Things to do near
Botterkloof
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Stilbaai (7 km from Botterkloof) Ancient rock pool fish traps, built by the Khoisan up to 3000 years ago, visible at low tide.
These traps are still being regularly maintained, extended and utilized by a group of local enthusiasts.
Five minutes from Stilbaai with parking close to the beach. Good afternoon for kids and adults alike. See if you can spot an octopus and remember to take fish nets for the kids!
Beaches
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Stilbaai (7.2 km from Botterkloof) Stilbaai Main Beach is ideal for walking, swimming, rowing, sailing, skiing, and fishing. It’s safe to swim in the sea and walk along the 3 km stretch of sand. Surfers and kite surfers love the waves and the beach is a popular spot for watching whales during winter and spring.
Wine Estates
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Herbertsdale (53.7 km from Botterkloof) Visit one of the Garden Route's best-kept secrets for wine tasting beneath the Langeberg Mountains.
Jakkalsvlei is in the scenic area of Herbertsdale and right off the well-trodden tourist paths of the Garden Route. Here you will find the most beautiful private wine farm with fabulous views, a tranquil atmosphere and award-winning wines.
Cheese platters are available and you are welcome to bring your own picnic baskets. From mid February to mid March you can pick your own Hanepoot grapes.
Tasting hours: Monday to Friday 09:30 – 17:00, Saturdays 09:30 – 15:00, Sundays closed.
www.jakkalsvlei.co.za
Hiking Trail
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Heidelberg (WC) (56.5 km from Botterkloof) The 10 km Bushbuck Trail in Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve rambles through the pristine mountain fynbos and prime indigenous forest of yellowwoods, ironwoods and stinkwood trees. Underneath the canopy are an abundance of ferns, and numerous birds flit abut the treetops. Depending on weather conditions, the trail may be closed at certain times during the year.
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Trail
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Heidelberg (WC) (57.2 km from Botterkloof) The 15 km Grysbok Trail in Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve takes hikers on an exploration of the pretty mountain fynbos and forest fringes of the Langeberg Mountains. The reserve offers varied birding opportunities. Grysbok and bushbuck can be seen in the fynbos and indigenous forest of yellowwoods, ironwoods and stinkwood trees.
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 15 km
Beaches
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Boggomsbaai (58.7 km from Botterkloof) Boggomsbaai features a lovely 1 km long stretch of beach, suitable for swimming and other beach activities.
Beaches
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Witsand (60.1 km from Botterkloof) Witsand Beach is one of the best-kept secrets of the Overberg. Lying at the mouth of the Breede River, it offers excellent prospects for boating and walking.
During winter and spring, Witsand is one of the best places on the South African coastline to for whale watching. Facilities include ample parking, benches with views and a restaurant. Lifeguards are on duty from 1 December until 31 January.
Hiking Trail
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Infanta (60.3 km from Botterkloof) Starting at the Infanta slipway, the Infanta to Moddergat route offers an interesting hike along the beach and riverside. Walk past Kontiki and then along the riverbank until you reach the slipway at Moddergat.
Nature Reserves
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Heidelberg (WC) (70.1 km from Botterkloof) Excellent bird watching, gorgeous indigenous Knysna forest and mountain fynbos characterize this CapeNature reserve in the Langeberg.
The 250-hectare forest is situated 22 km northwest of Heidelberg and is considered the best and largest woodland in the south-western Cape.
The Bushbuck and Grysbok Trails (2 – 15 km) and the short mountain bike trail through high forest are wonderful options to explore this stunning reserve. Permits for these trails are available from
the CapeNature office.
Forest tree species that you will see are stinkwood, yellowwood, red alder and the ubiquitous ironwood. Wildlife that is often encountered includes bushbuck, Cape grysbok, Cachma baboons, various small mammals like mongoose and genet. Occasionally leopard can be seen.
Rich in bird diversity, the reserve boasts no less than 196 bird species. Twitchers will be gripping their binoculars to spot endemics like the Knysna woodpecker, Knysna warbler, Victorin’s warbler, forest canary and Cape Siskin. Other forest specials to look out for are the Narina Trogon and majestic Crowned Eagle.
