A recent visit to Baviaans Lodge in the Baviaanskloof included a visit to a rock art site not too far from the lodge. It truly is a privilege to be able to experience a place of such historical and cultural importance.
I had to drive through to Cradock for a Karoo Heartland Marketing Association meeting today and as I was heading back across the Olifantskop Pass north of Port Elizabeth the sun was starting to reach for the horizon. I couldn't but help pulling over to enjoy the view back towards the Karoo from the top of the pass.
After a hectic last two weeks I long back to the weekend we spent at Sitrusoewer on the banks of the Sundays River outside Kirkwood recently. I know its not quite Port Elizabeth and its immediate surrounds, but it's close enough. Aahhhh, the fire crackling and not a breeze while the sun goes down. *sigh*
The world renown Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretches over a distance of about 200 kilometer from just west of Patensie in the Gamtoos Valley all the way to Willowmore. Although the eastern and western points are accessible by normal car, the majority of the road is very rough and a big part can only be reached by 4x4, high clearance vehicles and motorcycles. There is only one other way into the Baviaans and that is via…
Last weekend we attended a Geocaching weekend at Welgelegen Camp on the Cockscomb road outside Uitenhage. Over the weekend we got to do over 50 new caches and events along with walks in the game area and spending time with good friends. Geocaching heaven. On the way back from the camp there is 20 km dirt road before you hit the tar and host cachers Kitchenboss and Pumtim, with the help of a few others, made sure it wasn't all…
This week's Friday Video of the Week covers an area a little wider than just Port Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela Bay. I am very passionate about the Eastern Cape and will promote it at any opportunity I can get. A couple of years ago the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency has a stunning promotional video made with two options. A short two minute one and a longer option. Today I want to show you the shorter one of the…
One of the "soft" adventures one can participate in while visiting the Tsitsikamma area 160km west of Port Elizabeth is a Segway tour into the forest. The Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing, battery-powered electric vehicle and to me the next best thing since sliced bread. Anybody can do it (read here about my family doing it about a year and a half ago) and it is lots of fun. This time around I was on an educational trip with a colleague…
Probably the most popular adventure activity in the Tsitsikamma is Storms River Adventures' Canopy Tour. Imagine gliding along through the treetops in the indigenous Tsitsikamma forest. Its more than just a dream. Its a reality. The 2 1/2 hour adventure starts with a safety briefing and getting kitted out before heading for the trees. Ten slides between the forest giants taking you as high as 30 meters up and over 90 meters on the longest slide. Something not to be…
Continuing with this week's series on activities in the Tsitsikamma. The old Storms River Pass built by Tomas Bain in the 1880's following the elephant trails through the gorge is only accessible on foot or by bicycle. The only other way to explore it is along with Storms River Adventures on their guided Woodcutters' Journey. The tour follow the old pass down to the picnic spot next to the low water bridge over the river. Along the way you pass tree ferns, stinkwoods, yellow…
After visiting the Tsitsikamma twice over the last two weeks I decided to do a short series on things to do and attractions in the area. Obviously those mentioned will be those I got to go to and unfortunately the Tsitsikamma National Park wasn't amongst them. Doesn't matter though as there are load of other things to do and see in the area. Travelling along the N2 to and from Port Elizabeth most people tend to stop at the Storms River Bridge Petroport. …