Sasol Roadside Guide - Discovering Nature along the N2

Authors: Chris Stuart, Tilde Stuart
Struik Publishers
Cape Town, 2005
Paperback, 17x23 cm, 160 pages, countless maps and photos

Description:

Ever wondered how that contorted rock face you just passed in your car was formed? Or what those sweeping fields of yellow plants that run for kilometres on either side of you are?

The name of the purple flowers lining the tar road, or those birds that appear every so often along your route, perched consistently on telephone poles? You will find the answers to these and many other similar questions that arise on long road trips between major centres in this book.

Sasol Roadside Guide – Discovering Nature along the N2 is the first in a series of guides that interprets the surrounding countryside – plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, agriculture, geology – that you drive through, providing insight into the land around us and adding interest to long and often tedious car journeys.

This volume takes readers from Cape Town through to Port Elizabeth, uncovering many aspects of the outside environment along the main N2 route and several scenic side-routes along the way.

Husband and wife team, Chris and Tilde Stuart, are best known for their various mammal field guides, but also for numerous other titles they have written on the natural environment of Africa.

They are founders of the African Carnivore Research Programme and the African-Arabian Wildlife Research Centre. They travel extensively and are involved in various research programmes dealing with carnivores and other animals.

Author’s note:

The inspiration for this book came from our travelling vast distances on long roads, and in the process seeing many things that were unknown or unclear to us.

We investigated these things and in some cases the answers we gleaned led to a series of new questions and we thought how nice it would be to be able to identify that rock structure, flowering plant, bird on the fence post, or strange mammal caught in the headlights.

At present the alternative is to carry a veritable library of field guides along with you. In this book we have taken a closer look at what the traveller can see along the N2 from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and on selected scenic side routes. We have not covered every side road and detour but this does not mean that you cannot.

You should also be aware that some things along the route may change. Obviously a mountain will certainly be there in your lifetime, but certain trees may be cut down, crops changed and sections may fall to the bulldozer and to the developer's pen. It is useful to read the brief introduction to each route before setting out; this highlights the geological, landscape, vegetation and agricultural features of each route.

You'll also find that many of the aspects and species we have covered for specific routes can also be seen on nearby roads that we have decided not to include. We have not set out to replace the many field guides on the market, but to present a more comprehensive overview of what you are seeing and to give a different perspective to your travelling time. If you have a particular interest in birds, take your normal field guide along to supplement information. This of course applies whether you are a birder, mammal watcher or tree spotter. Enjoy your travels!

Example: Mossel Bay to George

The N2 takes you down to the northern shore of Mossel Bay. The town of the same name has grown considerably in recent years, both as a base for the Mossgas refinery and offshore gas wells, as well as a developing tourist centre. The earliest European visitors were Portuguese sailor/navigators who made first landfall here in the fifteenth century. At the site of the museum in the town there is South Africa's best known white Milkwood tree, and a vast specimen it is, which was used by these sailors as a location for leaving messages for passing ships, hence its name of Post Office tree.

As you descend, you are rewarded with a magnificent view across the bay. In the distance, steep coastal cliffs and densely vegetated sand dunes fill your view. Sea-spray mist often rises up the seaward slopes and, besides rain and fog, is an important form of precipitation. It forms over surf and close to the ground in the late afternoon when strong offshore winds abate, and becomes increasingly dense by evening. Much of the moisture is deposited on the seaward slopes of sand dunes, but may also finger its way into estuaries and over other coastal low ground. This form of moisture is vital for the survival of sand-dune vegetation.

If you look straight over the bay, you will notice a small rocky islet, known as Seal Island, clearly visible in the foreground. It is best viewed when travelling from west to east towards George. The island is a barren outcropping of Table Mountain quartzites - the same as those that underlie the entire Mossel Bay and Great Brak River areas. It is a significant resting site for Cape fur seals and several hundred may rest here at times. They can be clearly seen through binoculars from the N2. The island becomes a great attraction to the great white sharks that cruise these waters. This is the only island in the bay and apart from being a hauling out spot for the fur seals, seabirds such as African Penguins and Cape Cormorants also roost here.

Over the next few kilometres beyond Mossel Bay, the coast is being opened up for development to the detriment of natural vegetation that the Garden Route is renowned for. Only small pockets of indigenous vegetation remain protected. You will notice bush-like Krantz Aloes in the road cutting. Further along, and still within sight of the town of Mossel Bay, you will encounter the crossing of the Hartenbos River. Unfortunately, this area is seeing burgeoning development of residential sites on both sides of the road. The Krantz and Bitter aloes become increasingly common across the coastal plain, eastwards, especially on slopes and in rocky places.

Trees here are mostly Rooikrans. The short, red plants on the mudflats, however, are salt-loving, indigenous Salicomias. These are common in most estuaries and saline-influenced lakes of the region and are particularly colourful in late summer and autumn. Black-headed and Grey herons, Cattle Egrets and Grey-headed Gulls are occasionally seen here. When the first Europeans arrived at the Cape, they did not enter an uninhabited wilderness. The first contact between Europeans and indigenous peoples occurred in 1488, and was recorded by Portuguese sailors of the Bartolomeu Dias expedition.

In 1497 another Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, obtained cattle in this area by bartering with the Khoekhoen. The journals of the early Portuguese sailor-explorers contain descriptions of their impressive herds. The records also describe numerous fires that were set by the Khoekhoen in order to stimulate new plant growth for both animal grazing and human food. The fires may also have formed a part of Khoekhoen hunting strategy.

