Alan Tours

CAPE RECIFE AND GRYSBOK NATURE RESERVE (HD14)

At a Glance

• Tour duration: Half day trip
• Group size: Minimum of 2 people per tour
• Tour departs from: Port Elizabeth
• Price: From R900 per person

Tour Highlights

• Southernmost tip of Algoa Bay, Cape Recife
• SANCCOB for a guided tour of this marine bird and penguin re-habilitation center
• Historic, operational Cape Recife lighthouse
• Short walk to observe the wealth of shore birds and many species of terns
• Grysbok Nature reserve, a protected area of coastal Fynbos
• A number of different Antelope species
• Ancient shell middens or discard heaps of sea shell
• Raptors and ground birds
• For the Sunset Tour enjoy beautiful sunsets, nocturnal birds and animals

Suitable for those interested in Birdwatching, Nature, Wildlife

Details

Cape Recife - where sea meets shore. An excursion highlighting the cultural, historical and natural diversity at the entrance to Algoa Bay.

9:00 am pick up at place of residence in Port Elizabeth and travel to the southernmost tip of Algoa Bay, Cape Recife, Cabo de Arrecife, the “Cape of Reefs” as it was named by the early Portuguese explorers.

Our first stop is at the SANCCOB for a guided tour of this marine bird and penguin re-habilitation center. This is a modern facility designed to re-habilitate the endangered African Black footed Penguin with particular emphasis on the possible rescue of many birds in the case of a large oil spill in the bay and designed to release any Penguins back into their natural environment.

After our visit to SANCCOB we continue our tour of the reserve arriving at Cape Recife itself with its mobile sand dunes and historic, operational lighthouse which was completed in 1851, the 3rd oldest fully operational lighthouse in South Africa today. We park the tour vehicle and walk the last 100 metres observing the wealth of shore birds and many species of terns that inhabit this often wind swept rocky point at the southern entrance to Algoa Bay and the very reason for the existence of this well maintained lighthouse.

As we enter the lighthouse you will be introduced to the old machinery that provided the mechanical power to operate this lonely outpost. Climbing the wooden, circular 101 stairs that bring you to the light at the top of the building one can only wonder at the efforts of those early lighthouse keepers, the steps worn smooth and polished by the weary footsteps up and down the stairway to keep the light burning and to maintain this beacon of hope, even in the worst of weather conditions. Stories of ghosts and intrigue stalk the very atmosphere of this ray of light. From the top of the lighthouse a clear view of the area and distant Port Elizabeth can be seen and if lucky and the conditions are good the remains of the early Khoikhoi fish traps that still exist here.

Leaving the lighthouse we continue to a series of settlement ponds where a wide variety of mainly aquatic birds can be viewed from the bird hide or if the invasive vegetation covers the waters we simply continue to the main road to enter the Grysbok Nature reserve a protected area of coastal Fynbos that surrounds the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). This is a refuge for a number of duiker, antelope, Red hartebees, Zebra and bushbuck amongst others but is also home to the diminutive Cape Grysbok after which the reserve has been named. There area is also host to a surprising wealth of birdlife including a number of nocturnal (Owls) and diurnal raptors and ground birds.

While driving the sandy roads of the reserve in our 4 x 4 vehicle we describe the many uses the hardy herbaceous vegetation had for the Early Khoikhoi many of whom inhabited and foraged in this area. We point out a number of ancient shell middens or discard heaps of sea shell and other domestic debris left as testament to the lifestyles of these hardy hunter herders who occupied these windswept shoreline tens of thousands of years ago.

Or,

book the CAPE RECIFE AND GYSBOK NATURE RESERVE SUNSET TOUR

The 4×4 tour starts at different times according to the seasons and does not include SANCCOB

Winter departure (April – August) is at 15h30
Summer departure (September – March) is at 16h30

Towards the end of the tour, before the sunsets on the western horizon, we stop in a sheltered spot, bring out a cool box, a few drinks and some snacks. We take time to look back and discuss what we have learnt from the plant life, the people and the animals we have encountered as the sun sets and darkness draws close.

We continue after dark, hoping to bump into some of the nocturnal creatures such as Owls, Porcupines and maybe even the predator wild cat the Caracal which have been observed here. We return to Port Elizabeth and your accommodation.

Note

DAY Tour includes:

* Entrance/conservation fees
* Bottled water in tour vehicle

SUNSET Tour includes:

* Entrance/conservation fees
* Bottled water in tour vehicle
* Drinks and finger snacks