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Sunset view from
Aan-de-Doorns Guest farm in the Worcester Area, Western Cape
Greetings from a sunny but very cold Cape Town,
My, but how the time flies! We have had so many things happening in South
Africa the last two months. The Western Cape is extremely dry and
we need rain very badly, while Kwa Zulu Natal and other Province’s have reports
of rain and much of it. Well, in May the rain came to visit Cape Town and
floods for the low lying areas of the Western Cape were reported from
many towns, but not sufficient for our drought stricken dams. The
month of June brought more rain to visit, but terrible winds at about
100km per hour through the Garden Route with fires everywhere!! Knysna
was the main centre for most of the havoc the fire caused, which spread
to Plettenberg Bay and as far Port Elizabeth. It is estimated that
at least 10,000 people are without homes in these areas. Unfortunately
they lost 2 five star hotels, and about 20 Guest Houses in Knysna were
completely destroyed. Not to talk about the rest of the people
living in Knysna where over 400 houses were completely destroyed by
the fire and over 200 houses of our Township settlements. I do not think
we have ever had such a disaster before as some people have reported that
it looked as if it was a warzone. Our heartfelt sympathies go to
everyone who have lost their homes in this devastation, which is so
sad.
This inferno paralysed the Eden District and claimed the lives of seven
people while thousands fled their homes as a result of the fires. Many
animals were luckily saved and were taken to the local SPCA for care
until their owners could come and fetch them. Firemen
came from all over South Africa to assist to help contain the fire, which
just spread everywhere with the strong wind chasing it along. One
of the firemen said, he has been fighting fires for over 20 years and has
never seen anything like this before, it was unbelievable the damage that
was caused. Help came from everywhere in the country with the
supplying of clothes, food, blankets, to the destitute people. Sedgefield
was also affected and so were many other towns along the Garden Route.
Annual Cycle marathon Knysna:
Once all the fires have been
extinguished , organisers will be able to assess the situation to see
whether it is necessary to alter any of their cycle routes and plans, and
all entrants will be updated by email for The Momentum Knysna Cycle
Tour. So hopefully this will still take place.
Visitors can call Knysna Tourism on 044 382 5510 for
more information on accommodation.
 
Just something positive about
Knysna for those that do not know Knysna or have not been there
before. Knysna is located on the Garden Route, and is situated in a
lagoon enveloped by lush forests. The lagoon produces many fresh oysters
and a prime sailing location. This town has its roots in the timber
industry where people were brought to harvest timber for the railway many
years ago. These early lumber jacks ultimately settled here and today,
Knysna is still filled with shops that specialize in handmade woodwork.
There are plenty of restaurants and lovely accommodation to choose from
as well. The town is quite liberal in contemporary times, and
even hosts an annual Rastafarian Festival and a Gay Festival.
In July they will no doubt get into gear for their annual Oyster
Festival which is very popular with locals as well as the annual
visitors.
This year will be the 34thd
annual Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival taking place from
the 7 -16 July 2017. The Festival offers a
variety of activities which is what makes it so appealing to young and
old, with over 50,000 visitors who travel from far and wide to visit this
lovely town. This is a huge boost to their economy, which they will
really need this year. For more info: www.oysterfestival.co.za
 
Oyster
Festival - Knysna
Cycle Race in Knysna
MOSSEL BAY:
Perhaps the biggest diamond in the rough on the list. Mossel
Bay definitely worth a visit. Once a very popular tourist
destination, this town lost some of its lustre when an oil company
decided to industrialize it. Yet, Mossel Bay is currently on an
upswing once again. You will find no shortage of amazing
beaches, surf spots and there are plenty of things to do and
accommodation for the wayward traveller. The views of dramatic rocky
cliffs, which separate a green inland from the blue sea, will alone leave
striking images in your memory. The ocean itself is flourishing with sea
life, including the infamous great white shark. Wonderful
seafood at the Gannet Restaurant fresh from the ocean.
The Restaurant is located close to the Ocean which makes it even more
popular. Many Guest Houses, amazing Camping facilities with a view
of the ocean. Game Lodges for game drives and seeing the Big 5 , plus an
elephant interaction and walking with elephants at Indalu Game Reserve
just outside the town. For more information on this town that has the
most Sunshine in a year in South Africa. Contact: www.visitmosselbay.co.za
 
