

Hiking and climbing in a nature reserve right by the coast. What an epic experience! A German winter let’s you forget how much fun it is to be outdoors all day 🙈 . . . #vogelgat #vogelgatnaturereserve #hermanus #southafrica #hiking #hike #trail #climbing #outdoor #outdoorsisfree #travel #vacation #travelgram #instatravel #happytraveler #signedsealedsafaried #destinationwedding #südafrika #wandern #klettern

African X training #vogelgat #maanskyn #guyspool #adventure #newtrails #africanx #hermanus #trailrunning #trail #hemelenaarde

#TheCompositionOfFlourishing Happiness took center stage during The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that swept through Europe during the 18th century. This was an age where reason was advocated as a means to establish authoritative systems. It was deemed reasonable that moral philosophy should be based on utilitarianism (The Greatest Happiness Principle): An action's consequences should be judged according to the amount of pleasure and pain created for everyone that feels its effects. The movement spread to America where it was declared that all have the right to live in freedom and pursue happiness. Utilitarian ideals did not gain momentum due to a perceived difficulty in measuring happiness. This led to the rise of economic utility: Total satisfaction received from consuming a good or service, measured by the willingness to spend money. However, the utilitarians conceded that the marginal utility of wealth is strongly diminishing - it becomes more and more difficult to buy happiness. There was huge utility for four hikers in the Vogelgat Nature Reserve this weekend - the happiness kind, as we were lucky to spend a complimentary night in Mosselnook hut, overlooking the Hermanus lagoon, Walker Bay and fields of flourishing fynbos. Thanks @healthysuperfoodie @whenlastdidyoufeelthisalive @kirstenmeintjes for the adventure! #FlourishingEngineer

Mountain hut love - Justine spent Sunday afternoon giving the wooden mountain hut at @vogelgat some love - coat of wood varnish to survive the winter rains. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #wildernessculture #greenrenaissance #offgrid #offgridliving

Weekend away with the team #vogelgat #vogelgatnaturereserve #leopardhut #hermanus #adventure #offthegrid

Outside Mountsin Loo with a view. Heading back into the mountains tomorrow. The best toilets have views and don’t use water. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #poo #composttoilet #outsidetoilet #offgrid #offgridliving #offgridlife #diytoilet

We get into Nature to connect with animals big and small - like this little Agama lizard. . . . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #greenrenaissance #lizard #connectwithnature

It is amazing how happy one is with so little. I love tiny homes - especially mountain cabins. Another wonderful weekend connected to nature. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #greenrenaissance

Our little mountain home for the night under a rainbow. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #greenrenaissance

Can’t wait to get back into these mountain pools this weekend... . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #hike #mountain #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #iphone8 #nofilter

Get out into Nature. We try spend any time that we are not filming immersed in Nature. . 📷 by @mike.raimondo . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #hike #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #mountain

No one else, no traffic, only the sounds of frogs and eagles... We incredibly blessed to have access to this wilderness ten minutes from our home. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #mountains #hike #greenrenaissance

Step into Nature - our happiest place in the world. A midweek mountain adventure - even one night away is enough to reboot the soul. . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #mountains #worldingram #hiking #wunderlust #marvelshots #discoveroverberg #southafrica #thisissouthafrica #hermanus #visualsoflife #meetsouthafrica #awesomepix #nakedplanet #discoverearth #theglobewanderer #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #fernkloof #loveoverberg #capenature #hike #greenrenaissance

Frogging in mountain pools. First time we have brought our snorkeling gear up a mountain to look for fresh water critters.... #vogelgat #vogelgatnaturereserve #frogging #mountainpool #explore #discoveroverberg #hermanus #greenrenaissance #mountains #mountainslover #loveoverberg #exploreoverberg

Mountain Refuge Spent last night unplugged ...surrounded by the sounds of frogs. #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #discoveroverberg #loveoverberg #overberg #hermanus #lovehermanus #fernkloofnaturereserve #mountains #tinyhouse #offgrid #offgridliving #wunderlust #southafrica #discoversouthafrica

Flourishing is an optimal state of human functioning. It's the experience of life going well. Building flourishing is the goal of positive psychology. I was lucky to be able to write a masters on the topic. The lessons have helped me build a happier state of mind. I'm at my happiest in nature. This was especially true last weekend at the Vogelgat waterfall. This proved to be a most special occasion. For a few weeks in the year, restricted to perpetually wet cliff faces in the South Western Cape, the Red Disa reveals itself. To me, this rare scene was the expression of a flourishing local ecosystem - a fitting emblem of my home province! This beautiful moment gave me the sense that I too am flourishing. It's inspired me to start actively sharing my thoughts on the topic and help others benefit from the science of happiness. What better way to do it than with scenes of our flourishing natural surroundings. Stay tuned for more! #FlourishingEngineer

This year for me is about complete immersion in Nature. #vogelgatnaturereserve #vogelgat #skinnydipping #mountainpool #adventureawaits #greenrenaissance #mountains