As you continue your journey on the N2 further away from Mossel Bay you pass the turn-off (R328) to Oudtshoorn via the Robinson Pass to the north. A short stretch further (approximately 2 km), you will pass an Ostrich farm and pastures, to the north of the road. The innocuous-looking Ostrich should be treated with the greatest respect. Never enter its field or paddock unless accompanied by an expert as Ostriches can deliver a powerful kick.

Adult, male ostriches have black and white plumes, while females are a dull grey-brown. This colouration has developed because males usually incubate the eggs at night, and require no camouflage while females do so during the day, and must remain inconspicuous. As the near landscape close to the road opens up and becomes sandier, you will notice numerous heaps of soil; these have been pushed up by the Cape dune molerat. Bush thickets are dominated by Rooikrans, which are interspersed with dark-green-leaved White Milkwoods.

It will not be long before you reach the Great Brak River and its floodplain. Long white beaches stretch east towards the rocky headlands, south of George. Numerous pines have invaded the eastern slopes above the river, which is tidal at this point, hence the presence of Salicomia on the mudflats. A few kilometres beyond your first sighting of the Great Brak River floodplain you will encounter stands of tall, white to pink-flowered Water Tree Heath (Erica caffra}.

Water Tree Heath is one of the tallest species of heath in the area and should not be mistaken for any other erica species. It grows on the coastal plain and in areas of the mountain slopes and along road verges that penetrate the indigenous forests. Much of the surrounding country beyond the Great Brak River has been planted with vegetables, which are interspersed with irrigated and dry-land pastures.

Between the Maalgate and the Gwaaien River crossing, you may notice a substantial hedge of Krantz Aloes (Aloe arborescens) north of the road, along with tall stands of Queen of the Night cactus. From here to George, most of the land is used to produce vegetables and to farm dairy herds. The cattle feed on irrigated and dry-land pastures. The exit from the N2 to York Street (R102) will take you into the town of George.+

Content:

Authors' note
How to use this book

THE N2 ROUTE
Cape Tour to Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth

SCENIC ROUTES OFF THE N2
Gordon's Bay to Quoin Point
Oudtshoorn to Montagu - the Little Karoo
Eastern Little Karoo and the Langkloof
George to Oudtshoorn, Oe Rust and
Meiringspoort
Index

Also check the rich index:

