Excursion to the West Coast-Our first inhabitants pt3 - !Khwa Ttu

From Clanwilliam we took a very scenic drive down the West Coast back to Cape Town. Along the way we passed many little towns lost in history, such as Graafwater and Leipoldtville (hometown of writer C Louis Leipoldt). You will come across one of the most breathtaking views of Verlorenvlei as you approach Elandsbaai, a small seaside town that is a paradise to surfers. From here we continued along the R27 and pass the sea side village of Dwarskersbos, filled with little holiday houses, it seemed like the perfect place to go to if you want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of today's life. Laaiplek, on the outskirts of Veldrift was very similar to Dwarskersbos but with the convenience of a large town nearby. Once out of Veldrift we kept to inland until we eventually passed Saldanha Bay where its huge steal manufacturing plant greeted us and let us now where we were. Eventually, after our exciting, but tiring drive we reached our destination just outside Yzerfontein, !Khwa Ttu, providing us with the much needed stretch of the legs we all longed for.

!Khwa Ttu is an educational and cultural centre that allows one a unique experience into the life of a how a typical San would have lived (some still living this way today). We embarked on a tractor pulled game drive where we animals such as the bontebok and zebra that roam the premises and are important to the San people as our knowledgeable and passionate guides explained the history of the San to us. Half way through the drive we took a short walk down to a replica San village, along the way the guides, who are descendants of the San themselves, took us through their tracking and hunting techniques. At the village we were shown traditional San garments and equipment and were even encouraged to start a fire with traditional "fire sticks".

On completion  of our scenic tractor drive we were treated to a delicious San inspired lunch at the restaurant. There were delicacies such as eland liver pate, eland burgers and traditional Cape babotie with a twist (made with eland). The menu was both delicious and affordable, well worth a visit if you find yourself travelling along the R27.

Apart from being a tourist attraction, !Khwa ttu is also a San training facility where the San people are empowered through literacy, entrepreneurship, tourism, health, community development, craft production/marketing and gender awareness programmes. 

Elandsbaai

Tractor ride at !Khwa ttu

Zebras and Bontebok

San Village with our guide explaining San culture

Our very own head of IQ, Jacyntha attempting to
start a fire,apparently its harder than it seems!

Some of the interesting insects you will encounter
at !Khwa ttu. No its not a lobster, it is in fact a
locust!