Mossel Bay, South Africa's Hidden Treasure
Visit Mossel Bay, also called "The Bay of Attractions", this seaside town halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth offer the unique opportunity to relax and enjoy heartwarming hospitality, warm waters of the Indian Ocean and miles of unspoiled beaches, the only in South Africa.
Mossel Bay, central to all major activities in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo with easy access to the N2.
Experience natural beauty, rich culture and friendly locals whilst enjoying all activities, in and around the area. A one-stop destination for all visitors to South Africa.
Why come to Mossel Bay?
1. RICH IN HISTORY
Back in 1488 a man called Bartholomeo Dias threw anchor in the bay of St Blaize. "Aguada de Sào Bras" as it was originally known. This town was developed as a busy export harbor for wool, ocher and ostrich feathers. The many beautiful Historical buildings in the town is evidence of the long ago happenings of the town. In 1601 the Dutch navigator, Paulus van Caerden, renamed it Mossel Bay, as he found that Mussels were most welcome addition to the diet of his crew. Today mussels gathered in Mossel Bay each spring are rated by gourmets among the finest in the world.
2. CULTURE
South Africa has been referred to as the `Rainbow Nation, a title which epitomizes the country's cultural diversity. The population of South Africa is one of the most complex and diverse in the world. Of the 45 Million South Africans, nearly 31 Million are Black, 5 Million White, 3 Million Colored and 1 Million Indian.
There are eleven official languages in South Africa: English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, Sepedi, Xhosa, Venda, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Zulu, Swazi, Tsonga
3. 2ND BEST CLIMATE IN THE WORLD
Mossel Bay features in the Guinness Book of Records as having the mildest all- year round climate in the world, second only to Hawaii. The Mozambique current, whose warm waters make for excellent swimming and sailing, have created a surfers mecca similar to Plettenberg or Jeffrey's Bay. Mosselbay is a bustling holiday resort in summer and the ideal retreat in winter and is situated on a spectacular sun washed peninsula embraced by the warm Indian Ocean. Mossel Bay is sportsman's and water sports enthusiast's paradise, it has a very wide variety of adventure sports facilities as well as sport of the conventional type, such as golf, squash, tennis, bungy and bridge swing, indoor heated pools, horse riding to name but a few. And if you're into water sport, there is some of the countries most adrenalin induced activities available- such as, shark cage diving, ship wreck diving, snorkeling, power boating and others. This is the place where the Indian oceans laps pristine beaches and prehistoric fynbos dashes over hills.
Don't worry about Malaria tablets the area is malaria free!!!!
4. FAUNA & FLORA (GARDEN ROUTE)
"HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH"- the breathtaking combination of indigenous forests, lakes and lagoons, waterways and rivers, wildlife and fynbos, which are bordered by a rugged coastline possessing magnificent beaches washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, offers the visitor much more than expected and everything they desire. In a short period of time you are able to traverse Fynbos, Afromontane forest, Milk wood forest, Dune Fynbos, wetlands, marshes and lakes, riverine systems and coastline.
5. MARINE LIFE
Southern Right, Humpback & Brydes Whales- Winter months (June - October)
Dolphins- Throughout the whole year you can observe Bottle nose Dolphins
Seals- Cape Fur Seals lives permanently on the Seal Island.
Sharks- Apart from the Great White, we encounter Hammerheads, Ragged Tooth and Maco Sharks throughout the year.
Located in Mossel Bay on the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa, The Shark Lab is your chance to get close to some of the world's most amazing Sealife, with 50% of the profits going directly to support the research and education efforts of Oceans.
The H.Capsenis is also called the Knysna Seahorse and is found along the Garden Route in South Africa.
6. BIRD LIFE
Of the more than 800 bird species, 26 are threatened, including the Jackass penguin, Cape Vulture, Martial Eagle, Bateleur and Cape Parrot. The 5 endangered species are: Wattled Crane, Roseate Tern, Egyptian Vulture, Black Rumped Buttonquail and Blue Swallow.