Aalwyn Drift 152
aardvark 29,29
aardwolf 29
Aasvoelberg 42,43,47
Aasvoelkop 30
acacia species 88
Acacia cyclops
(Rooikrans) 11,
18, 18,27,41,51,
52,52,54,56,59,
84,92,99, 100, 102,
104,132
Acocio dealbata (Silver
Wattle) 58,83
Acacia karroo (Sweet
Thorn) 11,32,32,
34,36,37,82,85,
85,108,III, 121,
123,149, 151, 153
Acacia mearnsii (Black
Wattle) 27,28,28,
31,34,36,41,45,
58,83,132, 133,
141,147
Stunted 33
Addo Elephant
National Park 70
African agriculturalists 59
Afromontane forest 49
Agave (Sisal/Century
Plant) 41,59, 117,
149,150
agriculturalists, Xhosa-
speaking 13
agricultural settle-
ments 81
Agulhas
Bank 17
Current 103
Albany 60
Albertinia23,35,41,
42-^4
to Mossel Bay 44-47
Alders, Red (Cunonio
copensis) 93,95
Alexandria 60
dune-field 49
forest 12
Algoa Bay 49,84
Almonds.Wild (Brobe-
jum stallatifolium) 97
aloe-processing
factories 42
aloes 34,52
Aloe lineataSf
Bitter (Atoe ferox) 33,
39,40,40,41,42,
45,50,54,81,82,
116,119,134,141
Cliff/Krantz (Aloe
orborescens) 37,37,
45,46,50,54,56,57
Speckled (Atoe
microstigma) 108, 115
Tilt-head (Atoe
specioso) 33,81
Amalienstein mission
settlement 118
Amandelbosberg 39
animal
bedding 24
feed 25
fodder 24
antelope
blue buck 36
blue duiker 49
bontebok 35,35
Capegrysbok 105
eland 79
grey rhebok 27
klipspringers 153
springbok 112,f(2,
138
steenbokl05,121,(2/
Antonies Mountain
149
Anysberg 126
Appelbos stream 36
aquatic weed and algae
Spirogyro 65
Ashton 129
Aspolothus florifera SO
Attakwas 17, 149
Attaqua clan 59
Avontuur 143
Baardskeerdersbos 88
Babilonstoring
(Babylon's Tower) 26,
98
baboons 77,92, 153
Chacma (Savanna)
19, f9,79
Badskloofl30
Bailey Peak 118
barley (Hordeum
vulgare) 13,24,25
Barrydale 123, 126,
141
to Montagu 128-130
winery 128
Bartolomeu Dias
expedition 54
Bathurst 60
Baviaanskloof 20
beaches 49
Beacon Island 71
Bean bushes. South
American (Sesbonio
punicea) 31,31, 116,
117
Beaufort Group 9
Beech tree, Cape
(Roponeo metano-
phtoeos) 52,97
Beefwood,Australian
36
Casuarina cunning-
hamiana 11,34
Casuarina equisetifolia
21
bees, African honey 85,
85
Benguela Current 103
Bergkraaltjies (Crossuto
rupestris) 117, 117.
123-124, 125
Berlin Mission 118
Berry (bessie) bushes
Common Wild
Currant (Rhus
pyroides) 132
Dune Currant (Rhus
(oevigoto) 132
Karree (Rhus lancea)
151
Kuni, Blue (Rhus
glauca) 35,89
Nana Berry (Rhus
dentate) 132
Betty's Bay 87,96
birding spot 62
Bishop, Red 36,41, 129
Bitou River 71
Black Bass Vlei 87
Blesberg 87
'Bleshoender' railway
siding 65
Blombos (Metotosia
muricoto) 97-98, 100
Blood Flower
(Haemanthus coc-
dneus) 106
Bloukrans River 50
gorge 75-76
Blousteenberge 87
Bobbejaans River 50,
74
gorge 75
Boesmans Drift 153
Bokkeveld
formation 105
group 9,72, 143
rocks 125-126
shales 17,47,72
Bokmakieries, see
Shrikes
Bo-Langvlei 64
Bontebok National
Park 35
Boskloof Peak 87
Bot River 23,36
estuary 98, 99
wetland 100
Botterboom/Butter
Tree (Tyiecodon
ponicutotus) 122
Bottle Brushes
(Alimetes) Australian
Weeping (Collistemon
viminalis) 83
Mimetes cucullatus 19
Bracken (ferns) 49,51,
63
Preridium aquilinum
19,135. f35
Brak River 44
Bramble (Rubus
pinnotus) 134,135,138
Bredasdorp28,41, 106
Bredasdorpberge 30
Breede River 34,88
valley 25
brewing industry 25
Bristle Bush
(Metotosio) 23
buck, see antelope
buffalo 76, 77
Buffelsjachts
homestead 106
Buffelsjags River 35,36
vineyards 25
Buffels River 95
Buffelstalberg 87,95
Bulbuls
Cape 94,96
Red-eyed 153
Bull Point 149
Bulrushes (Typho
lotifolia) 102, 135, 136
Buntings, Cape 153
bushpig 49
Bush-tick Berry
(Chrysonthemoides
monilifero) 36, 39,42,
44,45,46,50,52,71,
84,92,9.?, 106, 133,
134
Butterfly.African
Monarch/Milkweed
III
Buttertree (Botter-
boom) (Tyfecodon
ponicutotus) 144
Button Bush
(Brunioceoe) 90, 90
Buzzards
Forest 19,20,62,63,
76
Jackal 31,34,45,63,
63,76,95,96,97,
100,102, 103,113,
122,125,132, 134,
141, 146,149
Steppe 19,20,25,26,
27,30-31,34,35,
41,45,63,69,76,
78,83,84,95, 100,
103,106,132,134,
141,150
C
Cabbage Trees
(Cussonio) 153
cactus. South
American/Queen of
the Night (Cereus
jomocoru) 45,46,57
Caledon 26-29,23
agriculture 25-26
Mountain 27, 30
