Spring on the West Coast overlooking towards Table Mountain.

Greetings from Cape Town ,

Spring has arrived in South Africa and this is when the West Coast becomes alive with a wonderful carpet of different coloured flowers right up to the Northern Cape. What a wonderful show we have had because of the lovely rain we have been having in the Western Cape.

CTC Marketing has been on two Northern Cape Tours once again and this time to a small little hamlet tucked away near the Northern Cape coastline. We were invited by the local residents to come and visit their area and experience the Northern Cape Cuisine and hospitality. We were met at Potsberg Nature Reserve, by our Guide and Host, a few kilometers outside Cape Town just off the R27 where we had divine scones and hot coffee served by the ladies of Geelbek Restaurant.

En-Route we stopped at VanRhynsdorp for lunch at Letsatsi Lodge which is approximately 3h28 minutes from Cape Town.  Van Rhynsdorp was founded as Trutro (Troe-Troe) after the area was first explored by Europeans in 1661. The Trutro Mission homestead was completed in 1751 which still stands in VanRhynsdorp today. In 1881 the name of the town was changed to VanRhynsdorp. The town is located on the edge of the Nama Karoo an area of semi-desert succulent vegetation.  It is also well-known for its Quiver trees.
The mountains around the town were populated by San people, a group of late Stone Age hunter- gatherers. Examples of rock art still existing from that date today. This part of the world is known as the Knersvlakte and it is where a  third of the world’s succulents live and some of them here only.  The area at first seems to be a little dry and arid, but don’t let looks deceive, after the winter rains, the Spring flowers come up literally overnight. Sometimes for only 5 days at a time and open for up to 5 hours a day, but the region is famous for these blooms and it is what draws the people from all over the world in August every year.
Contact: Letsatsi Lodge: www.letsatsilodge.co.za.       

   .                                    
                    Namaquland spring flowers                                               Letsatsi Lodge Restaurant.

We then continued our journey as far as Lambert’s Bay where we saw Bird Island Nature Reserve which is a 3-hectare CapeNature reserve in Lambert's Bay, South Africa. It is an important breeding site for Cape gannets and crowned cormorants and really worth a visit.       Info: 071 657 5651

We then decided to have our lunch on the harbour edge at Isabella Restaurant which served amazing fish and chips and had a large variety of other foods suitable for all tastes.

After lunch our next stop was at Vredendal for Wine Tasting here we visited Teubes Family Wine Estate.

The tasting room welcomes both local and international visitors and is beautifully decorated with photo-graphs of the family and area, each one playing a very important role in every one of the tales behind each brand. With a spectacular view over the Lambert’s Bay harbour, you might find yourself captivated by the true West Coast hospitality and unmistakable quality of the wine made by the boutique family estate.

Nestled amongst the magnificent winelands of Vredendal you will find this premium organic estate and organic grape supplier.   www.teubeswines.co.za

Our next stop was Kotzerus where we were going to spend at least two days in this small hamlet in the Northern Cape. We were now welcomed by one of the Guest House owners where we would be having our breakfast the next morning. We were allocated to the various guest accommodations as we were 8
guides or Tour operators on this amazing educational to the Northern Cape. After settling in we were collected and taken to another Guest House where we were welcomed at their kookskerm (Boma)
for one of best potjiekos (Lamb stew) cooked for hours on an open fire with us all sitting around sipping Namaqualand red wine. After much chatting and laughter seeing the beautiful rising of the moon and stars in clear sky, we departed to our various guest houses.

                          At the ‘Kookskerm’  at night                         Morning Brunch & Picnic

The next morning we went to Nuwefontein Guest House where coffee and rusks were served as we
were going to have a lovely Namaqualand Brunch in an area under a very large Thorn tree called by
a San or Bushman name Dassieghane.  We duly arrived at a wonderful open area with tables and chairs under roof, a fire going with some people preparing our Breakfast. It was actually a farmer and his wife, whose property we were on for this wonderful place they had prepared for us.  
Chairs for relaxing and a large swing under the tree where we could just enjoy ourselves in the lovely fresh air of the Northern Cape. We also took a walk around in the area where we
could see for miles (km).  After relaxing and a fabulous breakfast (Brunch) and much chattering listening to all the stories about the area we set off home again to rest before our trip to the beach for sun downers.

