Visit the Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area

The Nuwejaars Wetland Special Management Area not only offers visitors to the area access to the more famous wildlife - like the buffalo. But tourists are also introduced to smaller fauna and flora species - many facing extinction. For botanists, it's the opportunity to see Protea Pudens (found almost solely in the Special Management Area) and the rare Erica Regia (Elim Heath). For bird watchers, those small sunbirds and sugar birds that live among the fynbos plants. And for game viewers, the once nearly-extinct bontebok, 'quagga' forming part of the Quagga Project, and smaller buck like the 'grysbok'. Some of our tourism activities are still being developed. Others are already in operation, like our buffalo tour.

Within the Special Management Area, tourists will also be able to visit the Elim wine ward - the newest wine ward in South Africa. Situated close to the small town of Elim, four sets of vineyards and wine cellars now produce top quality grapes. These are Black Oystercatcher Wines, Strandveld Wines, The Berrio and Zoetendal Wines. Quoin Rock is also part of the Elim wine ward, although this does not fall within the Special Management Area.

What makes these wines special - and increasingly popular? Wine connoisseurs put it down to the fruity flavours of the grapes. That's thanks to their setting within the Agulhas Plain, where the cool sea breeze and distinctive soil types create smaller berries at lower yields.

Just down the road from the four vineyards, and still within the Special Management Area, you'll find the small, quaint town of Elim - which is a member of the SMA. Elim is already a well-known tourism destination. The town (Elim means 'Place of God') was founded in 1824 by German missionaries. Elim is still only inhabited by members of the Moravian Church today. The beautiful historic church is found in the heart of the town. As such, the beautiful historic church is found in the heart of the town. Elim also has the only monument in South Africa to commemorate the freeing of the slaves in 1834. And it boasts one of the last working water mills in the Western Cape Province.

Less well-known, perhaps, is the beautiful 'Geelkop', a mountainous area that belongs to Elim. 'Geelkop', meaning yellow hill, is home to the rare dwarf Elim fynbos, which contains many threatened species.
This small nature reserve also offers beautiful views of the Special Management Area and surrounding areas.

Accommodation and restaurants are available to visitors within the Special Management Area. In Elim itself, tourists can stay over at the Elim Guesthouse, and eat out at The Water Mill Restaurant - where Jane serves up her famous pickled fish and milktart. Within the Elim wine ward, accommodation is available at the Strandveld Vineyards Cottages and the Draaihoek Guesthouse at Zoetendal Wines, while the Black Oystercatcher Restaurant and Venue offers fresh food straight out of the garden. The Agulhas Guest Farm offers overnight accommodation and full conference facilities, while tourists can also stay over at Jubilee Hill, a guesthouse situated close to the Zoetendalsvlei.

Within the broader Agulhas Plain, there are also a host of activities for the tourist. Must-see trips include an outing to the Agulhas Lighthouse, to the southerly most tip of Africa, to the quant fisherman's town of Waenhuiskrans (Arniston), to the Waenhuiskrans cave, to the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp, and to the many beaches and harbours in the area.

Within the Plain you'll find the De Hoop Nature Reserve and the De Mond Nature Reserve, both with rich fynbos, birdlife and wildlife. Accommodation is also available at both these reserves.