to Swellendam 31-35
vineyards 25
Calitzdorp9, 113, 141
to Ladismith 115-121
Camphor.Wild
(Torcfiononthus
comphorotus) 51, 136
Candlewood, Red
(Pterocelostrus
rostrotus) 97
Cango
Caves 110
River 150
canoe trail 62
canola 13, 14,24
Cape Agulhas 49,88,
89, 106
Cape Flats 17
Cape Floral Kingdom
10,66
Cape Folded Belt 7-8,
23,26,34,49,80,87,
117,130,143
Cape granite 8
Cape Hangklip 90
Cape Peninsula 7, 17,92
Cape Spurfowl
(Francolin) 101-102.
105,106
Cape St Francis 80
Cape Supergroup 7,8,9
Cape Town 7
caracal 49
Castor Oil Bush
(Ricinus communis)
116, 117,153
Cat-thorn (Scutio
myrtino) 52
cattle 15,35,39,80,91,
115, 134
Bonsmara 45
Brahman 15
Drakensberger 15
Friesland/Holstein
15,31,32,37
Guernsey 32,133
Jersey 15, f5.31.36,
128,133
Nguni 15
Simmentaler 15
cellular masts 39, 147
Cephalaria humilis 69
Ceres 34
Chainoqua clan 59
charcoal-producing
plant 133
Chat
Ant-eating 29,29,124
Familiar 92
Cherry tree. Cape
(Cossine oethiopico) 52
Chestnut tree. Cape
(Cotodendrum
copense) 50,51,58
Chinese Lantern
(Nymonio copensis)
109,113,116,147
CloetesPass37,49,121
clovers 24
coastal belt 10
coastal zones 98
Cochoqua clan 59
Compagne River 36
Cone/Yellow Bush 76,
97,100,134,135,
141,145
Leucadendron
coniferum 23,90,
102
Leucodendron
gondogeri 20,90
Leucodendron
(oereolum 18,74,76
Leucadendron
meridianum 23,90,
105
Leucodendron
microcepnolum 20
Leucadendron
solignum 35-36,41,
132, 139,144
Leucodendron
uliginosum 144
Coot, Red-knobbed
65,65,99, 100,139,
141
Cormorants
Cape 54,92,94,95,
104.105
Reed 71,84, 100,
104.106
White-breasted 71,
73,84,95, 100,104,
106
Cotton Bush (Ascfepios
cancelloto)39,112,123
Crane, Blue 26.27,2 7,
30,31,41
Cretaceous era 72
Crows, see olso Ravens
Cape (Black) 25,26,
27,30,31,35,41,
45, 113,124, 125,
133,138
Pied 18,25,26,27,
31,35,41,45, 106,
113,124, 125, 133
da Gama.Vasco 54-55,
66
Dagga.Wild (Lion's
Claw/Minaret flower)
(Leonods ocymifbto) 150
daisies
Berkheyo barbata 98
Othonna quinque-
dentoto 98
Ovenbush/Gnatbush
(Conyzo ivaefolia)
139-140
Dam Drift 153
dassies/rock hyraxes
91,101,122, 153
De Hoop Nature
Reserve 87, 101
Dekriet Railway Siding
42
den Damme, Helena 33
De Rust 9,143,150,(50
DeVasselot Nature
Reserve 78
Devil's Peak 7, 19
Die Kelders 104, 105
Diep River 132, 133
Diepwalle State Forest
75
Dolphin Point 61
dolphins 61,98, 101
bottle-nosed 92
common 92
Doring River 141
Doves
Cape Turtle 69, 106,
133,150
Laughing 106, 150
Namaqua 125
Drakenstein 13
Drongo, Fork-tailed 32,
41,62,69,78,80
Ducks
South African
Shelduck 113, 113
Yellow-billed 100, 141
dunes 105
Duiwelsgat 104
to Quoin Point 105-
106
Duiwenhoks River 38
Dutch Reformed
Church 118
Dutch settlers 13
Dwyka Group 9
Eagles
African Fish 122, 123
Black-chested Snake
122,123,125
Black (Verreaux's)
76,76, 153
Booted 138, f 38
Martial 122, / 23, 125
Ecca
Group 9
Pass 9
Egrets
Cattle 35, 36.41,54,
73,73,80,84, 128,
133, 135,139,141
Little 65,69,99, 100,
106
Elandsberge30.49.81
Elandshoek 129
Elands River 77
Elandsvlakte Peak 143
elephant 70, 70
Elgin 13,20
Enon
formation 9, 143
gravels 110, 143
group rocks / / 6
hills 109, (09,111,149
Ericas, see under Heath
estuaries 99, 133
eucalypti 18, 19,22,
27,31,34,36,37,39,
41,63,88, 100, 102,
123, 139,141,144
Australian Blue Gum
(Eucalyptus globulus)
22, 134
Red Flowering Gum
(Eucalyptus fidfolia)
20,2f.45.69,94
River Red
Gum/Murray Red
Gum (Eucalyptus
camaldulensis) 22
Sydney Blue Gum
(Eucalyptus soligno)
22
Euphorbias 108
Honey 81
Tree 80,81,81
Everlastings
Pink (Phaenocoma
prolifero) 92, 100
White (Helichrysum)
93,101
False Bay 17, 18,86
False Dodder (Cossytho
ciliolote) 93-94,94
farming 13-14
Ferns,see Bracken
Figs
Broom Cluster (ficus
sur) 153
Veld (Rcus burtt-
dovyi) (52
fish, kob 80
floods 130
Formosa Nature
Reserve 74
Fountain bush (Psoroleo
pinnoto) 93, 135
foxes 28
Bat-eared 26,28,28,
114.141
Cape 26, 28, 114
Francolin, see Cape
Spurfowl
Franschhoek 13
Franskraal se Berge 105
fruit
almonds (Prunus
amygdalus) 127
apples 13, f3,20,
I 14,126,135, f36,
139
apricots (Prunus
armeniaca) 13,40,
114,119,128,139
grapes I 14
nectarines (Prunus
