We stayed at Sunbird Lodge and Fynbos Reserve in 2015, for two nights. Originally, we had planned three nights, but were unable to make it in one day from the Vanrhynsdorp area and had to make quick arrangements to stay in Paarl.
The road above the reserve.
Our cottage.
The deck.
We were able to enjoy some impressive views from the deck of our spacious and well appointed cottage.
Impressive views from our deck.
We walked a bit near the cottage. The reserve protects the type of vegetation known as Fynbos, which is a type of vegetation vegetation characterized by fine-leaved plants. The word fynbos means fine-leaved in Afrikaans. This type of vegetation is found in the Western Cape of South Africa.
A minor road near the cottage.
Rosario next to a large Restio plant.
Another interesting plant.
Fynbos require fires in order to remain healthy. Fire is used to maintain the vegetation at the reserve.
This area had been burned recently.
Proteas and Ericas are plants with beautiful flowers that are characteristics of the fynbos.
Protea sp.
Another species of Protea.
Closer view of the flower.
Protea
The owner gave us a guided tour the next day.
Mike with the owner on our guided tour. This vegetation is a rare example of rinosterveld, most of which has been converted to agriculture.
Although succulents often occur in rocky well-drained terrain, we found some interesting succulents hiding in the rinosterveld.
Haworthia sp.
Crassula sp.
There were other areas we visited in the reserve that had a rockier terrain and there too there were some interesting succulents.
A succulent.
A Crassula sp.
A succulent
Many types of flowers, non-succulent plants and insects were visible on our Sunday guided tour.
Interesting beetle.
A surprising find was a carnivorous plant in the genus Drosera.
Drosera sp.
Closer view of a sunflower.
Parasitic plant?
We had a very pleasant stay at the reserve. A beautiful cottage, great views and peace and quiet. Fynbos to explore and the town of Napier nearby. We enjoyed an excellent dinner at one of the restaurants in Napier. There is also a well-stocked Padstall with all kinds of breads and foods. Two nights was barely enough time and if we return we will try to stay a bit longer.
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