Myself and one of the ladies took a lovely long walk through the hamlet (little village). Kotzerus was all
farmland before, and was divided into small plots about 12 and then there are 16 houses and a shop. Of these houses only 5 have permanent people staying in them.  The others are holiday or weekend getaways.  The rest  belong to some of the farms in the area.  There are wells in the dry riverbed that
used to have water running it about 150 years ago where the ‘trek’ famers used to bring their cattle or
sheep to drink water, hence the empty houses belong to various farms. This area is a very dry arid place and depending on the season, the farmers would trek (move) their animals to where they could get water or grass to eat.  This is still done in many parts of the Northern Cape still  today. Most of the area where we were still have gravel roads, but rather good roads.
It was lovely to see sheep and goats in a kraal by some of the houses, and also free range chickens. It is an ideal place to bring small children to come and visit, and see the animals and be absolutely safe to play in the street with no cars or bicycles to knock you over. It took many of us back to our childhood. We took many photographs and also met some of the locals living there.  The one family that own the shop made the best sausage we have ever eaten, fresh eggs and produce was available also homemade jams and preserves which we of course all bought to bring back home.

                        Garden in front of our cottage                            Beautiful Pots for plant

After 4pm we took off again in the 4x4 Overlander to go to the beach about 20 kilometers away from Kotzerus.  This was a real sandy road and we also saw some buck on the way. We even had some gates to open as one normally has on these large farms for their cattle and mostly sheep, as in this area.  I must say their meat in this area is tops. We duly arrived at the beach, although a bit chilly as it was not summer yet, but our host had a large selection of liquors and sherry available for us. The sunset was absolutely amazing. Normally they would have a Namaqualand Braai on the beach depending on the weather. So we instead went back home where we had homemade bread and wraps provided by our host and the owner of Nuwefontein Guest House, and lovely coffee. This was our last evening in this wonderful forgotten part of the Northern Cape which has some much to offer any visitor.  The hospitality and people were all so friendly and just could not do enough for us. The accommodation was great and the food out of this world.

                             
                       Northern Cape Sunset                                  Our happy travelers & Drivers

A weekend break away has been put together by myself and our Guide, for you also to experience the Northern Cape.. Do look at Corbett Tourism Consulting www.ctcmarketing.co.za   074 709 2502 for more information. Nuwefontein Gaste Huis / FaceBook or  Contact: Etienne 083 448 9625

The following morning we collected our preserves and sausage, and with smiling faces we left our wonderful friends behind hoping to come and visit again soon. This must really go on your bucket list to enjoy what we have lost in South Africa because of the developing of the cities and all the people. Here one can still enjoy the fresh air and the quiet tranquility of South Africa in the beautiful Northern Cape.

Driving off to the N7 which is the direct contact between South Africa and Namibia we turn right to go to Cape Town. After some driving we reach Clanwilliam where we stopped at Clanwilliam Lodge to do a quick site inspection of the Lodge and meeting the owner. Want a Moroccan experience at the Spa and beautiful spacious bedrooms, a large swimming pool with day beds, then this is for you.
Call Anne  027 482 1782 bookingscwl@gmail.com

                   Entrance of Clanwilliam Lodge                           Clanwilliam Lodge Lounge

Our last stop before getting back to Cape Town was Piekernierskloof Mountain Lodge just other side Citrusdal.  Here we had a site seeing inspection of their wonderful garden and their spacious Lodge, plus a Hot indoor pool and gym. 
After a  fabulous evening with great wine and a marvelous Dinner everyone had an early night to be ready for the last trek of your amazing Northern Cape educational.

Perched at the top of the Piekenierskloof pass, overlooking the charming town of Citrusdal, Piekenierskloof  Mountain Lodge delivers uninterrupted views of the spectacular Cederberg and genuine country hospitality. It is modern, yet cozy, with top-notch conferencing facilities and a choice of private suites and self-catering chalets overlooking lush rolling lawns and a sparkling outdoor pool.
Contact: 022 921 3574   www.piekenierskloof.co.za

We hope our information on this wonderful trip up to the Northern Cape will inspire more locals to visit
this area out of the flower season, as it has just as much to offer.  Our overseas visits who have been
to South Africa before and enjoyed the Garden Route, do contact us or look at our website for more
places in South Africa to visit on your next trip here.

We wish all our clients and Members a wonderful Spring and cannot wait for our beautiful summer weather to start when our beaches will be full, with all our visitors arriving from all over the world with whom we could share all these amazing places.

Warm regards, and God Bless,