Heading north on the N7 from Cape Town, you will initially pass through the wheat-growing area of the Swartland (Malmesbury, Moorreesburg and Piketberg). The small patches of unassuming, greyish vegetation holding out between the wheatfields and on the lower hill slopes (best viewed from the Piekenierskloof Pass beyond Piketberg) are lowland ‘renosterveld’ (p.7), one of the most threatened vegetation types in the world. From a distance, the vegetation on the hill-slopes appears to be covered with large spots, which are in fact subterranean termite mounds (see p.103).

The Piekenierskloof Pass lifts you from the lowlands into the fynbos, and proteas line the road. Over the pass lies the fertile and intensively cultivated Olifants River valley, one of South Africa’s main citrus-growing areas, and the fruit stalls along the road to Clanwilliam are well worth a stop. Dominating the eastern horizon are the majestic Cederberg mountains, the haunt of Leopard (Panthera pardus) and also of the rare Clanwilliam cedar tree (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis), endemic to this range. These mountains are also legendary in rock climbing and hiking circles. Ten kilometres before Clanwilliam, look out for the Paleisheuwel road (p.56), an excellent site for Protea Canary (p.57*).

Beyond the Olifants River, you leave the Cape Floral Kingdom behind and the fynbos gives way to progressively drier semidesert vegetation (see p.7). The petrol station at the entrance to the town of Klawer is an excellent place to refuel and take a refreshing break. Continuing towards Vanrhynsdorp, you may wish to bird the sweet-thorn (Acacia karroo) thickets at the Wiedouw River, 11.6 km north of the Klawer filling station. Pririt Batis (p.85*) is common here, and is best detected by its call. From Vanrhynsdorp, turn eastwards along the R27 (following the signs to Nieuwoudtville/ Calvinia) and head towards the Vanrhyns Pass. Look for Greater Kestrel and Black Crow on the telephone poles in the open areas around Vanrhynsdorp (see p.104).