Is it the general AMBIENCE of the place?  Well kept, freshly painted, outside tables, plants etc. 

If so, what about this then?  They already have customers, looks inviting, fresh colours……

Or this one? Liked the mural on the wall at the back and the painted pics in the front.

What about a rest in a hammock? Mmmm maybe not, though I do like all the plants.

Perhaps though, it’s the NAME of the place that makes you stop.   Does the name say exactly what you were looking for….did the name satisfy some need that made you stop or did the name just make you HAVE to stop?

Angie’s G-Spot???? Oh my gosh, tried to make hubby look the other way…. too early for a beer I think or whatever it is that they serve…….

Well, this one said it all – obviously a culinary delight and while I am yelling “stop here”, hubby just ignores me as he is more intent on a “quick pick me up” and has no intention of stopping off for longer than 15 mins max…..

And now we are into jam tarts - it does catch my attention especially as road trips always seem to increase my need for “sugar”… it seems to have everything else too???

Ronnies Sex Shop – this one is notorious on the Route62.  I  believe that when Ronnie first painted “Ronnies Shop” on the wall, his friends added in “sex” for a laugh and,  as they say in the classics, the rest is history, click on the pic to go through to his website if your interest in now piqued….

What happens though when there is NO CHOICE,  like this tearoom on the Prince Alfred’s Pass – well, to be honest,  Angies G-Spot was the other option, but we were looking more for tea…. on reflection though…..

So, which of the above would you have stopped at?  

No matter which place you choose, the kind of stops you see on a road trip are often, if nothing else, memorable!

If you have any of your own pit stops you would like to share, please do tell me about them,  I am sure all my readers would love to know what entices you stop where you do.

The Garden Route in the Western Cape is one of the most scenic routes in the country and a main tourist attraction.  If you had been one of my international clients, visiting South Africa, I would have definitely recommended that, had you the time, you explore this region as a priority on your trip.  As for the locals, well, guys, if you have not spent some time at least once on this amazing route, I really do feel for you – you just do not know what you have on your doorstep and what you are missing.

The route is generally thought to extend from about Mossel Bay to St Francis Bay along the Indian Ocean.  As a tourist though, one can vary the route to perhaps going a little inland so you could take the Route 62, generally known as the longest wine route in the world via Ladismith and Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn and then over the Outeniqua Pass down to George where you then continue on the original route along the coast.  Whichever way you go, there are many little towns and villages along the way to explore.  The most commonly used  as bases though are Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.    Plettenberg Bay especially is where the majority of the Cape Town locals spend their annual beach holiday.

It is not only the beautiful scenery that attracts visitors but also the many different attractions.

My top TEN attractions on the Garden Route would be:

1. Bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge, the highest commercial bungee jump in the world – click to see YouTube here
2. Interact with monkeys in an indigenous forest at the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
3. Experience an unforgettable encounter with elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary
4. Visit the Birds of Eden Sanctuary
5. Fly through the air in the Tsitsikamma Rainforest with a canopy tour through the trees
6. Take a trip across the Knysna Lagoon to the Featherbed Nature Reserve
7. Hike or bike in the forests
8. Spend some time on the many beautiful beaches
9. Visit a game reserve
10. EAT– enjoy a gourmet experience with local fare at fresh markets to up market restaurants, taste locally produced cheeses, fresh oysters , wines, gins, beer and more….

 The best kept secrets though are the hidden destinations off the main route and that is where my next secret was to be found.  The Outeniqua Trout Lodge is situated about half way along the Prince Alfred’s Pass between Knysna and Uniondale.  More about this spectacular pass will be revealed in my next post.

