Page 248 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

246  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

Steps leading down to one of the idyllic bays in Robberg Nature Reserve
of the Keurbooms River, which Sanctuary, the world’s first only
6 Plettenberg Bay flows down from the Langkloof multi-species free-roaming
Mountains. Its forested gorge is primate sanctuary. It is home
Road map C5. * 31,200.
@ Shell Ultra City, Marine Way. well worth a voyage upstream to more than a dozen different
n Melville’s Corner, Main St. by canoe, to enjoy the primate species, including
Tel 044 533 4065. Open Mon–Sat. unspoiled beauty and birdlife – baboons from South Africa,
∑ plett-tourism.co.za canoes can be hired from the lemurs from Madagascar and
reserve office. Look out for the athletic squirrel monkeys from
Upmarket Plettenberg Bay, Knysna loerie, malachite, giant South America, all of them
30 km (19 miles) east of kingfisher and sunbird. rescued from domestic
Knysna, is the holiday captivity.
playground of the wealthy. O Robberg Nature Reserve Birds of Eden, situated right
A coast of rivers, lagoons Robberg Rd. Tel 044 533 2125. alongside Monkeyland, is the
and white beaches, “Plett”, as Open 7am–5pm daily (Dec–Jan: to world’s largest free-flight aviary.
it is called by the locals, 8pm). & Ó ∑ capenature. Its enormous dome spans a
earned the name co.za gorge lined with indigenous
Bahia Formosa O Keurbooms River forest, and is divided by a
(“beautiful bay”) Nature Reserve walkway and suspension bridge.
from early On the N2. Tel 044 533 It is inhabited by more than
Portuguese sailors. 2125. Open 7am–5pm daily 3,500 individual birds,
The town is perched (Dec–Jan: to 8pm). ∆ Ó s comprising 200-plus indigenous
on red sandstone cliffs The pansy shell ∑ capenature.co.za and exotic species, ranging from
that rise above the is Plettenberg colourful forest-loving macaws,
coastline; its most Bay’s emblem Environs toucans and turacos to majestic
recognized feature is Situated south of the blue cranes (the national bird
a large luxury hotel complex on N2 about 10 km (6 miles) east of of South Africa) and 30 types
Beacon Island. South of the Plettenberg Bay, Jukani of waterfowl.
town, the Robberg Nature Wildlife Sanctuary is a refuge
Reserve juts out into the sea, its for carnivores rescued from
cliffs rising to 148 m (486 ft) in breeding facilities and other
places. The three trails on offer non-viable circumstances.
range from a 30-minute stroll to Indigenous carnivores such as
a four-hour hike, all offering lion, leopard, cheetah, honey-
fantastic views of the badger and spotted hyena are
dramatically churning seas all present, along with a few
and pristine secluded bays. exotic creatures such as a white
The reserve also extends 1.8 km tiger and a jaguar. Guided
(1.2 miles) offshore, protecting a tours with experts take
range of vulnerable fish species, around 90 minutes.
and dolphins are often seen, Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
as are whales, in spring. forms part of the award-
On the east side of the Keur- winning South African Animal
booms River Bridge on the N2, Sanctuary Alliance (SAASA),
7 km (4 miles) east of which also includes two other
Plettenberg Bay, Keurbooms facilities. Just 10 km (6 m)
River Nature Reserve further east is the popular Athletic squirrel monkeys can be found at
encompasses the headwaters Monkeyland Primate Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp387–8 and pp404–5

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