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Seaside suburb of Cape Town, in Western Cape, South Africa
Photo: Ossewa, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Melkbos is a beautiful seaside town of 12,000 people (2011) on the north-western fringe of the Cape Town Metropolis. It is well known for its tranquility, wide white beach, water-sports and west-coast hospitality. It is an easy getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The village, named after the milkwood trees growing to its north, is washed by the Atlantic Ocean on its west side and has the Blouberg mountain on its eastern side. Its full name is Melkbosstrand, but most people refer to it as Melkbos.
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In addition to ostriches, the ranch has goats, geese and cheetahs. You can feed the ostriches too.
The 3000-hectare buffer zone around the power station has been converted to a nature reserve with Bontebok, Zebra, Genet, Steenbok and many other antelope. You can walk or use the mountain bike trail. Bring photo ID for access.
The surrounding bay and warm waters are a favourite spot for whale watchers, when the gracious cetaceans, on their way round the Cape, repair in the sound that separates the village from Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned from 1964 to 1982.
Try the Sauvignon Blanc.
Divers may attempt to look for a host of shipwrecks dating to the late 15th century.
World-famous surfing spot Big Bay lies five kilometres away, south of a continuous line of unspoiled beaches which are a popular location for international film shoots.
Thai, Chinese and Japanese specialities. Always reliable and good value.
Possibly the oldest "fish and chips" restaurant and raw bar on the Atlantic seaboard north of Cape Town
From Cape Town, travel north on the R27 (the west coast road) past Milnerton and Tableview. Turn left at the traffic lights just after Atlantic Beach golf course.
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