Saturday, April 27, 2013

Finding the Beautiful West Coastline in South Africa

By Alice Faircloth


People obviously like to go to lovely places however are often dissatisfied when they discover that those locations are rather touristy. South Africa still manages to provide a real travel experience however if you particularly appreciate taking a trip along the unbeaten path, then the west coast might be an excellent option for you.

The West Coast is less touristy than the East Coast since the East Coast has warm seas whereas the West Coastline has a colder ocean. The East Coastline is known for its Garden Route and vineyards, whereas the West coastline has traditional farms with fruit and vegetables.

What the West coast has to offer though can be especially enjoyable in September and October, when it is Spring in SA. During this season the dry semi-desert location of Namaqualand, also referred to as "the South African Wilderness", goes into bloom and you will find kilometers on end of astonishing vibrant flowers. The Namaqualand Flower Route begins in the West Coast National Park near Langebaan and runs along the N7, straight through towns like Garies, Kamieskroon, Port Nolloth, and Springbok.

Two of the gems of the west coastline are the Cedaberg Mountains and the Cedaberg Wilderness; 710 000 hectares of rugged beauty where it is still possible to find old rock art and go hiking and abseiling. The West Coast ends on the North border of the country and running into Namibia further north and the Kalahari desert to the East. There are stunning seaside towns to see along the way, such as Lambert's Bay, Saldanha Bay and Paternoster.

There are lots of ways to enjoy your holidays in South Africa. People who enjoy fish and shellfish will love navigating the Route 27 and stopping off at the many seaside bistros available. Here the crayfish is especially succulent as undoubtedly, are all the fish, which is caught fresh daily. The value for money is outstanding and most of the fish is actually cooked on open fires as you sip a sun-downer at one of the outdoors tables. Here you will find the perfect balance in between culture, luxury and nature.

The whole of the Olifant's River valley is fantastic for its vintage appeal and worth. You will meet lots of descendants of the original Dutch settlers that have been working this land for over four centuries. Citrusdal can be especially impressive when the oranges are ripe on the trees and contrast with the dark green foliage and the deep blue-green sky.

Do not mix up the Oliphant's River Valley with the Oliphant's River which offers cruises to see hippos and crocodiles. That Oliphant's River is on the opposite side of the country near the Kruger National Park.

If you start your holiday in Cape Town, we suggest that you head directly for the Namaqualand experience, from there you can take a flight to the Kruger National Park if you want a Safari, otherwise you can spend a few days in Cape Town and see the botanical Gardens called Kirstenbosch, the City Center, the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain. After that you can head for Cape Point and then perhaps drive along the Garden Route if you want.

On the East Coastline you will be able to delight in Ocean Safaris. In the winter months you can take a boat ride and get within fifty meters of the whales. In the summer you can get "up close and personal" with the dolphins. Possibly stop off one night or two in Wilderness, which is the ideal lazy area with a great beach to get some rest before you make your way back home.




About the Author:



No comments: