Unusual
Vacations
Off
The Beaten Track
by Bronwen Roberts
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.
About the Author
If you're looking for a wild-at-heart experience, look no further
than the
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve. The advantage of the Sabi Sabi Safaris
stems from the fact that animals on the Reserve have not been
hunted for over half a century. Because they have become habituated,
they perceive the outline of a vehicle carrying humans as non-threatening.
