Velddrif

Velddrif or Velddrift is a coastal fishing town in the Bergrivier Local Municipality, Western Cape, South Africa. It is located on the estuary where the Berg River flows into St. Helena Bay.Geography and environmentVelddrif is located approximately north of Cape Town, and is connected to Cape Town by the R27 road. The R27 joins the R399 at Velddrif. It is situated near the point that the meandering Berg River flows into the sea at St. Helena Bay. This estuary is an important bird habitat, home to around 30,000 birds, including up to 80 species which are endemic to the Cape coast. Well over 350 different species of birds can be seen here as it is a habitat for sea, river and land birds.Flowers grow in this area, including the Euclea racemosa (Kersbos), Babiana ringens (Rotstert), Willdenowia incurvata (Sonkwas Riet), Limonium (Strandroos) and Leucospermum rodolentum (Sandveld Luisebos). Regular boat trips can be taken up the river to view birds.HistoryThe name Velddrif is derived from a local farmer, Theunis Smit, who took his stock through a drift in the field, to find grazing across the river. In 1899, a pont was built to cross the Berg River.