Pelican
Light tower Rif Sint Marie
Saltpans of Jan Kok - View of church of Willibrordus
Looking back to Jan Kok
The Pipe!
Ruin of Rif Sint Marie
Trail along the Saltpans
The Jan Kok laguna (with salt pans) is famous for its flamingos. You can see the birds from the main road. In the wet season (that can be any time, but mostly from November till January) the trail may be muddy and slippery.
We do all trails in the evening. It gets cooler along the way and the setting sun guaranties beautiful pictures.
Guess what! Walking along the salt pans makes you very thirsty. Bring at least one liter of drinking water! (You always have to bring a sufficient suply of water of course)
At Plantation house Jan Kok you can have snacks and drinks. Open from 10 am - 6 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Trail along Bullenbaai
Bullenbaai
Bullenbaai
Trail Tip1: Walk around the laguna. To keep the sun out of your eyes, better start at the South end. You find it in Willibrordus, at the left side of the road, just after passing the Richenel bar (closed).
(Ask locals for the right starting point) You 'll see the ruined plantation house Rif Sint Mari, you'll do part of the trail on the West side of Bullenbaai. Turn left after balancing over a big pipe that covers the outlet of the laguna. Follow the trail to the main road, where you will end up in the little restaurant-bar for a cool local beer! (You were on your feet for about two and a half hours). Walk back (at the left side of the road) to your car that you left at the roadside near the plantation house Jan Kok. It will be dark by then...be careful and watch for cars without proper headlights and free roaming donkeys.
Trail Tip2: You can include a walk to Bullenbaai, and back.
Trail Tip3: Go on from the Bullenbaai (going North) and find the new trail, that our hiking club made, to plantation house Hermanus. You will probably get lost and have to push yourself through thorny bushes, but somehow you'll manage to get to the main road. It is fun! It is a while to get back to your car. It will be pitch dark by then. Always bring a pocket light!