Outdoor Adventure

Loadshedding remains our constant companion in South Africa. But how about getting away from it all and enjoying a break where you are not worried about the latest loadshedding schedule, or planning your day around when the power will be going off again? The solution is a camping getaway. Think wide open skies, beautiful natural surroundings, fun outdoor activities, and time spent sitting around the crackling campfire (perhaps with some marshmallows in hand), disconnected from fast-paced life and soaking up time with loved ones. Camping is becoming one of the most popular ways for people to get away, relax, escape stress and clear their minds whilst making memories. And all of this can be done without electricity! Camping solutions such as solar-powered lanterns, gas cookers, battery-powered lighting, torches, generators and good old-fashioned candles, mean that you can sail through the days (and nights) never thinking about flicking on a light switch. Best spots to go camping on Cape Town’s doorstepIf you are keen to escape loadshedding and get out into nature for a camping adventure this Spring, then a trip to the Bergrivier region – the Adventure Capital of the West Coast – is a must! And, for the next few months, visitors are in for an additional treat with the abundance of wildflowers that will be carpeting the landscape. This beautiful area – known for its open spaces and dramatic landscapes – boasts some of the most pristine and untouched nature reserves, wetlands, lagoons, mountain landscapes and more. It is also peppered with small towns that offer a massive array of activities and adventures to suite all ages, interests and budgets. The area also offers some incredible camping sites, and below are just a few of these, and where to find them. PortervillePorterville is a quaint village nestled on the slopes of the Olifant’s River Mountains at the base of the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area and outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat when visiting here! For those keen to test their adrenalin levels, there are companies which offer tandem-paragliding and hang-gliding experiences. Bird watchers can also expect to find an abundance of feathered friends.  Anglers can throw in a line in the area, and for golfers Porterville offers a scenic golf course with a beautiful mountain backdrop. There is also an artisanal gin distillery in the mountains above the town and a variety of eateries in the village. Some of the top camping spots in and around Porterville include Cedarpeak, which boasts fabulous secluded glamping pods in the mountains above the town; popular Beaverlac with camping sites as well as timber or stone cottages near to mountain streams and rockpools; the Groot Winterhoek Nature Reserve with spectacular hiking trails and rock formations; and 22 Waterfalls with caravan and tent sites as well as cottages that offer access to the 22 waterfalls cascading down the mountain, as well as a farm dam. PiketbergPiketberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain range, draws visitors looking to enjoy – amongst many other things – the stunning natural surroundings and the abundant outdoor activities. Birders, 4X4 and outdoor enthusiasts, golfers, wildlife lovers, foodies and history buffs will all be spoilt for choice with a visit to the area. Top recommended camping spots in and near Piketberg include: Die Ark Camping near Koringberg which offers a fabulous farm stay with fishing, canoeing and swimming, tractor rides, 4x4ing and more; the Sandveld Dorpshuys in Redelinghuys, which has a mini animal farm and kiddie’s playground and pool; Kardoesie on the N7 just outside Piketberg is a farm stay with a  restaurant, shop, swimming pool and paintball; Kruistementvlei in Piket-Bo-Berg, which is situated in the mountains above Piketberg, offers camping as well as cottages; Kleine Paradys in Piketberg has camp sites, glamping options in fully equipped caravans, as well as cottages, with guests able to enjoy fishing, a heated pool, kids play area, and farm animals. VelddrifMoving towards the coast, the hugely popular West Coast village of Velddrif, which hugs the banks of the beautiful Berg River, is one of the most popular bird-watching sites in South Africa and the town is perfectly located to offer a wealth of activities to water-sport enthusiasts.  Velddrif also offers culinary adventure and cultural experience. When it comes to camping, Velddrif and the nearby surrounds of Aurora and Dwarskersbos, offer some great options, such as: Daniels Hoogte which is a Private Reserve with beautiful views of the Aurora valley; Klein Tafelberg 4×4 in Aurora with camping facilities and chalets; the Kliphoek River Resort in Velddrif, which has camping sites and chalets on the banks of the Berg River, with a slip way to launch your boat; Knorvarkie in Velddrif is another gem on the banks of the Berg Rivier with campsites, caravans, and two glamping tents; Kuifkopvisvanger, also on the banks of the river in Velddrif, is a working farm with cottages and camp sites; the Stywelyne Beach Resort in Laaiplek offers chalets and camping facilities right next to the beach; as does the Dwarskersbos Beach Resort in Dwarskersbos. When it comes to camping in the Bergrivier area, visitors are truly spoilt for choice.

