River Manor in Stellenbosch

by Niki Duncan

I recently had the privilege of staying at the beautiful River Manor in Stellenbosch this last weekend. As the Cape would have it, the last week has been pounding with rain non-stop (our first rain of the winter season of the Cape) and it was quite a dark day with rain and clouds the whole of Saturday, however this didn’t dampen our experiences of our stay at River Manor.

I was thoroughly impressed with the hospitality of the staff as well as the cleanness and warmth of the rooms and general areas of the guest house. The actual establishment is really historical, still being an original homestead. It’s very charming and you still feel the classic colonial as you walk through the rooms and the living areas. Each section / group of rooms (besides the ones near the pool) have a lounge area with a warm fireplace (much needed) and big, comfortable couches, making it very inviting to sit and enjoy the ambience of the guest house, especially in the cold evenings or mornings. The rooms range from big to small, catering for everyone and are all decorate with beautiful antique furniture while some of the bathrooms also have Victorian baths.

The actual grounds of the guest house are also really beautiful with two lovely big swimming pools and beautiful verandahs covered by grape vines. We were greeted with a lovely cup of tea to take the chill away before setting off to explore. I must add that the ever popular Health and Beauty spa is also on the same grounds – so if you feel like a quick massage or treatment, then it’s completely possible! It is operated by Gingko but they make use of the Theravine Product Range – an extra-sensory, vine-derived range imbued with healing botanicals unique to the Cape. They have 2 treatment rooms so it’s best you book well in advance to get a chance of a treatment and not wait until the last minute!

This area of Stellenbosch where River Manor is situated is my favourite area of the town. I spent some time here in November last year and really discovered the quaint book shops and small road side café’s. River Manor is in the heart of this and within walking distance of all the historical attractions, restaurants and café’s.

It is highly recommended that you consider a stop in Stellenbosch for a night (or 2 nights is preferred) to discover this beautiful area and guest house. Thanks to Johan, Leigh, Willem and Eileen for their generous hospitality!

A Visit to Shamwari Game Reserve

by David Ryan

Photo: Shamwari Eagles Cragg

Shamwari has long been known as the founder of the Eastern Cape Safari Experience, yet ironically having visited just about every other reserve in the Eastern Cape, I had never experienced Shamwari, but that changed this past weekend as I headed off to Eagles Cragg for two night stay.

I have long been concerned about the “Eastern Cape Safari Experience,” in that all these reserves are built of old farm lands, and in far too many cases, the focus always seem to be of the lodge, rather than the land, wildlife conservation, and quality game-viewing. I’m pleased to say that Shamwari is part of that small elite group conservationists in the region, where land and wildlife conservation top the priority list.

The distinct lack of alien vegetation, coupled with quality game-viewing, makes Shamwari a truly unique Safari destination. The dedication and commitment to wildlife conservation is followed through to the numerous Lodges too. Eagles Crag tops the list in terms of luxury, an intimate lodge in a truly magnificent setting.

The Shamwari people where fantastic, making one feel as though you truly where home away from home. Talking to other guests about there experience of Shamwari reiterated my own, while this may not be a true wilderness experience, it is a genuine safari experience that easily rivals the safari products up north. In addition to this the rolling hills of the Eastern Cape, and the greater diversity in plains game, make for a truly unique safari experience.

Big on food and wine, Shamwari certainly exceeded my expectations, and the Boma dinner was held in a spectacular setting. Like any safari I have ever been on, you never go hungry, and from the scrumptious breakfasts to the delicious high-tea, the Shamwari team made sure we where well looked after.

Given the terrain, the game drives at Shamwari are a little tougher than those in Kruger, so the Eagles Crag Spa comes highly recommended, having spent a couple of hours on Saturday experiencing the Shamwari Spa.

With any array of lodges to cater for everyone’s budget, Shamwari comes highly recommended as a Safari Experience and is by far one of the more superior Garden Route Safari products, but what really stole the show for me, was the rare sighting on my first Eastern Cape Leopard seen below.

We at Rhino Africa are Shamwari Experts, so if you’d like to visit this magical place, contact us and let us plan your ideal Shamwari Safari.

Photo: My first Eastern Cape Leopard

The Silver Haired Adventurers

by Katherine Terry

If you are debating whether you should be doing a self drive or not - may be this story with inspire you !

