Sep, 09
Vensterklip
While I was in Elands Bay I was told about a place called Vensterklip. It is 5 km’s from Elands Bay and has a small caravan park so thought I would go and check it out. I am so glad I did as, after having a scout round and chatting to some people who were camping there, I thought it would be a great place to spoil myself for the last 4 days of this part of my journey.
- Vensterklip.
Vensterklip is situated on the banks of the Verlorenvlei, which is one of the largest natural wetlands along the west coast of South Africa. It is also a designated Ramsar site of national importance and is home to more than 200 species of birds.
Vensterklip offers a choice of immaculately restored cottages for hire and luxury camp-sites each with private ablutions and braai area. There is a large modern Lapa with stunning views over the vlei, an open braai area and swimming pool.
- New Tin Kitchen Restaurant.
- 300 year old barn that houses the restaurant.
- Yellow wood bar.
The have recently opened the Tin Kitchen restaurant which serves local organic meat and fish dishes in and around a 300 year old barn. Shaded seating areas add to the relaxed rustic atmosphere and there is a cosy yellow wood bar to enjoy a drink or cappuccino.
They have also built a bird hide right on the vlei and I had a great time trying to get some decent photographs of the birds. This was a first for me and I was quite pleased with some of the shots.
- I am not sure what kind of bird this is..
- I believe this is a Heron?
I have posted more bird photographs on Flickr so if you would like to have a look you can click here.
- One can hire kayaks to have a good look round the vlei.
- My site with private ablutions in the back ground. Really great.
This is one site where I scored as they charge R100.00 per person per night which was fine for me but, I think, works out pretty expensive for 2 or 3 people. There was only one couple staying there for the first 2 nights and then I was on my own.
- Late evening view from my camp-site.
- Thought about my mother when I found this enormous caterpillar. She absolutely hated caterpillars.
There was a building near the entrance to Vensterklip that I kept meaning to ask about as I could not figure out what it was used for. It was only on the day of my departure that I found out that it is used by a local artist as a studio.
- “Wild Studio”
- Artist Mel Burger.
Mel has worked in the area for a number of years and works on commissions from the locals. He is multi talented and paints, sculpts and and works in steel.
All in all I had a fabulous stay at Vensterklip. I even tried a bit of fishing at a farm called Nuwerus about 3 km’s down the road. They have 2 cottages for hire also right on the banks of the vlei and the one can sleep up to 10 people at R600.00 per night.
- One of the Nuwerus cottages for hire.
I did not catch any fish but was lucky enough to get this photo of a Springbok.
Well that is about it for this part of my journey round the coast of South Africa. I am now back in Cape Town to work and earn some money in order to carry on, hopefully in October. I am going to do a post later this week on the highs and some of the lows of my journey from Alexander Bay to Elands Bay. After that I am going to keep my hand in by photographing and writing about places around Cape Town such as Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Simonstown etc.
