Cape Floristic Region

Two biodiversity hotspots of South Africa: The Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo

The Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo are two of the three widely known biodiversity hotspots of South Africa. They make out some of the wide range of biomes that are found here. Collectively Cape Flora is called fynbos, which embraces resilient, low-growing, small-leafed, evergreen shrubs. The moist, winter-rainfall region of the Fynbos Biome is in the south-west and the drier Succulent Karoo is located west and south of the Escarpment. The Succulent Karoo biome has the highest diversity of succulent plants in the world, and is the most rich in species diversity of all our semideserts. The Cape Floristic Region has an exceptional ecological floristic diversity with many endemic plant species. These two fascinating biomes share a boundary and a floristic similarity, which the moisture availability and geology determines (Cowling et al. 1997). Fire is very destructive in Succulent Karoo and prevents it from invading fynbos sites. The Succulent Karoo is the fourth largest biome in South Africa, with mostly flat terrain and an extreme altitudinal range. Globally there are few other places that can claim to be as biologically distinct as the Succulent Karoo Biome. Both biomes experienced numerous adaptive radiations and associated endemism for a wide range of faunal and floral groups. Although both biomes have many similarities, there is also great difference.

Biogeography

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) covers about 90 000 km² and possesses about 9000 different species within this range, with the endemnism of about 70% of all species (Linder H. , 2003). The Succulent Karoo covers approximately 100 000 km². Most of the Cape receives an annual rainfall of 300 to 2000 mm per year, some areas as much as 3000mm (Deacon et al. 1992), where mists are mostly prominent in summer. The Succulent Karoo is a semi desert region with a low winter rainfall, arid summer and a mean annual precipitation between 100 and 200 mm. The Succulent Karoo has a very dependable precipitation in terms of predictability, this element of climatic stability directly influences the high species diversity (Desmet & Cowling 1999).

The length and temperature of the growing season differentiates the Succulent Karoo , short and cool, from Fynbos, long and cool. Succulent Karoo soils are finer-grained, less leached (due to aridity), and have a higher pH (>7) than fynbos soils (Ellis & Lambrechts 1986). Mole rats, lizards, tortoises, monkey beetles, scorpions, bee flies, bees and vespid wasps (Vernon 1999) have high concentrations of diversity and endemism in the Succulent Karoo. There are 115 species of reptiles in the Succulent Karoo of which 36 are endemic, mostly lizard species.

Botanically it is compositionally and singularly rich: home to 6356 species of vascular plants in 1002 genera and 168 families (Driver et al. 2003). Of which 26% (1630) of species are strictly endemic and 14% (905) are near endemics (Driver et al. 2003)and 17% are listed as Red Data species (International Union for Conservation of Nature 1994). There is a high diversity, 1700 species, of dwarf leaf-succulents shrubs (Driver et al. 2003), which is the Succulent Karoo's most distinctive character. The Cape Floristic Region contains many families of species (home to 9000 plant species)such as Ericaceous (comprised of about 3000 species), proteoid (330 species), restioid (310 species) and  asteraceous fynbos. Where 68% of species, 20% of genera and 6 families  are specifically endemic to this region. The Cape Peninsula alone has 165 endemics out of a flora of 2256 species. Ericaceous fynbos occurs at higher altitudes than proteoid fynbos, on permanently wet, cool and relatively fine-grained soils. Proteoid fynbos is widespread on the deep fertile soils at the foot of mountains, with deep roots that utilizes water unavailable to other fynbos plants, and develops when most other fynbos are dormant.

The wet season is the major flowering time. Restioid fynbos is dominated by shallow-rooted plants that occur on warmer, north-facing slopes that are on shallow soils, including dunes and perched sandy plateaus. Also found on waterlogged soils on cooler, south-facing slopes, where root growth is undeveloped mostly throughout the year. Asteraceous fynbos occurs on hot, lower, north-facing slopes, on the deeper soils. Talus asteraceous fynbos (waboomveld) is confined to lower slopes and talus slopes on fertile, deeper soils. Ericaceous and proteoid fynbos are more common on the coastal ranges, restioid and asteraceous fynbos prevail on inland ranges. Higher and wetter mountains have more ericaceous and proteoid fynbos. Flats and lower ranges are dominated by restioid and asteraceous fynbos (Campbell 1985).

