Baviaans Tourism News Letter June 2010
Dear Tourism Friends,
Winter is considered as a quiet time for business, but this winter is definitely a different “Ball Game”! As you all know The FIFA World Cup has started and I hope you are all ready and as excited as we are at Baviaans Tourism.
Now is the perfect time to indulge in the cool evenings by bringing out the glu wine, soup and stews you have been longing for.
Here at Baviaans Tourism we are also getting ready for our new financial year, which starts on the 1st of July…so don’t forget to renew your membership with us.
Hope you have a festive World Cup and school holiday!
Corné Henderson
Tourism Officer
Soccer Fever
Visit Zaaymans ENGEN Garage in Willowmore to get into the soccer spirit – Collect your own world cup tattoo’s and flags for free…only while stocks last, so better hurry...
Baviaans Tourism has sent out brochures to hotels, car hire agencies and tour operators. Brochures were also put into different post boxes in Port Elizabeth. This is to market our area to those who want to get away from the city/soccer rush, as well as for tourists visiting South Africa, wishing to explore our world.
2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
BABA BAVIAANS MTB RACE
Mountain biking also received some attention over the weekend. On Saturday 05 June, the Baba Baviaans Development MTB Race, hosted by Ecobound, took place in the Baviaanskloof. Bicycles were provided by Baviaans Tourism on the day for those who did not have a bike to ride with. There were a record number of entries – 45 participants!!! Riders from Willowmore also participated and provided for good competition between the Kloof and the town. All and all it was a very successful day. Many prizes were handed out, from bikes to hampers and cycling gear. A big thank you to Ecobound for organizing the event and to all who supported it.
The winners were:
Johannes Manewil
Jonathan Jumat
Willem Maganie
What’s New?
Pierre Ferreira Hiking Trail
In the late eighties a hiking trail was laid out to the top of the reservoir hill in Willowmore. The trail was named after Pierre Ferreira, Mayor of Willowmore who served 20 years on the Willowmore Council. In 1997, the Willowmore Municipal Council formed an agreement with the Department of Nature Conservation to withdraw the camp were the hiking trail is, from grazing.
In 2009 the hiking trail was extended to include two historic forts dating from the Boer War. These forts were used by the Willowmore Town Guards in 1902 to guard over the building of the railway line to Willowmore. The area at that time was full of “Boer – Rebels” who threatened to blow up the railway line.
The extended 2 ½ hours hiking trail was opened in October 2009. Casuals, under the supervision of John Korkee (Tourism Officer) were used to lay out the hiking trail.
The Hiking Trail is situated towards the reservoir, on the outskirts of the town and takes about 2 ½ hours to complete. The circle route takes you through beautiful virgin Karoo veld and offers breathtaking views over the Willowmore area and Grootrivier. Those who do not want to hike the full distance, only need to follow the circle route for about 40 minutes to the first fort, and turn around. The hiking trail is open every day of the week. Signage from the main road indicates where the trail is situated.
For more info, contact the Baviaans Tourism Office in Willowmore – 044 9231702.
BAVIAANS CYCLING CLUB
The Baviaans Cycling Club officially started last year October 2009 with the help and support of Baviaans Tourism. At the moment, 15 cycling enthusiast have joined the club, while many others are also waiting in line to join. 20 Bikes were originally sponsored by Freedom Challenge to develop mountain bike cycling in the Baviaans area. The Club is constantly looking for even more bike sponsorships, so that all interested can be accommodated. Practice/training dates are on a Tuesdays, Thursdays and every second Saturday. The training program for the year also includes big races like the Trans Baviaans in August & the Karoo to Coast in September and local races such as the Volkswagen Valley of the Flags in Steytlerville. The Club also intends to GPS MTB tracks for members of the tourism office, which should increase the number of routes on offer to visitors. Their goal is mainly to develop MTB cycling in the area and communities and to enjoy the space the Baviaans has to offer! Although most of the current riders are situated in Willowmore, the Club will soon be expanding to Steytlerville as well. For more information, please contact John Korkee on 044-9231702.
WILLOWMORE CAPE JOURNAL – now available!!!!!
A historic guide on Willowmore as a trading and farming community, its historical buildings and farms. Featuring tourist attractions, and selected accommodation in and around the town.
Available at the Baviaans Tourism Office in Willowmore, Foodzone, BKB, CMW & Sophie’s Choice.
R120.00 per book.
