Page 244 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

242  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

2 George ones – Island Lake, Langvlei
and Rondevlei – are all linked
Road map C5. * 193,700.
~ 10 km (6 miles) NW of town. and fed by the Touws River
@ St Mark’s Sq. n 124 York St, 044 via a natural water channel
801 9299. Open Mon–Sat. called the Serpentine.
∑ georgetourism.org.za Swartvlei is the largest and
deepest lake, and it is
The wide streets of George were connected to the sea by
laid out in 1811 during the British an estuary, although its
occupation of the Cape. Named mouth silts up for six months
after King George III, the town is of the year. Groenvlei, which
today the Garden Route’s largest is the only lake not located
centre, primarily serving the within the park, is not fed by
farming community. Victoria Bay, any river and has no link to the
9 km (6 miles) from George Beach houses at Victoria Bay, a pretty beach sea. Instead, it receives its
off the N2, is the closest beach, with a tidal pool, ideal for children water through springs and
nestled in a pretty narrow cove. rainfall; as a result, it is
The Outeniqua Transport 3 Wilderness the least brackish.
Museum provides an insight into Road map C5. N2 12 km (7 miles) Birdlife viewing in the park
the history of steamtrain travel SE of George. * 6,200. is excellent, with as many as
in South Africa. The Outeniqua n Leila’s Lane, 044 877 79 of the country’s waterbird
Nature Reserve is the starting 0045. Open Mon–Sat. species having been
point for 12-day walks in the ∑ wildernessinfo.org recorded here. Five
indigenous forest of the species of kingfisher
Outeniqua Moun tains. At least Ten kilometres can be spotted –
125 tree species grow here, and (6 miles) east of the pied, giant, half-
more than 30 forest birds have city of George is South collared, brown-
been recorded. The Tierkop Trail Africa’s lake district. This hooded and
is a circular overnight route that chain of salt- and fresh- malachite. The
covers 30 km (19 miles). The water lakes at the foot area is also popular
difficult Outeniqua Trail between of forested mountain for angling and a
here and Knysna covers 108 km slopes forms part of A malachite kingfisher variety of water-
(67 miles) in seven days. the Wilderness sector sports, and a scenic
of the Garden Route National drive starting at Wilderness
E Outeniqua Transport Museum Park. Protecting some 30 km runs along Lakes Road, which
2 Mission St. Tel 044 801 8288. (19 miles) of unspoiled coast- skirts the lake chain and meets
Open Sep–Apr: 8am–5pm Mon– line, the park features two long up with the N2 at Swartvlei.
Sat; May–Aug: 8am–4:30pm white beaches – Wilderness There are many hiking trails
Mon–Fri, 8am–2pm Sat. & and Leentjiesklip. However, in and around Wilderness. With
∑ outeniquachootjoe.co.za
note that swimming is the magnificent Outeniqua
O Outeniqua Nature Reserve not safe here due to the range stretched along the
Witfontein. On R28 NW of George. strong undercurrents. northern perimeter of the area,
Tel 044 870 8323. Open 7:30am–4pm Of the five lakes in this visitors can ramble through
Mon–Fri. ∑ capenature.co.za region, the three westernmost natural forests on such trails as
the Brown-Hooded Kingfisher
Trail, the Pied Kingfisher Trail,
the five-day Biking & Hiking
Trail or the three-day Canoe &
Hiking Trail.
Horse trails can be followed,
and more extreme activities
such as paragliding and
abseiling can be enjoyed. At
Wilderness Heights, the Map of
Africa can be found, a forested
area shaped like the African
continent. Splendid views
of the river valley can be
admired from here.
Wilderness is worth
exploring, particularly if you
enjoy water or adventure
sports. For the most daring
Steam locomotive at the Outeniqua Transport Museum visitors, one-day paragliding
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5

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