Our lodge is the one at the top on the left, farm is below

Gorgeous views from the deck and perfect for that barbeque

There are 4 self-catering two bedroomed wooden lodges high up on the mountain.  We stayed in Loerie which had spectacular mountain views.  Although there are some wonderful walks to be had, you could just as  easily have spent the whole day lazing outside on the lovely covered verandah reading and taking in the view.  The lodges have everything you need including a ceramic fireplace which we needed on our first evening.  It warmed the place up in about 20 minutes and kept the whole lodge toasty all night.  There is a portable braai outside, gas stove and oven inside, all kitchen utensils, two bedrooms (one with double en-suite shower room) and the other bedroom with two single beds and a very large family bathroom with shower and bath.  One could easily stay here comfortably for weeks…..oh how I wish…..

The entire farm is operated with “green” electricity, having being off the grid since 2000.  All electricity, water and effluent treatment is provided from natural resources ie hydro and solar.   So… no cellphone reception, no TV and no computers.  It was fabulous!!!   Also no hairdryer as all electrical appliances are low energy consuming.  I have now learnt that hairdryers, kettles and toasters use a vast amount of electricity.  So glad that I already have a gas hob at home and my kettle is boiled on the hob, plus I have not used a hairdryer for over a year so quite impressed with the electricity I must have saved,  says me shining my halo    There was no electric toaster……but I did see a contraption in the cupboard that I think could be used to make toast, just not sure how.

We took a fantastic hike up the mountain behind our lodge – it was a relatively easy walk although it was literally straight up the mountain.  The views from the top were amazing, the flora and fauna too beautiful for words.  You really felt completely immersed in nature.  The sunsets were gorgeous.

That would be me coming back down the mountain....

And, when you put the light out at night, the silence and absolute darkness literally healed your soul.  Getting a little carried away here… but I promise you, this is a healing place; somewhere you can rest from all the hustle and bustle and re-energize yourself.

I am really enjoying finding places that are trying to practice responsible and sustainable tourism whether it’s a simple solar panel, recycling, small organic vegetable garden or being totally off the grid like the Outeniqua Trout Lodge; it is just so good to see that people are starting to really think about the future of our planet. 

Have you stayed anywhere recently where some sort of “green” activity is being practiced and would it influence you into booking there because they are “green”?

I was reading a “food” blog where the editor had visited a farm near Stillbaai….this caught my attention as Stillbaai, as far as I was aware, was a small seaside town so what was this about a FARM?  I was immediately intrigued, especially as I was busy planning a road trip down the Garden Route to find some of those “hidden gems” one always hears of but never seems to be able to find. 

Words like olives, organic, river, birds and  peaceful lured me in still further which led me to  quickly logging  onto the recommended WILD OLIVE GUEST FARM website and before the end of the day I had confirmed our 3 night stay there as the beginning of our two week road trip.

Stillbaai, the village was more or less as I had expected, a small typical seaside town with an excellent beach, various types of accommodation from camping to guesthouses – it is apparently extremely busy during the summer season and with both beach and the river, all types of water activities are catered for.  Luckily for us though, we were visiting out of season so we had the whole area to ourselves.   We enjoyed our drive into the village to get the layout of what was on offer but, escaped very quickly back to the paradise 12kms out of town on the Goukou River – this was our SECRET.

We arrived at the farm mid afternoon, it had been drizzling along the way and I was a little concerned that we may just be a little cold that night as I knew we would be staying in a wooden chalet.  I need not have worried though, a warm welcome from Karen and John and an equally inviting load of wood all laid out in the fireplace in the chalet put my mind completely at rest.  The chalets had everything one needed including beautiful views across the olive trees down to the river. I almost felt like I was in Italy or France, it just had that “feeling” which more than likely was ignited by all the olive trees and…… vines????  I thought my eyes were deceiving me at first, but yes, there were vineyards on the property next door.  Who would have thought that someone would start making wine up here?  I was gobsmacked!