And what else is there to brag about? Grootvadersbosch is home to a subspecies of ghost frog and a unique forest emperor butterfly.
Hiking Trail
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Heidelberg (WC) (71.8 km from Botterkloof) Boosmansbos Wilderness Area in the Langeberg Mountains offers 64 km of unmarked walking paths. Hikers have the freedom to decide on their own route. The two-day hike up Loerklip and down Saagkuilkloof is the most popular. This 27 km circular route is not clearly marked and graded demanding, so it is essential to carry an accurate map. Advance bookings are essential.
Duration: 2 days
Difficulty: Moderate to tough
Animal Parks
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Mossel Bay (72.5 km from Botterkloof) Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2005, and now resides on the outskirts of Mossel Bay providing a "big cat" experience that is not easily forgotten.
The main focus at Jukani is conservation education, particularly the plight of big cat varieties. Visitors can marvel at these amazing animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and other smaller wild cats. Trained guides will provide information on each of these fascinating creatures throughout the sanctuary tour.
Please note: Jukani is in the process of relocating to Plettenberg Bay in February 2013.
Nature Reserves
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Heidelberg (WC) (73.5 km from Botterkloof) Deep in the Langeberg Mountains and part of Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve is the hiking paradise Boosmansbos Wilderness Area. As part of the Cape Floral Region, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fragrant mountain fynbos and indigenous kloof forest characterize the lovely landscape. Some incredibly rare species of Ericas can be found. The ravines are populated by stinkwood, yellowwood, Cape holly, red alder, beech, white alder and candlewood trees. If you're a tree-spotter, look out for a thicket of mountain cypress growing on a cliff edge.
Wildlife that you may encounter includes grey rhebuck, klipspringer, grysbok, baboons, leopard, mongoose and genet. The area boasts numerous birds with 184 recorded species including black, martial, crowned and booted eagles, redwinged and redneck francolins, blackrumped buttonquail, striped flufftail and Layard’s titbabbler.
Popular with hikers, the main attraction here is the lack of infrastructure and remoteness. Paths are unmarked and huts provide only basic shelter and no toilet facilities. Hikers need to be well-equipped for all weather and must carry an accurate map.
Hikers may choose their route from 64 km of paths. A circular two-day route of 27 km follows an old jeep track up Loerklip and back down Saagkuilkloof. Advance bookings are essential.
+27 021 659 3500
bookings@capenature.co.za
Beaches
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Dana Bay (73.7 km from Botterkloof) Dana Bay boasts an elevated scenic viewpoint over the beach, offering amazing whale watching opportunities. Occasionally whales come into the bay to calve and schools of dolphins are frequently spotted in the surf.
Facilities include ablution blocks, braai spots and lookout points.
Four By Four Trails
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Hartenbos (77.1 km from Botterkloof) Guided quad bike safaris at Nyaru Game Lodge are a unique and adrenaline pumping experience offering visitors an opportunity to get closer to wildlife.
Tours traverse through beautiful fynbos valleys and usually last between 1.5 – 2 hours. Automatic quad bikes are used, making the safari very accessible for novices. Don’t miss this fun and exhilarating experience.
Golf Courses
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Mossel Bay (78.7 km from Botterkloof) Designed by celebrated golf architect Peter Matkovich and pro golfer Darren Clarke, Pinnacle Point Golf Course is one of the Garden Route’s essential destinations.
The flawless eighteen-hole championship golf course stretches for four kilometres along a magnificent coastline. Breathtaking cliff-side holes and a 1000-acre pristine beach contribute to making it one of the most dramatic golf course sites around the globe.
Bright green fairways and tees are ideal for making shots and the bent grass greens guarantee an interesting challenge. The entire course provides views of the ocean with some of the holes situated along the cliff edges.
The smack of salty sea breezes, the rush of fragrant fynbos and thrill of seeing wildlife, dolphins and whales contribute to a sublimely sensory golf experience.