Kom ry Volstruis! - George Herald

explore
An ostrich is not just
another bird
Ostriches are the largest and heaviest birds
in the world!
Although they cannot fly, ostriches sure
can run! They are the fastest-running birds,
reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h. At this
speed, they are the only animals that can
outrun leopards.
Obviously, the amazing speed of the ostrich
is helpful in outrunning predators, but the ostrich
can also use its powerful legs to kick like
a kangaroo. In fact, its kick is strong enough
to kill a lion and the long claw on each foot
makes a deadly weapon.
The brain of an ostrich is as big as a walnut
and smaller than their eyes. They are not particularly
intelligent, but with the largest eyeball
of any bird, they can see as far as 3.5km.
Ostriches have red meat, like beef, and is of
the healthiest meat one can eat, as it is low in
fat and cholesterol, but high in protein.
An adult ostrich carries about a kilogram of
stones in its gizzard (second stomach). Since
ostriches do not have teeth, they swallow
stones which help to grind their food when it
reaches the gizzard.
An ostrich egg weighs between 1,2 - 1,5kg
and contains the equivalent of 24 chicken
eggs and pack a rich protein-laden cholesterol
punch.
Although the average age reached by ostriches
is about 50 years, some are known to
live up till the ripe old age of 70.
The ostrich male roars like a lion.
When a pair of ostriches rearing young ones
meets another pair, the parents will fight and
oudtshoorn
the winning pair will be parents of both pairs
offspring. It has been reported that the biggest
group of ostriches contains 300 offspring.
The cornea of an ostrich eye can be used to
replace the human cornea.
It is a myth that ostriches bury their heads in
sand when threatened. If a predator threatens
its nest, an ostrich will flop to the ground
and remain still, laying its head against the
sand to try to blend in with it. With only its
body visible it then seems that it has buried
its head in the sand.
During the 18th century the French queen,
Marie Antoinette, popularised the fashion
of wearing a feather in one’s hat. Women
searched for the most beautiful feathers,
leading them to the ostrich. Hunting these
birds became a large-scale enterprise worldwide.
Ostriches were on the verge of extinction,
but then a saviour came - the automobile.
Ostrich feathers flowed beautifully when
ladies pranced around on horses, but in the
automobile the feathers became a mess. And
so the fashion fell out of use, thus saving the
ostrich!
www.oudtshoorncourant.com
Daguitstappies wat die siel betower
Die asemrowende Swartbergpas op die R328 wat deur
die Swartbergreeks loop, is ideaal vir daguitstappies.
Die pas bied panoramiese uitsigte oor die Klein-
Karoo na die suide en oor die Groot-Karoo na
die noorde.
Die pas is veral bekend vir skouspelagtige geologie
wat op die noordelike einde blootgestel
word waar 700-meter hoë kwartsietkranse
gesien kan word. Plantliefhebbers kan ook honderde
verskillende interessante plantspesies
langs die pas raakloop. Die Swartbergpas is
tussen 1881 en 1888 deur Thomas Bain gebou.
Die droë klip-keermure is steeds in plek en byna
120 jaar oud.
Geniet middagete in die Victoriaanse dorpie,
Prince Albert, op pad terug deur Klaarstroom
op die R407 en deur Meiringspoort. Hou stil by
die parkeerplek naby die waterval in Meiringspoort,
onderneem die kort steilerige staptog
tot by waterval, waar geswem en ‘n
heerlike piekniek geniet kan word. Net
‘n paar kilometer verder op pad terug
na Oudtshoorn, is die prentjiemooi
dorpie De Rust met ‘n verskeidenheid
winkeltjies en eetplekke.
Vir die avontuurlustiges wat tyd
het, is Gamkaskloof waarvan die
toegangspad bo-op die Swartbergpas
uitdraai, beslis ‘n besoek
werd.
Gamkaskloof of beter bekend as Die
Hel, is ‘n geïsoleerde vallei tussen
Oudtshoorn en Prins Albert, wat 500
miljoen jaar gelede tussen die Swartberge
ontstaan het. Dit is ‘n wêrelderfenisterrein
wat betrokke is by die bewaring van
die bergwater-opvangsgebiede en die bewaring
van die uitgebreide geskiedenis. ‘Die Hel’ is van
ekologiese, argeologiese en kultuur-historiese
belang en vorm nou ook deel van die Swartberg
Natuurreservaat.
Toegang tot Gamkaskloof is tydens reëntye
gesluit aangesien die laagliggende bruggies
dan onder water is. Andersins kan daar gekamp
en gestap word. Rotsskilderye in die grotte wat
aandui dat die San van die eerste besoekers
was wat die gebied verken het, kan besigtig
word.