persico) 20, 127
peaches 13,20,36,
40, 114,126,127,
128,129,138, 139
pears 13,20, 1 14,
126,128, 136
pineapples 13
plums (Prunus
domestfco) 20, 114,
127
fruit-growing 13,50
citrus 13,36
deciduous 20,40,
114,127
dried I 14
harvesting 2 /
picking 129
stone f4, 114,127
fynbos (Cape
Heathland) 10-13,52,
58,59,61,74,88,117
coastal 88
coastal strandveld 23
Elim 88
fire damage 66
limestone 88
lowland 23
mountain 18,23, 35,
74,76,79, 108, 119,
144
renosterveld 23
G
game farming 39, I 15,
121
Gamka
Mountain Nature
Reserve 111
River 115, I 16, 149
Gamtoos River 34,47,52
valley 81,84
Gannets, Cape 92,94,
105
Gansbaai88, 104-105
Garcia's Pass 37, 122,
124
Garden Route 49, 50
Geese
Egyptian 30, 30,35,
65, 100, 133,135,
139,141
Spur-winged 100, 135
genets, small-spotted 26
geological forces 8
geology 7-9
George 53-58, 145
to Knysna 58-69
to Oudtshoorn 145-
149
Geraniums, Wild (Pelar-
gonium tetrogonum)
97, 136
goats (14
Angora 15,144, 145
Boerbok 15,83,84,
84,115
golf courses 73
Gonna (Posserino) 23
Gordon's Bay 18,87,
91
harbour 91
to Duiwelsgat 91-
105
Goshawk, Pale
Chanting 113, 123,
125,126
Goukamma
Nature Reserve 62
River 62,64
River bridge 63
Goukou River 40
Gouriqua clan 59
Gouritz River 34,44,
45,47,49,50,115,149
gorge 45
valley 47
Grabouw 20
fruit-growing 13, 20
plantation 19
Grahamstown 9
grain 13
cultivation 31, 39
silos 24
grainlands 27,33,35,
36,91, 129
granite batholith 57
Grass
Finger (Digitaria
eriantha) 63
Fountain (Penro'setum
setoceum) 31,31,
36,92, III. 112,
113,115,128,
149
Kikuyu (Pennisetum
c/andestinum) 34,
36,37
Red (Themedo
triandra) 27, 31
Great Brak River 53,
56,57
floodplain 56
Great Fish River 34
Great Karoo 108
Great (Groot)
Swartberg 109, I 18,
143,147,149
Greyton 27
Groenvlei 62,64
Groothagelkraal 88,
105
Grootkloof Clinic 138
Groot River 50,78,81,
123,143,151,153
gorge 74,75
Grootvlei 87
Groot Winterhoek
range 49-50
Guarri
Blue Guarri (Eucleo
crispo) 41, 82
Common Guarri
(Euclea undulata)
41,52,82,83, 108,
109,III,115,116,
I 19, 125, 126, 144,
147,149
Sea Guarri (Eucleo
rocemoso) 89
Gulls
Cape 58,62,65,69,
71,73,75,75,94,
99, 100,101,105,
106
Grey-headed 54,62,
75
Hartlaub's 75, 92, 94,
95,99,101,106
gum trees, see
eucalypts
Guinea-fowl, Helmeted
150
Guriqua clan 59
Gwaaien River 57
hakeas
Australian (Hated
sericeo) II, 141
Silky (Hokeo
acicularis) I I, 141
Hangklip 87
Hanke/81
Hare, Scrub 26
Harkerville State
Forest 69
Harold Porter
Botanical Garden 96
Harriers
African Marsh 65
Black 25,26,27
Hartebees River 102
Hartenbos River 54
Hawston 99
hay 24
Heath (Ericas) 12, 20,
23,52,90, 119
Bottle {Erica retorto)
90
Erico canalkulata 69-
70,71,75,76, 132,
133,135
Erico delidosa 74
Erica densifolia 145,
145
Erica longiaristata 90
Erico mammosa 20
Erico pfutenettii 20
Erica speciosa 145
Prince ofWales Erica
perspicuo) 90
Water Tree (Erico
coflro) 56
heathland, Cape, see
fynbos
Heidelberg 37-39
herbaceous plants 51
herbs
Dill (Anethum
groveoleus) 37
Fennel (Foeniculum
vulgare) 37,38,41
Hermanus 9,49, 100
Herons
Black-headed 30,41,
45,54,78,80,83,
84,119,120, 128,
133,150
Grey 54,65, 65, 69,
73,84,99, 100, 135,
139,141
Hessequa clan 59
hide tanning industry
133
hippos 47,47
Holocene era 63
Honey Tea Bush
(Cydopio genistoioes) 19
hops (Humulus lupulus}
144,145,146
Hottentots Holland
Mountains 13, 16, 17,
87,91
Nature Reserve 18
Houhoek Pass 20,23
Huis River
hills 109
Mountains 129
Pass 113,116, 143
Humansdorp 28,52,
70,80, 132
coastal plain 78
plantations 13
to Port Elizabeth 80-
85
ibis
Hadeda 41,73,78,
80,84, 119, 133
Sacred 41,65,73,73,
80,84, 119, 133, 139
Indian Ocean 7,20,45,
49,50, 149
indigenous forest 33,
35,74,76
Infanta 49
Ironwood
Pock (Chiononthus
toveototus) 89
Jacket-plum tree
{Pappea capensis 108,
III,144,147
Jeffreys Bay 49
Jojoba 119, (20
Jongensklip 30
Joubertina 132, 136
K
Kaaimans
forest belt 50
River 50,61
River estuary 58, 61
River Pass 58
Kabeljous River 47,
80-81
Kammanassie range
143
Kanonpunt 149
Kareedouw 49,77,
132,133
Karoo Boer-bean
(Schotio afro) 52,82
Karoo bossieveld 148
Karoo shrubs
(karoobossies)
Ankerkaroo (Pentzio
incono) 113