The annual early Spring spectacle that sees a riot of colorful indigenous flowers carpet the landscape along the Cape West Coast and inland is an event not to miss! For those who are keen to experience this phenomenal floral abundance, the Bergrivier region – which is right on Cape Town’s doorstep – offers wonderful flower sightings in hotspots that are not as crowded as places like Posberg Nature Reserve and the Namaqua National Park. Towns to visit that promise a blooming good time are Velddrif, Aurora, Piketberg and Porterville – all beautiful rural villages that offer a vast array of activities, eateries, and accommodation options to suit all tastes. The town of Velddrif hugs the banks of the Berg River, a few kilometres from where the river enters the ocean.  Visitors can look forward to a profusion of flowers to be enjoyed in the area, while also soaking up the welcoming lifestyle of this coastal village. No trip to Velddrif is complete without a visit to the famous Bokkomlaan.  Fringed by the Great Berg River this quaint dirt road is scattered with a cluster of historic buildings and jetties. In addition to the flower-filled scenery, visitors can expect to spot a vast array of birdlife in the Berg River estuary – rated as one of the most important birding areas in the world. The village and nearby surrounds offer a plethora of places to stay, and visitors are spoilt for choice, but an overnight stay is highly recommended and the town is a great base from which to explore the West Coast flowers – a map of which can be collected at the Velddrif tourism offices. Just inland from Velddrif, along a stretch of country road that promises brilliant flower sightings, lies the picturesque town of Aurora.  This small village offers visitors the chance to look forward to carpets of flowers, dramatic mountain scenery, beautiful architecture, incredible night skies, and a wide variety of bird life. Be sure to visit the impressive Dutch Reformed Church and take a drive up the mountain to the Danielshoogte Private Reserve to experience spectacular views of the valley – you can also stay here in the camping or self-catering accommodation. Another good option to stay near Aurora is the Klein Tafelberg Training and Adventure Centre, set on a picturesque private reserve. The Koekeloer @ Koffiemoer Coffee Shop in Aurora is highly recommended for hungry travellers – and on the 9th of August visitors can look forward to a flower-inspired high tea experience that is highly recommended. Another 50km inland from Aurora will see flower-fundi’s finding their way to the town of Piketberg, which is nestled at the foot of the Piketberg Mountain range and surrounded by indigenous fynbos bearing beautiful blooms in Spring. Visitors can book and stay in a range of great accommodation options in Piketberg and travel to all the nearby flower hotspots – a map of which is available from the Piketberg tourism office. The best way to experience the heritage of this town is by doing the Piketberg Historic Route – a tour that takes visitors to the Commercial Hotel, the old Sheriff’s Office and original police station, the original bioscope, and the Piketberg Museum.  In total the route has 12 points of interest and visitors can walk, or drive to each at their leisure.  To celebrate spring and the flower season, from the 23rd to the 25th of August visitors can join guided historic tours, with the option to also cycle the route on bicycles provided. The guided tour ticket also includes a welcome coffee and a voucher for soup and bread to be savoured after the tour. The third must-visit flower hotspot on the list is Porterville, a beautiful rural village nestled on the slopes of the Olifant’s River Mountains at the base of the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area – only 150 kilometres from Cape Town. A visit to the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area is a must-do for beautiful flower sightings as it is considered a vital sanctuary for the preservation of many endemic species of fynbos, some of which are threatened. Whilst in the mountains above Porterville, gin enthusiasts can enjoy a gin-tasting and tapas experience at the Ginsmith boutique distillery. For those keen to explore the town itself (after getting their fill of the stunning scenery with its spring blooms) an art experience is highly recommended as Porterville is home to a large community of artists.  Visit them in their studios to view and buy a wide range of art from ceramics to paintings and jewellery. There are a multitude of places in and around Porterville to book and stay for your flower-viewing experience. There are many great spots in the mountains such as the Pampoenfontein Guest Farm, Berghoff-Fynbos Chalets, Beaverlac, and the Cedarpeak Wilderness Area. You can also get your flower map at the Porterville tourism offices and from 14 – 18 August visitors can enjoy a free cup of coffee from here too. These are just a few of the places to visit for this year’s flower show courtesy of mother nature. All of these towns within the Bergrivier region promise a great escape for the entire family and gorgeous flowers to be viewed.