Vir meer inligting kontak Cape Nature by 021
483 0190.
Kom ry Volstruis!
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Opvoedkundige Volstruistoere
Opwindende Volstruis resies!
Curio winkel met verskeidenheid
Volstruisleer en ander
produkte
Al Fresco Restaurant
Verskeidenheid Karusa wyn
variëteite en biere
Ideaal vir families
Kinder vriendelik
Groot pret vir almal!
Ons is oop vanaf 8 uur tot 17:00
Safari Ostrich Farm,
since 1956, offers
guided tours of the
farm departing
every hour from
08h00 until 16h00.
We are situated 6km
outside Oudtshoorn
on the Mossel Bay
road (R328).
Tel.. 044 -272 7311
Tel: 044 272 7115/6 / Email: reservations@highgate.co.za
website: www.highgate.co.za
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Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo Thursday 12 December, 2013

www.oudtshoorncourant.com
oudtshoorn
explore
Quench your thirst
and tantalize your taste buds
Save water, drink wine
Grundheim
Situated 17km outside Oudtshoorn
on the road to Calitzdorp, lies the
vineyards of Sandkoppies, home of
‘Grundheim Wines’.
Six generations of the Grundheim
family have been farming here for over
a century. Grundheim is renowned for
its witblits made in a traditional brandy
still. Grundheim launched its maiden
potstill brandy in 2002. Some of the
vines have been growing in deep,
fertile alluvial soil for eighty years.
The grapes are allowed to ripen on
the vines, hence the distinctive raisin
character. The wine farm is known
for its traditional barrel fermentation
process and the absence of artificial
colouring and sugar in the wines. In
addition, Grundheim’s family recipes
have ensured that their homemade
liqueurs and witblits preserves have
walked away with numerous awards.
The warm and friendly atmosphere of
this remarkable farm is sure to bring
you back time and again.
White and red Muscadel, Red Jerepigo,
Cape Ruby and Happy Cow is
amongst Grundheim’s favourites. Visiting
times are from Monday to Friday
from 08:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays
from 09:00 to 13:00. During public holidays,
excluding Good Friday, Christmas
and New Year visiting hours if
from 10:00 to 15:00. For more information
contact 044 272 6927.
Karusa Premium Winery & Craft
Brewery is situated in the tranquil
and scenic Cango Valley in Schoemanshoek,
close to Oudtshoorn.
‘Karusa’ is a Khoi-San word meaning
‘land with little water’ - describing the
semi-arid plateau of the Klein Karoo.
Karusa’s wines reflect purity, brought
on by minimal interventionist methods,
resulting in characterful wines
with a sense of origin displaying and
reflecting the diversity of the Klein Karoo.
Karusa is well-known for it’s Cap
Classique and Mediterranean-style
wines and not only produces fine
wine, but is also credited with pioneering
the first full grain micro brewery in
the Klein Karoo.
The soft fresh and unpolluted water
from the Swartberg catchments area
proved to be perfect for clean, clinical,
fruit driven and refreshing styles of
Ale produced at Karusa. The extreme
heat of Oudtshoorn’s summer is the
perfect time to quench your thirst with
Karusa’s Long Neck Blonde session
beer. For a more serious complex ale,
try the Premium Draught - the Karusa
Zwartberger and for the cold Karoo
winters, there is nothing more satisfying
than the espresso-infused chocolate
stout, the Caveman’s Dry Stout.
Karusa also offers Karoo-inspired tapas,
picnics and platters.
Opening times are from Monday to
Friday from 09:30 to 16:00 and on
Saturday from 10:00 to 14:30. Karusa
is closed on Sundays, Christmas Day
and public holidays. Contact: 044 272
8717 or visit the web site www.karusa.
co.za.
Dieks’ Bru Microbrewery is situated
in De Rust. Dieks’ Bru is handcrafted,
slow-brewed Karoo beer using pure,
natural ingredients, old-fashioned
chemistry and a lot of soul.
Dieks uses barley from the rolling hills
of Caledon, hops from George and
spring water from De Rust to craft his
beer. Visitors are welcome to come to
the brewery for a tasting or can buy
Dieks’ Karoo beer at local ments. Contact: 073 232 2527 or go
establishto
the web site www.dieksbru.com.
Discover the wide range of local
Klein Karoo wines and world class
brandy at Domein Doornkraal
farm stall on the N12 between
De Rust and Oudtshoorn. orn. There
is also Doornkraal lamb and pork,
local smoked salt, roast pumpkin
seeds, homemade lemon syrup
and grape juice, and much more
on the menu to enjoy. The farm
stall is open weekdays from 09:00
to 17:00 and on Saturdays from
09:00 to 15:00. Visitors s can pop
in for a free wine tasting. Contact: 044 251 6715.
