Many tours
and tourist guides can give informed and wide-ranging introductions
to the flora, fauna and ecological matters. Try not to see
nature only from cars - getting closer to nature on foot or
on bike will make for a more enriching and relaxing trip.
The advantage of not having the big five in most parks in
this region is that game viewing is a lot more interactive.
(There are a few common-sense precautions, such as not feeding
baboons or leaving food open that will tempt them).
Part of
the pleasure of being in the Cape is the unexpected encounter
with nature: peregrine falcons near cooling towers in Cape
Town or hadedas on a sports field, a troop of baboons on a
lonely road, a school of dolphins or a breaching whale.
Nature
reserves in this area range from the very large to the very
small. Some of them take day visitors only, while others offer
camping, cycling and walking trails, and accommodation facilities.
Consult the Cape Nature Conservation and SA National Parks
Board for information on the various Nature Reserves and National
Parks in the Western Cape.
Rock Art
The Cederberg have numerous sites of rock art. At Bushman's
Kloof, knowledgeable guides and a good selection of literature
will help you puzzle over the ritual and mystical significance
of these works. Tel. (027) 482-2627. Explore 6000-year-old
Bushman rock art at Kagga Kamma Game Reserve. Tel. (021) 863
8334. Gifberg at Vanrhynsdorp is a popular destination for
rock art enthusiasts. Traveller's Rest outside Clanwilliam
boasts nine rock art sites on an easy two-hour hike. Tel.
(021) 979-0990. Also try the Sevilla Trail. Tel. (027) 482-1824.
Step into early stone-age man's cave at the Kliphuis Bushman
Caves and enjoy traditional cuisine and the open-air restaurant.
Tel: (027) 217-1790. The Maskam and the Gifberg mountains
have interesting rock art sites to explore, like the Crocodile,
the Whale, the Dinosaur, the Elephant, etc.
