We will be offering tours from early June until day before match day, which is 11th June and then again from 20th July.

13 – 14 days or parts of this itinerary  – 4 nights Cape Town, 3 nights Garden Route, 2 nights Safari, another 2 nights in Garden Route area then a night back in Cape Town or Hermanus for big 6 – Whale watching, then home.

You can see the itineraries on my website – www.flamingotours.co.za

As each tour is personalised to your requirements, we do not have schedule tours or listed prices, each tour is designed to suit your interests and ability. so contact us and we can arrange this JUST FOR YOU! 

I have combined this newsletter, as time has run away with me, as thankfully I have been busy with tours for the last couple of months. I am truly grateful to those of you who have sent me business in this climate of fiscal fallout.

I love classical music and am currently listening to Vivaldi’s Four Season’s, which is pertinent due the heading of my newsletter. This will be followed by my favourite – Tchaikovsky! This gives me inspiration to write and love life. Some exciting things, besides the weather heading to “my season” I like it hot, I cannot take cold. I grew up in the town which has the second best weather in the world – Mossel Bay – with sunshine 350 days a year, so I am a sunshine person.

So what are the new tour all about – new tours included in our line-up in the new season – more animals and more people! What is this woman going on about I am sure you are asking yourself.

ANIMALS – Tenikwa in the Crags on the Garden Route of South Africa, where Len & Mandy opened their arms to animals in need of help, love and rescued some that would otherwise have died. They have many of the small cats we never see on a “safari” as they often nocturnal, shy or both. They have some never even heard of generally – Black Footed Cats, Caracal, Wild Cats, Serval and off course the most endangered of all the Cheetah. They also have birds – our national bird the Blue Crane and Malibu Storks – the undertakers. This is really worth a visit to support their amazing work. They also do pro-deo work with the local communities animals where possible and where funds allow. A worthy cause and wonderful place to visit, they also go the extra mile to ensure that my special guests get the most out of the experience.

PEOPLE – Meet the People – in Mossel Bay, a young man by the name of Jackie Viljoen, had a vision to help people with hidden talent to promote themselves with a tour with a difference, not a township tour, but a tour where these people could be exposed to visitors to the town who could be a source of “spreading the word” about their talents and how they are trying to help themselves rather than rely on help from government etc; I have written before about Janneman who has now sadly passed away. He did leather work in the form of hand stitched bags etc; he was in a wheelchair after a motor vehicle accident. I was very upset by his untimely death, as he was about my age – far too young to die. I still want to be a granny and enjoy many years of grandchildren. I will now also never get to buy that special pink ostrich leather bag he was going to make me when he could get the leather – sad indeed.

BUT on a brighter note, there are still others who we meet:
Cecile, who makes a foot balm and face crème from herbs she grows in her garden in Grootbrak and also serves a tea made from ingredients in her garden – refreshing hot or cold – she explains how herbs can relax and pamper you.

Then Hein Munroe, whose family have been diving for Oysters for 7+ generations. The beach where I used to dive for oysters as a child – Munroes beach – named after his family who lived there in the Cape Dutch style cottages, now part of the Dias Museum complex. Hein explain how this is done and how oysters are rich in calcium. Between the oysters and my mothers daily calcium pills fed to me, I have very hard and VERY heavy bones for which I am grateful no osteoporosis, so living in Mossel Bay did me a world of good as a child.

We continue the tour to a coffee roastary in Voorbaai where we meet Barruch who also explain the process. Then to the “township” area to meet a few other people, we met Patrick this past weekend. He is a man who is also a wheelchair user that works with leather like Janneman did, he also is a cobbler of sorts, in that he repairs shoes. His story is a real one of dragging himself up from the depths of despair, to be what he is today, a person with conviction to make the best of his life and push his boundaries in sport. Beside the leather work he is participating in various sports, such as wheelchair racing, shot-put, discus and more, for this he needs specialised wheelchairs. He has got old ones handed down from other competitors, but needs new to be the best he can be for getting his times to qualify for the Olympics – his dream – in London in 2012.

Any one who has contacts or can sponsor this, please contact me, whether you are in South Africa or overseas, we will make a plan to get any chairs donated to him and get publicity for you in this regard.