Charismatic species

Succulent plants of the Succulent Karoo biome have the ability to absorb water during times of plenty (in tissues in the leaf, stem and root) for later use during droughts. Succulent species that stand out in the Succulent Karoo is the Kokerboom- Aloe dichotoma (Asphodelaceae) in Namaqualand which is not precisely a tree, but looks similar to one with its branches and leaves; Halfmens- Pachypodium namaquanum (Apocynaceae) which has short, thick stems with prickly surfaces and tufts of hard leaves, and strangely leans northward; as well as the Botterboom- Tylecodon paniculatus (Crassulaceae).

One spectacle that should definitely be seen in the Succulent Karoo is the spectacular spring flower displays. Many floristic plants display their beautiful flowers, some of these include Ursinia cakilefolia (Asteraceae) in Skilpad Flower Reserve; Grielum humifusum (yellow), Felicia namaquana (blue), Arctotis fastuosa (orange) in Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok; and the very common Dimorphotheca species (the Namaqualand daisy).

Of the 630 geophytic species several Amaryllidaceae have rain-stimulated flowering. Which means that the flowers only open after it has rained, producing beautiful areas of colour. Such species are Brunsvigia, Haemanthus, Crossyne and  Boophane.

On the ever present quartz patches, endemic species such as the flowering Argyroderma delaetii (Aizoaceae) near Knersvlakte and the dwarf stem succulent Dactylopsis digitata (Aizoaceae) are to be noticed.

Trees occur rarely in the Succulent Karoo. Only 35 tree species are present, which includes tree aloes and the evergreen, sclerophyllous tree Ozoroa dispar (Anacardiaceae) growing on granite domes.

The hallmark of the Succulent Karoo is the high diversity and strong dominance of dwarf to low, leaf-succulent shrubs such as the mesemb Astridia velutina.

The Cape Floristic Region (fynbos) is characterized by four growth forms. One is tall Proteoid shrubs with large leaves about 1-3 m in height with large leathery leaves such as Leucospermum, Mimetes, Aulax, and Protea. The second is a small, heath-like Ericoid shrub with fine leaves like Aspalathus (e.g. Rooibos), Agathosma (e.g. Buchu), Cliffortia and Phylica. Thirdly, reed-like Restiod plants e.g. Elegia, Restio, Thamnochortus, but also grasses and sedges. Lastly, bulbous herbs (geophytes) with beautiful flowering displays such as Disa, Lachenalia and Gladiolus, often these species are hysteranthus, with fire-stimulated flowering.

The Cape Peninsula also display flowering plants like Erica urna-viridis and Wurmbea marginata which are endemic and very unique looking.

A conservation symbol of the Fynbos Biome is the Bontebok, Damaliscus pyrgargus pyrgargus.

Representatives of the endemic and the near-endemic families of the Cape Floristic Region are plants such as Lanaria lanata (Lanariaceae), Grubbia rosmarinifolia (Grubbiaceae), Brunia albiflora (Bruniaceae), Roridula gorgonias (Roridulaceae), Retzia capensis (Stilbaceae), Saltera sarcocolla (Penaeaceae).

Two well recognized flowers are the king protea, Protea cynaroides, as the national flower of South Africa and the red disa, Disa uniflora. The Clanwilliam cedar, Widdringtonia cedarbergensis, is an elegant but diminishing conifer endemic to the Cederberg Mountains.

The Cape Floristic Region is home to bird species such as the Cape sugarbird, Promerops cafer, the orange-breasted sunbird, Nectarinia violacea, and the Protea canary, Serinus leucopterus.

There are approximately forty species of amphibians in the Cape Floristic Region, sixteen of which are endemic. The Table Mountain ghost frog, Heleophryne rosei, is endemic to four perennial streams on Table Mountain and is extremely endangered.

