Caledon Blue Crane Route

The Blue Crane, South Africas national bird and posibly one of Africas stateliest birds. Its feathers were worn by heros of the amaXhosa tribe and bestowed upon them at a ceremony which took place after battles. These men were known as men of trouble, meaning if trouble arose, these were the men to run to. The face of the Blue Crane has been part of the South African ecomony, when it was minted on the 5 cent piece, and today its name has been used for an area in the Overberg area of South Africa, The Blue Crane Route Municipality. The sight of flocks of these birds settling across the fields of the Overberg is truly an awe inspiring scene. The Overberg area is an incredibly fertile wheat and barley farming area which you will drive through on the N2 highway from Cape Town. The fields are often graced by flocks of Blue Cranes which are best viewed from a distance as they are easily startled. So take your binoculars or camera with a telephoto lense and capture images of these majestic birds.

Caledon is only one of the towns on the Caedon Blue Crane Route, others include Hermanus, Stanford, Gansbaai, across the Agulhas Plain to Arniston and Bredasdorp via the Moravian village of Elim. The Blue Crane can be found throughout the route, but the route also includes charming roadside shops, picnic spots, small towns and landscapes to enjoy, whale watching in Hermanus and shark diving in Gansbaai. This is truly a route which should be taken slowly and every moment savoured. The Caledon Blue Crane Route, although spectacular all year round is best viewed in late winter and early spring, when the yellow canola flowers are in blossom and the Southern Right Whale watching is at its peak.

For more information on the Caledon Blue Crane Route please contact:
Tel: +27-28-2148922
Or email: rouxwil@intekom.co.za

Directions
From Cape Town, the route is an easy 90 minute drive over the stunning Sir Lowry's Pass on the N2 highway.