Puffadder : Bitis arietans. As the heat of summer settles in in the #GardenRoute, the snake population emerges from their winter shelters. The Puffadder is an ambush predator species, relying on it’s cytotoxic venom to rapidly take down its prey after a strike. Puffadders rely on cryptic disruptive camouflage to blend in and are reluctant to move when disturbed. Research has shown that in their … Continue reading Garden Route Snakes
There are a few signature features that draw visitors to Cape Town. The Mountain, Cape Point, Penguins, Robbin Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Two Ocean Aquarium, the V&A Water Front and the beaches. Kilometers of beaches of white bleached sand. It is a city to be explored, savored and experienced. It is a city with four seasons in one morning. A metropolis with a 24 hour … Continue reading Table Mountain : Hiking above the Mother City
“I think you need to come and look at this again” called Dr Martin Lockley. Dr Charles Helm, his wife Linda and myself were walking away from an overhang of aeolianite with a series of fossilized tracks on the under surface to look at another series of fossil tracks which Dr Helm describes as a work of art. When an ichnologist and paleontologist as renowned … Continue reading Cast in Stone : The Cradle of Human Culture.
In search of Eagles Two weeks ago, after guiding guests on a contour path hike on the lower slopes of Jonkersberg, I glimpsed a pair of eagles slope soaring along the ridge just before sunset. Back lit against the skyline, I instinctively identified them as Martial Eagles, but located approximately 3.5km away without a pair of binoculars, it was difficult to make a positive ID. … Continue reading Garden Route hiking – wild route to the peak of Jonkersberg.
At 108km, the Outeniqua Trail is one of the longest hiking trails in South Africa. Traversing through forest and fynbos along the southern slopes of the Outeniqua Mountain range, the trail is hiked in a west to east direction sleeping in hiking huts with a capacity for 20 hikers. Mountain Wilderness. It is in the true sense, a wilderness hike, a trail that removes you … Continue reading Giants and Dwarves weaving between Spotted Ghosts on the Outeniqua Trail.
Confectionery and Coffee after the ride. ‘Banana?’ Amanda answered as she tucked into her slice of cake. We were lounging on the deck with coffee and carrot cake reflecting on our country ride just north of Groot Brak. As we had entered Pepper Boom restaurant in Groot Brak, I had asked the chef what his secret ingredient for his carrot cake was. Sure enough, it … Continue reading Mountain Biking in the Garden Route : Looping Around Wolvedans Dam.
After the recent mountain rescue on Table Mountain this weekend, it is important to share some salient safety measures when hiking on any mountain, irrespective of experience. • use official foot paths only • carry more that one operational cellphone in your hiking party • plan your intended route in a way that you are off the mountain before sunset • carry an accurate map … Continue reading Be Prepared to be Safe when hiking in South Africa.
