A Celebration for Challenge4aCause

by Ben Sanders

What a night! Challenge4aCause held an Auction Evening last night at the SA Natural History Museum in Cape Town, in order to raise funds for Save the Rhino Trust. Challenge4aCause is our in-house social responsibility project that seeks to put something back into Africa and our primary charity for this year is Save the Rhino Trust, which seeks to protect the endangered black rhino in the remote Namibian desert.

And the evening really was a roaring success. Our suppliers donated generously with accommodation and tours, from a week-long Wilderness Safari in Namibia to a 5-day trip down the Garden Route. Through our auction we managed to raise about R118,000 which will go towards our main goal of raising R350,000 for Save the Rhino Trust, enough to sponsor an anti-poaching unit for a year.

All our guests were entered into a lucky draw with a whole host of prizes on offer, from wine and cheese tasting to make-over vouchers from the Body Shop. The Challenge4aCause branded wine went down like a treat - perhaps too well for some of those bidding! - and all the proceeds were going to a worthy cause!

As part of our fundrasing efforts, the 18 challengers also sold raffle tickets, with the final draw taking place at the auction evening.

The final winners of the raffle were:

1st Prize: 1673 Dr I Botha won 2 nights for him and a friend in Victoria Falls at the David Livingstone Hotel. Prize includes return flights, transfers, a tour of the falls, a sundowner cruise and an Elephant Back Safari.
2nd Prize: 3719 Rob Peet won 2 nights for 2 people sharing at Le Franschhoek Hotel in the Cape Winelands.
3rd Prize: 6441 Letisha Chetty won 1 spa treatment at Cape Royale Hotel in Cape Town.
4th Prize: 4621 Anthony Humphries won 1 case of special reserve Arabella Red wine

We would like to thank everyone who attended the auction evening - and for contributing so generously to our cause. You really have made a difference, and we salute you for helping to protect the desert rhino and local communities in Namibia!

There is no rest for the wicked though and tomorrow (Saturday 4 July) the 18 Challengers will head off to Namibia to undertake the challenge of cycling 350km across the dust and heat of the Damaraland desert in 7 days!

Wish us luck - and thanks again to everyone who has supported us!

NB: If you would like to contribute or find out more about Challenge4aCause, click here!

Table Mountain Cable Car Annual Maintenance

by Craig Harding

Table Mountain is of course what Cape Town is most famous for and each year thousands of tourists ascend the mountain on the Cable Car. The Cableway operates one of the most modern and safest cable cars in the world, but in order to keep such high standards the Cable Car must undergo annual maintenance, during which time if you are visiting Cape Town, your feet will have to take you to the top.

Please note that the Cableway's annual maintenance dates are as follows:

20 JULY - 16 AUGUST 2009

The Cableway will re-open, weather permitting, on Monday,17 August 2009.

On all other dates the Cableway opens from 8am in the summer months (October to April) and in the winter months (1 May - 15th September) from 08h30 to 18h00.

Madikwe Magic at Jamala

by Ben Sanders

It was a wintry weekend in Cape Town, and we followed the rain north on our way to the Madikwe Game Reserve. Not exactly prime conditions for a much-awaited Safari, but when we reached Jamala Madikwe, we couldn't really care less!

The lodge is simply heavenly. Thatched roofs and stone walls combine to create an earthy, African feel that is only matched by the elegance of the furnishings. African artwork adorns the walls, and there are antiques and sculptures to boot. A fire roared away in the lounge, particularly inviting with a glass of Merlot from the cellar room. At this point even us Rhino Africans were impressed. And when we saw the villas, we were blown away.

There are five villas in total, so the lodge really does ensure an exclusive experience. Each villa is massive, with rooms large enough to host a whole family, high ceilings and well-appointed en-suite bathrooms. Space is clearly no obstacle here, nor is decadence, and each villa opens out onto a wooden deck with sizeable private plunge pool and sala. Throw in an outdoor shower and some sun loungers - and you really have little reason to leave!

