Safari in South Africa, West Coast Tranquillity. Lifestyle at its Best

Safari in South Africa, West Coast Tranquillity. Lifestyle at its Best | South Africa Travel Tips

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Safari in South Africa

West Coast Tranquillity

Lifestyle at its Best

Author: Helen Palmer

The West Coast region of the Western Cape is still one of the most unspoilt. A couple of hours drive out of Cape Town, you will find this area hard to beat for sheer peace and quiet.

It is famous for its spring flower displays, bringing people from all over the world to see it's magnificence during late August, September and early October. Carpets of daisies and brightly coloured bulbs erupt to create brilliance hard to match with words - superlatives don't do justice to this magnificent spectacle.

The land could be seen as rather austere and not much appreciated outside of the flower season, but the desert and semi-desert areas do have their own appeal of wide open sky, distant hills and multi-coloured rocks.

Of course, there is much more to this region than just the flower season. Dropping down off the main N7 road, down to the coast, you come to St Helena Bay.

Slightly warmer water than Cape Town will greet your toes as you wander along white sand beaches, virtually on your own with the seals, cormorants and seagulls for company. The Southern Wright Whales are also visible on their migration during the months of July, August and September.

Stay at the St Helena Bay Hotel, or choose one of the smaller guest houses. The hotel is a friendly place with glorious views from its front bedrooms out over the water, although not The Ritz, it’s friendly, clean and serviceable.

Even in late December it's possible to just alight on accommodation, but don't count on this to happen for much longer, as this little known area will surely be discovered before too long. Expansion in the area is already underway with a considerable number of new homes being built at Shelley Point and Admirals Island, many of which will be second homes or holiday homes. Lifestyle is high on the list with golf courses, boating, spectacular views, wildlife and long sandy beaches drawing people to this part of the world.

Take a short trip along one of the dirt roads, through the farmland down to Paternoster, where you will believe you've ended up in Greece. Wonderful houses, whitewashed with green roofs giving out onto a long sandy beach.

Brightly coloured fishing boats trailing their nets metres from the beach with the fishermen hauling their catch straight onto the sand for everyone to view, squabble and purchase the fruits of their labour. Behind you, you'll see fish hanging, drying in the open air.

From St Helena head towards Velddrif, a quaint fishing village situated at the mouth of the Berg River where it flows in St Helena Bay. Here is a paradise of fishing, birdlife and boating. Life drifts on in a peaceful atmosphere, giving you time to unwind and relax far from the madding crowd, noise and traffic and to surround yourself with the wonders of nature.

Don't forget to take your binoculars and view the stunning flock of flamingos on the salt pans - they love the mineral rich waters of the Berg river, sifting the water through their bills to trap the algae in the water. The algae give the flamingos their stunning colour.

For the wine lovers amongst you, don’t forget to visit the fledgling wine growing area around Piketburg, about one hours drive inland. Two particular estates merit mention.

Nieuwedrift rates highly for the wonderfully warm welcome Johan Mostert gives all his visitors, firstly showing them his talented artist wife’s paintings lovingly displayed in his newly built tasting room before reverently opening his extremely select wines. Johan produces two wines, a Shiraz and a Chenin Blanc, but don’t for one minute compare them to any other wines of the same grape varietal – you have to taste them for yourselves!

Perched majestically on top of the hill overlooking the surrounding wheat fields is Org de Rac. This stunning brand new building houses a beautiful tasting room, a knowledgeable and friendly staff and a very interesting range of organic wines, which are all certified by the Soil Association. No sulphur additives make this wine quite delectable and must be tasted to be appreciated.

The West Coast offers visitors a rare chance to step off life’s merry-go-round and take life at an easier pace. It will seduce you with its light, colour and warmth and draw you back for years to come.

About the Author:

Helen Palmer is the editor of the website

http://www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com where tailor-made luxury vacation

and safaris in South Africa are all about your own safari round South Africa.

Whatever you want, whenever you want it, we have the expertise to be able to

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