View from our chalet across the olive trees - that's Karen picking olives on the left

On our morning walk the next day, John recommended that we take the road up behind the farm to their own private spring filled dams.  This was a beautiful area to explore with san caves to peak your interest or to simply throw down a rug and quietly while away the morning in absolute perfect tranquillity.  I have since learned that in the whole of South Africa there is only 480 sq km of limestone fynbos of which 440 sq km are found right here in this area.  I can only begin to imagine the riot of colours in the spring so already planning my next trip….

Long Thin Farm Tasting Room with Kevin and Italia and hubby at the back

We also passed Long Thin Farm which was where all the vineyards were and more olive trees.  Luckily for us, both our hosts and the owners of Ling Thin Farm, Kevin and Italia were assisting each other during the next couple of days to harvest their olives so, we were introduced and invited to go and taste the red wines they are making.  They are excellent, and being made by people who are only still learning what wine making is all about.  So interesting….

Gin Tasting - John at the back and hubby on left

I had also read about  INVERROCHE GIN DISTILLERY and being quite partial to gin myself, we went off to see what this was about.  Please do click through to their website, it is really interesting to see what Michael Scott is doing and the website is very informative about Gin, which local plants Michael is using in his gin and also the history of the area.  We had a most enjoyable  tasting with Michael.  His three gins are all excellent.  We chose to purchase the Classic Gin which I am only sharing with “special” friends…. there is more to come though, rum is soon on the cards and we had a snifter of that too …. Their products are available directly and  in a number of outlets in the Cape area and will soon be available in Woolworths so keep your eye out for INVERROCHE.

Back on the Wild Olive Guest Farm, we explored Karen’s organic vegetable and fruit garden.  What a pleasure to be able to tuck into freshly grown salad and herbs and even organic eggs.   Karen also provides delicious farm bread, muelsi and rusks to die for – she very kindly shared her recipe with me which, I tried to replicate…..well, less said, soonest mended but obviously I need more instruction in that department…. 

Finding this thriving farming community in such a beautiful area was really like receiving a precious gift which surprised with each layer of paper unwrapped.  Our time was too short but we will be back because there is still so much more to see – I must go on some of the hiking trails in spring when the fynbos is at its best, I still need to explore the archaeological side of the area and I must return to rekindle the friendships that have only started and of course, it helps that there is gin down the road, wine next door, organic veggies and eggs, olive oil (did I mention that my bottle is being delivered next week?)  and then there is Oscar the horse and Joseph the donkey..but will leave that for another time.

I have babbled on too long, but afraid it’s difficult not to – visit this beautiful, interesting farming area and you will see what I mean.

Please do click onto the sharing buttons below and spread the word about this “secret” area.  Don’t forget, send me some comments, I really do want to hear whether I have enticed you to explore the lessor known areas in South Africa or just let me know if you enjoy reading my posts anyway

We travelled down the Western Cape’s Garden Route these last two weeks taking the roads less travelled in my Mini Cooper S.  Although there is a big brother 4 x 4 Mini on the market, at this stage I am very happy with my “When I grow up I want to be a 4 x 4” version.

Slipping and sliding along gravel roads with wheels spinning, my little Mini did not let me down, not once!

We drove +- 2 200kms over some amazing Passes with the most spectacular scenery.  Prince Alfred’s Pass between Knysna and Uniondale was truly a Garden of Eden with what I can only describe as forests of Proteas which were all just starting to blossom.   I can only imagine what an amazing sight this will be in a couple of weeks – it was already simply gorgeous.  Couple this with cascading waterfalls, deep ravines and then some mist to just wet the sand road and hey presto, my Mini thought it was in heaven….as were we.

Look out for my posts over the next couple weeks as I write about my adventures and the “secret” hideaways that I have found, also the very interesting people I met and of course the wonderful scenery which I hope my photographs do justice too. 

In the meantime, take a look at some of the roads we traversed.

Well packed boot with all the essentials including my box of Pierre Jourdan Champagne

Prince Alfred's Pass between Knysna and Uniondale

 

Steep dirt roads and beautiful scenery

 

 

Single Concrete Strip Road between Willowmore and Steytlerville

 

 

This Ellie could easily have squashed my Mini....

