary attracts large
numbers of flamingos, spoonbills, avocets and glossy ibis.
The Rocher Pan Nature Reserve near Dwarskersbos
is a must for bird watchers.
Olifants
River Valley
The
enchanting town of Citrusdal is at the foot of the
Piekenierskloof and the majestic Cederberg peaks. It is
one of the largest citrus growing areas in South Africa.
Visit the Citrusdal Museum where tools and utensils
used by the Bushmen are on display.
Clanwilliam is situated on one of the most spectacular
dams (18 km long) in South Africa. The Pakhuis Pass,
just outside of the town, is set in a magnificent landscape
and is gateway to Wupperthal - a Moravian mission
village.
Bushman Rock Paintings are to be found in and around
Clanwilliam.
The Cederberg Wilderness Area is 18 km from Clanwilliam
over the Nieuwoud Pass. The Ramskop Nature Reserve
on the southern outskirts of town boast 200 indigenous species
of wild flowers.
The
fishing village of Lamberts Bay is situated at the
mouth of the Jakkals River.
Vanrhynsdorp is a quiet town on the N7. Visit the Rock
Art Exhibition and Education Centre and the San Rock Paintings.
Swartland
& Sandveld
The
Sandveld is the sparsely populated area between the
West Coast and the Swartland. Elands Bay is a surfers
paradise and the nearby Verlorenvlei is a breeding
place for a magnitude of birds.
Piketberg is positioned on the slopes of a mountain
with the same name.
Porterville is a picturesque town. Visit the Jan Danckaert
Museum which depicts the history of the surrounding area.
Moorreesburg is in the heart of the Swartland wheat
area and the Wheat Industry Museum is one of only
three in the world.
Riebeek West is the birth place of two of South Africa's
past Prime Ministers. Visit General Smuts' Birth House.
Riebeek Kasteel is a tranquil town on the slopes
of the Kasteelberg. The Church Museum was the first
church built in the area in 1855.
Malmesbury is surrounded by wheatfields and vineyards.
Visit the Kalbaskraal Nature Reserve which has a
wide selection of indigenous flora.
