Search the Business Directory

Home arrow Overberg Stories arrow Overberg Fynbos Route
Advertisement

Overberg Fynbos Route PDF Print E-mail
Written by SJ du Toit   

ImageThe fynbos riches of the Overberg are world renowned and botanists and visitors have admired and studied them since the seventeenth century. Fynbos is the collective noun for plants in the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape. It includes among others, the protea and erica families and a large number of other flowers and plants. They are especially well adapted to the strong winds, wet winters, dry summers and soil types of the region. One of the plants with a useful component is the restio family of reeds used for thatched roofs. 

A group of land owners in the southern Overberg formed the Fynbos Eco-Tourism Forum in 1996, with the aim of publicising the Fynbos Route. Regular outings and workshops are organised where participants may learn more of fynbos. Development and marketing of eco-tourism are promoted as well as nature conservation and greater co-operation.

Many of the farms that belong to the forum offer hospitality to tourists. The route also includes some nature reserves as far as the Agulhas plains.

 Stanford and Elim are two of the starting points to the route. The Overberg Fynbos Route is a valuable mechanism for residents, visitors and tourists to come to know more of the fynbos and the region. Everybody comes away from such a tour benefiting from a greatly increased understanding and knowledge of this unique floral kingdom.

Many of the farms include guest facilities as well as the normal farming activities. Casa Blanca Tours of Hermanus takes groups on these outings. One of the old historical farms in the Stanford area, where a third generation De Villiers farms, is Boskloof and makes an interesting starting point for a tour. Thys de Villiers Tel (028) 423-3628 has a diverse and rare selection of erica species (some being endemic) on his farm. Visitors can book special mountain transport and a guide, and if so wished, also a farm picnic.

It is quite impossible to supply all the information about the route and accommodation in this story, but further information about fynbos and the Overberg Fynbos Route can be found on www.africandream.org.


This story was originally published in "The Overberg - Historical Anecdotes", written by SJ du Toit.
The book is available from bookshops and tourism bureaux in the Overberg or from the author:
Huis Lettie Theron, Private Bag X03, Hermanus, 7200
Tel: +27 (0)28-313 2031

 
< Prev   Next >

New Business Listings

Mirre & Kaneel...
https:/...
Category: Alternative
Created: Jun 2, 2023
Benguela Cove Lagoon...
Category: Hermanus
Created: Feb 14, 2023
SunAway Shade
Category: Businesses
Created: Feb 14, 2023
Swellendam Local...
Category: Swellendam
Created: Feb 14, 2023
Stanford Tourism
Category: Stanford
Created: Feb 14, 2023
Poplar House
Category: Self Catering
Created: Dec 13, 2021
J. Paulsen Attorney
Category: Gansbaai
Created: Jun 7, 2021
Hermanus Physio
https:/...
Category: Hermanus
Created: Dec 23, 2019
Saps Swellendam
Category: Swellendam
Created: Sep 4, 2019
Simon's Rooikrans Wood
Category: Hermanus
Created: Aug 16, 2019
Show more...

Polls

What would you like to see on the site?
 

Top Business Listings


Gretha Quinlan Studio...

Category: Art Galleries
Created: Feb 7, 2014


K Imaging

Category: Photography
Created: Feb 7, 2014


Overberg Design

Category: Grabouw/Elgin
Created: Feb 7, 2014


Autotech & CEO...

Category: Vehicles & Vehicle Services
Created: Feb 7, 2014


Storyline Studio

www.storylinestudio.co.z
Category: Greyton
Created: Mar 14, 2013

Show more...

Random Listing

JAWITZ PROPERTIES SWELLENDAM

JAWITZ PROPERTIES SWELLENDAM

Category: Real Estate