We’ve made it through Januworry and Futherworry and we’re in the third month of the year. In fact, February was so hectic that I didn’t even get a chance to send out a travel mailer. I won’t let it happen again.

This month we feature the following:

• The big trees of the Garden Route National Park

• Tarkastad Dutch Reformed Church

• The big elephant hunt of 1919

• The Sacramento Cannon in Port Elizabeth

• Where is the Kouga region?

If there is something that you would like to see featured in our monthly travel mailer or have any suggestions, please drop us an email at jonker@fireflyafrica.co.za

The Big Trees of the Garden Route National Park

The Garden Route National Park is home to yellowwood trees that have been around for more than 8 centuries. There’s the 31m high yellowwood tree in Woodville, the 800-year-old Diepwalle Big tree and then the iconic Tsitsikamma Big Tree.  Estimated about 1000 years old, the tree is close to 40 meters high and about 9 meters in diameter. The Tsitsikamma Big Tree gets the most visitors out of these and getting to it is an easy walk along a 500m long boardwalk

Bird life around these trees is spectacular and rare indigenous birds live off the yellowwoods for food and shelter, including and not limited to the Cape Parrot, the Knysna Turaco, and African pigeon. Mammals found around the trees are monkeys, bushpigs, bats and rodents.

Yellowwood trees are protected under the National Forests Act of 1998 and may not be cut, damaged, destroyed or disturbed without a licence. SANParks has a management plan to effectively manage the trees in the forest, using various scientific research methods. These include monitoring forest and forest gap dynamics. The plan also details plant species of conservation concern and charts a way forward for cultural resource management. Of the 157 000 hectares of Park land managed by SANParks, 40 500 hectares are indigenous forests.

Tarkastad Dutch Reformed Church

The first Dutch farmers settled in the district in 1795 and the town was established in 1862.  The name is believed to come from the Khoi-San word Traka (meaning women) and the Afrikaans word Stad (meaning city).

The Tarkastad Dutch Reformed Church congregation was founded in 1863 and the cornerstone for the church was laid on 1 June 1877. This church was first used on 12 February 1880. The first organ, for which the “Juffrouwen Commissie” paid £730, was commissioned in 1884. During the Anglo-Boer War, the church was damaged by enemy troops. Not sure if this refers to the Boers or the British. In 1903, the wire fence around the church was replaced with bars and gas lamps were installed, which were replaced by electric lights in 1931.

Over time, the church became too small for its growing congregation and between 1912 and 1915 major expansions took place. Among other things, three galleries were built to double the seats from 480 to 960, the floor was raised at the back so that it sloped down to the front and new benches were inserted. The second dedication of the church was held on 6 February 1915.

The big elephant hunt of 1919

One of the saddest chapters in the history of the Addo elephants involved Major Pretorius’ big hunt of 1919/1920.

After nearly 200 years of being hunted for their ivory, there were only about 140 elephants left in the Addo region by the early 1900s. Growth in agriculture in the region led to conflict with elephants as they damaged crops and competed with farmers’ needs for water. Local farmers put pressure on the government to exterminate the Addo elephants and on 25 November 1919 the Cape Provincial Administration entered into a contractual agreement with the noted big-game hunter and celebrated war hero, Major P J Pretorius, to cull the herd.  Major Pretorius  set up his camp in Kinkelbos and used various methods while hunting. This included wearing a full leather outfit and taking a ladder along on his hunt to see over the thick Addo bush.

Pretorius and his .475 cordite Express Rifle shot 114 elephants between 1919 and 1920.  His activities generated publicity and sympathy for the elephants, prompting the halt of the killing when only 16 Addo Elephants remained. This then led to the creation of the Addo Elephant National Park in 1931.

The Sacramento Cannon in Schoenmakerskop

The bronze cannon at the end of the road in Schoenmakerskop points towards the wrecksite of the Portuguese galleon Sacramento which sank here on 30 June 1647. Of the 72 survivors who reached the beach and set out to walk the 1,300 km back to Mozambique only nine reached Delagoa Bay (Maputo) on 5 January 1648. A mere four survived to sail back to return to Goa, the Portuguese colony in India.

In 1977 local divers salvaged 40 bronze cannons from the wreck, including the one on display. These cannons had been cast in the Portuguese colony of Macau on the Pearl River estuary of China and were being shipped to Angola.

The cannon is also the starting point of the Sacramento Trail. The trail follows the coast for 4km to Sardinia Bay and returns either along the same route or the bridle paths.

Where is the Kouga region?

The Kouga region, not to be mistaken with Coega east of Port Elizabeth, is a picturesque area located on the western side of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and vibrant communities.  

Kouga, meaning “place of abundance” in Khoi, stretches from the Tsitsikamma River in the west to the Van Stadens River in the east, with the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area forming its northern border. To the south, the rugged coastline meets the Indian Ocean at Seal Point, the southernmost tip of this stunning cape.

Key features and attractions of the Kouga region include:

Jeffreys Bay: Famous for its world-class surfing waves, beautiful beaches, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. It attracts surfers and tourists from around the globe.

St Francis Bay: Known for its charming canals, pristine beaches, and the iconic St Francis Lighthouse. The area is popular for boating, fishing, and other water sports.

Gamtoos Valley: An agricultural hub known for its fertile land and scenic beauty. The valley produces a variety of crops, including citrus fruits and vegetables, and is also home to the Kouga Dam.

Baviaanskloof: This narrow valley is just under 200 kilometers in length and bounded by two mountain ranges. It’s associated with pristine nature, narrow gorges with flowing streams, steep mountain passes, vast plains with waving grasslands and views of unspoilt wilderness. It’s also a World Heritage Site.

The Kouga region offers a blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.