July 2009 News
Airport Transfers
We begin
this newsletter with exiting news for our old and new clients residing
in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Western Cape.
The
realisation that people found it very difficult to get to and from our
major airports, prompted
us to negotiate a cost effective and acceptable deal with a few
transport companies.
We are glad
to announce that we now have transfer arrangements in place with
companies in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town that would benefit
people living in these areas. And most importantly, it will cost
you nothing as we will be paying for these transfers. We are
working on other major cities and hope to be in a position to also
assist people living there. Transfers will be amended to accommodate the
majority of people from various suburbs for example: in Pretoria a
typical transfer will begin in Centurion then on to Hatfield and
Lynnwood and to Oliver Tambo. In Cape Town a typical route could be:
Blouwbergstrand, Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Summerst West and then on
to Cape Town International. Pick up points will alter according to where
the majority of people are coming from.
You therefore have no reason not to try one or more of our cost effective and exiting tours.
New Tour
Lifestyle tour of the Southern Cape— R 8,850
Day 1—
Depart from
Cape Town International at 10h00.
Our route takes us on the
N2
across
Sir Lowry’s pass,
and past
Caledon
&
Swellendam.
We take the exit to
Malgas
&
Infanta
where we will spend the night at the
Malgas Hotel
on the banks of the
Breëriver.
Day
2—
Depart after breakfast to
Infanta, Witsand
and continue along the
N2
past
Heidelberg, Riversdal, Mosselbay
and
George.
We spend the night in
Victoria
Bay
Day 3—Early morning departure for Knysna where we board a pleasure boat for a trip to the The Heads. We also visit an oyster farm and the Knysna waterfront, before we continue to Plettenberg Bay and Keurboomsriver. We return to our overnight accommodation at Victoria Bay
Day
4
—Today
we explore the forest, mountain pass and surrounds from the comfort of
our transport on the rail line. Breakfast will be enjoyed along the
route. We visit a cheese factory and do a city tour of George before we
return to
Victoria Bay where everyone could
spend the afternoon on the beach.
Day
5—Today
we visit Gouritzmond,
have fun on the banks of the
Duiwenhoksriver - Jongensfontein
and then on to our overnight accommodation on the banks
of the
Goukouriver
at
Stilbaai.
Day
6—Deaparture
after breakfast and continue along the
N2 via Riversdal
and
Heidelberg
and exit just after
Swellendam
for
Bredasdorp
and
Waenhuiskrans.
Overnight in
L’Agulhas
Day
7—Struisbaai
with its
14 km long
white beach.
Elim, Baardskeerdersbos, Pearly Beach, Franskraal
and
Gansbaai
where we will visit a abalone farm.
Overnight in
L’Agulhas
Day
8—Route
to airport:
Bredasdorp, Napier
and along the coast past
Stanford, Hermanus, Kleinmond,
Betties bay,
Hangklip, Pringle bay,
Rooiels, Kogel bay,
Gordens bay,
Strand
and
Somerset-West.
News from our recent tour of Croatia
Zagreb-
Perhaps the city on our itinerary with the most contrasts. You have the
old part of the city ( Gornji Grad and Kapitol) that is known for its
old buildings, in contrast with the young generation of Croatia that
dress as if they have just stepped out of the Vogue magazine. There is
numerous blocks of flats that was built in typical Communist style, in
sharp contrast with new trendy local shops and cafes. This city suffered
devastating blows starting from the Turkish wars, through the Second
World War and in 1991 was under attack during the Homelands war. Still,
the people found a way through all of this, picked their way through the
rubble and the result is this beautiful and uniquely contrasting city
with its proudly Croatian people.
Plitvice-
Perhaps the most beautiful water themed National Park that I have ever
witnessed. This is the source of material for Poets, Writers, Thinkers
and Artists. The Plitvice National Park, with its interconnecting lakes,
forests of Beech, Fir, Conifer and Pine trees, produce more variations
of blue and green colour than you could find on a artists palette.
Rural
Village-
We travel by road to this remote village located some 20 km,s. west of
Sibinik. We enjoy traditional food, prepared by a local farmer, drink
homemade wine and listen to the patron/farmer/chef/winemaker and
musician performing Croatian folk songs. Something very unique and a
definite must.
