Flamingo take-off

The Flamingo Trail in the Zwartkops Nature Reserve is ideal to get a little bit closer to birds after which the trail was name. I don't know why but I am always amazed to see the flamingos on the estuary. Not sure why cause its not like I've never seen them there before. On a … Continue reading Flamingo take-off →

Flamingo Trail views

Walking along the upper section of the Flamingo Trail gives you stunning views of the Swartkops River Estuary

Driving on the dunes at Brakkeduine

Boys will be boys and when it comes to boys and their 4x4 toys there is no stopping them. When the South African government banned driving on beaches both the angling and 4x4 fraternities took a big knock. The anglers couldn't go as far along the beaches as they used to or had to find overland shortcuts while … Continue reading Driving on the dunes at Brakkeduine →

The Coastal Fynbos Trail

The Coastal Fynbos Trail in Schoenmakerskop is probably one of the slightly lesser known trails around Port Elizabeth. Thanks to the PE Geocaching series which created the letters PE as geoart on the Geocache map, a few more people have set off to explore the trail lately. The trail is a circular trail and covers about … Continue reading The Coastal Fynbos Trail →

Remains of a lifeboat

At the eastern end of Schoenmakerskop you will find one of the lifeboats from the Oceanos that sank on the Wild Coast in 1991. Personally I think its quite a significant "wreck" on our coastline. Going the other way, about halfway along the Sacramento Trail west of Schoenies, there is what also looks like the remains … Continue reading Remains of a lifeboat →

Flowers on the Fynbos Trail

I recently had an outing along the Fynbos Trail near Schoenmakerskop with a friend while planting some geocaches and snapped this picture of a bush of flowers. Not exactly sure what it was or if its even supposed to grow naturally on the Wildside. I just thought it makes for a nice scene.

Sardinia Bay seen from the Sacramento Trail

Walking along the Sacramento Trail one can see the sand dunes of Sardinia Bay in the distance the whole time. With about a kilometer to go the old Surf Lifesaving and ski boat club buildings come into view with the walkway over to the parking area.

A Saturday morning hike on the Flamingo Trail

I'm probably the most overweight, unfit active guy there is. There is no hesitation to go if I get the opportunity to get out and about and because of my love for the outdoors I make an effort to explore and do as much as possible. I've been fortunate that I've had the opportunity to … Continue reading A Saturday morning hike on the Flamingo Trail →

Swartkops Nature Reserve

The Swartkops Nature Reserve along with the Aloe Reserve protects the northern escarpment of the Swartkops Estuary. It plays an important part in the protection of Valley Thicket, also known as Valley Bushveld, along the estuary and is quite a good birding spot. The reserve is one of the lesser know reserves in the Nelson Mandela … Continue reading Swartkops Nature Reserve →

Setting out on the Sacramento Trail

Although most people do the Sacramento Trail as a straight forward out and back along the coastal route, there are two very different routes possible. The alternative route heads slightly inland from the cannon through fynbos before heading along the top of the vegetated sand dunes towards Sardinia Bay.