West Coast and Cederberg Route
Crayfish, Flowers, Citrus, Rock Art, Rooibos tea and Wine. The West Coast is a drier area bordering on the cold Atlantic Ocean where whales and dolphins can often be seen. During the months of August and September the landscape emerges in a riot of colour as the spring flowers bloom after the winter rains. Leaving Cape Town, take the R27 to Velddrif.
Stop off at the popular Langebaan Lagoon (a popular summer resort) and West Coast National Park where 50 000 migratory birds can be seen in the summer.The National Park contains 40% of the earth’s remaining sandveld fynbos.
From Langebaan and Velddrif drive west to the small fishing villages of Paternoster Stompneus Bay and St Helena Bay – one of the world’s principal fishing areas. These small bays have become popular haunts for summer visitors wishing to relax in this scenic and peaceful environment.
On the return take the R364 inland to Clanwilliam at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains and continue over the Pakhuis Pass, where the Afrikaans poet Louis Leipoldt is buried. Enjoy the strange rock formations and well-known hiking trails before continuing back on the N7.
Once past Citrusdal you turn off onto the R46 to RiebeekWest/Kasteel from where you can continue on the R46 to the historic Cape Dutch town of Tulbagh situated in the charming Witzenberg Mountain valley and Ceres, the centre of the deciduous fruit industry.
The West Coast has two official wine routes – the Swartland Wine Route with its scenic Riebeek Valley and the Oliphant’s River Wine Region. The West Coast seas provide a bounty of quality seafood to accompany the fruit and wine of the area.
Gonana Collection
Situated directly on Bekbaai beach, bordered by the Columbine Nature Reserve, Gonana Guesthouse is Paternoster’s first sustainable and environmentally conscious guest house following the principle of ‘buy local, think global’.
Darling Lodge Guest House
Darling Lodge Guest House offers a harmonious blend of old and new reflecting the romantic name of the little town. Owned and managed by the Swiss born Stephan Moser and Oliver Studer, the guesthouse is an oasis of peace and tranquillity in the middle of Darling, the heartbeat on the West Coast, between the West Coast National Park and the rolling plains of the Swartland platteland.
The charming guesthouse and the beautiful garden are lovingly tended to make any stay special, be it for just one night, a romantic weekend on the Darling Wine Route or even for a longer stay. The carefully restored main house, the Victorian charm of which has remained intact, offers three individually decorated country style rooms. The more modern garden annex consists of three further generously appointed rooms and three contemporary style decorated and furnished spacious suites have been added in 2020. Exquisite comfort and personal service awaits.
Generous breakfasts are served in the breakfast room or on the patio overlooking the swimming pool and lush gardens.
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