Brna-
We arrive at Vela Luka via Ferry boat from Split travel by road to the
small fishing village of Brna. The island of Korcula is the home of
olives, fig’s, vineyards and numerous small winery’s. Perhaps the real
beauty for me lay in the absence. Absence of traffic, masses of people,
noise and haste.
Dubrovnik- Some people say that it is the pearl of the Adriatic. I think that its more than that. This city also suffered heavily during the Homelands war, but in typical Croatian fashion, the people picked themselves up, sorted out the rubble and rebuild. Perhaps the best way to experience this city is to view it from the top of the mountain and the safety of the French Fort, and then after you have walked the 80 feet high wall and strolled down the most beautiful street in the world, then you have a cold beer or a cup of coffee outside the old city wall and look up at the French Fort. It stands like a Sentinel on duty, guarding the old town.
We regret to announce the tragic passing away of one of Tembe Elephant
Park’s great sons
SIPHO NDISHI SIBIYA born 25 November 1958 passed away on Saturday the 2nd of May 2009. Sipho suffered from high blood pressure.
Sipho was born in Tembe Elephant park before the proclamation thereof and grew up amongst wild animals and elephants. Hence his great knowledge of elephants and wildlife. He was one of the most knowledgeable field guides and his friendly nature and his sensitivity for of his clients needs will stay with me forever. Unfortunately his knowledge and experienced is lost for all times and will be missed by all. His involvement in the community was enormous and as their spokes person, initiated various community projects. Tembe Masizwane Lodge was one of his brain child’s and we both spend a great deal of time and effort on this project. He was a director of the company.
Hamba Khahle mfowethu
Comments from Clients
Ek wil graag van die geleentheid gebruik maak om julle weereens te bedank vir die ongelooflike Limpopo voëltoer wat ek in Maart saam met julle kon meemaak. Die toer was besonder goed georganiseer,die verblyf van baie hoë gehalte en ons toergids uitstekend. Ons het afgeleë plekke besoek waar ek nooit op my eie sou kom nie en het soveel pragtige en skaars
voëls gesien –Gina Baldo
Comments Croatia
Paul, baie dankie vir ‘n heerlike toer en vir al die ekstra dingetjies om dit vir ons werklik onvergeetlik te maak. Ek waardeer wat jy vir ons gedoen het opreg. Juliana
Paul, Baie dankie vir alles. Jy’t my altyd baie spesiaal laat voel. Dankie vir jou geduld en altyd bereid om te help waar nodig.
Seën op jou ander toere en met die familie wat groter word. Sterkte . Judith
Liewe Paul, Dit was ‘n heerliketyd saam met jou. Baie dankie vir al jou geduld, vriendelikheid en bedagsaamheid. Baie sterkte en voorspoed vir die toekoms veral met die tweeling. Kom wys hulle eendag in Hermanus—Ellen
Comments Rain Forest Tour
Dit is nou al baie lank na die tyd maar ek wil tog net graag vir jou baie hartlik bedank vir die heerlike toer wat ons gedurende Maart saam met jou en Paul deur die Reënwoude van KZN kon meemaak. Soos jy weet, is ek mal oor ons inheemse bome, maar ek moet bieg dat ek ietwat skepties was oor die "REËNWOUDE". Ek het reënwoude gesien as tropiese woude wat slegs voorkom in gebiede waar dit feitlik aanhoudend reent en nie in n droë land soos Suid Afrika nie. Wat n ontnugtering het ek nie gehad nie. Die woude wat ons besoek het, was fantasties en n ware belewenis. Jou kennis van, en liefde vir die omgewing het, soos by die vorige toere wat ek met jou meegemaak het, dit werklik n aangename ervaring gemaak. Die verblyf was ook deurgaans baie goed. Kortom, dit was n puik toer en dit was n voorreg om dit te kon meemaak. Bokkie & Lettie Boshoff
Our other tours
13– Day European tour
Austria, Switserland, France and Germany
10—Day Limpopo Birding Tour
Nylsvlei—Ellisras—Mapungubwe– Punda Maria—Magoebaskloof—Pretoria / Johannesburg
10—day heart of Zululand tour
Ongoye Forest—Umfolozi Game Reserve—Mkuzi Game Reserve—Sibaya Lake—Kosibay —Tembe Elephant Park—Mozambique (2010) - Ndumo Game Reserve —Ithala Game Reserve
Rain forests of KwaZulu -Natal
Ongoye Woud –Nkandla Forest—Karkloof—Marutswa Forest—Bushreserve no2—Rainbow Gorge—Tugela Gorge
