Porterville

The Dutch East India Company used to communicate with outlying areas by a chain reaction of cannon fire, signalling to the farmers to bring their produce to Cape Town for an incoming fleet. One such naval gun, formerly on the top of a hill, now stands outside the magistrate's court in Porterville.

The area is renowned for its rare orchids, which grow so well here that a Disa Orchid Route has been laid out to let visitors appreciate the pretty Red Disa and the very rare Yellow Disa.

[b]

Porterville is attractive to specialists in the world of adventure sport[/b]. Paragliders come here from all over the world to experience perfect cross-country flying conditions. Thermal updrafts lift them off the summit of Dasklip hill and up to 3,000 metres in the air.

From this vantage point the Cederberg mountains diminish and the vast open valleys of wheat fields and citrus groves appear like a lego land. The current site distance record was achieved in 1998 by Welshman Nick Roberts who flew a massive 139 kilometres. (The record for hang gliding is 203 km, set on December 17th 1983 by another Welshman, Huw Williams.)

Request a Quote |  Add to my wishlist