This area is known for its biodiversity bushveld. Depending on which month you visit Sandcastle, guests will always be surprised at what nature has to offer. In September you will find the magnificent Coral trees in full bloom. The delicate Crinum and Flame lilies appears in December. The hillsides are alight with red flowers from the different Aloes in July.The cycad Encephalartos Altensteinii is found in abundance here. The cycads are also referred to as living fossil, older than 300 year.

Natural antelope are found here, including Bushbuck, the small steenbok and the gray duiker. When walking in the veld you will come across quite large holes in the ground, this is due to bush pig activity.

Your smaller mammals, such as the Cape Yellow Mongoose, Water Mongoose, Civet, Lynx and Genet all co-exist in this area.

A large range of reptiles can be found here. The delicate tree frog to the large bullfrog live at river edges, while many snakes are found in the veld, mostly harmless, with the exception of the Puff Adder and the Cape Cobra. It is important to note that snakes are more terrified of man, than we are of them, and will in all likelihood make a hasty exit. So should you encounter a snake on one of your bush walks, it is best to slowly withdraw from the snakes path.

BIRDILIFE
Of the 900 species of birds found in South Africa, 250+ can be found here, based on a count done by Professor Andre Boshof of the terrestrial unit at PE University. The diversity of bird types is vast because of the different terrain - the seashore, mud flats, estuaries, rivers, coastal dunes, inland bush and savannah. Along our stretch of coast you will find 5 breeding pairs of the African Black Oyster Catcher (breeding season is between November and March). These birds are on the Red Data List as there are only approximately 4500 left in the world. We are active in a conservation programme for the preservation of the African Black Oyster Catcher. The rivers and dams on the property and the surrounding land provide some exciting sightings of rare, exotic and indigenous birds - like the majestic Secretary bird which feeds mostly on reptiles, and the shy but magnificently coloured Knysna Lourie.

DOLPHINS
Along this stretch of coastline you are almost assured of seeing dolphins frolicking very close to the shoreline. These are Bottle Nosed dolphins and feed off the many species of fish found here.

WHALING
From about August to January, you will see Southern Right Whales in the surf directly in front of Sandcastle. There is a spotting scope to use, which will really magnify these beautiful creatures. On occasion a pod of Killer Whales has past this way.