The freshest air in the Western Cape, heading downwards towards Stanford lagoon in Hermanus. #happyplace #hermanus #chasethetrail #overberg #whalecoast #vogelgat #trailrunning #goingdown #freshair

Traveling Thursdays - and today we feature a place close to our hearts, and one of the most spectacular, strictly private, nature reserves in the Western Cape. Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve is a 600ha property situated 125km eastwards from Cape Town, on the outskirts of Hermanus, overlooking the Kleinrivier Estuary and the majestic Waker Bay Whale Sanctuary. The reserve boasts some of the most beautiful waterfalls and vistas - and is home to some pretty special frogs, such as Drewes Moss Frogs, Montane Marsh Frogs and Cape Ghost Frogs to name but a few! The conservation background of the property is equally special. The property was bought in 1969 by the late Dr. Ion Williams, an avid naturalist, who envisaged restoring this lovely property to its original splendor by tackling an insurmountable mass of alien vegetation that had taken over the Fynbos landscape. Between his friends and himself they cleared Vogelgat over the years to reveal the gem that is Vogelgat today. To date, over 900 plant species has been recorded on Vogelgat, of which many are listed as threatened. The hard work never stops and the dedication of Giorgio Lombardi and his team at maintaining, developing and managing Vogelgat's ecological aspects, as well as the 35km of hiking trails, huts and walkways that traverse this property, is highly commendable. The reserve is not open to the public, has a small membership of no more than 300 people, with memberships renewed annually, and memberships are organized when there is vacancies. For more info please visit www.vogelgat.co.za Vogelgat Private Nature Reserve - Hermanus - Western Cape - South Africa. #travelingthursdays #ishootwithorms #bionerds #biodiversity #biodiversityconservation #EcoExploration #privatenaturereserve #southafrica #iamsouthafrican #wheretowalk #hiking #nature #wildlife #vogelgat #fynbos #southafricantravel #birdsofsouthafrica #insectsofsouthafrica #mammalsofsouthafrica #reptilesofsouthafrica #ecology #conservation

Where will this year take you? #vogelgat #daytripping #daytripper #daytrippers #hike #touring #newyear #2018

The best vantage point for looking back on 2017 #Vogelgat #Beaconhut 📷 @annastelzner I'm feeling humbled by its challenges but left with a resounding feeling of gratitude for all the joy and good people I've shared it with. Thank you!

Fantastic #vogelgat nature reserve hike today. What an amazing place to get lost in. Hike, kloof, swim, picnic and memories for life. Thanks @sharonsleigh @jameswsleigh for an amazing morning.

Little house on the Prairie #mosselnook #vogelgat #vogelgatnaturereserve #adventure #hiking #summerholidays #happydays

Ropes & ladders. . . #hiking #vogelgat #weekdayfun #river #valley #stanford #southafrica #troosttrails #thursday #water #sunshine #outsideandalive #adventure #girl

Room with a view... #mosselnook #vogelgat #vogelgatnaturereserve #adventure #mountains #hermanus #westerncape

Two dogs, a peacock and a horse ✌ best adventure 🍃 #twodogs #peacock #horse #hike #vogelgat #adventures #legends #rain #leopardhut #happiness #nature

Caught in the clouds 🌧 #vogelgat #hike #mountain #blessed #happiness #nature #rain #clouds #mist #soulsearching

Some epic memories of a micro-adventure that @findingfrancois recently did with a couple of awesome young explorers from @prg_magic 🏞 . . #mountain #cabin #exploration #adventure #vogelgat #conservation #mountainpool #UnravellingExplorers #Hermanus #summer #swimming

Vogelgat nature reserve; an idyllic weekend getaway tucked in the mountains behind Hermanus 👌🌱🌼🌌🌄 #mountainlife #starlight

When you've been spotted and think your best option is to freeze... 🐸👁📸 #invisibletoad or #poser

How to spend a weekend... #mountains #mountainmission #goodcompany #goodfood #hiking #overnighthike #hermanus #vogelgat #sunset #coffee #monkeyshoulder #labby

@advocategerrienel pointing the way and getting real happy that we’re almost at our destination.

Summer bums with the best @robyn_lighton ☀️🌿 . 📸: @alistairdaynes 🙌 from @rewildtv 🐘 . . . #southafrica #westerncape #hermanus #vogelgat #nature #waterfalls #summer

Exploring Vogelgat Nature Reserve 🌿with @alistairdaynes behind the 📸from @rewildtv 🐘🐾 . . . #vogelgat #naturereserve #hermanus #westerncape #southafrica #nature #rewildtv #forest #hiking #rewild

Good morning from beautiful Vogelgat Nature Reserve! What are you doing today? #vogelgat #visitstanford #naturelovers #hikingadventures

4 ladies in a rock pool. #SouthAfricanAdventures @vogelgat #Vogelgat @hermanustourism @hermanuswines @hermanusonline @romychev @daniapea

