Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate, a World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and leading South African ecotourism wine destination, now features an Eco Boat Cruise on the Lady Bonnie pontoon boat. Set within a protected nature reserve and UNESCO designated Kogelberg Biosphere, the wine farm is committed to environmentally responsible farming practices and the conservation of threatened habitat in South Africa’s Succulent Karoo and the Cape Floral Kingdom.
The Lady Bonnie pontoon cruise offers visitors an eco-friendly, sustainable, and educational experience as they explore the Bot-Kleinmond Estuarine System, ranked 8th most important estuary in South Africa due to its size, habitat importance, zonal type rarity, and biodiversity. The boat tour is designed to provide an entertaining experience, prioritising low environmental impact and social responsibility.
The pontoon boat is equipped with two 40hp 4-stroke Honda outboards, minimising sound and pollution, and features a detachable fuel tank to prevent impacts on water quality. The vessel is certified for 12 passengers and two crew members, and the tours last no longer than 60 minutes.
Cruise Experience
The boat tour is led by a qualified skipper and knowledgeable staff, ensuring a safe and informative experience for all. The Lady Bonnie is also wheelchair accessible, child-friendly, and pet-friendly, making it a perfect family experience.
The Eco Boat Cruise enables visitors to appreciate the natural landscape and wildlife of the Bot River Estuary, while promoting the conservation of these natural resources for future generations, says the estate owner, Penny Streeter OBE.
The Bot-Kleinmond Estuarine is a haven for diverse bird and fish species, as well as the small buck, mountain leopards and wild horses that also make appearances on the estate. Among the 86 bird species recorded in the estuary, some are globally threatened, such as the Bank Cormorant.
Visitors might see any number of these species that include: the Cape Shoveler, Yellow-billed Duck, Blue Crane, Chestnut-banded Plover, Black Harrier, African Marsh Harrier, Red-knobbed Coot, African Oystercatcher, Caspian Tern, Kelp Gull, Great White Pelican, Cape Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Bank Cormorant, Greater Flamingo, Spur-winged Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Great Crested Tern and Sandwich Tern.
The estuary is home to some 41 fish species, including the endangered Bot River klipfish listed on the IUCN Red List. Other species present in the estuary include Cape silverside, Barehead goby, Cape halfbeak, Leerfish, White steenbras, and Stumpnose.
Hermanus Wine Farms
Benguela Cove is one of the award-winning Hermanus wine farms in the Walker Bay wine region, in the Western Cape Winelands of South Africa, producing some of the best South African wines. In addition to the Eco Boat Cruise, Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate offers luxurious accommodation and an extensive range of activities for visitors to enjoy.
The Eco boat cruise is complimentary for two people when they buy any case of wine – six bottles or more at Benguela Cove. Pontoon cruise available Wednesday to Sunday – weather permitting, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00. Booking is required online or 087 357 0637, [email protected]
For more information visit www.benguelacove.co.za
