Mzanzitravel Magazine - Issue 9

Like Oudtshoorn, Uniondale was once a major ostrich farming district with a thriving wagon-building industry,
both now gone. Most of the farming in the district now focuses on sheep, tobacco angoras, seed, fruit and
wheat. Numerous activities can be enjoyed here, including scenic drives, cycling trails, 4x4 trails, hiking
trails and game viewing excursions. A nice route is the old wagon trail to Avontuur. Even a round of golf can
be enjoyed on the town’s rather unique golf course, set on Stoneleigh Country Estate on the outskirts of
Uniondale, but you have to watch out for angora goats and springboks on the fairway.
Then there is also the annual 100km Karoo to Coast mountain bike race from Uniondale to Knysna through
the Prince Alfred’s Pass, which attracts more than 4,000 cyclists. Nearby nature reserves include the Fort
Local Nature Reserve on the edge of town, Sustersdal Private Nature Reserve, EC Soetkraal Provincial
Nature Reserve, the Swartberg East Nature Reserve, Kammanassie Nature Reserve, and the eastern end of
the massive Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve.
Contact Info:
Call Uniondale Tourism on Tel +27 (0)44 752 1266, or email tourism@uniondale.co.za; or call Rico Classen
on Tel +27 (0)44 752 1076, or email uniondaleinfo@gmail.com.
Baviaanskloof
Uniondale via Willowmore is the eastern gateway to the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve, a World Heritage Site
and home to the biggest wilderness area in the country. It is also one of the eight protected areas of the Cape
Floristic Region. The Baviaanskloof mega-reserve covers 200km of unspoiled, rugged mountainous terrain
with spectacular landscapes hosting more than a thousand different plant species, including the Erica and
Protea families and species of ancient cycads.
Seven of South Africa’s eight biomes are represented within the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve – fynbos,
forest, grassland, succulent Karoo, Nama-Karoo, subtropical thicket and savanna. Baviaanskloof stretches
all the way from the edge of Route 62 to the Gamtoos Valley and beyond. The reserve straddles the border
of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces. A short distance outside Uniondale a gravel road branches off
to the right that can be followed right through the length of the reserve to Eastern Cape towns of Patensie
and Hankey. But check conditions before entering as the road is not a very good and better suited for 4WD
vehicles.
Baviaanskloof is renowned for its exceptionally beautiful hiking and 4X4 trails as well as superb mountain
biking opportunities, good game viewing, and bird watching.
Contact Info: Email:
Call the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency on Tel +27 (0)43 492 0881, or email info@ecpta.co.za.
Six hamlets and Joubertina
Upon leaving Uniondale along the R339 south of the town, you will re-join Route 62 after 7km. Continuing
east towards the Eastern Cape and the coast, you will pass through the tiny hamlets of Avontuur, Haarlem,
Misgund, Louterwater, and Krakeel before reaching Joubertina. Don’t be misled when the small town is
referred to as ‘The Big Apple’ – it has nothing in common with New York or any other big city, and the reference
is to its biggest export product and the many apple orchards that are found in the district. The town lies in the
lower part of the Langkloof valley, tucked in between the Krakeel, Wabooms and Twee Riviere rivers, and
between the Kouga, Baviaanskloof and Tsitsikamma Mountains.
Aesthetically not a very attractive town, it is the largest and youngest of the Langkloof towns. While the town
itself may be something of a Cinderella, its surroundings are awesome and beautiful. But spend a night
here and you will discover its unique soul. According to one travellers’ blog account you can buy milk at the
hardware store that also sells second-hand furniture, or buy rusks from the hairdresser, who also sells coffins
and bully beef. Not your usual kind of town.
FRANSCHHOEK
MOTOR MUSEUM
Visit the Franschhoek Motor
Museum and experience
the breathtaking design of
automobile where purpose
meets panache in impeccable
accord.
Open daily, by appointment
only.
Please phone 021 874 9002
for a booking or e-mail
fmm@fmm.co.za
L’Ormarins Wine Estate, R45
(33°52’18.79”S
18°59’54.64”E)
www.fmm.co.za