We did leave our rooms though, and congregated on the main deck, enjoying the first of many superb meals at Jamala. The views of the scrub and rolling plains are breathtaking and the lodge overlooks a waterhole which teems with wildlife throughout the day. Antelope, plains game and even lion made their way here - so even though the weather was not really suitable for game drives, we were still able to enjoy some great wildlife viewing!

On the Sunday morning, we were awoken by a sudden roar. It sounded close, and it was. A lion had walked into camp and was nestled just outside the villas, lounging about in the gardens and roaring at will. It was one of those stories that game rangers tell you, but rarely ever happens. Except this time it did.

The owners, Shaun and Rodney, are exceptionally friendly and hands-on. No detail was spared in making our holiday unforgettable, and they relished our company, even though we tried our best to drink their wine cellar dry in one evening! The lodge is about 8km from the nearest accommodation, away from the high density section of Madikwe, so you will not be sharing this wilderness with guests from any other lodges. Furthermore, this southern section is renowned for its game, and abounds with the Big Five, as well as cheetah, wild dog, oryx, springbok and eland. The diversity of wildlife and birds rivals that of the Kruger, and the prices are certainly more reasonable.

We have visited a fair number of Safari lodges in our time, but Jamala left an indelible impression. It is one of the most luxurious and exclusive lodges in the malaria-free Madikwe Reserve, intimate and elegant, forming the ideal private or romantic getaway. Now we just have to find a reason to be back!

Sounds good? Contact us to plan your Safari to Jamala Madikwe or anywhere else!

Helping the Kids of Khumbalani

by Craig Harding

This morning a crash of Rhinos piled into the Rhino Tripping vehicles, squeezed between bags of rice and goodies, we excitedly made our way to Khayelitsha township on the outskirts of Cape Town. Our three buses caused quite a stir as we pulled up in the rain at the Khumbalani Day Care Centre.

Khumbalani is a centre for kids between the age of 0 to about 13 years, managed by an amazing lady called Gloria Bebeza. Run out of a two roomed house, Gloria cares for about 160 HIV infected or affected children daily. In addition to this, Gloria runs a soup kitchen for the local community feeding up to 350 people a day!

David & Gloria

When we arrived the children were busy in class, but of course there's nothing like a crash of rhinos to disrupt your organized morning. We all piled into the small house our arms burdened with gifts of food, toys and warm clothing donated by our staff, friends and clients. We brought so much stuff that we blocked up their entire kitchen! But that's a mess which Gloria and her helpers will be more than willing to clear up. No matter how bad the weather may have been outside, these children could bring a smile to anyone's face! It was great to see not only the children's smiles, but also those of the Rhinos - the mood was infectious!

Khumbalani Gifts

Rhino Africa has been supporting Khumbalani for a few years now, and in addition we are involved in the 441 Charity project, hosted by Londolozi Private Game Reserve. The project recently raised R270,000 in sponsorship for 4 orphanages in 4 provinces across South Africa. David Ryan (our big boss) was given the privilege of nominating one charity - he of course chose Gloria and the Khumbalani Day Care Centre. As such we have been able to secure one meal a day for every child Gloria supports for the next year!

A Sea of Smiles

Thank you to Gloria for having us, to our friends, clients and staff who donated so generously and to those special children who brought a smile to our day!

If you want to contribute - contact Rhino Africa to help make a difference to these kids!

Heat up and Eat up in Cape Town

by Craig Harding

Winter Specials List

Winter has descended on Cape Town. Although still as beautiful as ever, the city calms down somewhat in winter and the usual buzz moves indoors. Cape Town has some of the finest restuarants in the world and what better way to enjoy the city, keep warm and stay fed, than to take advantage of these wonderful winter specials!

