Southbroom
Southbroom has undergone many changes in the 123 years since Alfred Eyles arrived in this town, but most of the natural beauty has remained. Four kilometres of Indian Ocean beach frontage and 350,000 m2 of township land zoned to conservation are the main attractions between the Mbizane and Kaba Rivers.
Granny's pool is kept clean by the sea and the water between the rocks is clear, especially at high tide. Visitors feel like they are swimming in the deep sea and the cove to the right has numerous shells, including cowries. The visibility of a calm sea makes skin diving and snorkeling in and around the Fascadale Rocks an eye opening experience.
The Frederika Nature Preserve came into being in 1977 when 30 beachfront residential sites where placed on the market. Leo Driessen purchased these properties and donated them into the custody of SA Nature Conservation Centre and named the Preserve after his wife. Renamed Delta Environmental Centre, the project highlights the biodiversity of the Southbroom area. Another active environmentalist, David Hallé has been hacking out “The Bushbuck Trail” which is a wonderful walk from behind the Tennis Club, through dense coastal vegetation.
A large flock of Barn Swallows roost in the reed-beds of Umkobi lagoon and other rare birds share the habitat such as Pied Mannikin, African Broadbill, Spotted Thrush, African Finfoot and Broad-tailed Warbler. Pelagic birds abound during the annual sardine migration in June where billions of tiny little fish attract a delightful symphony of sea life.