 

Think the ostriches thought this was a red lady bird? - they looked very interested...

 

And now you can't even read my registration number...

If you have never been to South Africa, and you were wondering what kind of floral kingdom it would have, perhaps, because you think of it as being hot and sunny, you assume that it’s pretty desert like and quite scarce in the flower department; well nothing could be further from the truth. 

10% of the world’s flowering species are found in South Africa with the Cape Floral Kingdom being one of the world’s six plant kingdoms. The others are the Antarctic, Australasian, Boreal, Neotropic and the Palaeotropic.   This makes us the only country in the world where an entire plant kingdom can be found inside its borders.

The Cape Floral Kingdom is also the smallest and richest kingdom with the highest known concentration of plant species.  To make this easier to understand the Cape Floral Kingdom contains +_ 8600 species of which nearly 6000 plant species are found nowhere else in the world. 

Living in Cape Town, we are pretty smug that the Cape Fynbos, which grows right here in our own back yards, constitutes about 80% of the Cape Floral Kingdom.  Table Mountain, which I can see right here from my study window, has +- 2200 species of fynbos, which is more plant species than occurs in the entire United Kingdom!  

Fynbos (meaning “fine bush” originating from the early Dutch settlers) basically needs dry summers, poor soil, wind and recurring natural fires in order to survive, pretty much what we have in Cape Town…

INTERESTING FACTS:

• It is estimated that 75 % of South Africa’s rare and threatened plants are found in the fynbos
• Many fynbos species depend on fire – the seeds need the heat to germinate.
• Fynbos is endemic to the south-western and southern Cape
• Fynbos comprises, Proteas, Ericas (heaths) Restioids (Cape Reeds) and Bulbs
• The King Protea is South Africa’s National flower
• There are +-600 species of Ericas (heaths), the rest of the world only has 26 and Scotland, the land of heaths only has 4
• The Cape Floral Kingdom was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004

As mentioned before, I live on the slopes of a mountain and on my walk this morning, I took my camera along to see what fynbos pics I could find – well, even though it is Autumn, so between seasons, there is still a lot out there as you can see from the photos I took.  A lot of people think that fynbos is rather boring because when you look up at the mountain slopes, you just see shades of green and grey but if you take a closer look you will be amazed at all the different species of plants.

There are many areas to see fynbos in Cape Town.  You can take a walk up or around the top of Table Mountain.  Cape Point Nature Reserve looks pretty spectacular especially during spring and then you can always see fynbos in the superb Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which lie below Table Mountain.

Nature is such a joy and we in South Africa are so lucky to have such an abundance of beautiful flora and fauna – the saying “Slow down and smell the roses” or in this case, the fynbos is something to think about in this fast paced life we live.  

Do you enjoy nature and do you take time to enjoy what you have around you?

• Within two hours of your home, in my case Cape Town, but if you are visiting from up country or from overseas, still perfect as a base to explore the winelands
• Self-catering with all the modcons including a dishwasher!
• Beautiful views

Oude Denneboom Cottage

Added extras:

• On a wine and olive farm 
• Pool for those very hot summer days
• Air-conditioning
• Huge en-suite bathroom off the main bedroom with shower and bath
• 2^nd bedroom with shower en-suite in case you need to drag kids or granny with you
• Boma / braai / barbecue area
• Romantic indoor fireplace for when I go back in winter……

BONUS:

• Situated in its own little game reserve – with Eland, Zebra, Wildebeest and Springbok
• Complete privacy – no other cottages or people only us and of course the game, birds and the view….

This gorgeous 19^th century cottage has been completely refurbished by the owners without destroying any of the original character, quite a task and one which has been met with unmistakably panache.    We recently spent 4 lovely relaxing nights here.  The cottage is just outside Paarl; on the Wellington side so easy access to visit those lovely areas and of course we also spent time in my favorite village, Franschhoek. 

