Bird Island Nature Reserve, Western Cape

The world’s most accessible Cape gannet colony can be found on an island, linked to Lambert’s Bay by a breakwater wall. Bird Island also gives shelter to thousands of cormorants and penguins, whilst Cape fur seals can still be found on the rocks on the seaside of the island.

The three hectare Bird Island Nature Reserve is an important breeding and roosting site for this cacophonous and, on the face of it, unruly bunch of birds that serves as both an environmental educational opportunity, and a tourist attraction of note. Bird Island is one of only six sites where Cape gannets breed in the world.

Bird Island has a fantastic modern bird hide that has transformed the island into something of an educational classroom on the life of these birds.

It also means that visitors are less subject to the incredibly strong smell of guano, collected from the island between 1888 and 1990 for use in fertilisers and known as “white gold.” Because of this regular collecting, the penguin community sharply declined, particularly because their eggs were regarded as a delicacy. Visitors to the island can also explore an aquarium, auditorium, penguin pool, curio shop, and coffee shop, and there is a video on the history of the island available in a number of different languages.

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Kanoneiland

Kanoneiland is a beautiful settlement situated in the Northern Cape in South Africa. What makes this settlement stand out from the rest is that it is situated on the largest inland island in the gorgeous Orange River Valley. It is, in fact, the biggest river settlement in the country.

Kanoneiland gets its name from the days when Koranna river pirates under the leadership of Klaas Pofadder lived on the island and hid in the dense foliage. In 1879 the island was attacked by a small cannon for a number of days by a force of 80 policemen under Captain Dyason. In response, the Korannas built their own cannon from a hollow aloe stem. They loaded this with gunpowder and when they fired, it exploded and killed 6 Koranna. The cannon used by the Cape Field Artillery can still be seen today in front of the old school building.

In 1928, a group of 52 private settlers began to clear this beautiful island for cultivation. The irrigation scheme in the area supports the lush vineyards that are truly glorious to look at. In winter, the island can hardly be seen and looks like a series of vineyards on dry land. However, when it is rainy season, the water levels rise quite considerably and the islanders often have to put up barrages to prevent the water from flooding the island. Fortunately the residential parts have been built on the highest parts of the island and the islanders' homes are generally safe.

Guided tours of the island are an experience not to be missed! It is a truly beautiful island boasting an abundance of lush foliage and fields. Groups of up to 20 people at a time can be catered for. One can enjoy the traditional meals of the islanders as well as the delicious locally produced wines. The people here are friendly and hospitable and the accommodation is superb! The tranquillity and beauty of this area attracts many people here yearly.

Kanoneiland is one not to be missed!