Watch the last vultures in the sky above Potberg

The wind brushes through the fynbos landscape as you gain height step by step. Above you, a mighty shadow circles – a Cape vulture. With a wingspan of up to 2.6 metres it glides silently over the cliffs of the Potberg massif. This hike in the eastern part of De Hoop Nature Reserve is more than just a nature experience – it brings you close to an endangered species that you can now see in the wild at only a few places in the world.

The Klipspringer Trail takes you over the Potberg mountains in about two hours – enough time to immerse yourself in the quiet beauty of this landscape without having to set aside a whole day. The path winds through dense fynbos, past steep slopes and up to viewpoints from where, with a bit of luck, you can watch the rare Cape vultures in flight. Direct access to the breeding colony is closed, but your chances are good of seeing the birds circling high above the cliffs on the thermals.

Don’t start your hike too early: the Cape vultures usually only take off as the morning goes on, once the rising warm air carries them. Take plenty of water, sun protection and binoculars with you – and give yourself time for breaks along the way so you can enjoy this special natural spectacle in peace.