DE VLUGT A breath of fresh air
This off-the-radar Western Cape town, 55km north of Knysna, is the ideal breakaway from the Garden Route’s holiday hordes. Nick Yell highlights what to do around the area
1 DRIVE THE REMAINDER OF THE PRINCE ALFRED PASS
To get to De Vlugt, you need to drive about half of this spectacular pass; but after sampling some of the hamlet’s offerings you may as well complete the journey to Avontuur (19km) and beyond through the Gwarna Mountains to Uniondale (10km). If you don’t want to return the same way, head west from Uniondale (N9) and take the dirt track turn-off to De Vlugt (P1660) after 24km. If you’d rather be driven in and out and catered for in De Vlugt, call Heinz Grossklaus on 071-576-8336 or e-mail h@knysnaklaus.co.za
2 PLAASKIND PADSTAL
Welcoming owner Adri van Rooyen makes mean moer koffie as well as light meals, breakfast and cakes, all of which can be enjoyed in the ample shade of an old ficus tree. You’ll also find a gift shop and an eclectic range of bric-a-brac plus some local produce including preserves and goat’s cheese. In time to come, she will also be offering overnight accommodation in Thomas Bain’s old house.
3 PIETERSRIVIER NATURE RESERVE
Just 5km out of De Vlugt you’ll discover a pristine nature reserve well worth visiting. Owner and Cape Nature steward Katot (Billy-can) Meyer is a conservation legend in these parts and if you’re lucky enough to meet him you’ll more than likely be grilled about how you conduct yourself in nature. Be warned, no one passes this test, but you may well bust a gut laughing by the time he’s finished quizzing you. For R50 per person, day visitors can picnic at the reserve, swim and canoe in the dam, and hike some of the trails. Day visitors can collect the gate key from Die Skoolhuisie but if you’d like to camp overnight, contact Meyer on 082-083-9967 or visit pnaturereserve.co.za
4 DIE SKOOLHUISIE
Hospitality and conservation stalwarts John Allen and Ursula Peter offer a light lunch or braai by appointment for R70pp and dinner for R100pp, but you need to bring your own drinks. They normally have De Vlugt’s “finest honey” for sale but the recent drought and past fires have put paid to that this year. Accommodation (R350 per person) is available in the quaint old schoolhouse. It doesn’t have electricity, but gas, solar power and donkey water heaters will make sure you are comfortable in this amazing chill-out spot with its own stream-fed pool. Call Ursula on 072-197-3354 or e-mail ursulapeter55@gmail.com.
5 MOUNTAIN BIKE OR WALK TO DIE POORT
Visiting this alien-vegetation-cleared poort (in the direction of Avontuur) and its waterfall will reward with sightings of indigenous flowers, shrubs and trees, and maybe even klipspringers on the cliff tops.
6 ANGIE’S G-SPOT
This quirky bar and eatery close to the banks of the Keurbooms River is run by laidback couple Harold and Angie Beaumont.
It’s popular with bikers, backpackers and anyone with a little wanderlust in their souls and stardust in their eyes. Go there for an icecold drink or to sample one of their dishes of the day. Be sure to ask Harold how the name came about and leave with an Angie’s G-Spot sticker, which proudly proclaims you’ve been there and found it. See angiesgspot.co.za.