Tease those taste buds.
The handmade Belgian chocolate
of La Chocolaterie Rococo is
an exquisite delight of the finest
quality. These chocolaty delicacies
are the culmination of a life-long
journey into chocolate and selfexpression.
Each piece of sensual
decadence from the chocolaterie
is made from the freshest ingredients
and is constituted of the finest
imported raw-materials from Belgium.
Every batch is a balancing
act of skill, technique, artistic flair and appreciation for the process of
chocolate making. La Chocolaterie
Rococo invites all sweet tooths to
pop in for a taste sensation at 86
Langenhoven road, Oudtshoorn.
Contact: 044 272 5991
Infusing unique South African flavours
into an age-old Mediterranean-inspired
tradition of olive preservation,
Olea Olives uses locally
grown olives to make a wide range
of homemade pantry products, as
well as an olive skin care range.
Olea factory shop is situated on
Langenhoven Road en-route to
George and is open from Mondays
to Fridays from 08:00 to 17:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00.
The shop also sells fresh home
made delicacies. Contact: 044 272
7593 or visit the web site www.
olea-olives.co.za.
Bella Mia Olives & Pottery is Oudtshoorn’s
piece of heaven, guarded by
the Swartberg Mountains. Here, olive
trees thrive in the warm summer sun
and gather strength in the cold winter
with snow on the mountain tops.
Bella-Mia products will bring you pure
Karoo goodness that lingers long after
the last drop. In addition to olives, Bella
Mia has beautiful functional pottery.
Contact: 044 272 8709 or go to the
web site www.bella-mia-olives.co.za.
Oudtshoorn is the place for
fun-lovers to visit
A trip to Oudtshoorn needs to be
carefully planned in order to fit in everything
there is to see and do. Oudtshoorn
is not only well-known for its ostriches
as many would think, but there
is a lot more that makes it a remarkable
tourist destination. Wilgewandel
Holiday Farm en route to the Cango
Caves, offers excellent fun for young
and old. It boasts camel rides, waterslides,
donkey cart rides, cable slides,
trampolines and much more.
The Cango Wildlife Ranch offers a
three dimensional experience. It allows
the opportunity to see and interact
with wild animals that is both fun
and educational. There is also a kid
zone with a water park and junglegyms
for younger children.
Those who are not afraid of all things
big, can ride or feed an elephant at
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge,or go horse
riding, enjoy a bush safari or simply
just relax and appreciate the tranquility
of the dam.
For older kids and the young at heart,
make sure that a visit to Oudtshoorn
includes an early morning hot air ballooning
tour over the Karoo. Watch
the sun rise over the Swartberg
mountains - it is a panoramic view
like no other. Meerkat Adventures will
surely enchant the whole family with
their range of early morning activities
and natural wildlife. A guide will also
provide an informative review of the
meerkat as they cavort into their natural
environment on De Zeekoe Reserve
just outside Oudtshoorn.
Families who are fond of being outdoors,
will love staying at the Minwater
Eco Adventure Bush camp where
they can experience the Karoo veld,
discover more of the area with guided
botanical tours, go hiking and even
bring their 4x4 ‘bakkie’. The Stompdrift
Dam situated 6km outside De
Rust off the Willowmore Road, is perfect
for a family-get-together and is
ideal for fishing and picnics.
The grassy cam-ping sites, bungalows
and kiddies play area are very
popular.
Jamstreet Farm in Rooiheuwel, 4km
outside Oudtshoorn is an eclectic
venue buzzing with local crafters and
produce, live music, art and a car boot
sale. Visitors can marvel at the owners’
creative use of recycled materials
in their designs. Rooiheuwel market
takes place every 1st and third Saturday
of the month and there is other
events during the festive season.
Contact details:
Wilgewandel Holiday Farm - 044 272
0878 / www.wilgewandel.co.za
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - 044 272
0000 / www.buffelsdrift.com
Cango Wildlife Ranch - 044 272 5593
/ www.cango.co.za
Meerkat Adventures - 084 772 9678 /
www.meerkatadventures.co.za
Oudtshoorn Ballooning - 082 784
8539 / www.oudtshoornballooning.
co.za
Minwater Eco Adventures - 044 279
1285 /www.minwater.co.za
Jamstreet - 082 510 0516 / www.jamstreet.co.za
Thursday 12 December, 2013 Group Editors Holiday Guide - Garden Route and Karoo
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