Every morning we woke up to the Eland chomping grass right outside the cottage and at night we had a barn owl hooting in the blue gum tree.  I really enjoyed taking a long walk every morning either in the reserve itself or between the vineyards and olive trees.  It felt like you were in the middle of nowhere, yet we were within 15 mins of restaurants and shops.

Eland grazing next to the pool

I really had to think hard about whether I should let others in on my “find” but in the end, I decided that I should “share” and hopefully some of my readers will then also take the HINT and share their secrets with me!  Here is the link http://www.oudedenneboom.co.za

Hubby relaxing with a glass of wine

Give it a try; whether you are looking for a family breakaway or just a romantic weekend for two, I am sure you will enjoy it as much as we did.  

And, in case you think I was paid to write this raving review, I was not, I found it on Google, booked and paid for in full!

So, now that I have shared……where is your secret hideaway?

View from my helicopter flip over the Victoria Falls

As an ex tour operator, I always recommended that my international clients try and tag on a 2 -3 night package to see this amazing spectacle.  Usually, they leaped at the chance when they realized how close it was to our borders.   In addition to seeing this spectacular 1,700m (5,600ft) sheet of water hurtling 108m (354ft) into the Batoka Gorge, you can also indulge in all sorts of adventurous activities from adrenalin pumping to more leisurely pursuits.  

A client sent this pic of her microlighting - I need to go back and do this!

Locals, wake up!  Take note of what you have on your doorstep, stop procrastinating, set a date, make that booking and as they say “JUST DO IT” – I promise you will not regret it.

My suggested TOP TEN ACTIVITIES in no particular order:

• The famous “Flight of the Angels” – a  breathtaking helicopter flip to see the Falls in all their glory
• Taking a micro-light over the Falls will get your heart pumping
• Take a canoe safari in the Upper Zambezi or ride the rapids of the Batoka Gorge
• Experience an exhilarating age old tradition of elephant back riding through the bushveld
• Take a walk on the wild side walking with lions
• Swim in the “Devil’s Pool” right on the edge of the Falls – only done when they water is low and on the Zambian side of the Falls
• Relax on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi where you could see hippo, crocodiles and elephant
• Bungee jump / gorge swing / abseil or zip line – all “Rambo” activities off the bridge that spans Zimbabwe and Zambia
• Morning or Evening Game Drive to see the Big Five
• Horseback safari

I have visited the Victoria Falls twice and have viewed the Falls from both the Zimbabwe and the Zambian side.  I still think that the best view of the Falls is from the Zimbabwe side and when the water is lower, usually August/September.  But, no matter which side you see it from or when, make the effort.

This is the boat I took to get to Livingstone Island to swim in the Devil's Pool, pretty small to negotiate rocks, hippos and crocs!

Made it into Devil's Pool, now to get to the edge - not sure if I was smiling or grimacing!

Made it!!! at the edge of the Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island, Victoria Falls

After all those exhilarating adventures, time to relax with a G&T and another gorgeous African sunset

Have you visited the Victoria Falls?  Would you like to visit the Falls?  I am happy to answer any questions and point you in the right direction to excellent operators to organize your trip.

Enjoying a picnic lunch with my friends at Rickety Bridge Wine Farm, Franschhoek

In South Africa, our most popular way of entertaining on the weekend is to have a “braai” or barbeque.  I definitely have “braai envy” when I catch that smell of the braai wafting over from the neighbors, my stomach begins to growl in a very unfeminine way and it does not then need much encouragement from my side before hubby will have the fire going, and before long we will be sitting down to some delicious grilled boerewors, (spicy sausage made of beef or lamb) sosaties, (kebabs made of lamb, chicken or beef) steak, baked potatoes (usually wrapped in foil and baked in the hot coals) and salad.  YUM!

