Along the Passes Road - 190km

WILDERNESS NATIONAL PARK

...was proclaimed in 1987 to manage and conserve the delicate Wilderness lakes area. The park consists of four lakes, five rivers, two estuaries and 28 km of coastline, and is surrounded by a National Lake Area of 10 000 ha. The wetlands are an important habitat for waterbirds, and support 72 of a possible total of 95 waterbird species. Total bird numbers range between 5 000 and 15 000, although at times the wetlands support up to 24 000 birds a month.

The lakes are not only popular with waterbirds, but are also ideally suited for a variety of water sports. To ensure that sensitive areas are not disturbed, the lakes have been zoned for various activities. Canoes and rowing boats, for example, may be used throughout the area, while motor boats are subject to certain restrictions. The Wilderness-Sedgefield Lakes Complex consists of three separate systems: the Wilderness Lakes System in the west, the Swartvlei System in the centre and the Groenvlei in the east.

WILDERNESS LAKES

The Touw River and its estuary are linked to three interconnected lakes, a system known as the Wilderness Lakes. The river is connected to the first lake, Eilandvlei, by a meandering channel, the 5,5-km-long Serpentine. Also known as Lower Langvlei, the 150-ha Eilandvlei owes its name to Drommedaris Island which lies at its centre. To the east, the lake is linked by a channel to Langvlei, which was formed when the sea level was much higher than it is today and the lowlands between the dunes were inundated.

Langvlei, in turn, is linked by an 800-m-long channel to Rondevlei, the easternmost of the Wilderness Lakes. Covering 143 ha, Rondevlei was formed some 7 000 years ago when a deflation basin formed by wind was inundated by rising sea levels. The lake is an important habitat for several waterbird species, such as greater crested and blacknecked grebes and redknobbed coot. For birding enthusiasts, there is a hide at the lake’s northeastern edge.

SWARTVLEI

Covering 1 085 ha, Swartvlei is the largest and deepest of the Wilderness-Sedgefield Lakes Complex. It owes its name to the dark colour of the water, which is produced by plant colloid and certain acids. The lake is an example of a river valley that was drowned when sea levels rose due to warmer climatic conditions approximately 6 000 years ago. Swartvlei is connected to the sea by a channel which is blocked by a sand bar for more than half the year.

The sheltered waters are home to the Knysna seahorse, and the lake is a popular destination for yachting, powerboat, water-skiing and windsurfing enthusiasts. It also offers excellent angling and birding opportunities.

GROENVLEI

...was formed some 3 000 years ago when its channel to the sea was cut off. Situated about 3 m above sea level, it is the only freshwater lake in the system. Because it is not linked to any rivers, it is recharged by rainwater seeping through the dunes and the freshwater springs at its eastern end. Groenvlei owes its name and its colour to the algae that flourish in the water.

GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE

This scenic reserve covers 2 500 ha of coastal fynbos, coastal forest, 14 km of coastline and Groenvlei. The marine reserve adjoining the coast extends for 1,85 km seawards. Visitors on South African holidays can explore this scenic reserve along several day walks, canoe or sail on the Goukamma River and try their luck at angling, either along the coast, in the river or in the vlei. Accommodation is limited to a rustic bush camp on the shores of Groenvlei and a thatched rondavel overlooking the Buffalo River.

BELVIDERE

The Holy Trinity Church on Belvidere was built by Thomas Duthie, owner of the estate between 1833 and 1857. Consecrated on 5 October 1855, the church is a miniature of the Norman style of the 11th and 12th centuries. Sandstone was quarried at a nearby site, while stinkwood and yellowwood timber came from the Knysna forests. Except for the parapet, the pulpit was carved from a solid block of sandstone. The magnificent stained glass rose window was made in England from pieces of glass obtained from churches bombed during World War II.