For more info contact Rika Mostert on 082 820 1757
Day Visitor Permits for the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve
Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve Day Visitor Permits are now available at the Baviaans Tourism Office in Willowmore (044-9231702), Makkedaat Caves (Rietrivier Farm) (044-9231921) and Zandvlakte Guest Farm (049-8391002), both situated in the western section of the Baviaanskloof. On the eastern side of the Baviaanskloof, permits are available at the Eastern Cape Parks Komdomo Campsite, situated in Cambria. (042-2837912)
Adults – R25.00 per person
Child U/11 – R12.00 per child
Child U/3 – free of charge
This permit will allow you to drive through the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve (between Geelhoutbos and Poortjies) as well as allow you to stop along the road. At the moment, Smitskraal is the only designated picnic spot for day visitors within the Reserve.
Permits to overnight in the EC Parks Nature Reserve section (Rooihoek, Doodsklip and Bergplaas) need to be booked in advance at their booking office in East London – 043 705 44 00.
Tips of the month
BEE STINGS: Remove stinger if there is any and dampen area and put Meat Tenderizer on area. Just leave a while.
HOW TO KEEP GRASS OUT OF PATHWAYS: Instead of bending over to try to pull or dig it out, here's an easier solution: Pour a good amount regular table salt directly on the areas; the grass will die off.
KEEP FRUIT FROM TURNING BROWN: For fresh fruit salads, mix apples, bananas, or pears with acidic fruits like oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and other citrus fruit or pineapple to keep them from turning brown. Prepare the acidic fruit(s) first. Then, cut the other fruits, mixing them within the acidic fruit(s) as you prepare them.
GAS IN SODA BOTTLES: Gas rises, and escapes ever so minutely from the sealed cap. So, put your 2-litre bottle in the fridge upside down: the cap below, no gas can possibly escape, and even a month later the bottle makes that satisfying sound.
Product Owner of the Month
Karoo Theatrical Hotel – Steytlerville
Tel: 049 - 835 0010
Email: info@karroohotel.co.za
www.karroohotel.co.za
Briefly describe your establishment and the service you offer?
The Karroo Theatrical Hotel is an oasis of style, glitz and laughter. Being completely "hands on" - be in it the bar, in the kitchen or providing entertainment - we guarantee excellent service matched with outstanding hospitality. We have been awarded three stars, in the category of HOTEL, by the Tourism Grading Council of S.A.
How long have you been in the area?
We bought a derelict ruin called the Karroo Hotel just short of seven years ago.
What is the best part of living in the area?
The blue skies, dry climate, wide open spaces, tranquility and vistas of the surrounding mountains.
Describe your family / friends living with you?
We are all workaholics and there is absolutely no hierarchy within our establishment. Everyone shows equal enthusiasm, dedication, responsibility and pride in what they do for the hotel.
What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
To see all accommodation establishments in town fully booked every weekend of the year as a result of people flocking to see our dinner show "The Steytlerville Follies".
What activities do you offer your guests?
The most interesting activity we provide as part of our package is a visit to the Pegasus Early Motoring Museum at the Verandah Coffee Shop. This is home to an amazing collection of motoring memorabilia and several vintage cars amongst which is the Hotel's Limousine, a Vanden Plas Princess. Queen Elizabeth has ten in her fleet, we have just the one.
Ocscar's Bar (exclusively for the use of resident guests or people coming to use our restaurant facilities), has a championship size snooker / billiard table. We present a unique dinner - show and there is always live piano music at sundown. There is a Karoo style put - put course, huge swimming pool, hydro spa, sauna, bicycles and board games. A stroll down to the dam to take in the tranquility and see a diversity of birdlife
Did you know
In 1902 when the railway line in Willowmore was built, they built a stone “fort” as well (about 1 meter high). This was build were the Pierre Ferreira hiking trail is now situated, overlooking the railway line entering the town. Another 3 ‘forts’ were built later. The reason was to make sure boer-rebels don’t disturb the building of the railway.
Wehmeyer and Knysna Street in Willowmore were tarred in 1954.
The Eastern Cape is 168 966 square kilometers, roughly the size of Uruguay.
The Eastern Cape has South Africa's highest free standing mountain. (Kompassberg,located north of the small village of Nieu Bethesda,
2 502 metres)
Steytlerville is the centre of the wool and mohair district in the South Eastern corner of the Great Karoo.
Over 200 bird species have been identified in the area of Steytlerville.
Baviaankloof indicate that pre- historic humans were living there from at least the middle stone age (100 000 to 300 000) years ago.
Upcoming Events
Father’s Day
When: 20 June 2010
PE Vintage Car Club Tour
When: 25-26 June 2010
Where: Steytlerville
Contact: Michelle:
Regular Events
Sunday Lunches
When: Every Sunday (Book in advance)
Where: Royal Hotel Steytlerville
Contact: Marli: 049 835 0385 / 072 157 0832
Steytlerville Follies
When: Every Saturday night. (Book in advance)
Time: 19:00
Cost: R170.00 includes 3 course dinner and show. (Drinks not included.)
Where: Karroo Theatrical Hotel
Contact: Mark on 049 835 0010