Hubby "braaing" at Sheffield Beach in KwaZulu Natal - note the boerewors, whole mealies and what would a braai be without a glass of wine on hand

South Africa offers a vast range of culinary experiences having derived its food and methods of cooking from many cultures including African, Dutch, English, French, Indian and Malay.

As a visitor to South Africa, you can find anything that you eat back home from a hamburger to sushi  and in a city like Cape Town you can find French, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Moroccan, Japanese, Portuguese, Greek, Korean, you name it, there will be a restaurant to satisfy your need.  But, if you are looking for authentic South African cuisine, it usually takes a little more effort.   Wandies Place in Soweto outside Johannesburg and Africa Café in central Cape Town are two that spring to mind but there are lots of smaller restaurants too that specialize in Cape Malay cooking or if in Durban, Indian cuisine.

If you are feeling brave, you can always try crocodile, kudu, impala or warthog or what about fried mopane worms or chicken feet?  If your palate is not quite up to that, there are still many delicious delicacies to try.  For example, no South African would take a road trip without biltong (dried, salted meat) to nibble on and, once you have tasted it, I guarantee that you will be smuggling some back home….

Here are a couple of delicacies you could try –  don’t forget that one of the reasons one travels is to experience different cultures so do not stick to what you eat back home, try the food of that country.  I most definitely do!

Bobotie (ba-boo-tea) is a classic Cape Malay dish, a bit like a meat loaf but far more delicious.  The basis of it is ground beef, onions, almonds, raisins and chutney seasoned with curry powder and turmeric with a baked egg custard on top.  Here is a great recipe to try this out at home.

Ckalaka (cha-ka-la-ka) originates from the African townships where it is served either hot or cold as an accompaniment to a meal.  Most South Africans now like to have it at a braai as well.  Usually consists of onions, tomatoes and beans or peppers cooked together with some spices like ginger, garlic and chilies

Morongo is wild spinach eaten boiled with salt usually as an accompaniment to pap

Pap is a stable of the African people of South Africa, made with mealie / maze meal, water and salt to a fairly stiff consistency and eaten with morongo or any green leafed vegetable and of course chakalaka.   For many South Africans, a braai would also not be a braai without pap.  It is also eaten for breakfast in a thinner consistency with milk and sugar. 

Samoosa (sa-moo-sa), very popular with all South Africans, this is a small triangular shaped spicy pie filled with either meat or vegetables and deep fried.  It is made usually by the Malay and Indian population.

Melktert is an Afrikaans word meaning Milk Tart – this is based on a custard tart originating with the Dutch settlers and then changed and adapted by the Cape Malays to become our very own original melktert.  Everyone has their own “special” recipe, but it is basically a sweet crust pastry filled with a creamy filling made with sugar, eggs, milk, cinnamon and flour and then baked.  Cinnamon is also sprinkled on the top.

Koeksister – this is a very sweet type of doughnut.  It is made with dough that is twisted into a braid or plait, deep fried and then dropped into a cold syrup mixture.  It really hits that “spot” when you feel like something very sweet. 

Koeksister

Rooibos Tea – meaning red bush tea is a herbal tea grown in South Africa.  It is usually drunk like normal black tea with milk and sugar or a little honey.  It has become very popular in Western countries because of its high antioxidant nutrients and the fact that it has no caffeine.   Our coffee shops have now also introduced  “red espressos”  and “red cappuccinos” all made with rooibos tea instead of coffee.  Iced rooibos tea has also now become popular in most countriesWhat has been the most outlandish food that you have eaten from another country?  Did you enjoy it?  Do you try to experience eating the street food or the local delicacies in a country you are visiting?

Should we show some support?

This was a no-brainer; I am always keen to get out of the city into the countryside. Worcester is only about an hour’s drive from Cape Town in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains with some of the best wine, fruit and olive farms.  I immediately set about looking for accommodation, my eye caught Aan De Doorns Guesthouse and it ticked all the boxes.   

