Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

LUTZVILLE (including Koekenaap)Formerly known as Vlermuisklip (“Bat Rock”), Lutzville is especially known for its quality wine,the lovely beach and sea and the magnificent wild flowers from late July to September.Lutzville and Koekenaap lie about 35 km from the beach, which offers many angling andcrayfishing opportunities.ADVENTURE AND SPORTOutdoor Activities: Angling, bird-watching, river cruises, canoeing, camping and hiking aresome of the activities offered by the area.ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALAEONTOLOGYSan Rock Art: The San Rock art site near Lutzville is close to the town. The paintings areprotected by an overhanging rock.CUISINELutzville Wine Cellars: Lutzville Wine Cellars invite visitors to taste some of the local winesThey also sell wine and souvenirs.FAUNA AND FLORASeal Island: Seal Island lies just off the coast, some 30 km from Lutzville. In addition to theseals, whales can also be seen off the coast from June to November.HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURESishen-Saldanha Railway Bridge: This railway bridge over the Olifants River is a uniqueconstruction and is well worth a visit.Vlermuisklip: (“Bat Rock”), the distinctive rock that gave the town its earlier name, is anational monument and makes a nice photograph.MALMESBURYMalmesbury, 65 km north of Cape Town, is the largest town in the Swartland area. Thepresence of a sulphur spring sparked the first development in the area and the first farmswere setlled here in 1703. The town was originally known as “Het Zwartland (“The BlackLand”) because of the natural vegetation of black rhinoceros bushes in the area. In 1829 thetown was renamed by the then Governor of the Cape, Sir Lowry Cole, in honour of his fatherin-lawSir James Harris, the first Earl of Malmesbury.Malmesbury is the centre of for sheep farming, grain and wine-production, as well as poultryrearing.ADVENTURE AND SPORTBiking trails, horse-riding, golf course and hiking: Enjoy a wide range of activities in theMalmesbury area.CUISINESugarbird Glazed Fruit Factory: The factory produces glazed fruit products and sells themdirectly to the public.Swartland Agri Info: The combined Tourism Bureau and wine-tasting centre is in an authenticold wheat mill.167