Threats

Human impacts on the fynbos vegetation are very severe, which is a consequence of the combination of overgrazing, cultivation, mining, pollution, deforestation and afforestation. Humans influence the structure and composition of vegetation by use of fire, harvesting food items, grazing by domestic animals, cultivation, alien plant introductions, and the harvesting of flowers and restioids (for thatching purposes)(Linder, 1990). The ecosystems differs topographically and geologically because not all landscapes and vegetation are used by humans to the same extent, such as less inhabited mountainous regions compared to excessively inhabited coastal lowlands.

Cultivation was first introduced by European colonists, who planted wheat, oats and grape vines. About 96% (Cowling R. &., 1992)of the original vegetation of the West Coast renosterveld was transformed mainly by agriculture (McDowell, 1988; Rebelo, 1997), now many rare and endangered species exist in this area. Alien plant infestation is relatively recent, most originate from intentional introductions between 1830-1900 (MacDonald 1986). The motives behind the introductions were for aesthetic purposes (Pinus spp.), construction materials (Eucalyptus spp.) and the stabilization of mobile sand (Acacia). The infestation of Hakea and Pinus species in 1984 was estimated to be 6641 km², which intruded on 8.6% of the Fynbos biome and 12% of the area of natural vegetation. A few of the invasive species are Acacia cyclops, Acacia saligna, and Pinus pinaster (Richardson et al. 1996).

Fynbos ecosystems in the Southwest Centre have been transformed into vineyards, fruit orchards, and pine plantations to a great extent. Sand fynbos was demolished in the influx of the Cape Town metropolitan area, small holdings and alien plant invasions. The distribution pattern of threatened ecosystems is parallel to the distribution of threatened butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and plants. According to the Red Data, alien invasive plants are the biggest threat to biodiversity, followed by agriculture then urbanisation (Rebelo A. e., 2006).

In the Succulent Karoo there are less human population pressures, which results from farming, mining and urbanisation. Most of this biome area is used as a natural grazing form of land use. Climate change has been identified as a major threat seeing as global temperatures have already increased by 0.5ºC and the rainfall is expected to decrease in the next fifty years. A decrease in rainfall would be devastating to the Succulent Karoo biome because it would cause the environment to become even drier. Fragmentation or alterations of natural habitats (such as the cultivation of grapes, citrus, tobacco, alfalfa, and vegetables) leads to the extinction of species.

These plantations are dependant on good irrigation infrastructure which changes the natural habits of river valleys. Alien species invasions, disruption to pollinators, mining (diamonds, titanium, zinc, copper, gypsum, quartz), livestock grazing, game farming for ecotourism/hunting, boom in Ostrich farming industry, dryland farming, collectors of novelty fauna and flora, and the large scale uncontrolled harvesting of flora with medicinal value are all great concerns to the well being of the biodiversity. No less than 5% of vegetation has been lost to mining and agriculture, and about two-thirds of the area has acutely been overgrazed. An estimated 29% of the Succulent Karoo biome is in a relatively unspoiled condition.

Conservation status and strategies

A comprehensive action plan for fynbos and other vegetation types within the CFR has been completed and elaborated upon both regionally and nationally (PreslFey et al., 2003). In the 2000s, the Cape Action Plan for People and the Environment (CAPE) was established to affect conservation in the Fynbos Biome. One conservation plan is to built 'megareserves' focused on the existing conservation area in sandstone fynbos, but linking them to relatively unconserved renosterveld, karoo shrublands and sand fynbos of the lowlands (Rebelo A. e., 2006).

What looks to be a promising new project is an initiative 'Working for Water Programme', which is centred around the removal of alien plants by working with the communities around infected areas to remove invasive species. The project has created 3600 jobs and altogether has cleared around 500 km² of alien growth. New protected areas such as the Cape Peninsula National Park, the West Coast Biosphere Reserve, and the Cape Agulhas National Park have successfully been established. Recently the Cape Floristic Region was declared a World Heritage Site with eight protects areas.

Only about 2560 km of the Succulent Karoo (2.5% of land area) is protected. The largest reserve is the Richtersveld National Park, administered by the community that lives there and the government (McGinley, 2008). A framework to guide conservation action in the Succulent Karoo has recently been completed by a team of regional experts funded by Conservation International. The Succulent Karoo Ecosystem Plan (SKEP; Driver & Maze 2002) has moved into implementation phase (Rebelo A. e., 2006). Public awareness of this biome is growing through the SKEP. SKEP is the result of a short planning exercise that combined scientific knowledge and land-user insight to identify a Conservation and Sustainable Land-use Strategy for the Succulent Karoo hotspot (McGinley, 2008). The reserve system through the Succulent Karoo is expanding by the creation of new parks such as the Namaqua National Park (600 km) in the central uplands of Namaqualand, the park is set to expand westwards.

