Off The Beaten Track
There are many off-the-track destinations and some
wild-at-heart attractions for you to explore in Southern Africa.
Sabi Sabi - Game Reserve - Eastern Cape
The choral sounds of birds before morning light, hot 'boere'
coffee and a muffin, and you'll be ready to embrace the wildlife
of SabiSabi. Land Rovers leave before dawn, and Rangers share
information via radio, ensuring the occupants of each Land Rover
have the best chance of a wide range of sightings. The Tracker
will watch the road for spoor, leaning forward intently to find
any print left by a predator during its hunt in the dark.
Guests on guided walking trails can experience this natural
environment on foot; no two walks are ever remotely the same.
Sabi Sabi boasts approximately 350 different species of birds,
and their nests and calls are fascinating. There is an endless
diversity of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, whatever the
time of year.
The dusk period tends to be quieter. There is a lull as the
animals sense the transition into a time of increased danger.
The nocturnal hunters start stirring, and their prey needs to be
alert for survival through the night. The Ranger will choose a
spot where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a sundowner
alongside the vehicle. If you are lucky, you may be able to
watch a lion or his pride prepare for the evening hunt. With the
help of the spotlight, a leopard's eyes may reflect back from a
tree. Other smaller predators that are often encountered at
night include the Genet, African Civet, and African Wild Cat.
Bushbabies are nocturnal primates that feed on insects and
fruits; their large eyes shine red in the light.
Each morning and evening, Safaris in open Land Rovers drive
through a wide variety of habitats, allowing you to view the
vast interactions of the wild. After breakfast, the dedicated,
skilled, and passionate Rangers lead you to discover miracles of
Nature you may never have dreamed existed.
Cango Ostrich Farm - Oudtshoorn - Western Cape
Would you ever ride an ostrich? Cango Ostrich Farm is located
in the lush Cango Valley, 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the main
route towards the world famous Cango Caves. It offers
comprehensive and complete information regarding the ostrich -
and ostrich industry. You get to see, the eggs, incubators and
chicks (in season) and feed the ostriches by hand. Daring types
get to ride the ostriches (within weight limits) and to stand on
the eggs (no weight restrictions).
I There is a 45-minute farm tour, every 20 minutes.
Multi-lingual guides are available (English, Afrikaans, German
and French.) The farm delicatessen stocks Ostrich pate's and
biltong. Distinctive ostrich handbags and feather boas are also
available and of course, an extensive variety of decorated and
plain Ostrich eggshells.
St Lucia Crocodile Centre - St Lucia - Kwazulu Natal
Situated some 2 km north of St Lucia village on the road to Cape
Vidal, the Crocodile Centre offers an exciting and informative
outing for visitors who would like to know more about the lake
system and one of the world's oldest and most fascinating
animals - the crocodile.
The centre interprets the Lake St Lucia system and the habits of
the crocodile and serves as a centre for crocodile monitoring
and research. Crocodiles are a protected species in Natal, and
all the African species of crocodile can be seen in the various
ponds; the Nile, long-snouted, and dwarf crocodile plus American
alligators. The crocodiles on display range in size from
hatchlings to specimens of up to four metres.
A series of informative displays on the Nile crocodile provide
details about the breeding, feeding, physical structure and
distribution of this prehistoric creature.
Butterfly World - Paarl - Western Cape
Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in South Africa.
The location of this park is set conveniently at the junction of
the main Wine Routes of Stellenbosch and Paarl, on the Route 44
near Klapmuts, just off the N1.
Butterflies fly freely in an exotic indoor garden. Tropical
plants abound and there are butterfly-friendly birds and water
features that complete this idyllic picture. Enjoy a cup of
coffee at the Schmetterling Coffee Garden and have a browse in
the craft shop. You can photograph or video these beautiful
creatures to your hearts content.
The park is open every day of the year except 25th December, and
trading hours are 9am to 5pm (except June, July and August) when
the opening hours are 10am to 4pm.