Christmas tour
Port Elizabeth—Jeffreys Bay—Stormsriver—Tsitsikamma—Knysna—Oudtshoorn—Mosselbay—Swellendam—Winelands—Western Cape
Mountain Magic of the Drakensberg
Karkloof falls—Sani Pass—Lesotho—Clarens—Witsieshoek—Ampfiteater—Cathedral Peak—Cathkin Peak—Giants Castle
KZN Birding Tour
Richards Bay—Muzi Pan—Mkuze Game reserve—Tembe Elephant Park—Ndumo Game Reserve—Ithala Game Reserve—Wakkerstroom
Westcoast Fynbos
West coast National Park—Saldana bay— Hopefield—Lamberts bay—Clanwilliam—Nieuwoudsville—Calvinia—Biedouw Valley—Seder berg mountains—Melkbos—wine lands & western Cape
_________________________________________________________
2008 Newsletters:
Newsletter February 2008
Please click onto "View Afrikaans Newsletter" above to see this newsletter.
Thank you very much for your valued support. I would like to share some information with you via this short news letter.
Tembe Masizwane Lodge
We are very excited about this Lodge and I believe that some of our old clients who have visited Tembe with us, will be very curious to see this Lodge and overnight there.
The quality and service are going to be head and shoulders above the rest in the area. The Lodge is being constructed in a sand forest under large mahogany, green thorn and Tambotie trees. We did our planning thoroughly and we have made sure that disturbance to the forest will be limited to the minimum.
News from the Drakensberg
It isn’t easy to describe the magic of the Drakensberg in mere words. It remains something that each person has to experience personally.
The topographical diversity that was created when the Drakensberg mountains were formed by nature itself over a period of millions of years, is clearly visible in the deep ravines, different soil types, water sources and sheltered valleys. Consequently the flowers, plants and trees in this unique habitat are indeed exceptional.
The flowering season that started in late October reached its climax in January 2008. Of the 2 520 angiosperm, better known as flowering plants found in the Drakensberg, we saw and identified 187 species during the January tour. The blue-purple agaphantus, golden yellow Berkheya against the mountain slopes, orange Lesotho torch lilies and dark pink Senicio’s were some of the spectacular species that were seen in large numbers. Sani Pass was of course an enchanting picture of shades of pink of the large pink ink plants, blue lotonis and yellow Euryopsis .
They have had a lot of rain which of course led to the mountain orchids flowering earlier than usual. During the first and last three days of the February tour we saw 14 species of mountain orchids, of which the blushing bride satyrium were the most impressive. There were also two species which I personally saw for the first time.
It is still raining in the Drakensberg and Lesotho and this season we still have two tours to this area, one from the 15th to the 22nd of February and then the last one for the season from the 7th to the 14th of March 2008. The Drakensberg tour is really exceptional this year, so why not join us and experience the magic of the area with us.
News regarding the West Coast Fynbos Tour
We have decided to lengthen last year’s West Coast Fynbos Tour of 4 days to 8 days this year. The tour will be from the 27th of August to the 4th of September 2008.
Over a period of 4 days last year we were able to identify and photograph 87 species of fynbos and to make the latter available to our clients on CD. Although it was a very good season, we unfortunately had a lot of rain during the tour with the result that we were not able to see as much as we had anticipated. It is still too early to make predictions for this season, but apparently the insects are very busy in the area which points to a good rainy season.
Briefly our new itinerary will include one full day at the West Coast Nature Reserve, a full day at the Hopefield Fynbos Show, a full day on the coastal route from Velddrif to Lamberts Bay and from there over Nieuwoudstville to a farm near Calvinia where exceptional flowers can be seen every season. We then travel to Clanwilliam and end the tour at Wellington where we get a taste of what the wine industry is actually all about.