References

Cowling, R. &. (1992). The Ecology of Fynbos; Nutrients, Fire and Diversity. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.

Cowling, R. e. (1997). Fynbos. In R. R. Cowling, Vegetation of Southern Africa (pp. 99-123). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cowling, R. P. (2009). Explaining the uniqueness of the Cape flora: Incorporating geomorphic evolution as a factor for explaining its diversification. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 51 , 64-74.

Cowling, R. P. (2005). On the origin of southern African subtropical thicket vegetation. South African Journal of Botany 71 , 1-23.

King, L. (1942). South African Scenery, A Textbook of Geomorphology. London: Oliver and Boyd.

Linder, H. (2003). The radiation of the Cape flora, southern Africa. Biological , 597–638.

McGinley, M. (2008, August 25). Biological diversity in the Fynbos. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from Encyclopedia of Earth: http://www.eoearth.org

McGinley, M. C. (2008, August 22). Biological diversity in the Succulent Karoo. Retrieved February 17, 2010, from Encyclopedia of Earth: http://www.eoearth.org

Milton, S. e. (1997). Succulent Karoo. In R. R. Cowling, Vegetation of Southern Africa (pp. 131-160). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Mucina, L. e. (2006). Succulent Karoo biome. In L. &. Mucina, The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (pp. 222-296). Cambridge: Strelitzia 19.

Rebelo, A. (1997). Conservation. In R. e. Cowling, Vegetation of Southern Africa (pp. 571-587). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rebelo, A. e. (2006). Fynbos Biome. In L. &. Mucina, & S. A. Institute (Ed.), The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (pp. 55-208). Cambrigde: Sterilitzia 19.

Richardson, J. W. (2001). Rapid and recent origin of species richness in the Cape Flora of South Africa. Nature 412 , 181–183.

Rouget, M. e. (2006). Ecosystem status and Protection levels of Vegetation types. In L. &. Mucina, The Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (pp. 726-737). Cambridge: Strelitzia 19.

Scott, L. A. (1997). Vegetation history. Vegetation of Southern Africa. , 62–84. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 

 

Owls

The uncontained burning of fynbos on the foot of Table Mountain

 

Seed dispersal of a serotinous plant after fire

 

 

Orchidaceae in Cape Floristic Region

 

 

 

Who Gives A Hoot?

Mice and insects are major pests in agricultural areas. Using pesticides to eliminate this threat to crops has become expensive and disrupts the ecosystem. To attract owls to your farm you need to build them a shelter. Firstly one should determine the kind of owl one would want to attract. Owls have their own preferences. The Barn owl (Tyto alba) is a favourite to use for pest control.They are also the most widely distributed species of owl. By using an owl box to attract owls you introduce a natural predator of the mice and insects. This keeps them under control but also saves time and money. The idea of using owls as a natural rodent control is old, but the method is now getting a second look by environmentally conscious farmers all over the world.

Why should we incorporate owl boxes into everyday farming?

The Barn owl is most frequently seen using nesting boxes, which indicates a shortage in roosting and nesting sites. With the development of forested areas into agricultural areas, many of the owls' habitats are destroyed. Barn owls are especially faithful to one roosting site and will keep returning to it for years.

 

Examples of Non-Sustainable Pest Management are using poison which not only kills the rodents but also their predators and is harmful to farm workers and livestock, and traps which aren't always successful.

 

Location Location Location

 

Firmly attach the nesting box to a wall or tree in a shady quiet place, away from humans and where it is inaccessible to predators.

Natural nesting and roosting sites should be within a radius of 3 km (these site include hollow trees, old barns or bridges).

There should be a low density of well travelled roads within a 1 km radius.

There should be insurance that the habitat for foraging will not decrease within the next 5 years.