So all these people we meet all have a story to tell and worthwhile a stop and listen, engage with them and come away with a happy feeling of having met very special people. The tourism ad for Mossel Bay is – “no hurry – no worries.” A ‘must-do” stop!

Pam Taylor
Flamingo Tours

We set off from Cape Town through to the Garden Route via the R62, the longest wine route in the world, overnighting in Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the country. Here we visited the Cango Wildlife Ranch, where they have a breeding programme for the endangered Cheetah. They also have White Lion, White Bengal Tigers and many more very interesting animals and birds, many endangered such as the Cape Vulture.

We then visited the Safari Ostrich farm, for a tour and lunch ( no potatoes!!). Afterwards we  then headed to the coastal area over the Outeniqua pass to Knysna for a night. This is where the real adventure began, with sightings of Elephant, Buffalo and Warthog. Yes we saw 2 of the 6 Lion, a female that decided she liked the look of us staring at her from a koppie and decided to walk back up the hill, so back into the car – fast – and then tried to follow her, but she slunk off into the thick Spekboom vegetation fast.

The next morning the sunrise was beautiful and as I was taking a photo of it, I heard a roar, Keith shouted he’s walking at about 200m direction 12 o’clock from the guest house that overlooked a waterhole and low and behold what a beautiful male Lion. More of this was on the cards over this very lucky spell.

We arrived at Shamwari and in the first game drive of the evening, we followed a male Cheetah on the hunt. This happened a few times. We also followed a female with 2 cubs a few times over the 8 game drives we did. The Elephant encounters were also special, with the young bulls really play fighting a lot. Other sightings included a herd of Elephant and a White Rhino with calf, which were in the same location as the Elephant.

In the mix

We also encountered that same White Rhino with calf who had rolled in the red sand with a Black Rhino who was totally out in the open, who took a dip in a very small mud pool. We managed to get a photo of both types of Rhino together – another first for the rangers.

So many firsts for seasoned rangers on this trip the angles were really smiling down on us. And so it went on with one special encounter after the other. A Lioness with 2 cubs of about 6 months, was not happy with the males advances,  and tore a strip off him by growling and chasing him. He tried to block her wanting to leave, but she chased him with lots of growling and roaring – a sight I tried to video but was shaking too with excitement.

More Lion encounters, chasing the Male cheetah out of their territory. I can almost write a book about these 4 days at this private game reserve. Well, the verdict at the end of the tour was – after having visited most of the Sub Saharan countries of Africa over 28 years and doing many game encounters, this was by far the best ever experience for Keith, Liz & Tom. Seb enjoyed his first visit and I am sure he will be back, as I am sure the Somerville’s will be.

Keep reading and I hope to set up a photo gallery for these magnificent safaris we do in MALARIA-FREE area – Cheers for now – Pam Taylor.

Lioness one of many seen

Public information sessions on the proposed GRNP – one of only three in the world where residents live within the borders of the park – will start in January, it said in a statement.

The new park would comprise the currently proclaimed Tsitsikamma and Wilderness national parks, the Knysna National Lake Area, the southern Cape indigenous forests and the associated fynbos mountain catchment areas.

“The geographical diversity of these various areas makes for an exceptional conservation model,” SANParks said.

“There will be no other national park in South Africa that will include the unique combination of marine, coastal, lakes, indigenous forests and mountain catchment areas.

“The national park will also not have any additional entrance gates and fences erected to mark its boundaries other than those already in place at the various camps.

“Our distinctive economic drive will be ‘conservation without boundaries’ in the landscape, unlike in other parks with fenced boundaries.”

Following last month’s publication of the proposal to proclaim the GRNP, there was a statutory 60 days for public comment on its establishment.

“Once the 60-day period has expired, and pending public comments to the minister, the proclamation will follow.

“We hope that the new national park will be a reality by Easter 2009,” SANParks said.

- SAPA

Return to Gallery

CAPE TOWN

DAY 1.
Collect from Cape Town airport and transfer to V&A Waterfront hotel or hotel of your choice. Rest of day at leisure.

DAY 2.

The next couple of days are run according to weather conditions
Take the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain, this epic icon of the Mother City – Cape Town.
Enjoy the 360 degree breathtaking views from the top of Robben Island, city, harbour and down the Peninsula. Later we continue with a drive through the city pointing out places of historical, cultural and architectural interest. We visit the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where an optional lunch can be enjoyed with more views of the mountain. We also visit Hout Bay with an optional boat trip to Duiker Island to view Cape Fur Seals. Return to hotel around 17h00. Evening at leisure.

