Spend a few days on the Cape’s West Coast in April, as we did, and you’ll learn that autumn might just be the ideal time to visit. There were no summer winds, no overpowering heat, no crowds jostling to see the spring flowers the region is famous for. It was close to perfect. Here are some of the reasons why.
After two days in Darling in a haze of wine tasting, craft beer tasting, good food and satire at the cabaret venue, Evita se Perron (see 7 things to do in Darling out of flower season), we drove about 80km northwest to Velddrif.
The salt pans around Velddrif are a great place to see birds, including greater and lesser flamingos and great white pelicans.
The salt pans around Velddrif are a great place to see birds, including greater and lesser flamingos and great white pelicans.
Stroll down Bokkomlaan in Velddrif and you’ll enter a different world, of fishermen, fishing boats and bokkoms (dried fish). Enjoy the sights and sounds, even if the fishy smells can be a bit overpowering. If you're a photographer or someone who likes to capture scenes on canvas, this little fishing village will keep you busy and happy, something quirky around almost every corner.
You'll discover that these fishing types have a salty sense of humour.
Times: 9 till we're fed up (for those who don't speak the more colourful Afrikaans)
As part of our West Coast wander, we also stayed in an eco-cabin at Cape Nature’s Rocherpan Nature Reserve, about 23km north of Velddrif.
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za.
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za.