Andiamo
Two pastas + two glasses of wine R100
Everyday, lunch and dinner
              021 421 3687

Alba Lounge
Two pastas and two glasses of wine for R100
Everyday
              021 425 3385

Aubergine
Two courses R185 / three courses R245
Everyday
              021 465 4909

Bravo
1kg of prawns for R69
Monday to Friday lunch and Tuesday evenings until the end of June
              021 439 5260

Beluga
Two course lunch R125 / three course dinner R165
Every day until the end of September
don’t forget their year round specials: 1kg prawns R100 / 26 piece sushi platter R100 / half price sushi until 7pm
              021 418 2948

Bungalow
Crayfish R100 / Lamb Shank R100 / half price cocktails & tapas between 5pm and 7pm
Everyday
              021 438 0007

Caprice
Two of their legendary burgers for the price of one
Lunch and dinner, Monday to Thursday
3 course meal with Heineken R80
Friday nights
              021 438 8315

Catharina’s
Two course set lunch menu with glass of wine R125 / three course set lunch menu with glass of wine R165 / three course set dinner menu with glass of wine R195
Everyday
              021 713 2222

Five Flies
Two course menu + glass of wine R125
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
              021 424 4442

Geisha
Half price sushi & dim sum before 7pm / 25% of noodle dishes
Everyday
              021 439 0533

Harbour House
Three course R150 / two course R130
Everyday except Sunday lunches
              021 788 4133

Henri’s in Somerset West
Three courses R120
Everyday until end June
              021 852 6442

Myoga
Six course menu R150, paired with wines R225
Dinner only, everyday until end August
              021 657 4545

Pepenero
Rump with fries and sauce R80 / half price sushi / seafood platter for one R110 / 1kg of prawns with chips or rice R100 / oysters R9 each / sushi platter R90 / Osso Bucco with mash R90 / pasta of the day R55
Everyday
              021 439 9027

Salushi (Claremont)
Half price sushi until 5pm / standard starter + noodle dish R70
Everyday
              021 671 4271

Sinns
Two courses with a glass of wine R100 / three courses with a glass of wine R125
Everyday
              021 465 0967

Tank
Half price sushi
Everyday
              021 419 0007

The Foodbarn
Three course meal R175
Everyday
              021 789 1390

The Kove
Parties of 4 get one of the meals free / half price on entire menu between 5pm & 6:45pm / 2 courses with glass of wine R100, 3 courses with glass of wine R130
Everyday
              021 438 0004

Tobago’s at the Radisson
25% off tables of 4 or more
Until end of June
              021 441 3000

Tuscany Beach
Order two main courses, get one free / 20% of all sushi and oysters
Every night and lunches Monday to Friday
              021 438 1213

Winelands:

Buitenverwachting
Three courses + carafe of wine R230
Everyday until end September
              021 794 3522

Constantia Uitsig
Three lunch courses R200, with carafe of wine R230 / 3 dinner courses R240, with carafe of wine R280
Everyday until end September
              021 794 6500

Cuvee at Simonsig
Two courses with a glass of wine R125 / three course with a glass of wine R165
Until end June
              021 888 4932

Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia
Starter & main from the Cape Malay themed buffet R100 / add dessert R110
6pm to 9pm weekdays until end August
              021 794 6255

La Colombe
Three lunch courses R210, with carafe of wine R240 / 3 dinner courses R250, with carafe of wine R290
Everyday until end September
              021 794 6500

Terroir
Two courses R150 / three courses R195
Everyday until end September
              021 880 8167

Event specials:

Cape Colony restaurant at the Mount Nelson
Four course pairing R350
Last Thurs of each month until end October
              021 483 1948

Salt at the Ambassador hotel
Four course pairing R350
Last Thursday of each month until end October
              021 439 7258

Continuous specials:

Cafe Sofia
Cooked breakfast for R20
Every day

Sevruga
Twenty six piece sushi platter R110 / seafood tasting platter R110 / sushi half price between 2pm and 5pm and all day sunday
              021 421 5134

Societi Bistro & Labia
Two pizzas + two Labia movie tickets R70
Monday and Tuesdays
              021 418 9483

That's it, thanks to Rob Gilmour.com for posting this list.

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A Celebration for Challenge4aCause

by Ben Sanders

Table Mountain Cable Car Annual Maintenance

by Craig Harding

Madikwe Magic at Jamala

by Ben Sanders

Helping the Kids of Khumbalani

by Craig Harding

Heat up and Eat up in Cape Town

by Craig Harding

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