Owl boxes can be placed in a barn or on a pole, about 2.5 to 3 m from the ground, which is easily accessible to the owner for maintenance.

Direction: if mounting the box in a barn, it is well protected against the elements and direction of placement does not matter. If the box is placed on an open pole, the opening should face away from the sun, in an open direction so that passing owls will see the dark opening, exactly what they are looking for when searching for a nest site.

Bedding: mulch should be added to the bottom of the box, preventing eggs from rolling and breaking and adding comfort for the owls. Acceptable shavings are pine and fir. Do not use cedar, sawdust and wood shavings.

 

Maintenance

Owls do not clean their own nests, so it is wise to clean out the mulch every year in a box being used. Always use a mask and surgical gloves when cleaning out a bird's nest!!

 

Important aspects about attracting owls to your

garden

Only owls that reside in the surrounding area will occupy a nest box in your garden.

Nest boxes, and their location, should mimic the owls' natural environment, be waterproof and have an alluring perch .

Barn owls regularly use perches, which results in an accumulation of white wash on the floor.

 Do not use harmful pesticides in your garden and buildings, seek environmentally-friendly methods to control insects.

Bee swarms pose a hazard to Barn owls as they sometimes take over their nest boxes. This can be managed by burning a mosquito coil at the entrance to the box, painting the box with three coats of Boiled Linseed Oil and spraying the outside with Baythroid (Cyfluthrin).

Do not use harmful poisons which will harm the owls      and their chicks.

  

 

 

Vietnam and Cambodia

Mary and Jan’s itinerary for the tour to Vietnam and Cambodia:

Day 1: Wed 20 Oct 10

Depart Cape Town / Johannesburg

Day 2: Thu 21 Oct 10 (D)

Arrival around noon in Hanoi – the traditional capital of French Indochina - transfer to hotel to rest and freshen up. In the afternoon we take an exhilarating one hour cyclo ride (three wheel cycle - don’t worry someone else is doing the pedaling in the hectic scooter traffic) through Hanoi’s old quarter, enjoying the late-afternoon colors and visit a traditional Vietnamese “long house”. Afterwards we attend a performance of the renowned Water Puppet theatre whose origins date back over a thousand years.

 A welcome dinner with a traditional music show concludes our first day in Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Fri 22 Oct 10 (B/L)

This morning we do a city tour, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Temple of Literature.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Rest of afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Sat 23 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

Leave Hanoi for the drive to Halong Bay – a natural wonder of extraordinary beauty – where we board a junk and set sail on an overnight cruise amongst the thousands of unusually shaped (and named) limestone islands that dot the bay.

After a delicious fresh seafood lunch we drop anchor for a visit to Surprise Cave and swimming and / or exploring at Titov beach (weather permitting). Enjoy dinner on board and also night fishing if you so wish.

Overnight on board.

Day 5: Sun 24 Oct 10 (Brunch)

In the morning cruise to Bai Tu Long Bay, Fire-, Bo Nau Island and a fishing village. After brunch we moor again at Halong wharf around noon where we disembark. En route to Hanoi we visit Bac Ninh, the cradle of traditional Vietnamese music and theatre. A horse-drawn cart through country lanes bring us to Dinh Bang communal house and Do temple. Enjoy local folk songs.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Mon 25 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

After breakfast we fly to Hue, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam. After lunch at a local restaurant we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. The spectacular Citadel is built on the same principles and design as Beijing's Forbidden City and contains a series of palaces, ornate halls,

libraries, residences and colleges. This evening we are treated to an Imperial Dinner, serving the specialities of the region.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Tue 26 Oct 10 (B/L)

This morning we drive to Hoi An, via the Hai Van pass and Lang Co beach – the famous China Beach where American soldiers use to hang out during the Vietnam war. En route we visit the Cham museum - an open air collection of Cham sculptures for an insight into the Cham culture.

Lunch at the restaurant in Danang – the largest city in central Vietnam.