DAY 3.
We have an exciting days planned with more stunning coastal and mountain scapes. We visit the Boulder Beach Penguin Colony, then head along the False Bay coastline to Cape of Good Hope Reserve, where we ride the funicular to the Old Lighthouse for more breathtaking views. Lunch in area of own account. We return via the Western seaboard over Chapman’s Peak drive (if open) and arrive back at hotel around 17h30/18h00. Evening at leisure.

DAY 4.
Our famous winelands of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl on the list to visit today. We start with a wine and cheese tasting in the Paarl area and then continue to Franschhoek for a further tasting and lunch in area for own account. In the afternoon we visit Stellenbosch, this very picturesque village with many national monument buildings. We either do another wine tasting or visit the local museum with its 4 styles of Period Houses. Return to hotel around 17/18h00. Evening at leisure.

GARDEN ROUTE

DAY 5.
Today we start down the Garden Route with our first night in the Klein Karoo. We drive via the Huguenot Tunnel into the Breede River Valley and stop for a wine stating en-route (not on Sunday). We then continue along the longest wine route in the world – R62 to lunch in Barrydale and overnight in Calitzdorp on a D,B&B basis.

DAY 6.
A very special day is planned and we endeavour to make sure you see as many of the endangered animals in the Wildlife Ranch as possible, in order to have a very memorable experience.
We see the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! Plus the cute, the cuddly and the furry creatures they look after. We also visit an Ostrich farm for a tour and lunch to find out more about these fascinating flightless birds. WE then head to the coastal area of the Garden Route and overnight in Knysna area on B&B basis for 2 nights. Evening at leisure.

DAY 7.
A free morning to explore the Knysna Waterfront  and local area on your own. This town has a Royal history and  many interesting characters, so if shopping is not your game, people watch from one of the many sidewalk café’s, followed by a leisurely cruise on the Knysna lagoon, with optional lunch on board. Then we head out in to the countryside to feed the Gentle Giants of Africa. This experience is one that will linger in your memory forever and be imprinted in your soul. Evening at leisure.

GAME VIEWING – MALARIA-FREE

DAY 8.
We drive to the malaria-free area of the Eastern Cape to the award winning Shamwari 5 star, Private Game Reserve for 2 nights on full board basis. Lunch at reserve followed later by a 3 hour game drive, followed by dinner.
They have the BIG 5!

DAY 9.
On the reserves programme where they will endeavour to find as many of the big 5 as possible on this prized reserve for an epic journey of a lifetime.

DAY 10
After another early morning game drive and breakfast we head back down the Garden Route to either Plettenberg Bay or back to Knysna area for a further night on B&B basis. We stop en-route at interesting spots, as well as Port Elizabeth. We drive via the Old Passes road to our destination.

DAY 11.
Mossel Bay houses the Maritime Museum with a replica Caravel ship used for the 500 year re-enactment of the famous voyage of Bartholomew Dias who sailed around the Cape in 1488 trying to find the way to the East, wanting to open up the Spice Route. We can stop for optional lunch in area and then continue to a Guest Farm in the Heidelberg District for overnight on D,B&B basis.

DAY 12
After a tour around the farm if so desired, we head back to Cape Town via the historical town of Swellendam, stopping for a Berry Liquor tasting and lunch in area for own account.
We overnight at same hotel on B&B basis. Evening at leisure.

DAY 13.
Check out of hotel at 10-11h00. You will be collected from hotel 4 hours prior to flight departure time.
End of Services. Thank You!

FOR INFORMATION OF INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS PLEASE CONTACT US.

COSTS FROM – R22 000.00 Per person sharing for 6 people travelling together.

(MUST HAVE UPPER BODY STRENGTH)

Become a monkey for about two hours – “swing from tree to tree” – I did – but then I am not in a wheelchair. Again the sling seat will get you to the forest site and out again. Get strapped into gear and with lots of help from a very helpful team of tree flyer guides – we will get you from tree platform to the next at the top of the tree canopy!! Again I must iterate, that there are restrictions for those doing this, in weight, strength and ability. Exhilarating – yes – exhausting – yes. I have very strong arms from pushing wheelchairs in and out of my vehicle and I have lactic acid muscle pain the next day! Not for the faint of heart – only the crazies like me! The certificate proves it – make of that what you wish!!