Hiking is a favourite pastime for many people for a variety of reasons, and its popularity has been steadily growing over the years. Here are a few reasons why hiking is such a popular pastime: #1: Hiking is inexpensive and accessible Hiking can be completely free at certain places, and those places that require an entry fee are usually really affordable.Hiking also doesn’t require expensive or fancy equipment or clothing – although a decent pair of hiking boots is a plus. #2: Hiking is easy to start Hiking doesn’t require any special training, skills or lessons. You also don’t have to be super fit to start – you can start with a short easy hike and build your way up to the longer more gruelling routes if you want. #3: Hiking has physical and mental health benefits Like any exercise, hiking is great for improving and supporting your physical and mental health. Hiking helps improve cardiovascular fitness, build muscle strength, and enhance overall physical endurance. And being out in nature has also got proven mental health benefits. According to a study conducted by Stanford University, walking in nature yields numerous mental health benefits and may reduce the risk of depression. Stepping out into nature and breathing fresh air has many health benefits for your lungs too, and If you have trouble sleeping, hiking can help fix that as spending time in nature helps regulate your circadian rhythm, leading to increased sleep quality. Hiking also helps you get much-needed Vitamin D! #4: Hiking is good for the whole family Hiking is a great pastime for young and old. Families with younger children can pick shorter trails to start on. It gets children out into nature where they can learn and observe new things and get rid of some of their boundless energy. It also provides an opportunity to bond with your family and friends, share experiences, and create lasting memories. Hiking is a low-impact activity so is great for older people who may not be able to take part in more rigorous activities but can still enjoy a gentle hike. Plus hiking can be done solo and still be hugely enjoyable, so it really is a one size fits all pastime! #6: Hiking is calming as you disconnect from the fast-paced world People who spend more time walking in nature have decreased anxiety and increased well-being – so hiking can help you stay calm. It provides an immersive experience in nature, allowing you to disconnect from technology, and the fast-paced lifestyle of the city, and reconnect with the environment to experience the beauty and tranquillity of forests, mountains, oceans, and other scenic areas. #7: Hiking is a great getaway break Finally, a hiking hobby is just a great way to take a getaway break. You can take a short hike in less than an hour or plan weekend hiking trips that truly get you away from it all to beautiful scenic locations. Convinced? Great! Here are 7 highly recommended hiking destinations in the Bergrivier region which are right on Cape Town’s doorstep and promise an unforgettable experience. #1: Groot Winterhoek, Porterville The Groot Winterhoek Wilderness, in the mountains above the picturesque town of Porterville, is known for its rugged, wild landscape with exceptional rock formations. The greater Groot Winterhoek conservation area, which is a World Heritage Site, is particularly important for protecting mountain fynbos and wildlife and provides some exceptional hiking trails. There are also multiple mountain-top retreats to stay at overnight, or longer, and other activities nearby include mountain biking, star-gazing, swimming in the crystal-clear rivers and pools, gin tasting at the nearby artisanal gin distillery or a short trip takes you into the town of Porterville which offers a myriad of eateries, art experiences and more. #2: 22 Waterfalls, Porterville 22 Waterfalls is a private nature reserve situated at the foot of the Olifantsrivier Mountains just outside the town of Porterville. The hiking trail here takes you on a route past 22 spring-fed waterfalls cascading down the side of the mountain, surrounded by indigenous fynbos and 47 indigenous trees. Wildlife like the Klipspringer, Cape Leopard and Ribbok can sometimes be spotted and there are many opportunities for bird watching on the way. This trail is open to the public (bookings required), and guests at Waterval do not need to pay to use the hiking trail. Freshwater bass fishing is also offered in the farm dams. You can also stay at 22 Waterfalls, which offers camping sites and chalets, and a trip into the town of Porterville for a meal out, groceries, or some sightseeing will take you only a few minutes. #3: Goedverwacht to Piketberg This fairly challenging newly developed hiking trail makes its way from the hamlet of Goedverwacht to Piket-Bo-Berg through some stunning scenery and terrain. Hikers are encouraged to stay overnight in Goedverwacht the night before setting out on the hike, then hike the following day to Piket-Bo-Berg and sleep over at Kruistementvlei – a hidden gem on the top of the Piketberg mountain that offers camping and self-catering chalets – before returning to their vehicle in Goedverwacht the next day. #4: Retreat Guest Farm, Piketberg The Retreat Guest Farm, which offers a range of lovely accommodation options – has a beautiful scenic 1.5km hiking trail on offer which ambles through a lush indigenous Yellowwood and Kliphout forest, as well as past some awe-inspiring rock formations with centuries old rock paintings to view. Other things to do include mountain biking, trail running, bouldering and rock climbing, bird-watching, swimming, kayaking, star-gazing and relaxing. Next door is the Kruistermentvlei farm, the venue of the much-loved monthly Piket-Bo-Berg farmer’s market which has visitors travelling from far and wide to come buy the goodies on offer. #5: Klein Tafelberg, Aurora Klein Tafelberg Training and Adventure Centre (KTAC) is set on a picturesque private reserve near the rural town of Aurora. Hikers can enjoy a leisurely 10km trail up to the mountain which offers stunning bird-watching opportunities – keep an eye out for Verreaux’s Eagles, Starlings, Swallows and many more

The Groot Winterhoek range above Porterville must surely rate as one of South Africa’s most under-utilised mountain biking destinations. This is about to change with the local Berg Rivier Tourism Region’s initiative, a ‘Wines to Wilderness’ Route.