Porterville Blue Crane Route

Porterville is a country town that lies about 140km north of Cape Town. The Porterville Blue Crane Route links the various attractions in and around the town under the banner of Blue Crane conservation, as the route is one of four Blue Crane routes in the Western Cape. Blue Cranes, which are South Africa’s national bird, are found in the Swartland area (meaning ‘black land’ – an area which includes Porterville and was originally named as such by early explorers because of the dark renosterbos or ‘rhino bush’ that originally blanketed the area). The wheat crops in the region are ideal habitat for the birds. 

Because the Swartland area and the Porterville surrounds in particular, are now home to the Blue Crane, the Overberg Crane Group has extended its conservation efforts into the area. This has given rise to the fourth Blue Crane route being formed. Blue Cranes are omnivorous and eat plant, grain and insect material, which is why the wheat lands and pasture systems here suits them so well. Nevertheless even here they face threats  including collisions with power lines and fences, misuse of agrochemicals, getting caught in baling twine, chicks drowning in water troughs and the theft of chicks for the pet trade.

Besides Blue Cranes, the Porterville region is famous for the rarest of flowers, the Disa Uniflora, and it is the only place in South Africa where one can see fields of these flowers in nature. The rarest of these is the sulphur-yellow Disa, which is found in one small colony in Porterville.

Conditions in summer are usually dry and hot with powerful thermals, making this the ideal location for paragliding enthusiasts to launch themselves off the Groot Winterhoek Mountains. Winters are quite severe, with snow often covering the mountain peaks and storms rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The dramatic rock formations, fauna, flora and mountain rock pools in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area make hiking here a pleasure. For the less adventurous, there are coffee shops, restaurants and the opportunity to stay on one of the local farms and experience the Swartland way of life. There are also a number of historical monuments in the area, a museum, a wine cellar, a golf course and numerous fresh water angling spots.   Accommodation on the route range from guesthouses to self-catering chalets and campsites.

Porterville Town:

Porterville is a picturesque town of some 6000 inhabitants on the slopes of the beautiful Olifant's River mountains. Situated 140km north of Cape Town and 26km from the N7 highway, Porterville offers hospitality, diversity and authenticity. It was established in 1863 after Frederick John Owen (one of the original 1820 settlers) subdivided his farm Pomona into plots. The town was then named after the popular attorney general of the Cape, William Porter.
 
The town itself is untouched in its simplicity with houses dating back to the 1800's. Accommodation and facilities range from the stylish to those were visitors will have to 'rough it'.

Porterville is known as the paragliding/ hang-gliding Mecca of South-Africa. It attracts  tourists from all over the world as they come to experience the sky's powerful thermals during summer months. Porterville also attracts other outdoor enthusiasts, including mountain bikers, golfers, anglers, hikers and horse lovers.

Tips for Spotting Blue Cranes:

• Use binoculars to scan the area;
• Blue Cranes normally prefer open fields for foraging and make use of dams during hot weather for drinking;
• Summer is the breeding season and one is most likely to see pairs or family groups. In winter cranes congregate in flocks that move around depending on the conditions;
• Consult the Porterville Nature Conservation office for the most recent sightings in the area;
• Remember, it is illegal to disturb or remove cranes, chicks or eggs and to drive on private farmlands without the permission of the owner.

Three Suggested Driving Routes:

1. Blue Route:

This route is on a dirt road with fairly rough patches and corrugations. However, it is very scenic and parts are shady as gum trees line the road. One will pass through several different types of farming operations.

Directions:

• Heading out of Porterville on the R365 road towards Citrusdal, turn right after approximately 3km on the Cardouw Dasklip Pass dirt road;
• This road, better know as the Cardouw Road, winds its way along the base of the Olifantsriver Mountain for approximately 32km to a T-junction;
• Turn left here and then left again after about 10km and you will find yourself back on the R365 road back to Porterville.

2. Purple Route:

The majority of this route is on a tar road with a dirt road section that is in a fair condition if it has not rained heavily. This route takes one through rolling fields of wheat and past farm dams which often attract Blue Cranes and other birdlife.

Directions:

• Head out of Porterville along the R365 road;
• After approximately 27km turn left onto the dirt road marked ‘Pools’;
• After roughly 6.5km one reaches the T-junction of the N7 highway;
• Turn left and head towards Piketberg and then left again onto the R44 road to go back to Porterville.

3. Green Route:

This is an interesting route with lots of wildlife. However, the dirt road section can be rough and difficult to travel on in wet conditions.

Directions:

• Look for the Monte Bertha/Jakkelskloof sign on the main road running through Porterville near the Spar supermarket and turn onto this dirt road;
• Keep right when the road forks and turn right at the T-junction, roughly 17km from the start;
• This road joins up with the R44 road where one can turn left to Piketberg or right to head back to Porterville.

Useful Links

http://www.capewestcoast.org
http://www.cwcbr.co.za
http://www.portervilletourism.co.za
http://www.southafrica.net

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