Geelbietou
(Osteospermum
sinuatum) 113
Kapokbos/Cotton
Bush (Eriocephalus
ericoides) 113
Karoo Supergroup 9
Karringmelk River 37
Kestrels
Lesser 25,41
Rock 18,25,45,78,
84,96,97,100, 102,
106,113,123,125,
134,149,150
Keurbooms River 44,
71,72, 143
estuary 52
Nature Reserve 74
State Forest 74
Keurboomstrand 74
Keurboom tree (Virgilia
oroboides} 52,52,69,
72,74,96,98
Khoekhoen
pastoralists 13,55,59
Kingfishers
Giant 62
Pied 62,62,65,69,
71,84
Kite, Black-shouldered
83,97,103,105, 106,
113, 129, 138.146,
150
Kleinmond 20,98-99
Klein River estuary 88,
91,102
Kleinriviersberge 30,
102
Conservancy 102
Klein (Little)
Swartberg40, 110,
118, 123
Knysna 51,67-69, 143
coast 49
estuary 63,68,68
Forest 12
Heads 50, 68
Oyster Festival 68
plantations 13
River 51
River bridge 69
to Stormsriver 69-77
waterfront 6 7
Koeel Bay/Spark's Bay,
see Kogel Bay
Kogel Bay (Koeel
Bay/Spark's Bay) 94
Kogelberg 87
Biosphere Reserve
20,97
Nature Reserve 95
Kogman's Kloof 129,
130
KoppieAlleen 87
Kouga
Dam 81
Mountains 134, 149
River 81, 132
Kraalbos/Geelbos
(Galenia africana) 109,
117, 126
Krom River 47, 135
Kruippoort 121
Kruis River 40
Kruis River's Nek 143
Ladismith40, 121, 141
to Barrydale 121-128
Ladismith-Klein Karoo
Nature Reserve 121
Lake District 64
lakes, Cape 64
Landshoogte 71
Langeberge 13, 17,31,
33, 35,36,37, 38,39,
121
range 127, 129,149
Langkloof 132
medicinal plants 137
mountain range 49
Langschmidt.Wilhelm
20
Langvlei 59, 64
Lapwings/Plovers
Blacksmith 73,73,
100,133, 135
Crowned 73
Leewenbosch River
80
leopard 49
lianas 51
lichen 76, 128, 153
Old Man's Beard
(Usnia spp.) 75, 77
Lightfoot, Hannah 67
Lily, Blue (Agopontfius
proecox) 58,58,63
Lion's Head 7, 19
Little Karoo 36,37,40,
108
Dorpers (sheep) 15
fruit-growing 13
karroid vegetation 13
ostrich farming 31,42
Valley 116
Little Swartberg 117
livestock 15
Letterings River 76
Loutewater River 138
lucerne 38,38,41, 114,
145,150
lupins 24
M
Maalgate River 57,57
maize (Zeo mays) 13,
24,25,35, 141
MalgasFerr/34,34
Malkopsvlei 87
Malva (Anisodonteo
scobroso) 95-96
Martins, Rock 25,34,45
Matjies River 110
medicinal plants 137
Meiringspoort 143,
151-153
Mesembryonthemum
(Vygies) 108,111
Milkbush (Euphorbio
mauritanka) III,
125,144, 147,149
Milkweed (Asctepios
fruticosa) 123
Milkwoods 103
dwarfed 89
White (Sideroxyton
inerme) 51,53,56,
59,62,63,89,97,
102,105, 106
Mimetes 20
Mimetes hirtus 89,98
Paintbrushes
(Mimetes) 89
'Rooistompie' (Mime-
tes cocullotus)
20,22,89,97, 100
Misgund 138
Molerats
Cape dune 18,41,
42,56, 103
Common 138
Mongooses 26
Small Grey 114, 133
Suricate 114, 114
Montagu 129
hot springs 130
Pass 141, 143
wine estates 13
Mossel Bay 9, 17,26,
32,34,37
ostrich abattoir 42
plantations 13
to George 53—57
view of 55
Mossgass refinery 53
Mount Ararat 118
mountains
map of 8-9
passes 37
mouse, striped 92, 93,
105
Mouth Walk 78
Myrtle, Australian 41,
44
N
national bird 27
Nature's Valley 78
Nels River bridge 115
Nooiensboom Drift 153
0
Oak, English Quercus
robur 13,30,33,100,
128,141
oats 13,24,24, 110
offshore gas wells 53
Oleander,
Mediterranean
(Nerium oleander) 84,
116,117, 117
Olifants River ) (8,
145,149
olive plantations 32,
32,40
Olives
Dune (Oleo
exosperoto) 89
False (Suddleja
saligna) 51
Sand (Dodonoea
ongustifolio 110,
136,137,141,147,
150,151
Wild (Oleo europaeo)
89
onions 25
Onrus Conservancy
100
Ontploffings Drift 153
Op De Tradouw Pass
128
orchids, epiphytic 51
Ostriches III, 119,
141,147
abattoirs 42, 115
camps 110
farming 15,31.36,
37,39,42,44,55,
108,115,145,149,
150
Otter Trail 78
Oudemuragie 150
Oudtshoom9,149-150
military base 109
toCalitzdorp 109-
115
to De Rust 149-
150
Outeniqua
Mountains 17,44,45,
63,69, 143
Pass 50,143,145
plantations 13
range 109
snowfalls 36
steam train 63
Overberg (Ruens) 13,
23
Owl, Spotted Eagle
113, 124,124
oyster beds 68
Oystercatcher, African
Black 95, 95, 105
Palaearctic migrants 73
Palaearctic waders 69,
69,106
Palmiet River 20
bridge 98
estuary 97
Patensie 81
Pearly Beach 88, 105
Pelargonium Tree
(Pelargonium
cucu/lotum) 97
Penguin, African
(jackass) 54,96, 96
Pepper Tree (Schinus