Then to My Son Holy Land – the ancient capital and religious centre of the Cham people - a

World Heritage site. Then on to Hoi An, our base for the next few days.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Wed 27 Oct 10 (B/L)

Today we enjoy a walking tour of the ancient centre of Hoi An – a photographer’s paradise - old merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An market, Chinese Assembly Halls, and some typical 18th century Vietnamese houses. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon leisure time for shopping or relaxing.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Thu 28 Oct 10 (B)

A full day of rest – much needed as the going so far has been quite hectic. For those interested we are offering an optional excursion:

Optional Vietnamese Cooking Tour – start with a visit to the market for typical Vietnamese ingredients. A leisurely 25 minute cruise on the Hoi An River to the Cooking School where we will learn how to cook some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. Each dish is first demonstrated by the chef before you prepare it yourself. Then sit down and enjoy what we have prepared for lunch. Back to Hoi An town by boat.

Overnight Hoi An

Day 10: Fri 29 Oct 10 (B/L/D)

In the morning we fly to Ho Chi Minh City – still called Saigon by the locals. After lunch we go on a city tour to the Reunification Palace, War Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral.

This evening enjoy a dinner cruise on the Saigo River.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 11: Sat 30 Oct 10 (B/L)

Full day tour to the fascinating Mekong Delta. After our bus trip to My Tho, a private boat will take us cruising to a floating fish market and along small creeks to the Mekong River estuary, then to Phoenix Island where we drop anchor for lunch at a garden restaurant. The boat cruises along natural creeks to the quiet villages in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee-keeping farm, taste natural honey and honey wine, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, wander around a distillery, explore the local coconut candy production process and see how the waterways form an integral part of the locals’ day to day existence. Tour ends late evening.

Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 12: Sun 31 Oct 10 (B/L)

Morning visit to Cu Chi, an intricate underground tunnel network constructed by Vietcong fighters during the Vietnam War (or American War from the Vietnamese viewpoint). Unbelievable to think that people lived in these dark and narrow tunnels for long periods of time.

Afternoon back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch and free time for shopping.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13: Mon 1 Nov 10 (B/L)

After breakfast we fly to Siem Reap – gateway to Angkor. After check in at our hotel we will have lunch – our first taste of Khmer cuisine. Afternoon transfer for our first experience of the world famous  antiquities of Cambodia – monumental Angkor Wat - an expansive fortified temple city dating as far back as the 9th century.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Tue 2 Nov 10 (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to continue our exploration of Angkor - visit the famous South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King and Phimean Akas temple. After lunch other Angkor Ruins such as Chao Say Tevoda, Takeo and Taprom (the famous jungle entangled ruins used in Tomb Raider). Relaxing evening spent at a Dinner and Khmer Traditional Dance (Apsara) Show.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Wed 3 Nov 10 (B/L)

A cruise on the Tonlé Sap Lake, visit a floating village and experience the lifestyle of the fisher folk. Then we visit Chantier Ecole-Artisant d’Angkor – a tour of the classes and workshops offers a glimpse of Cambodian artistry.

After lunch we fly to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia.

Overnight Phnom Penh.

Day 16: Thu 4 Nov 10 (B/L)

After breakfast we go on a city tour which includes visits to the impressive golden Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda - Preahkeo Morokot and the National Museum situated in the stunning old art school in the old Cambodian style. Our tour ends at the famous Russian Market for a last chance to buy Khmer products and souvenirs.

Transfer to airport for our flight home.

Day 17: Fri 5 Nov 10

Arrival Johannesburg / Cape Town

Gastehuise Europa

Gastehuise Europa

Gastehuise Frankryk

http://www.ma-cachette.com/MainframeAfr.htm

Ma Cachette is geleë in die hartjie van Frankryk se Auvergne streek. U kan ons direk skakel by :  + 33 (0)4.73.95.04.88 - As u van buite Frankryk skakel laat die 0 in hakies, voor die 4 weg - gebruik u 'n telefoon hier in Frankryk, sit die 0 voor die 4 terug.

South African Guesthouses abroad, Greece

South African Guest Houses abroad, Greece

Gastehuise Europa

Gastehuise Griekeland

Webpage of SA guest house abroad in Skiathos, Greece: http://www.villa-athena.com

When you visit Europe and Greece pay a visit to Villa Athena in Skiathos, Greece

Each air conditioned, self-catering studio has its own private balcony or private patio with a superb sea view, twin-bedded bedroom with shower en-suite and open-plan living room with kitchenette.

