Windsurf Test Team in Langebaan

The international test has arrived in Langebaan for testing of all the new equipment and products for next year. Manufactures doing their presentations to the test team, GAASTRA, FANATIC, STARBOARD, TABOU, winds good yesterday for the windsurf test in Langebaan, looking good for Friday afternoon as well. Great new products and plenty of action on the water!!

Hobie 14 sailing in Langebaan

Brilliant sailing yesterday afternoon on a Hobie 14 in Langebaan lagoon, racing a few windsurfers!

Gondwana Game Reserve

I thank we can all agree that the Garden Route is a pretty spectacular place. Not only does it have the second most moderate climate in the world next to Hawai (I didn't say it, the Guiness Book of Records did, so it MUST be true), but it also has beautiful towns, like Mosselbay, George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, to name but a few. It offers welcoming accommodation of all kinds, some of the best wines ,
beautiful beaches and now it will also offer the BIG 5.

Yes, Gondwana Game Reserve is situated 15 minutes from Mosselbay and is in the process of opening their doors. The first camp is being called the Fynbos Camp and consists of 25 superior suites and 10 deluxe suites all decorated in what they coin "AFRO-CHIC" style. 15 of the superior rooms are built in traditional "Khoi-San" style and the architecture will thrill you.

They recently relocated two Desert Black rhino's from Tswalu Game Reserve in the Kalahari to the game reserve. Further plans include a pride of 3 lions (2 female and 1 male), a herd of elephant and Cape buffalo being release in October and November onto the 10,000ha land. Other bok species have already been release, such as red hartebees, eland, kudu and springbok. The endangered Cape Mountain Zebra can also be seen at Gondwana.

Other activities include, 4x4 trails, horse back safaris, guided walking trails and bird watching.

The opening is scheduled for December 2008.

Zanzibar

Located on the northern tip of the island of Zanzibar is a stunning 35 room boutique hotel called the Z Hotel. A photo tells a story, well what do these pic tell you.

Set in the tropical landscape, surrounded by long stretched out white beaches. The rooms have everything you would imagine including my favorite feature, floor to ceiling glass doors that lead out onto a balcony overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean.

Sunbeds and parasoles are laid out on the beach for guests to relax and enjoy. For those more energetic people, try waterskiing, deep-sea fishing or simply a day trip to Stone Town.

The restaurant, Saruche, offers an a la carte menu, el fresco style, as well as Asian Fusion tapas.

As the sun sets on this beautiful part of the world you can enjoy a cocktail at the Cinnamon, the cocktial bar.

What more could you ask for...???

New meaning to surfing the West Coast

3 evenings ago some swell pulled into the lagoon, as is often the case and Allan was on the sand bags of the groyne and got a shot or two of me surfing langebaan, the LAGOON!!

Kite Surfing Langebaan

Instructor courses are been held in Langebaan at the moment, IKO courses, good winds have made the courses interesting. Water is getting warmer and the place is getting vibey. Instructors are making their way to Langebaan, looking forward to a good season of kiting and sailing in Langebaan.

Need to learn how to kite give us a shout.

Black bokkie of the family or just very special

The Heia Safari Ranch in Muldersdrift announced the birth of what they call their "BEE BOKKIE". A Black springbok born to tawny parents, because of a recessive gene present in the herd.

Now there is something interesting for you to see.

Ski Holiday with in reach

Ever consider that you could go ski'ing without taking a 12 hour or more flight, or that you could come to Africa to ski? Well it's possible!!!

The Afriski Resort is situated in Lesotho a few kilometres from the Oxbow village in the Maluti Mountains. The Maluti Mountains form part of the Drakensberg range about 2,700m above sea level.

Fancy something different, well come enjoy the African experience and throw in the Swiss twist to boot.

Afriski and the Oxbow Lodge is open throughout the year, but ski season is from June to the end of August.

Release of white lions

Sanbona has been running a White Lion reintegration program since 2003 whereby they procured 2 white lions in order to get them to breed with tawny lions. This project will teach them to hunt and to survive in nature. Breeding with the tawny lions also ensures the genetic integrity of the white lion as they have traditionally been inbred on breeding farms.

The reason for this blog is not a lesson in white lion lore but to let you know that Sanbona announce the successful release of an integrated lion pride. This includes 2 male and 2 young female white lions. This pride now roams the 40000 hectares of wild and is being monitored closely. They are doing well and although they do separate they always return to the pride. Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is the perfect hunting ground for these beauties.

What a great feel good story for a Tuesday morning.

Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve

So who says you need to do a 2 hour trip to the Kruger National Park to see the Big 5? Well we all know the Kruger National Park is stunning but why drive there when you can go to the Northwest Quadrant of Gauteng - yip right on your doorstep, an hour from Johannesburg and half an hour from Pretoria. This is where you will find the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve where there are some great lodges to choose from.

Now Dinokeng is still in development stage and in the process of becoming Big 5 and the first arrival is that of the Rhino. So pedestrians and cyclists have been warned to watch out please and any sightings can be reported to admin@dinokengbig5.com

Watch this space for more news on Dinokeng.

Oh and I learnt something new - Soon, Dinokeng will have not only the Big 5 but also the lesser known Small 5 :0) Yes, you heard me right. You have the Lion Ant, Leopard Tortois, Buffalo Weaver. Rhino Beetle and the Elephant Shrew - it's TRUE. You heard it here first!!!

Hobie Sailing Courses in Langebaan

Over the last 2 weeks we have been really busy with Hobie Cat courses in Langebaan. Wind has been perfect and eventually the good winds and sunny weather has arrived in Langebaan.

Game viewing on Horse Back

Lodges in the Timbavati, Kapama and Thorneybush game reserves have added an additional experience to your safari trip, game viewing on horseback. Transfers can be arranged from surrounding lodges.

You can now ride along side herds of animals and get a totally different bush experience.

There are one and two hour outrides available in the morning and afternoon and even overnight options at the main camp or a specially constructed hideout which has a paddock right next to it.

Qualified and experience guides will accompany you from the newly formed River Horse Safaris.

I think this is a brilliant way to do a game viewing - from a totally different perspective - try it!!!

Overberg Trip, Southern Cape

Following my trip to Hermanus and Gansbaai over the weekend I had the opportunity to take some pictures of the landscape. Sky was amazing and the day hot and sunny. Good whale sightings in Gansbaai and Die Kelders with Southern Right Whales up against the rock.