7. BUFFALO & RHINOS
The African or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer) is a very powerful creature, demanding respect from even a pride of lions when paths cross. Bulls at 10 years of age or older can reach or exceed 900kg.
Buffalo have earned a bad reputation from hunters as the are unpredictable and can be dangerous if cornered or wounded. Though they have been known to ambush men and are often accused of deliberate savagery, they are usually placid if left alone. Both male and female buffalo have heavy ridged horns. Cape Buffalo occur from open savannah to thickly wooded country, and wallow in mud when opportunity presents itself. Grass forms the greatest part of the diet.
Buffalo are carriers of food and mouth and corridor disease and cannot be kept in close proximity of domesticated cattle. This further limits the area in which they can be kept. Old Buffalo bulls keep each other company in bachelor herds and are called “Dugga Boys”.
The White Rhinoceros is one of five species of Rhinoceros that still exist and dates from the Miocene era millions of years ago.
The White Rhino’s name drives from the Dutch “weit” meaning wide, a reference to its wide, square muzzle adapted for grazing. The White Rhino, which is actually gray, has a massive body and large head, a short neck and broad chest. The average size range of a mature Rhino is weight of 1800 – 3000 kg. A head and body length of 3.35 – 4.2m and shoulder height of 150 – 185 cm. A Baby Rhino will lie on its side to drink milk because the little horn on the snout will become to big to fit into the inside of her leg where the mothers teat is found.
On the snout it has two horns, it is made of thickly matted hair that grows from the skull without skeletal support.
Man is the cause of the demise of the Rhino. In the wild the adult White Rhino has no true natural predator and, despite its size and antagonistic reputation, it is extremely easy for man to kill.
Since 1970 the world Rhino population has declined by 90% with five species remaining in the world today all of which are endangered.
8. OTHER INTERESTING FACTS IN NATURE
The giraffe is the tallest number of the animal kingdom and male average of 5.5m.
Research has shown that the giraffe has a very big heart (13kg) and that its pumping power 3 times that of a man.
Most important there is a intricate network of valves in the veins and blood vessels of the neck, which prevents the brain from being filled or emptied from blood quickly.
The first Greek who encountered a giraffe thought it is a cross between a camel and a leopard.
When two or more baboons are together even lions gives the wide berth.
A Warthog always reveres into its hole, so its tusks face forward, and it is safe from almost all predators.
Impalas are able to survive without drinking for day on end in summer and for up to a week in the dry winter months.
The smooth, sleek coat of the Springbuck is adapted – through colour and hair structure – to reflect heat.
Blue Crane adults bond and pair of life.
9. GOLF COURSES IN AND NEAR MOSSEL BAY
Mossel Bay Golf Course- The first President of the Club was Mr. A.I. Vintcent and the first Captain Mr. W.F Wright. The first official competition took place on 24 October 1926. The very first
hole-in-one belonged to a lady, Me Doris Wassung, who achieved this on 14 September 1935.
Kingswood Golf Estate- Kingswood is an urban Golf Estate located in the heart of George, on the Garden Route. The Golf course is an 18 hole Sally Little signature course designed by Danie Obermeyer.
10. PAMPERING IN THE AWARD WINNING DAY SPA
The Boutique Spa is a member of the International Spa Association.
It has 4 treatment rooms, 1 couples treatment room, indoor heated pool, sauna, own cloak rooms and comfortable day guest room- separated from general hotel activities.
2006- Best Day Spa - Cape Region-Professional Beauty Award.
2008- One of three Finalists for Day Spa South Africa-Professional Beauty.
11. OTHER
Town of the year 2007! What put Mossel Bay at the top of the list for the judges was the great variety of activities and accommodation on offer here,” said the Town's marketing director, Louis Harris. “Whether you're looking for cultural experiences or for adventure or just for a place where it's great - and safe - for everyone in the family to do nothing at all, Mossel Bay wins out every time. But the things that make it really unique are our beaches - including the only north-facing beach in the country - and the fact that you can stay on the beach-front no matter what your budget may be.
Safest Town in South Africa: Mossel Bay was also recently rated as the safest town in SA to live in. Our low local crime rate reflects this.
Activities in the Garden Route
