Esma Marnewick misses..
KOGELBERG NATURE RESERVE
Picture this: fields of fynbos full of everlastings, red heath and pink Bot River proteas, interspersed with the odd pocket of indigenous forest; hiking trails winding up to craggy mountain peaks that offer sea views, and down to river pools where dragonflies hover over the water and a grey heron waits silently for a fish to swim past.
Sounds like an impossible place, right? Hidden deep in a wilderness area where only 4x4s and really fit hikers can reach? Nope. Kogelberg Nature Reserve is on the Overberg’s doorstep, and it’s one of my favourite places in the world.
The reserve is between Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond. Turn off the R44 and follow a 3 km gravel road to the reception office in a valley. Add a 1,5 km walk and you’ll have left all signs of civilisation behind.
During the lockdown, I missed two places in this 180 km² reserve in particular: a white-sand beach about 5 km down the Palmiet River Trail, big enough for the kids to build sandcastles on; and the 6 km Oudebosch/Leopard’s Gorge Trail, which goes through a magical forest and over a mountain to Harold Porter Botanical Garden. On top of the mountain there’s a stream with a pool big enough to swim in. I can’t wait to swim here again – the cold water takes your breath away until your body adjusts, then you notice the absolute silence all around, broken only by the splash of a Cape river frog.
Kogelberg, I hope to see you soon.
Cost: Conservation fee R50 per person; free with a Wild card.
Contact: 087 087 8250; 028 271 5138; capenature.co.za
WHAT ELSE?
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2020-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
