|
There are six
main farming areas to consider when looking for Plettenberg Bay
farms and Plettenberg Bay smallholdings. These
are:
The Crags
The Crags is 15
minutes East of Plett by car. The road from Plett rises onto a
mountain plateau. The area is protected and sheltered by the
Tsitsikamma Mountain Range to the North and lies between this
and the rocky ledges of the sea shore of the Tsitsikamma
National Park to the East. The mountains and the higher
elevation above sea level ensure an abundant rainfall throughout
the year. This area boasts spectacular Fynbos and is suitable
for general farming. Dairy & sheep and vegetable tunnel farming
are popular.
The area has
recently been "discovered" as a wine producing area and a
number of farmers have already planted vines. The first winery
is already established and has won awards for its sparkling
wines. The Crags is the home of Polo in South Africa and a
dominant feature is the Kurland Hotel and Polo fields, where
international matches are held during the December/January
festive season. There are a number of exclusive country
lodges and guest houses in the area, plus the original Barnyard
Theatre, the Teniqua Cheetah Sanctuary, Monkey Land & Birds of
Eden - the world's largest free range monkey sanctuary and the
world's largest free flight bird sanctuary, the Elephant Park
and a snake park.
The Crags boasts
its own delightful village centre with a filling station plus a
few shops which stock all daily necessities and locally made
tourist souvenirs.
Natures Valley
One of the most
spectacular areas of South Africa, Natures Valley lies at the
bottom of the Bloukrans River Gorge where the pristine river
opens into a lagoon before gently flowing into the sea. Just
East of the Crags one turns off too Natures Valley to the South.
The stunning Bloukrans Pass, built by Italian Prisoners of War,
winds its way down past the most spectacular forested ravines to
the beach where the small village of Natures Valley is home to a
few hundred mostly log style homes. Buck and other small animals
roam freely amongst the homes which have no fences.
This is a very
isolated natural area with a small shop, a church and a Parks'
Board Office and the most incredible pristine beach.
Spectacularly beautiful, Natures Valley is uniquely established
in the middle of the Tstitskamma National Park. Most homes are
held within the same family for many years. No further
residential development may take place within the Park and the
scarcity factor results in Natures Valley property selling at a
premium.
The surrounding
areas to natures Valley and in particular the plateau above the
valley is popular for dairy farming and forestry, and there are
a number of backpacker lodges, self-catering guest houses and
Bed & Breakfast establishments. The N2 National Road passes over
the Bloukrans River Bridge, where a private company operates the
world's highest bungy jump facility.
Wittedrift and
Uplands
Wittedrift has a
small residential village, with shops, a church and the main
Plettenberg Bay high school. It lies just North of Plett, 15
minutes by car on the historic Prince Alfred's Pass road from
Plett to Uniondale. Wilttedrift lies in the Bitou River Valley
with its spectacular birdlife and hiking trails. From Wittedrift
the road progresses up into the Uplands area in the Outeniqua
Mountains which has the largest farms in the immediate vicinity
of Plett and is prominent for its dairy, cattle, wheat & maize
farming.
Two wildlife farms
have been established in the area, including the Plettenberg Bay
Game reserve. As one winds down into the beautiful valleys below
Uplands to wards De Vlugt, the most stunning natural vegetation
is home to thickly bushed game farms where there is a no fence
policy, allowing game to traverse hundreds of kilometers across
the farms and into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve in the
eastern Cape.
The mountains
surrounding the valley are usually covered in snow during winter
and the Keurbooms River traverses its way through the valleys to
the sea at Plett. The Outeniqua Trout Lodge lies
on the Keurbooms in one of these Valleys.
Next..... |