The tranquil holiday village of Little Brak is found on the beautiful south-eastern coast of South Africa, known as the Garden Route. It is located just short drive from Mossel Bay and is 35km from the closest airport in George. The white, sandy beach with its gentle waves, warm waters of the Indian Ocean and shallow lagoon are perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

This is a real holiday retreat with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, and an ideal place to get away from the pressures of city life. The beach at Little Brak is safe for swimming and generally not too crowded, with some great fishing spots. The Little Brak River is navigable for a good 20km upstream and fish are plentiful. There are also a number of other beautiful beaches in close proximity – Southern Cross and Hersham beaches with lifeguards on duty in the season: The Island beach with its calm waters; Outeniqua beach with four swimming areas; and Tergniet beach with a tidal pool and lifeguards on duty during peak season.

When to Go
Averaging only four cloudy days a month, and with the mildest climate in South Africa, this part of the Garden Route can be visited the whole year round. September to April is best for beach and outdoor activities. If you’re keen on whale watching, the ideal time to visit is between late July and November during the breeding/calving season when these magnificent creatures venture close to shore.

Climate
This part of the South African coastline is fortunate to have a mild climate all year round. There is little rainfall, which falls mostly at night, the wettest month being October. Daytime temperatures range from 18.6°C in winter (July) to 26.6°C in summer (January).

Fauna
The sheltered bays and placid waters of the South eastern coastline of South Africa make this a fantastic area for whale watching, particularly from June to November when the Southern Right whales comes close to shore to bear their calves and nurse their young. Humpback whales also favour the region, and you could spot Killer Whales, Humpbacks and Bryde’s whales as well.
There is also an abundance of wildlife and game reserves to found in the areas surrounding Little Brak - Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Gondwana Private Game Reserve (Big 5), Hartenbos Private Game Lodge, Indalu Game Reserve, Nyaru Game Lodge and Zorgfontein Eco & Wildlife Reserve.

The rich fynbos vegetation of the area attracts an enormous variety of birds too, and birders are likely to see many species here, particularly near the river mouth, which is a breeding ground for sea birds.
The Little Brak River and the vegetation along its banks provides the habitat and migration path for many smaller mammals such as the Vervet monkey, southern Cape bushbuck, Cape clawless otter, water mongoose, bushpig and blue duiker. This region is also the home of South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, which is on the list of endangered species.

Flora
The vegetation of the Little Brak catchment forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the worlds’ six floral kingdoms and the only one located entirely within one country. Remarkable for its diversity, the floral kingdom has 9000 plant species, which bloom at different times of the year. In fact, archaeological discoveries in the greater Mossel Bay area have led scientists to believe that these plants probably played a crucial role in the survival of humankind during times of drastic climate change. Look out for proteas, Ericas, Restios, coral aloe, bitter aloe, wild iris, geranium, pelargonium, wild sage, boegoe and renosterbos.
There are also patches of forest in the river valleys and you will commonly find Acacia karoo, wild pomegranate, Outeniqua yellowwood, Keurboom, Cape chestnut and white milkwood trees here.
Outeniqua yellowwood (left) and Cape chestnut trees are indigenous to the South Coast forest. The yellowwood has a lifespan of up to 2 000 years and reaches a height of 50m.

THINGS TO SEE & DO:

Outeniqua Nature Reserve
Located about 40km north-west of Little Brak River, this large reserve is set in the Outeniqua Mountain range which runs parallel to the coastline. Here you will find five breath-taking mountain passes, and this is a popular walking and hiking destination, with a number of day hikes which leave from the reserve office in Witfontein. Spanning 38 000 hectares, the reserve has forest, ferns and a huge diversity of mountain fynbos – September and October are the best times to see spectacular blooms. This lush environment is home to the black eagle, the elusive leopard, klipspringer, baboon, and tiny fynbos birds such as the sunbirds and the Cape sugarbird.
Office hours: 7:30am-4.00pm
+27 44 870 8323

Little Brak Beach
Little Brak beach and lagoon offers white, sandy beaches and safe swimming for the whole family, as well a variety of water sports such as canoeing, boating, fishing and water skiing up the Little Brak River.

Glentana Beach Walk
This easy walk starts at the parking area next to the Sea Side Café in Little Brak and continues eastwards towards the rocks for 6km passing caves and many shipwrecks.

Botlierskop Day Safaris
Guided game drives, horseback safaris and outrides, guided bush hikes and a riverbank bush spa are some of the enticing activities offered to day visitors at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, which is a 15-minute drive from Little Brak.
+27 44 333 0021

Outeniqua Moon cart rides
Ride in a cart pulled by heavy draught horses through the indigenous fynbos forest at Outeniqua Moon farm. These giant horses have a wonderful temperament, and you’ll have a chance to get to know more about this relatively rare breed. For the kids there is also a pool with a water slide, trampoline and a “fairy-tale playground”. The farm is situated about 20km out of town.
Cart-ride times: 10.00am and 3.00pm
+27 44 631 0093

Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
This malaria free, family owned and privately operated game lodge is home to an abundance of animals including four of the Big 5. The location is excellent and you can see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, rhino, hippo, rare black impala and more, as well as a unique bird life – all overlooking the sea and the mountains.
+27 44 696 6055

Nyaru Game Lodge
Situated on the banks of the Matjiespoort River, Nyaru offers a great African safari experience with game drives, quad bike safaris and helicopter flights, nature walks and sun-downer picnics. Seventeen species of game including giraffe, zebra and the rare black impala can be found here, and the lodge’s riverside location means that birdlife is abundant. Accommodation options include one and two-bedroom chalets, and the 8-sleeper Night Jar Retreat. There is also an 80-seater restaurant on site.
+27 82 715 1933

Riverside Holiday Resort
Day visitors are welcome at this resort, although a once-off lifetime membership fee is applicable. There is plenty to do here including swimming in the river or swimming pools, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, mini-golf and snooker in the entertainment centre. Kiddies will enjoy the play park and you can also book a sunset cruise down the river.
+27 44-696-6061

PLACES TO EAT:
De Vette Mossel (+27 79 339 0170)
Fireplace Restaurant (+27 44 333 0021)
Leani Garden Restaurant (+27 44 620 2565)
Stonehill Restaurant (+27 44 696 6501)
Valljapie Station Restaurant (+27 44 696 5878)

PLACES TO STAY:
At Whale-Phin Guest House (+27 44 696 6772)
Botlierskop Private Game Reserve ( +27 44 696 6055)
C the View Guest House (+27 44 620 2439)
Eden Country Inn (Tel +27 44 696 6262)
Little Brak Beach House (+27 21 762 1543)
Oupa Jakes Guesthouse (+27 44 696 5819)
Outeniqua Caravan Park (+27 44 696 6580)
RD’s Home self-catering ( +27 44 884 0278)
Riverside Holiday Resort (+27 44-696-6061)
Cheetah Lodge (+27 44 694 0029 or +27 76 744 9957)