• Historical country house  
• Good special for the Festival with breakfast  
• Included ticket to the Festival and a tasting wine glass, YES!     
• En-suite room had a romantic free-standing bath…    

Come Saturday, we threw a couple of things into my mini and were soon out of the city.  We took the slightly longer route to Worcester over Du Toits Kloof Pass – this impressive pass winds its way up the mountain with the most spectacular views of Paarl and, no doubt, many people do not realize that it was built by 500 Italian prisoners of war during World War 2!

By the time we arrived at the guesthouse at about noon, I was already in country-mode. It is always interesting how different things are done in the country, the front door of the guesthouse was unlocked, 

Aan De Doorns Guest House

the maid was in the kitchen and simply told us which room was ours and we dropped off our overnight bag.  No fuss…Marita, the owner and her manager, Anna were already at the Festival.  Marita, it seems had taken over the potjie competition…

The Harvest of Joy Festival is just one of many held in the winelands at this time of the year.  This one is only into its second year and still intimate with mostly only locals attending, which I prefer. 

The Harvest of Joy

It is held right on the Breede River, well known for river rafting and fishing.  Being a gorgeous summer day, children were swimming, a mountain bike race had already been completed in the morning and as we arrived, the canoe race was coming to an end.  There was a band, wine tasting, food stalls, and a booze cruise on a wooden barge.  Very “gesellig” as the locals would say.

"Naughty Girls" Sparkling Wine Tasting

Booze Cruise on the Breede River

After whiling away a couple of hours here, we bought another bottle of wine and hot footed it back to our guesthouse as the Super 15 Rugby was on that evening.  Soon after getting back, our hosts arrived and guess what?  They had won the potjie competition!  This was great news for us as, being the very generous hosts that they were, we got to enjoy the potjie.  It did not hurt either that we won the rugby and there was a superb sunset, what a way to end our “delicious” day!

I love last minute arrangements, especially when they include food, wine and FUN! 

Do you enjoy last minute arrangements?

When you are on safari and overhear your game ranger mention that he is going to follow up on the Dagga Boys, he is definitely not referring to cannabis.

Dagga Boys (pronounced Dagger as in the knife and therefore different to the slang word for cannabis) are what the male Cape Buffalo are known as – specifically the older bulls.

Dagga is an African term for “mud” or it can also mean “crazy” so these old buffalo bulls are pretty much like our very own “grumpy old men”

The old buffalo break away or are kicked out of the breeding herd.  They can often be found wallowing in a waterhole covering their bodies, head and even their horns with mud. They do this to get rid of parasites and to keep themselves cool, which is why they are referred to as the “Dagga Boys”.   Do not underestimate them though as you will do so at your peril.  All their senses are still very much intact and being grouchy, will attack a vehicle or even a tree, especially if they have been wounded in some way.

The Cape or African Buffalo is a member of the “Big Five”, the others being Elephant, Rhino, Lion and Leopard.  Hunters termed this group of animals the “Big Five” as they were the largest and usually most dangerous animals to hunt.  An old Dagga Boy can weigh up to 700kg’s or 1500 lb’s.  They have huge horns (actually both male and female have them), which I think look a bit like a Viking helmet.  The Cape Buffalo is known to be one of Africa’s most dangerous animals and will even take on lions.  You may have seen the video of the “Battle at Kruger” before, but it is always worth watching again and if it’s your first viewing, you will be blown away.

But, just like grumpy old men with spindly legs, bald heads and rather large girths, the Dagga Boys, if left alone are very placid and will simply eat, wallow in mud and generally take it easy.  Sound familiar?

Fun Fact: what is a herd of Buffalo called?

An obstinacy of Buffalo…. definitely the correct term as they are indeed very stubborn animals, especially the Dagga Boys, OR this could easily be the word for a group of grumpy old men…

More Fun information: The Cape Buffalo’s image is used on our R100 notes, now if only that R100 note would “stubbornly” remain in my purse!!!