Plett Game Reserve: Blue Crane babies on the way

South Africa's national bird, the Blue Crane has decided to make a home at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve.  The couple were spotted making a home on the island just outside the Shed.  They have 2 eggs and have made a beautiful nest in the safety of the island.  They take 30 days to incubate and when the babies are born, it will take 3 to 5 months before they fly.  Their breeding season is between September and February.  Watch this space for pics of the newborn chicks in the next few weeks.

Uwe Koetter: Giveaway. Register now!

Uwe Koetter are giving away a sterling silver Nelson Mandela Foundation, 46664 bracelet, valued at R2020. Accelerate your prize and his smile by coming in store to the Uwe Koetter Showroom in Cape Town and signing up on the register, and you could win an additional set of sterling silver cuff-links for him valued at over R1800.00. Total prize - over R3800!

Enter here

Montagu Country Hotel offers summer specials!

Summer Special rates valid until end of April 2013 (excluding long weekends and school holidays) 

Classic rooms:

1 night @ R400.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R500.00)

2 nights @ R700.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R900.00)

3 nights @ R900.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R1200.00)

 

Luxury rooms:

1 night @ R545.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R645.00)

2 nights @ R930.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R1130.00)

3 nights @ R1200.00 per person sharing Bed & Breakfast (Single @ R1500.00)

 

Oyster Catcher Trail - Discover the beauty

Meander along and explore the sea shore and the unspoilt golden beaches of the Western Cape's Garden Route.

Discover ancient stone age caves and middens, dolphins, whales, remote dunes, rare fynbos, Oystercatchers, Sandpipers, Wild Oysters, and marine rich rocky pools. Swim in small safe bays, experience brilliant stargazing nights and sunny days. Fully and professionally guided, 5 day, 4 night hiking trail from Cape St Blaize Cave in Mossel Bay to the Gourits River. Accommodation is in top class, luxury cape cottages of rustic character with large fireplaces.

These are some recent pictures taken by guests:

 

Kagga Kamma is going energy green!

The Rockwell: Film Crew delight!

Exciting times are happening here @The Rockwell!
We had another film production happening in our Penthouse Suite last week! 

The shoot is for the production of an international ad and it's all quite interesting, involving large equipment and, of course, the manpower needed.

Very exciting indeed. Look at the size of this crane and the amount of equipment needed to film one advert!

 

De Hoop: Eco Quad Bike Trails

In addition to the list of activities already offered by the De Hoop Collection, we have recently introduced the operation of guided Eco Quad Bike trails on the De Hoop |Nature Reserve. Get the chance to go on a quadbike among herds of eland, bontebok and other game species with a qualified field guide who will share his knowledge of less obvious natural and historical aspects of De Hoop.  Visit Tierhoek where the leopards have been seen on camera! The duration of the activity could be anything between one to three hours with a beverage/snack stop at a picnic site overlooking the vlei. These trails will be charged individually on a per person per hour basis.

The purpose of the activity is for it  to be an awareness of the natural environment and an ecologically friendly slow paced biking experience. The Tierhoek 4X4 circle route north of the main Opstal area has been identified as being the most suitable route for the activity. The route will give guests the opportunity of viewing spectacular fynbos and absorbing breathtaking vistas over the Dehoop Vlei.

The activity will at all times be guided by trained staff from the De Hoop Collection. All participants will be issued with helmuts and the safety of participants and the environment impact will at all times be considered as the highest prority. off road driving and speeding will be strictly prohibited. No children under the age of 13 years, no lifting or doubling up on bikes will be allowed.

Guests may not be permitted to bring or ride their own quad bikes/ATV’s on the reserve.

 

Kagga Kamma: Valued guest offer extended to 23 December 2012.

Evergreen Manor: Stellenbosch Wine Festival Jan 2013

The Stellenbosch Wine Festival, the flagship event of South Africa’s iconic wine region, stomps its way into a new era this January with an expanded ten-day program designed to showcase in a bigger, better and bolder fashion the delightfully diverse town of Stellenbosch from 25 January until 3 February 2013.

   

We moved this annual highlight event from its previous mid-winter schedule to the new dates in order to capitalise on the unique assets and attractions this historic oak-lined town and its more than 150 wineries has to offer during the height of summer. The new date also celebrates the birth of South African wine, thanks to this entry on 2 February 1659 in the diary of Jan van Riebeeck, official of the Dutch East India Company and First Commander of the Cape: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.”

We realised that it makes sense to showcase our world-class wines during a period when everything that Stellenbosch offers - its natural beauty, unique cultural heritage, excellent academic institutions and vibrant agricultural industries - is at its best and brightest. Perfect summer weather, the buzz of a new University year and the bustling start of the harvest season will all add new dimensions to the Stellenbosch Wine Festival experience. Our member farms are excited, the whole town is mobilised and we are sure that wine lovers and lifestyle tourists from all over South Africa and the world are going to be thrilled with what Stellenbosch is bringing to the table this summer.

The new-look Stellenbosch Wine Festival delivers a full flight of wine experiences for both casual fans and connoisseurs, including an inaugural charity gala, a ten-day promotion at many of the area’s award-winning restaurants, special cultivar evenings, and wine farm tours. Sporting events, art exhibitions and musical concerts throughout the town during the festival will give attendees a colorful taste of the Stellenbosch lifestyle.

A festival highlight will be the Blessing of the Harvest and a Harvest Parade on Saturday, 26 January, as celebrants from Stellenbosch member farms are expected to march through the streets. Throughout the week, enthusiasts will be able to tailor-make their own festival experience by dining in town and estate restaurants offering special food and wine pairing menus as part of the festival’s “Wine & Dine” sensation or by visiting a myriad of farms offering unique tours and tasting programmes.

It all culminates at a three-day Wine Expo which will be located in the heart of the vibrant town and feature interactive stands and tasting programmes from over 130 wine and gourmet food producers. The Wine Expo is set to take place from 1 to 3 February on Die Braak and will take full advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings with rustic tables, green décor and free-flowing Bedouin tents. A central stage will play host to Sundowner Concerts which are being planned to keep festival goers entertained as they enjoy the fabulous vintages on offer.

A full Festival Guide will be published in early January and details of the entire programme will be made available on the Festival website over the coming months. For more information, visit: www.stellenboschwinefestival.co.za, or phone 021 886 4310.

www.evergreenmanor.co.za

The Rockwell: Book now for MCQP

Kick off your glass slippers!

It's that time again - South Africa's favourite costume party is ushering in the holidays with a Fairy Tale Fantasy!

Join the fun on 15 December from 8pm until 4am at the Cape Town Stadium.

The Mother City's Queerest Party (MCQP) celebrates 19 years of dressing up and you're invited to the party!

Book your rooms today @The Rockwell to guarantee safe accommodation within walking distance of the event...

We hope you have a BALL!