During this tour we plan to give each client a copy of John Manning’s new book on fynbos. It is really an exceptional book and most probably one of the best books written about fynbos. Our aim with this is to get everybody involved in the identification of the fynbos and other flowers we are going to see. There are so many people who return from flower tours very excited about the large number of flowers they have seen, but who can unfortunately not name one specie. We, on the other hand, would like to send people home with a good book in which they can tick off the flowers they have seen during the tour. We will also follow this up with two CD’s containing photo’s of each specie we saw as well as a wonderful DVD of the entire tour.
This is most definitely not only just another flower tour but a very special opportunity to go and look at flowers, to know what you have seen and to be in a position to show your friends some good quality photo’s of what you have seen.
Limpopo Bird-Watchers Tour
This tour is absolutely unique! Within a period of 12 days we visit the top bird watching and nature destinations in South Africa, including the legendary Nylsvlei Nature Reserve, the Polokwane (Pietersburg) Nature Reserve, the mysterious Mapungubwe National Park, the fantastic northern parts of the Kruger National Park (Pafuri strip up to Punda Maria) as well as Venda and the Magoebaskloof area, before returning to Johannesburg. The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 people per tour and is indeed a tour for nature connoisseurs!
Kruger and Mpumalanga Photography Tour
The Kruger Game Reserve and the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga form the basis of this photography tour. This tour is aimed at people interested in photography and who would like to learn more about digital photography and digital cameras through personal assistance offered by a professional photographer. Graskop and the “Panorama Route” with its beautiful landscape is the focus point of the first part of the tour. From there we will depart for the Kruger National Game Reserve where we will explore the Satara and Lower Sabie areas, looking for photographic opportunities. The tour extends over a 7 day period and begins and ends at the Mpumalanga Airport.
Land of Remembrance
In our Land of Remembrance there are many areas of historic importance – many of the important events which shaped the character of modern South Africa occured in this region. This is the cradle of the Zulu nation, shrouded by secrecy and hallowed by legends. The region is also full of memorials commemorating the stormy past between the Boer and the British, the Zulu and the British and the Boer and the Zulu. There are also good memories of success stories across the colour and cultural boundaries. It is indeed an area worth visiting.
This tour has especially been designed to enable us to share a bit of everything with you, including the wild life, nature, history, food and culture of the majority of inhabitants of this part of KwaZulu-Natal.
Special Discount
We are currently working on offering a special discount from the 1st of April 2008 to all our existing clients who have been on one or more of our tours. We would like to reward clients for their loyal support. This offer will also extend to someone making a group booking. We will make an announcement in this regard during March. Alternatively you may contact us for details.
New Web Page
We have just completed a number of adjustments to our web page. If you have access to the internet, you will find it worth a visit. We are also displaying the best of our bird, flower and animal photo’s on the page.
For your convenience we have also attached the web pages of all of the different airways to our web page. This will make it much easier for you to find out which flights are available and to make the necessary bookings.
Please refer to: www.destinationrsa.co.za
Existing Tours
Our existing tours continue and we are grateful for the support. Year by year we also strive to make changes to our tour plans to ensure that we highlight the best of each area and to eliminate that which adversely affects the flow of the tour. It is very important to us that our clients will experience the areas through which we travel, in their entirety so that they will go home relaxed and more informed.
Contact us for more information on one or more of our excellent tours:
· Heart of Zululand
· Magic of the Drakensberg Mountains
· Best of the Garden Route and Western Cape
· West Coast Fynbos
· KZN Bird Tour
· Kruger and Mpumalanga Photographic Tour
· Limpopo Bird-Watchers Tour
· European Tour
· Rain Forests of KwaZulu-Natal
Contact Details
Hannes du Preez - 083 469 1181 – hannes@destinationrsa.co.za
Liza van Dalen - 083 417 0940 – liza@destinationrsa.co.za
Destination RSA(Pty)Ltd t/a Pumba Tours
6 Grunter Gully
Meerensee
Richards Bay
3901
Tel: 035 753 3677
Fax: 035 753 5875
Newsletter December 2007
Thank you so much for you valued support! There is some information I would like to share with you by means of this newsletter.