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EXCITING NEW PLACES AND THINGS TO DO!!
On recent trip to check out a few places down the Garden Route, we found a new attraction in t he form of a “Small Cats Sanctuary” – TENIKWA – where you can get close and failry personal with animals like the smaller cats, those you do not see when doing a Safari, as many of them are the shy ones, nocturnal ones or those seldom seen at all. Caracal (lynx),with their tufted ears and redish fur, Wild Cat – that looks like house cats, but are far from that. Black footed cat, that are beatiful, ferocious and almost never seen. Cerval that are long legged and small bodied. The other highlight is the boardwalk above the new Meerkat enclosure, where you can see these fascinating animals in their natural enviroment. You can also get very close to our National Bird – the blue Crane. I sat having coffe stroking this birds feather – first for me!! The undertakers of the veld – the Maribu Stork was also a close encouter and a first for me on being so close. There are also hand reared Cheetah at this sanctuary that are loved and looked after by Len and Mandy who loves these animals so much it shows in the way the animals respond back to them.
HOW MUCH MORE RELAXED CAN THIS CARACAL (Lynx) BE???

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WHALE WATCHING – FROM BEACH LAUNCH BOAT

For those who want to push their bounderies. We now have a sling seat to get you on board a boat that launches from the beach in Plettenberg Bay – ocean Safaris – to go out and get close to Southern Right whales, occasionally Dolphins will appear, which is the added bonus. This is best done during July to mid November each year, when these largest mammals in the world, come around our shores especially along the Western and Southern coastlines. Another incredible experience

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FOR THE VERY MAD AMONG US!!

WHO REALLY WANT TO MORE THAN PUSH BOUNDARIES

(MUST HAVE UPPER BODY STRENGTH)

Become a monkey for about two hours – “swing from tree to tree” – I did – but then I am not in a wheelchair. Again the sling seat will get you to the forest site and out again. Get strapped into gear and with lots of help from a very helpful team of tree flyer guides – we will get you from tree platform to the next at the top of the tree canopy!! Again I must iterate, that there are restrictions for those doing this, in weight, strength and ability. Exhilarating – yes – exhausting – yes. I have very strong arms from pushing wheelchairs in and out of my vehicle and I have lactic acid muscle pain the next day! Not for the faint of heart – only the crazies like me! The certificate proves it – make of that what you wish!!

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NEW ACCOMMODATIONS

I have a few new ones that I checked out last month. After years of “nagging” our bestman Dennis Jenkinson in Port Elizabeth, he and his wife Sandy, have adapted one of the rooms in their guest houses and built in a roll-in shower and grab rails. The room has an added bonus of having a kitchenette for a bit of self-catering. WELL DONE – at last! Thanks Den

In the Klein Karoo capital town of Oudtshoorn, we have found another gem and have a new guest house option there as well, with charming hosts and luxury interior and one adatepd room. This is my secret find!

Our usual stop at the Farm near Heidelberg, Anné-Lize and Neels, are also adding another adapted room on as we speak, so that they will soon have 2 adapted rooms on the Guest Farm.

So strides are being made in the smaller venue accommodation industry, who are showing up the big boys in the industry, in how to make a REAL difference to our guests with special needs -

WELL DONE ALL OF YOU!!!

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Enough prattle from me today, until next time. – SPRING NEWSLETTER Love each other like there is no tomorrow. Tell your loved ones you love them often. Always hug your animals, they are the the ones that love you unconditionally! Love and hugs to ALL PAM & JEFF

Helicopter flips
Deep Sea Fishing
Abseiling – tandem
Yacht sailing
Fossil Park archaeological site viewing (Palaeontology – extinct animal fossils)
Boat trip to view seals
Sea Kayaking – good upper body strength and balance required
HERMANUS/GANSBAAI

Shark Cage Diving – cold water 12 – 15°C
Whale watching from boat
Land based Whale watching