Variuos friends informed me that they enjoyed their stay at Villa Athena

South Africa guest house, Europe, Greece, Villa Athena, Skiathos

Golf in Buenos Aires

Golf in Buenos Aires

We played at the Jockey Club and Olivos. About 45 minutes and 1 hour from the city. Greens fees, including a caddy, was $50 (you also tip the caddy and buy him lunch). Great courses and well worth the money. The caddies were top notch as well.

Taxi ride is probably $15 - $20 each way and you should bring your own clubs. We brought way too many balls (your caddy will not let you misplace

The best golf courses to play in the BA area would be the Jockey Club in San Isidro (combine a visit to the San Isidro town), the Buenos Aires Golf, the Olivos Golf Club further north and either Pilar Golf Club or Martindale C.C. in the Pilar area (35 miles north). These are the 5 top golf courses in the country. Even though they are private, they are open to public one day in the week. Usually Wednesdays or Thursdays. Don't expect to play there on weekends if you're not invited by a member. Fees are very affordable and may vary from USD 12-40

It may be difficult to find rental equipment at golf courses. Bring your own.

http://www.argentinacontact.com/turismo/en_tour/Golf-Week-39.html

Golf Week

Day 1

Transfer from Ezeiza Airport to Hotel.  City Tour.

Day 2

Half day Golf in one of the famous golf clubs around Buenos Aires, with guide.
Transfers and green fee included.

This morning you will enjoy golf at the Los Pingüinos Country Club located in Hurlingham, 40 minutes west of downtown Buenos Aires.

The course has variety of wide and narrow fairways, flat and undulated and impeccable greens, fast, undulated and well protected by bunkers and some lagoons. There is a Club House with first rate facilities. Your golf arrangements include roundtrip transfers, guide, green fees and tee time booking.

Day 3

Half day Golf in one of the famous golf clubs around Buenos Aires, with guide. Transfers and green fee included.

This morning you will enjoy golf at the Olivos Golf Club, home of the Master of Argentina tournament and frequented by American and European PGA players. Greens are fast and the course boasts many trees.
Arrangements included roundtrip transfers, guide, green fees and tee time booking

Day 4

Half day Golf in one of the famous golf clubs around Buenos Aires, with guide. Transfers and green fee included.

Half day Golf in one of the famous golf clubs around Buenos Aires, with guide. Transfers and green fee included.
You can choose course by your own: San Andres, Jockey Club San Isidro, Lagartos, La Orquidea Golf, Abril, etc.

Day 5
Half day Golf in one of the famous golf clubs around Buenos Aires, with guide. Transfers and green fee included.
This morning you’ll enjoy one last game of golf at the Pilar Country Club.
The course is a parkland type of course with lots of water and first level greens. There is a spectacular club house and electric carts are available. Your golf arrangements included roundtrip transfers, guide, green fees and tee time booking. Caddies are not available.

Day 6

Free at leisure to explore Buenos Aires.

Day 7

Transfer to airport for flight back home or elsewhere.

End of the services.

Destinations Abroad

Destinations Abroad

The secret to host a successful group tour is to arrange a small group of like minded travellers to travel to interesting destinations.

The individuals that make up this group of travellers will most likely have previous travel experience and is in a way independent orientated travellers, but prefer the luxury of organised tours to take the hassle out of tour arrangements and they also like to share their free time and experiences with other like minded travellers.

The destination is also important and the reason for visiting that specific destination as well as the activities that t6he group will share in is also motivational factors for people that travel in smaller personalised interesting group tours.

I normally engaged in pre-tour meetings with selections of these groups to discuss suggestions and adjustments to proposed itineraries in order to incorporate practical and interesting suggestions into upcoming tours.

As a company we also use post-tour informal get-togethers to discuss and plan our future destinations. In this way we ensure that we add value to our tour packages and we gain knowledge and information from well travelled sources.

We also request feedback from existing clients regarding group compositions, itinerary and infrastructure suggestions as well as the benefit that members gained from experiences.

Interactive, well plan tours and activities are the main reasons why small, personalised tours are working.

Secret, group tour, small group, like minded travellers, interesting destinations