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Love nature but can’t imagine enjoying a sweaty, huffing-and-puffing hiking experience and feeling bruised the next day? Well, neither do we. Our idea of a nature walk is that of having plenty remaining energy to enjoy sunset drinks afterward. Sound like your kind of thing?
Nature conservator/environmental education officer and nature photographer, Laurenda van Breda, is our green-fingered nature girl whom is besotted with the small wonders of nature. She enjoys sharing her love of nature with everyone and therefore carefully selects easy walking trails to suit those whom enjoy absorbing breath-taking scenery at an unhurried pace, with ample time to explore and take photographs.
Laurenda will be taking you on some of her favourite nature spots in the Overberg which is renowned for its pristine Fynbos that form part of our Cape Floristic Region. This region consists of 20% of our continents flora. An astonishing display of over 8 800 flowering plant species with roughly two thirds of these being endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else in the world! |
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Nestled in the Overberg, is the first UNESCO-proclaimed biosphere reserve in South Africa, called the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. This renowned World Heritage Site is possibly the Western Cape’s finest example of pristine mountain Fynbos. It is considered by many to be one of the Cape’s most beautiful protected areas and is also fondly referred to as the “Heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom”.
Situated within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden. This is where South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea, together with the Western Cape’s emblem, the protected Red Disa flower is found. One is truly spoilt for choice with trails meandering to waterfalls with amber pools; flowing streams; unspoilt views of the Kogelberg area and the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean; adrenalin rushing baboon encounters; and let’s not forget the most memorable Fynbos experience. To us, the natural beauty of this area makes us appreciate where we live more intensely each time we visit. |
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After absorbing the natural beauty at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, we'll introduce you to our Jackass friends, the African Penguins, at Stoney Point Reserve in Betty’s Bay. Funny thing, before the penguins arrived, the alleged story tells the tale of Betty’s Bay being the much-loved place for runaway slaves during Colonial times. Betty’s Bay also became the formal whaling station in 1912 until 1930. Today however, that whaling station has officially become the home to approximately 3 600 African penguins (commonly referred to as Jackass as they bray like donkeys) making it one of the largest successful breeding colonies in the world.
We leave the penguin colony and head off to a coastal town called Hermanus – better known as the most renowned whale watching spot. Here we’ll end our daytrip with a late lunch, some well deserved drinks and take a slooooow sunset drive back to Cape Town.
For pricing and the full itinerary of this fun daytrip, simply contact us at discoverthecapetours@gmail.com |
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DAYTRIP: To us, the 6km Palmiet River trail is by far one of the Overberg’s most scenic trails, winding alongside an inviting river. A swimming costume (kozzie) is a must. Wait!! An even better idea…wear your kozzie under your clothes as there are quite a few opportunities to simply dip into this seriously refreshing river. The best part? An area called “The Beach” which is a perfect little chill out spot with white sand leading into an insanely beautiful and deep, cola coloured river surrounded by the Hottentots Holland Mountains. This walk being such an absolute delight to the senses, is a trail you’ll want to photograph to death...again and again.
OVERNIGHT: The day at Palmiet river also form part of a 2 day eco braai tour. For the pricing and the full itinerary of this exciting 2 day tour in the Overberg, simply contact us at discoverthecapetours@gmail.com |
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We are very excited to be collaborating with Fynbos expert, Gerhard van Deventer, from Sandberg Fynbos Reserve to bring awareness of our Fynbos. This reserve is a botanical hot spot right in the centre of the Southern Overberg between the villages of Elim and Baardskeerdersbos.
variety 'major', an Elim asteracious endemic, is reminiscent of a carpet of snow. Sometimes the veld is covered in pink carpets (also ericas) and other seasons the bright yellow Leucadendrons dominate the natural palette. Mid winter is spectacular with Protea compacta dominating. Sandberg is also home to the very rare Hottentot buttonquail (Turnix hottentottus), as well as about 130 other bird species.
throughout the week. Simply contact us at discoverthecapetours@gmail.com to make the appropriate arrangements.
OVERNIGHT: Sandberg Fynbos walks also form part of a 2 day eco braai tour at the end of each month. Do feel free to contact us for the full itinerary and pricing at discoverthecapetours@gmail.com |
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DAYTRIP: Want to escape the maddening city crowd or simply want to be a “kid” again enjoying some pure unadulterated fun? Then the ideal place for you to be, is at the Du Toitskloof river at Du Kloof Lodge - situated just after the Huguenot Tunnel between Paarl and Rawsonville.
Surrounded by the magnificent colossal Du Toit’s Kloof mountains, we tend to spend our entire day frolicking in the river, enjoying a picnic on a gigantic flat rock in the middle of the Du Toitskloof river, sun-tanning, braai-ing and back in the river again. It’s all about doing absolutely nothing, appreciating nature and loving it!!
OVERNIGHT: This fun day at the Du Toitskloof river also form part of a 2 day eco braai tour. Do not hesitate to contact us for the pricing and full itinerary of this 2 day tour on the cape wine route at discoverthecapetours@gmail.com |
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