mote) 149,151
Perdekaroo/Gombossie
(Pteronio) 109, 123
Perdekop 98
perlemoen (abalone)
97
Perskeboom Drift 153
Pigeon, Speckled
(Rock) 34,45,76,92,
94,96,98, 149,153
Pig's Ear (Plakkie)
(Cotyledon orbiculota)
III, 137,147
pincushions 94, 100
Kreupelhout
((.eucospermum
conocorpodendron)
18.95,97,98,102
Proteas
(Leucospermum
bolusii) 93
Proteas
(Leucospermum
cordifofium) 97
Tree (Leucospermum
eucolyptifolium) 20
Tree (Leucospermum
oleifolium) 95,97
Pines 18, 19,22,27,30,
31,35,39,41,51,63,
132,141, 144
Aleppo (Pinus
hofepensis)22,133,
146
Black (Pinus nigro) 22
Central American
Patula (Pinus potula)
22
Cluster (Pinus
pinaster) 74,100,
102,132,146
European Cluster
(Pinus pinaster) 11
Monterey (Pinus
radiBtB)22, 138
Radiata 138
Umbrella (Pinus
pineo) 22
Plane trees (P/otanus
sp.) 62
Pleistocene era 72
Plettenberg Bay 49,52,
69,70-76,101
Plumbago 62,82
blue-flowered
(Plumbago auricu-
(ota)52,59,82
polecat, striped 44, 133
polo fields 73
Pomegranates 115
Yellow (Rhigozum
obovotum) 112
poplars
Grey (Populus
conescens) 34, 110,
128,139,141,153
Italian/Lombardy
(Populus nigra) 32,
110.138.f39
White (Populus olbo)
110,139
Port Beaufort 36
Port Elizabeth 13,49
Post Office tree 53,56
Potberg 30
Prickly Pears 81-82,82
South American
Sweet (Opuntio ficus-
indica) 81
Pride-of-De-Kaap
(Sauhinia galpinii) 59,
63
Prince Alfred's Pass 50,
143
Pringle Bay 87
Proteas (see also
Pincushions, Sugar-
bush) 12,23,36,66,
90
Aulax pallasia 25, 102
Aulox umbellota 25,
97,98, 102
Black-bearded/Blue
(Protea neriifolio)
93,96, 144
Bot River (Protea
compocto) f2,89
Burchell's (Protea
burchellii} 19
commercial harve-
sting 23
Edmondia pinifolia 25
Wagon Tree
(Waboom) (Protea
nitido) 19,20,92,
93,96, 134, 135,
135,147,153
Puntjie 38
Q
Quoin Point 88,89,106
Rankals (Hippio) 26
Raptors 122-123
Ravens, see also Crows
White-necked 18,25,
32,76,78,84,100,
102,103,113, 125,
133,134,138,146
reeds, see restios
Remkloof 81
Renosterbos
(Bytropoppus
rhinocerotis) 26,27,
33,34,39,40, 110,
128, 137,139
restios 12,12, 19,23,
100,102, 119
Common Reed
(Phragmites
oustrofis) 31,36,59,
62,71,80,81,95,
100,III,(;8,134,
135,136
Dekriet (Thatching
Reed) 41,42, 43
Palmiet Reed 135,
136
Spanish Reed (Arundo
donax) 149,149,
150
Rex, George 67
River Honey-thorn
(Lyciuin hirsutum)
III,115,116, 125,
149
rivers 34
Riversdale 13,23,37,
40-42
Riviersonderend 17,
23,31,32,36
Mountains 30,31,33
Robberg 71
Nature Reserve 101
Peninsula 70-71
Robertson
Pass 37,50,55
wine estates 13
rock formations 7-9
Rock Lobster 97
Rondevlei 64
Rooiberg range 109,
118
Rooiels 95
peak 87
River 95
Rooikrans, see under
Acacia species
Rooiuitspanning Drift
153
Ruens, see Overberg
rye 13
Salicornia 54,56,65,
106
Saltbush, Australian
(Old Man's) (Atriplex
nummulorio) 33, 119
San (Bushman) 59,79,
149
Sand Drift 153
sand-dunes, parabolic
63
Sandgrouse, Namaqua
124,124
sandstone strata 27
Scabious shrub
(Scobiosa columbaria)
69, 133
Schoemanshoek 110
scrub hare 133, 133
scuba diving 78
sea horse
{Hippocampus capen-
sis) 68
seal. Cape fur 53-54,
92,93,96, 101
Seal Island 53
seaweed (kelp, sea
bamboo) 95
Giant Kelp {Ecklonia
maxima) 97
Kelp (Lominaria
poffido) 97
Sedgefield51,59
sedge meadows 65
Seekoei River 47
Serpentine River 59
Seweweekspoort 118,
119, 119
Shark, Great White
104,104
Shaw's Mountain 26
sheep 114
Dorper 15,115,123,
125, 133,145
Merino 15,23,26,27,
31,35,36,91, 115,
133,145
Shrikes (Bokmakieries)
103,106
Fiscal 30,30,35,62,
69,73,80, 106, 129,
133,150
Simonstown 96
Sir Lowry's Pass 16,
17, 18,20
Sisal Bush, see Agave
Skans Drift 153
Skelmskloof Drift 153
Slagkloofsberg 129
Slangbos (Stoebe
plumose) 96
snorkelling 78
snowfalls 36
Soetmuisberge 30
softwood
plantations 19, 144,
145
trees 11
Somerset West 17
toCaledon 17-29
sorghum (Sorghum
bicofor) 13,24,25,38
Sour Figs 100
Corpobrotus
acinaciformis) 91
Corpobrotus edulis 91,
100,136.137
magenta 136
Sout River bridge 74
Sparrows
Cape 41
House 98
Spekboom (Portulocorio
ofro)52,82,83, 108.
115,116,119,144,
147,151
Spitskop 72
Spoonbill.African 100,
(00,141
springs, hot water 125
Stanford 102
Starlings
