Things to do near
Herbertsdale
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Four By Four Trails
in
Mossel Bay (26.9 km from Herbertsdale) Attaquas 4x4 Trail is located in the Outeniqua Nature Reserve. The pass used to be the main route for ox wagons travelling between Cape Town and Mossel Bay. The trail was completed in 1869. The trail takes one on the northern side of the Robertson Pass. The trail is 20 km long and takes about 3 hours to complete. It is graded between 3 and 4 and a low range, high clearance 4x4 vehicle is needed.
Four By Four Trails
in
Hartenbos (29.5 km from Herbertsdale) 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.
Beaches
in
Boggomsbaai (32.3 km from Herbertsdale) Boggomsbaai features a lovely 1 km long stretch of beach, suitable for swimming and other beach activities.
Animal Parks
in
Mossel Bay (33.9 km from Herbertsdale) 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
in
Oudtshoorn (34.6 km from Herbertsdale) Nestled between the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains in the Klein Karoo, this remote mountain reserve is definitely worth a visit.
Most folk who venture to Gamkaberg Nature Reserve come to soak up the peace and tranquillity. The best season to go is in spring although any time of the year is worthwhile.
Part of the Cape Floral Kingdom which boasts one of the richest floras on earth, Gamkaberg is a botanists paradise. Here you will find four of the South African biomes – Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Subtropical Thicket and Evergreen Forest.
Home to the endangered Cape mountain zebra, honey badger and leopard, the reserve is an important refuge for rare Western Cape wildlife. Other animals you can spot include eland, red hartebeest, grysbok, grey rhebuck, klipspringer, duiker, steenbok, baboon, caracal, aardvark, aardwolf, black backed jackal and many small mammals. The reserve is also host to numerous birds, reptiles and insects.
Day trippers can look around the information centre, meander through the labyrinth, explore the short footpaths and use the picnic or braai spots. Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Hiking Trail
in
Oudtshoorn (36.5 km from Herbertsdale) The 4.1 km Piet Barbet Trail takes hikers through succulent Karoo and subtropical thicket in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. This part of the Klein Karoo is within the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the botanical wonders of the world, and is unmatched in its plant diversity compared with other arid regions.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 4.1 km
Hiking Trail
in
Oudtshoorn (36.8 km from Herbertsdale) The Spekboom Trail is one of five short day trails ranging from 0.7 km to 14.4 km in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. These routes take walkers through typical succulent Karoo, subtropical thicket and evergreen forest in the Tierkloof gorge.
Duration: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.3 km
Hiking Trail
in
Oudtshoorn (36.8 km from Herbertsdale) Dramatic gorges, stunning mountain scenery, amazing wildlife and birds characterize the Tierkloof Hiking Trail in Gamkaberg Nature Reserve.
This moderately strenuous trail starts in the Succulent Karoo biome before heading into a lush, forested ravine. Here a melodic chorus of forest songbirds rings in the kloof – particularly the vocal Bokmakieries and Southern Boubous. A pair of breeding Black eagles have claimed the cliffs for their eyrie and can often be seen soaring in the thermals.
The two-day trail eventually leads hikers onto the fragrant fynbos-clad mountain plateau. Spectacular views of the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains can be enjoyed from the far-flung overnight stop at Oukraal camp.
The camp provides beds, mattresses, gas fridge, stove, fireplace and ablutions. Permits can be obtained from the CapeNature Booking Office.
Day One 14.5 km, Day Two 13 km.
Hiking Trail
in
Oudtshoorn (37 km from Herbertsdale) The 2.5 km Mousebird Trail takes hikers through Succulent Karoo and Subtropical thicket in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. This part of the Klein Karoo is within the Cape Floral Kingdom, and is considered one of the botanical wonders of the world, unequalled in its plant diversity compared with other arid regions.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 2.5 km
Beaches
in
Dana Bay (37.2 km from Herbertsdale) 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.
Hiking Trail
in
Oudtshoorn (37.5 km from Herbertsdale) The 0.7 km Guarrie Trail is the shortest route in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve. This part of the Klein Karoo is within the Cape Floral Kingdom, considered one of the botanical wonders of the world and unequalled in its incredible plant diversity compared with other arid regions.
Duration: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.7 km
Galleries and Museums
in
Hartenbos (40.1 km from Herbertsdale) History buffs and anyone keen to get clued up about South Africa’s heritage should make this museum part of their Garden Route itinerary.
The Hartenbos Museum is one of the oldest museums in Mossel Bay and focuses on the Great Trek. Interesting dioramas and exhibitions showcase beautiful antiquities that give evidence of the lifestyle of the Voortrekker pioneers during the mid 1800s.
A notable feature is the commemoration hall for the 1938 Symbolic Ox Wagon Trek and a remarkable exhibit of a typical traditional store.
Majuba Avenue, Hartenbos
+27 (0)44 695 2183
Shopping Malls
in
Mossel Bay (40.3 km from Herbertsdale) Langeberg Mall’s exciting retail fusion offers a number of franchise and boutique fashion stores; numerous fresh food outlets, restaurants and cafes; a variety of health and beauty shops, convenience and service outlets, banks and ATMs. Tourists, day trippers, international visitors and local residents alike are all drawn to this airy convenient shopping centre.
Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00
Saturday 09:00 – 17:00
Sunday 09:00 – 14:00
Public Holidays 09:00 – 14:00
+27 (0) 44 695 2880.
Popular Attractions
in
Hartenbos (40.8 km from Herbertsdale) A trip to Hartenbos during summer cannot be complete without a visit to the wildly entertaining Hartenbos Water park. For friends and family, nothing beats the thrill and fun of a water slide. From big to small, Hartenbos Water Park has something for everyone to enjoy.
Open times:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 - 16:00;
Friday to Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00;
Sunday: 10:00 - 16:00.
Popular Attractions
in
Diaz Beach (41 km from Herbertsdale) Diaz Beach Water World is part of the Diaz Beach Hotel & Resort, offering a totally fun experience for young and old.
This is a great place to take the kids, and if you're in need of some cooling during the summer heat, then Diaz Beach Water World may be the best alternative to the beach.