To us here at Pumba Tours this year has been one of highs and lows. We embarked on a couple of new tours which were well supported and if we look at bookings already made for future tours, it would seem that our clients really enjoyed the tours.
We also had a few cancellations due to illness and our hearts and prayers go out to these friends and we trust and believe that they are in good hands.
New developments
New Lodge: Decent accommodation has always been a problem in Zululand and therefore we are pleased to announce that together with the local Tembe community we have started developing a new lodge at Tembe Elephant Park. The Lodge should open its doors in March 2008. This is going to add a whole new dimension to the Heart of Zululand Tour.
The standard of the Lodge will be head and shoulders above that of our competitors and we are planning unique experiences around this Lodge.
Helen Kriel: We have acquired the services of Helen Kriel. She is an accredited guide in the Eastern and Western Cape and lives in Moorreesburg. She is going to assist us with the tours in die Eastern Cape, Western Cape and the West Coast. People who have traveled with her are full of praise for her knowledge and skills and we trust that she is going to add value to our tours. Please contact us should you like to make use of our new services in these areas.
Phillip & Marina van Vuuren: Many of you met Phillip & Marina during our Drakensberg and Heart of Zululand Tours. Others will remember them from the scrumptious breakfast in Newcastle. They are now also going to assist us with the Land of Remebrance Tour. We believe that they will also add value to our tour packages.
New tours for 2007/2008
Things are not static on the tour frontier!
KwaZulu-Natal -Land of Remembrance Tour: In our country of remembrance there are numerous areas of great historic value – many of the important events which shaped the character of modern South Africa took place in KwaZulu-Natal. It is the cradle of the Zulu Nation, shrouded in secrecy and hallowed by legends. The region is also full of memorials commemorating the stormy past between the Boer and the British, the Zulu and the British and the Boer and the Zulu. There are also good memories of success stories across the colour and cultural boundaries. It is indeed an area worth visiting.
This tour has especially been designed to enable us to share a bit of everything with you, including the wild life, nature, history, food and culture of the majority of inhabitants of this part of KwaZulu-Natal.
9 Day West Coast Fynbos Tour: Our first 4 Day West Coast Tour was a huge success and we have decided to lengthen the tour to 9 days. Our aim with this visit to the West Coast is to introduce the fynbos of this area to our flower enthusiasts in such a way that it will become a lasting memory. We are also going to spend some wonderful time with our West Coast friends.
Best of the Garden Route and the West Coast: We offer this exceptional tour during the winter months of April to July each year. Over the past number of years we have offered various tours in the Cape to our overseas clients and we have now decided to take the best out of each tour, combining it into one tour.
13 Day Tour to Europe: This tour offers the ideal combination of European culture and environs. We travel through the following four countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. Bookings have gone extremely well and there are only 5 vacancies available for the May 2008 tour.
This tour really offers great value for money and during this tour we visit areas that are usually overlooked by the “bigger” tour operators. Our policy has always been to take people to places unheard of. We always strive to guarantee the uniqueness of our tour packages.
Existing Tours
Our existing tours continue and we are grateful for the support. Year by year we also strive to make changes to our tour plans to ensure that we highlight the best of each area and to eliminate that which adversely affects the flow of the tour. It is very important to us that our clients will experience the areas through which we travel, in their entirety so that they will go home relaxed and more informed.
Phone us or send us an SMS and we will gladly send you our latest itineraries.
Photo CD & DVD
We are planning to issue a CD with the top 100 photos of the season at the end of each winter and summer season. We have received numerous requests in this regard and we will gladly oblige.
- The first CD will consist of the top 100 photos of the Heart of Zululand Tour. (animals, birds and environment)
- The second CD will contain the top 100 photos of flowers and mountains seen during the past season.
- I am currently also busy with the compilation of a DVD depicting all the wild flower species. It will be accompanied by good background music and it will also contain the botanical names of all the flowers. It will be something that you can share with friends.
Please let us know should you be interested in any of the CDs or the DVD. The cost will be R65 and it will come in attractive packaging.
Contact Details
Hannes du Preez
083 469 1181
Destination RSA(Pty) Ltd t/a Pumba Tours
6 Grunter Gully
Meerensee
Richards Bay
3901
Telephone: 035 753 3677
Fax: 035 753 5875