Elephants at Indalu
Game Reserve Sushi
at Café Gannet
www.indalu.co.za
www.oldposttree.co.za
NEW MEMBERS:
We would like to give a warm welcome
the following Members who have joined CTC Marketing:
Corner Manor Guest House, Leura, NSW, Australia
Ron Cook Safaris , Windhoek, Namibia
Mountain Manor Guest House, Backpackers and Self Catering, Gardens, Cape
Town
Indalu Game Reserve, Mossel Bay
Advantage Cruises, St Lucia
Gerrie Louwrens se Toere, Kwa Zulu Natal
Ceres ZipLine Adventures, Ceres
Oudtshoorn Tourism Office,
Ladismith Tourism Office
Calitzdorp Tourism Office
Seychelles Tourism Office
The Rapport Cape Holiday
Show will be held in the Western Cape from
the 29 September - 1 October 2017. The Rapport Cape Holiday Show
will be held on the Sandringham Wine Estate outside of Stellenbosch.
Anyone that is interested to exhibit their products namely Guest Houses,
Hotels, Game Reserves or Adventure Activities please contact Elaine at elaine@capeholidayshow.co.za
For more information please look their website www.capeholidayshow.co.za
.WEST COAST FLOWERS TOUR:
The Flowers are on their way next month on the West Coast
and Gerrie’s Tours has a flower tour leaving from Pretoria in August for
8 Days at R8450pp sharing and a flower tour from Cape Town at the
beginning of September for 6 days at R6450pp sharing.
Contact Gerrie Louwrens
Mobile: 079 381 9643
E-mail: gerrie20042004@yahoo.com
- Ref: CTC
www.gerrielouwrenstoere.wordpress.com
CONTACT INFORMATION OF NEW MEMBERS:
Advantage
Cruises:
Advantage
Cruiser is a very sought after Hippo and Crocodile boat cruise operator
in St Lucia! Their skippers and guides are themselves very keen
birdwatchers and photographers, as such you are assured a very
informative trip. The double decker spacious passenger ferry was
custom built by Danie Bennett and all the bouts are built with customer
safely and comfort in mind with all the amenities you can think of to
make this tour an amazing, but safe, experience. The vessel is
wheelchair and baby friendly, the Advantage Cruiser being the most
comfortable, and accessible, Hippo and Crocodile Cruiser.
Contact Riette Bennett
Mobile: 083 487 2762
E-mail: advantage@zululink.co.za
www.advantagetours.co.za
Indula Game Reserve:
Have an amazing Elephant Experience by interacting and
walking with your own elephant. Indula Game Reserve is situated
30km from Mossel Bay off the N2 towards Albertinia
Contact Gerhard and Arina van Rooyen
Mobile: 082 990 3831
E-mail:
info@indalu.co.za
www.indalu.co.za
Ceres Zipline Adventures:
Ceres Zipline Adventures offers the best Zipline Tour in
Africa. Come and experience this 1,4km of pure Adrenalin Eco
Adventure, consisting of 8 slides varying from 100-290m in length with
their very own patented braking system. The tour takes place in the
Schurweberg Mountains below the Koekedouw Dam in Ceres.
Contact Angelique le Roux
Mobile:
079 245 0354
E-mail:
info@ceresadventures.co.za
www.ceresadventures.co.za
Mountain Manor Guest House
A beautiful Guest House and Backpackers situated in the
heart of the Gardens Suburb in Cape Town.
Contact Michelle Whitehead
Landline: 021 461 7200
E-mail: info@mountainmanor.co.za
www.mountainmanor.co.za
Ron Cook Safaris:
For that long awaited Namibian Tour. Best time to go is in
the winter months.
Contact Raymond Bere
Mobile: +264 81 624 4411
E-mail: info@roncooksafaris.com
www.roncooksafaris.com
In
our next newsletter we will be announcing that we will be expanding our
Brochure Distribution Services to other Provinces and more news on our
new Adventure Activities.
Chris
and I wish you all a warm winter, and hope to hear some interesting news
from you in the near future. Please
join us on Twitter or Face Book.
Warm Regards, and God Bless,
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
Lets us not look back in anger or forward in fear,
but around in awareness.
James Thurber
Corbett
Tourism Consulting, Marketing and Tours
Cape Town, South Africa
Mobile: +27 (0) 747 092 502 / 073 1409 700
elainecorbett@ctcmarketing.co.za
www.ctcmarketing.co.za
Registered Tourist Guide WC8172
  
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