Meet Mike and Jeanette Van Ginkel, two colourful South African characters and adventurers who purchased a 1981 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit and are driving it from Cape Town to London ! Even more impressive when you discover that its not only the car that is a classic – Mike and Jeanette are both in their 70’s !

Photo : Mike and Jeanette Van Ginkel and the 1981 Rolls Royce

However before you ask your Rhino Africa Travel Consultant to book you a Hire Car from Cape Town to London, please note they do have quite an extensive back up team, consisting of a medic and mechanic !

The Silver Spirit Adventure left South Africa on 3 April and will travel through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. The convoy will then take the ferry from Alexandria to Naples and the last leg will travel across Italy and France to London.

The trip will last some 52 days and will cover 15 020 kilometers.

The very best of luck to them and if you happen to see a South African Registered Rolls Royce looking a little worse for wear driving around London, with two rather weathered 70 year olds, who look like they have sung one two many verses of ‘ She will be coming around the Mountain when she comes ! ‘ – then you’ll know who they are !

You can read more about their adventure on www.silverspirit.co.za

Madikwe is a must !!

by Gareth de Jager

It is often asked when coming to South Africa for a safari if it is neccessary to take precautions against malaria. Well, if you are visiting Kruger National park, then yes, it is advisable. There is however an equally fantastic safari reserve just 3.5 hours by road from Johannesburg called Madikwe and its Malaria-free.

Madikwe Game Reserve is also a Big Five reserve.

It is one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and is parked on the north-western border nursing its overgrazed lands into pristine wilderness – with the help of several thousand indigenous plants and animals.

A massive translocation programme, reportedly the largest of its kind, codenamed Operation Phoenix undertook to restock the land with its former inhabitants and plants. For six years, 8,000 animals representing a Noah’s Ark of African species were moved in; alien plants were cleared and all but the most useful buildings destroyed.

Now the rugged land has matured into an exclusive and spectacular game park that straddles the transition from savannah woodland to the semi-arid desert of the Kalahari.

The species list in the reserve includes the so-called ‘magnificent seven’ of lion, leopard (they were already there), cheetah, wild dog (Africa’s most endangered predator), rhino, buffalo and elephant. Many other rare and notable animals roam the lands and bird species in the area number around 300.

The reserev is also home to some of the best lodges in South Africa and you will be spoilt for choice especially when travelling as a small group or family with little ones.

I can only but rave about this reserve as it definitely rivals that of Kruger and its surrounding private concessions.

Etali Pool

Two Oceans 2008

by Niki Duncan

So it’s come to that time of the year again when we run the Two Oceans Marathon. Every year this marathon is run on Easter weekend so this year it’s on Saturday, 22nd March 2008. But alas, I’m not running the 56 km ultra – I will only be attempting to complete the Half Marathon (21 km), once again. This will be my third time and I am hoping to do a better time than the other Two Oceans I have done. The weather sets to be a clear and sunny day with little wind in the morning picking up a bit later. What I love about running these big events is the support from the spectators on the road – it’s incredibly high! The supporters are generally what carries you.

The ultra marathon is a qualifying run for the famous Comrades Marathon, held in June each year, where many runners attempt to run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (down run), or vice versa (up run) in Kwa Zulu Natal. So you can imagine, the Two Oceans ultra is a tough one! But it’s a beautiful race that encompasses the many scenic highlights of the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. Major points are Chapmans’ Peak and Constantia Nek, so if you are in the vicinity on Saturday morning between 6 and 12 am, then please show your support for the many runners!

As for myself and my colleague, Sian (who is doing her first Half!), we will be attempting to complete the 21 km Half Marathon, which is just as scenic as the ultra. Both races end on the slopes of Table Mountain at the University of Cape Town. I have attached a picture of myself and my running partner (my dad) who ran with me in the 2006 Two Oceans Half for inspiration! Please come show your support and get in the spirit – we hope to see you all there!

Two Oceans 2006

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River Manor in Stellenbosch

by Niki Duncan

A Visit to Shamwari Game Reserve

by David Ryan

The Silver Haired Adventurers

by Katherine Terry

Madikwe is a must !!

by Gareth de Jager

Two Oceans 2008

by Niki Duncan

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