GARDEN ROUTE

Farm Experience – farm tour on back of pick up vehicle (bakkie) to see African Nguni cattle, ostrich and sheep.
Shark Cage Diving – Warm Water 20°C+
Paragliding – tandem
Meet the People – unusual style “township” tour – not typical tour – very different – show pride NOT poverty!!
Whale and Dolphin watching from boat off beach launch
500m Forest Walk
Crocodile Cage Diving for those who can stand – not in chair
Hot Air Ballooning for those who can stand – not in chair (In JNB area in chair) Oudtshoorn for able bodied.
River cruises on boats
Bungi Jumping
Tree Top Canopy tour
Game safari

WEST COAST

Fossil Park – extinct animal bones of creatures were have never seen
Many more things are happening all the time. Hope to add to the list soon.

If you have more exciting things to do – let me know and I will add this to the list!

Jeff and I were at the Indaba Trade Show in Durban earlier this month, in the Zulu Kingdom of South Africa, the sub-tropical area of the country – hot, humid with everything larger than life, as it rains often and the weather is usually warm to hot always! We love it, as it is a nice break from the cooling Cape Town and Garden Route. Everyone loves our bright pink Flamingo sitting in a wheelchair (a wire one – not the real thing – nature conservation would have me up for cruelty). We are now offering some more plans going further afield and into unexplored areas for those guests who are able to move around in a standard bathroom. OFF the BEATEN TRACK, BRITISH INFLUENCE IN S.A. or design your own tour with your interests in mind and let us arrange your dream holiday for you. We found that many more accessible places that are coming online, with lots more to do and see. Remember we can facilitate many adventure types of day trips. Deep Sea Fishing, Tandem Paragliding, Bungi Jumping, Shark Cage diving, Fly through the canopy of the indigenous forest, just to mention a few, you name it, I will see if I can arrange it. We found that those wanting a real “Adventure” type tour, we can offer so much more these days. This is what we go to Indaba for to bring the world in one country to you! Next month we are off to see all these new places and experiences, to check out the accessibility and advise on how to change it, so that we have more to offer our guests and friends.

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EXCITING NEWS
Adapted vehicle to hire out to overseas visitors

In the near future we are going to be able to offer our overseas visitors (when I buy it!!) an adapted vehicle to hire for package deals only. This is for able bodied driver with international driver’s licence, arriving and departing from Cape Town. The package includes accommodation, all pre-booked and an itinerary to follow or design your own itinerary. This exciting development will be on offer later this year. I am selling my VW Microbus and want to purchase a newer vehicle, that we can offer, when it is not in use by ourselves for our tours. So hold your thumbs, fingers and toes, that we can find something suitable at a reasonable cost and also that we sell the VW without too much hassle. Selling VW 2.3 Microbus white, in standard mode – 212 000 km 1997 December first registered – good condition.
R65 000.00. as is – voets stoets.

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“ADVENTURES” WE CAN FACILITATE”

We can facilitate many adventures, that many people are not aware of. here is a list of things we can arrange for our special guests who want to do something different or are mad enough to want to do these “adventures”. Some are already included in our itineraries.
CAPE TOWN

Helicopter flips
Deep Sea Fishing
Abseiling – tandem
Yacht sailing
Fossil Park archaeological site viewing (Palaeontology – extinct animal fossils)
Boat trip to view seals
Sea Kayaking – good upper body strength and balance required
HERMANUS/GANSBAAI

Shark Cage Diving – cold water 12 – 15°C
Whale watching from boat
Land based Whale watching

GARDEN ROUTE

Farm Experience – farm tour on back of pick up vehicle (bakkie) to see African Nguni cattle, ostrich and sheep.
Shark Cage Diving – Warm Water 20°C+
Paragliding – tandem
Meet the People – unusual style “township” tour – not typical tour – very different – show pride NOT poverty!!
Whale and Dolphin watching from boat off beach launch
500m Forest Walk
Crocodile Cage Diving for those who can stand – not in chair
Hot Air Ballooning for those who can stand – not in chair (In JNB area in chair) Oudtshoorn for able bodied.
River cruises on boats
Bungi Jumping
Tree Top Canopy tour
Game safari

WEST COAST

Fossil Park – extinct animal bones of creatures were have never seen
Many more things are happening all the time. Hope to add to the list soon.

If you have more exciting things to do – let me know and I will add this to the list!