Cape Glossy 84
Pied 26,27.30,41,
47, 102,113,124,
125,129,134, 138,
141,146, 150
Red-winged 25,34,
45,76,84,92,94,
96,99, 113,124,
146,153
Steenboks
Mountain 26
River 102
Steenbras
Dam 18, 19,91
River 93, 94
River mouth 94
Stellenbosch 13
St Francis Bay 49
Still Bay 40,41,49
Stilts, Black-winged 141
Stinkwoods 49
Stony Point 95,96
Storks
European White 30,
78, 138
White 31, 35,41,41,
45,69,83, 119, 132,
150
Storms River 34,50,77
bridge 76,79
gorge 79
Mouth 49,78
to Humansdorp 77-79
Stormsvlei 32
straw 31
St Sebastian Bay 49
Sugarbird, Cape 25,25
Sugarbush, see also
Proteas
Blue-bearded (Protea
neriifolia) 18, (8, 19,
20,41,77,78,89,
144,145
Bredasdorp (Protea
obtusifolio) 90
Green-head (Protea
Coronoto) 52
Long-bud (Proteo
oureo) 144
Real (Proteo repens)
25,41,44,78,88,
92,96,97, 100, 134,
135,137,137, 138,
139,145
White (Protea mundii)
74,74, 145
Sunbirds
Lesser Double-
collared 25
Malachite 25, 90
Orange-breasted 25
South africa
Suurberg 9
Suurbraak 36
'suurings' (Oxofi's pescoprae) 144
Swallows
Barn (European) 27,
35,36,41,76,83,
84,100,106, 113,
132,138
White-throated 106
Swartberg
Pass 107
range 109,151
Swartkransberg 105
Swartland bread wheat
13
Swart River 52,80
Swartvlei 59,64, 64
estuary 65
Sweet Briar/Wild Dog
Rose (Rosa rubigi-
noso) 138, f38
Sweet Thorns, see
under acacia species
Swellendam 13,23,25,
32,32,33-35,37
to Albertinia 35-44
Swellengrebel, Hendrik
33
Swift, Alpine 25,45
Table Mountain 7.7, 17
geological features 7
quartzites 7,8, 17,
19,20,26,43,47,
49,50,53,72,74,
80,87, 110,116,
121,129,143
'tablecloth' clouds 18
Table Mountain Group
(TMG) 8,9
tannin 28, 133
Tergniet 95
termites, snouted 27,
29,39
terns 95, 106
Caspian 62,71, 100,
106
Tertiary period 43,72
Thrush, Cape Rock 94
timber industry 58,
133
Tit, Cape Penduline
148
Tobacco
Nicotiono tobocum 60,
60, 114
South American Wild
117
Tortoises
Angulate 103, f03
Leopard 111, N(,135
Parrot-beaked 111
Tent I I I
Touw River 62
Touwsberg /20
Towerkop/Toorkop
Peak 121
Tradouw Pass 36, 37,
128
Tree Crassula (Crossulo
arborescens) 119, 125,
144
Tree Euphorbias 52,
81,8f
Tsitsikamma
coastline 48,49
foothills 133
forest 12
Mountains 17,69,78,
132
National Park 77,78
range 49
River 47
Uilenskraal River
estuary 106
Uitspan Drift )5), 153
Uniondale 146
van Caerden, Paulus 56
van der Stel, Simon 13
Van Stadens River 50
bridge 52,83,84
VanWyksdorp 121,122
vegetable farming 60
vegetables
chicory (Chicoria
intybus) 60
onions (Allium cepo) 60
potatoes (Solonum) 60
vegetation 10-13
alien 11
exotic plants/trees
eucalypts 18
exotic 11,18
indigenous 40
karroid 13, 108
valley bushveld 52
Veldmanswerf 129
Vet River 40
Victoria Bay 58
Villiersdorp 26
vineyards 13, f4,25,
)f5,126,128,129
VIees Bay 49
volcanic rock 57
Vulture, Cape 30
Vygies, see
Alesembryonthemum
W
Waboomsberg 129
Walker Bay 49, 100,
101
Fynbos Conservancy
103
walking trails 62,74,78
Warmwaterberg 121,
125,126
Wasgat Drift 153
Waterfall picnic site
153
Waterlily, Blue
(Nymphoeo copensis)
58
watsonias 19, 102
Pypie (Wotsom'o
ofetroides) 132
'Suurkanol' (Wotsonio
borbonico) 23
Wotsonio tongifolio 84
Wotsonio schfcchteri 23
Wattles 11
Black (Acocio
meornsii) 27,28,28,
31,34,36,41,45,
58,83, 132, 133,
141,147
Long-leaved 99
Silver (Acacia
deolboto) 58,83
Weavers 41
Cape 36
Masked 134, (35,
146
Werner Frehse Nature
Reserve 40
wetlands 64, 100
whales 98
southern right 46,
92, 101,101
spotting 101
wheat 13,23, 141
wheatlands 35
Whiskey Creek
Nature Reserve 74
Wild Currant (Rhus}
39,40,41
Wilderness 50,61,6;
National Park 59
wild flowers 23
Wild Tobacco
(Nkotiana gfauco) 116
Willowmore 151
Willows
Karee (Rhus fonceo)
110
Port Jackson 36,41,
51,84,99, 100, 102
Weeping/Eurasian
110,128
winds 18, 19
berg (mountain) 51
wine
grape production
113-114
industry 13
Wit Els Bosch 70
Witpoort Formation 9
Witsand 49
Witteberg
Group 9
rocks 126
Witteklip River 76
Wolfdoring/Wolf
Thorn, see River
Honey-thorn
Worcester 25
Yellowwood 12,49,75
Outeniqua (Small-
leaved) (Podocorpus
fofcotus)51,76
Real (Podocorpus
latifolius. 51,5
timber 33
Zebra, Cape mountain
III
Zoar mission village
118