tietiesbaai and Cape Coumbine nature reserve

Furthest Westerly destination in the Western Cape!

Covering an area of 263ha along the rocky stretch of coastline with numerous inlets and coves Tietiesbaai  was declared a nature reserve in 1973 . The Reserve's  vegetation is typical West Coast veld, ranging from the well-known fynbos to Succulent Karoo. In spring (August to October) the area is covered in a bright tapestry of wild flowers.

This reserve boasts the last manually controlled lighthouse to be built in South Africa. This Cape Columbine lighthouse is usually the first South African lighthouse to be seen by ships coming from Europe. It was built in 1936 on Castle Rock. The light stands at a height of 80m above sea level and casts a beam, which is visible for about 50km.

About verlorenvlei

“Verlorenvlei is one of the most important estuarine systems in the Western Cape and one of the largest natural wetlands along the west coast of South Africa. It is also one of the few coastal fresh water lakes in the country. The system comprises a coastal lake and reedswamp connected to the sea by a small estuary.

Situated amid dramatic topography, the lake is approximately 13.5 km long and 1.4 km wide and occurs in the zone of transition between the karroid and fynbos vegetation types. This results in the region displaying a high species diversity typical of an ecotone area. Rare plants that have been recorded from this area include Ferraria foliosa, F. densepunctulata, Cerycium venoum (presumed extinct) and Cullumia floccosa.

The wetland is regarded as one of the ten most important wetlands for wading birds in the south-western Cape, being a particularly important feeding area for the white pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus and supporting a number of threatened bird species. It supports over one thousand waders of more than eleven different species, mainly migrants from the northern hemisphere and provides further feeding, nesting and resting facilities to over 75 other species.

The lake is a type locality for several species, including the whitebacked duck Thalassomis leuconotus. The only indigenous freshwater fish species occurring in the lake are the Cape galaxia Galaxias zebratus and the rare Barus burgi. Certain rare and threatened mammals such as Cape clawless otter Anonyx capensis have been recorded in the area.”

sas saldanha

SAS Saldanha is situated along the tranquil waters of the Saldanha Bay Lagoon. The Reserve is a network of mountain bike trails also used for hiking trails. Located on the north western end of Saldanha Bay up the Cape West Coast approx 90min from Cape Townand it is the largest training unit for the South African Navy.

The SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve is a “must see” during late winter and early spring for the beautiful spring flowers and Southern Right Whales who visit the bay.

Kagga Kamma Private game reserve

Kagga Kamma  is located in an untouched wilderness area south of the magnificent Cederberg mountains,high up on the Swartruggens range that separates the Koue Bokkeveld from the vast stretches of the Karoo.  three hours from Cape Town near Ceres, South Africa.

This historical area was once home to the traditional Bushmen. Today, many of their ancient cave paintings can still be seen on the rocks, some even dating back as far as 6 000 years.

The close relationship between the Swartruggens and the Cedarberg is geologically visible in its typical reddish brown weathered sandstone formations, as well as its plant cover, which can be described as a drier mountain fynbos.

elandsfontein private nature reserve

Guests at this nature reserve in Western Cape can enjoy exhilarating fossil safaris and nature drives, 5-star accommodation and impeccable service. Abundant wildlife and beautiful Cape flora can be seen on walks and excursions with friendly and knowledgeable rangers.

Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve in Western Cape is distinctive for a number of reasons. It has the only 5-star safari lodge close to Cape Town (within a 1 hour drive). Sonqua Manor is also one of a kind on the West Coast. Guests will find 4 luxurious and spacious suites, stylish guest areas and a sparkling swimming pool.

Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve - Cedarberg

Bushman's Kloof embraces and incorporates something that was never destroyed in these hills: the spiritual atmosphere - a kind of benevolent energy that pervades every rock and stream. This earth-power is what captivated the Bushman soul and made him revere these hills.

Today’s visitor to Bushmans Kloof can experience an environment similar to that encountered by the ancients as they contemplated this extraordinary wilderness.Bushmans Kloof has been proclaimed a South African Natural Heritage Site within the Cederberg Wilderness Area, and forms part of the Cape Floral Region, a designated World Heritage Site.

RONDEBERG PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

Visitors may expect to view and be introduced to up to 100 different flowers on a casual 90 minute stroll through the veld in spring. At our low point at the end of summer this will reduce to some 20 to 30, but each will have a fascination of its own.

Unless you walk and talk in the veld, only the privileged few will ever experience these jewels. Groups are limited in size to maximize personal contact, seldom follow the same route and always take you to where the best displays are at the time.

West coast national park

West Coast national ParkJust inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National Park. It has no river flowing into it and is almost empty twice a day, only to be fed again by the plancton rich waters of the cold Benguela stream.

Thousands of seabirds roost on sheltered islands, pristine golden beaches stretch endlessly into the early morning mist and brooding salt marshes are home to vast concentrations of migrant waders from the northern hemisphere. During the spring the strandveld is embroidered with a tapestry of multi-hued flowers, while in the Postberg section many antelope are to be seen in a setting that is as unique as it is idyllic.

The park extends from Saldanha Bay toYzerfontein and includes Postberg Nature Reserve, Langebaan Lagoon and the islands of Malgas, Jutten, Marcus and Schaapen. Proclaimed in 1985, West Coast National Park represents a unique niche in the conservation programme of the National Parks in South Africa. It is one of the few coastal National Parks in the country.