Sterland Caravan Park


StargazingStars to MidnightWalking & Mountain Bike Trails





Mountain Biking
Several scenic routes have been set out ranging from easy to tough.

Mountain Bike Trail
This circular route of 38 km starts at one of the Karoo cottages and twists through the scenic Sutherland mountains.

Radio Control Model Airplanes
Jurg has been flying model airplanes for over 35 years and should you be interested, something can be arranged. He also has a computer program to simulate flight.

Hiking, Hobbies & Mountainbiking

Hiking

Sutherland is situated approximately 1 500 m above sea level. This mountainous landscape is often covered in a snow blanket and does not get very hot in summer because of its height. This makes for a very pleasant hiking climate. Also in the area is Salpeterkop, the last active working volcano south of the equator in Africa. Sutherland is approximately 370 km from Cape Town.

Silhouette Hiking trail

Two days away from home enable you to walk a scenic route of rock formation - one of a kind. There is a shorter sundowner route as well. Two mountain huts are available for hikers. It is good policy to book in advance especially in summer. Many hikers prefer the cold and snow of winter but it is worth putting in a spare blanket or two as well.

Day One (13 km)

The route twists through various valleys, rocky hills, interesting scale formations. In the distance the Sutherland Observatory and Radar station can be seen. The Radar Station is one of the most important aviation beacons in South Africa.

Day Two (9 km)

The many valleys make for an interesting day`s walk. Beautful lookout points, ladders, a bridge, tunnel and the unique mince meat rocks are only a few highlights.

Special Hiking Experience

This can be done either on the day of arrival or after the second day`s hike and some rest. It is on this route that the silhouettes takes various shapes hence the name Silhouette Hiking Trail.
On this route there are also the "Wonder Bore Holes" where a thick stream of water bubbles continuously day after day, winter and summer

Facts about the town itself..
Butterflies
There are plenty of interesting butterflies at Sutherland. Most of them can be found in the Swaarweerberg area, on the rocky ridges and koppies at the summit. They are all small species, some of them tiny, and there is more than one that is only found in this area.
Some of the specials are:

Pseudonympha trimenii nieuwveldensis (Trimen's Brown) found below the granite boulders on top of the Swaarweerberg, in September. Brown with
silvery lines underneath, 50cm across.

Pseudonympha southeyi wykehami (Southey's Brown) on the flats north of the golf ball on top of the Swaarweerberg in November. Small, 30-35mm, black, very fast low flight.

Thestor pringlei (Pringle's Skolly) immediately below the Golf Ball in November and December. Small, buff and grey, very fast flying.

Phasis pringlei (Pringle's Arrowhead) in the thickets of Melianthus (Kruidtjie-roer-my-nie) below the granite boulders on top of the
Swaarweerberg, in September. 40mm across, orange and black on top, fawn below.

Phasis clavum erythema (Namaqua Arrowhead) rare subspecies only on
Roggeveld Escarpment, on Rhus bushes in September. 35mm, black and orange, similar to last species.

Trimenia wykehami (Wykeham's Silver-spotted Copper) on the flats north of the golf ball on top of the Swaarweerberg in November and December. Tiny, 25-35mm, orange and black on top, silvery spots underneath.

Aloeides kaplani (Kaplan's Copper) On the road up the Swaarweerberg, at the second cattle grid, September. Small, 40mm, orange and black on top, russet red underneath.

Chrysoritis midas (Midas Opal) found below the granite boulders on top of the Swaarweerberg, in September. Tiny, bright metallic red-copper, black
underneath.

Chrysoritis turneri (Turner's Opal) on the rocky ledges north of the golf ball on top of the Swaarweerberg in September to March. Similar to midas,
more orange in colour, variegated brown and buff underneath.

Chrysoritis beaufortia (Beaufort Opal) all over the tops of the hills, from September to March. Glorious butterfly, small and fast, beautiful copper
and opal-blue.

Chrysoritis violescens (Violescent Opal) flies with turneri, smaller than beaufortia, copper and opal-violet.

Chrysoritis azurius (Azure Opal) gullies on sides of Swaarweerberg, larger than beaufortia, greater extent of silvery opal blue.

Lepidochrysops jamesi (James's Blue) on the road up the Swaarweerberg, at the second cattle grid, very rare, September. 35mm, brown on top,
variegated silver and black underneath.


Things To Do In & Around Sutherland
 Kambrokind Guest House

Louw Museum:
Nog eenmaal wil ek in die skemeraand
Weer op ons dorp en by ons dorpsdam staan,
Weer met my rek op in die donker skiet,
En luister, en al word ek seer en dof,
Hoe die klein klippe ver weg in die riet
Uit donker in die donker water plof.
N P Van Wyk Louw

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In the main road of town, you will find the old style Bed and Breakfast of Rita and Jurg Wagener called Kambrokind. Kambro is a very tough Karoo veld food something like a potato. It can be eaten and also makes a very nice jam if only you know how to do it!

The establishment is graded FOUR STARS by the Tourism Grading Council. Every room is en-suite.


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