Hello Everyone,

Spring is springing and with it all sorts of new and wonderful happenings are taking place in and around Cape Hotels. For example I have teamed up with Sigi van Rooyen of Choice Getaways to bring you an even more comprehensive portfolio of great accommodation especially in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo Province and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Soon I am off to WTM once again and I'm delighted to introduce some truly noteworthy establishments to the overseas operators.

Some of these have written to tell me of exciting developments in their lives and I have taken the liberty of including the news here.

Liz & Brian Phillips are the new owners of Fynbos Ridge as from 1 February 2008 and Martin is still with them as manager. He has now been at Fynbos Ridge for almost 3 years… and says it feels like a lifetime. Together, they have undertaken a renovation program, keeping the essence of Fynbos Ridge, which we think is unique: Tranquil surroundings, the stunning Fynbos and views, with easy access to a host of activities and of course the wonderful beaches.

Fynbos Ridge (as establishment and all of our guests for the duration of their stay) is also proud to be Carbon Neutral. The trees to offset our carbon footprint for the next two years, have been planted and with modern technology like "GPS" and "Google Earth" we can watch them grow. (33 56'04.40" S, 23 26'54.64" E)

Just a few updates:

• We have just installed LCD TV's in all of our units (Country House: 66cm screen & Cottages: 82cm screen).
• We have just installed DVD players in all of our units and have a large DVD library in the House.
• Satellite TV is now installed in all units with local channels, 2 x movie channels, 2 x sport channels and 2 x news channels in the Country House & 32 Channels in the Cottages.
• All the drive-ways & parking areas have been paved.
• We now have dinner available every night and are happy to provide guest staying in the cottages with "pre-packed meals" for easy use.
• We encourage guest to book our self-catering units on a B&B basis. Guest can still have the luxury of all the privacy & space the cottage has to offer, but can come to the Country House for breakfast.

PUMBA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

The end of August and beginning of September have been exciting moments for Pumba Private Game Reserve with the re-introduction of a pack of Wild Dog which we received from Shamwari Private Game Reserve, following their arrival they were kept in a boma enabling them to aclimatise to their new environment. They were hell for a month, then they were released on the 29th August and headed straight for our north-western boundary were they have been to date.

It will take time for them to settle down.

We have also received 4 spotted hyaena from the Addo Elephant National Park, which have undergone a similar holding period as the wild dog, and which we aim to release into the reserve by the end of August. The aim of the release is to hopefully enable a larger clan to establish itself where these 4 individuals will hopefully link up with the exisiting 2 which roam Pumba.

It is suspected that one of the white lionesses could have given birth in the western section of Melville Park. Signs of the lactating female are evident though rocky and hilly terrain has not enabled us an opportunity to follow. Our new little White Rhinoceros Calf which is a young female continues to grow quickly, and with its humourous nature is providing guests with some exciting and funny moments.

We are starting to witness the arrival of migratory birds with exciting sitings of the threatened Black Harrier hovering through the plains of Pumba. The field guides and I have begun to see the larger raptors of Pumba quite regularily ie. the Crowned Eagle - of which we have found a nest which could be used this year, Martial Eagle and Fish Eagle. Martins, Swifts and Swallows are completing the end of their journey from Europe and North Africa to settle in the Eastern Cape to fulfill their breeding requirements.

The Field Guides are going to be undertaking some interesting projects this Summer, as we have involved ourselves with the Lepidopterist Society to identify the Butterflies of Pumba, the Herpetologist Society as part of a conservation assessment of reptiles being found in the Eastern Cape, our own Frogging Project and the compiling of a preliminary list and photographic record of the flower plants of Pumba.

As part of Pumbas' social responsibility, the Field Guiding Department have welcomed 4 Junior Field Guides who have been successfully accredited with the Field Guides Association of South Africa as Level 1 Guides. Thanks to the Wilderness Foundations Umzi-wethu Stewarship Programme which focuses on youth from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Pumba has taken them in as a stewardship outreach to enrich their knowledge, as well as give them the opportunity of becoming permanently employed as fellow colleagues of the department. This enrichment will take place over a period of 6 months.

The management team has also secured support from Working For Water which is an organisation that undertakes the clearing of Alien Vegetation encroaching on our vulnerable water sheds. Pumba is the main watershed to the Kariega River. This is going to be an ongoing project, and we aim to eradicate as much alien encroachment as possible, maintaining the aesthetics of the reserve as well as improving the quality of the veld. Once accomplished we will make 1200 hectares of the reserve productive again.

the following new for Hacklewood Hill:

• We spotted a pair of Knysna Loeries in our Garden a few days ago, it was quite a treat as they are very shy birds and do not get spotted often - Must be all the hard work we have been putting into the garden to get it ready for Spring.
• Mitchell van Aardt has taken over the position as General Manager of Hacklewood Hill Country House as of the 01 July 2008,
• Bernice Viviers our Head Chef has just returned from the Regionals of the Unilever Chef of the Year competition and we anxiously await the results to hear whether she will be going to the Nationals, and wish her the best of luck!

Thylitshia Villa Country House has been reborn...

During the months of May & June 2008, Thylitshia Villa Country Guesthouse underwent a major revamp and upgrade. All the bathrooms have been retiled, baths added and showers given brand new taps and drains. The bedrooms feature brand new mattresses, pillows, linen, and televisions as well as new bar fridges. A new look has been introduced, with chairs and other furniture. While this was all happening, the swimmingpool was moved in its entirety to a new area and now features a panoramic view of the magnificent Swartberg Mountains. A landscape artist ensured that the garden now reflects the same high standard as the rooms do

Overall, we now present a brand new Thylitshia Villa Country Guesthouse with added luxury to indulge our clients.

Cape Hotels was recently invited to partake in Jewel Africa's "scintillating diamond surprise"….

Upon arrival we found glasses filled with champagne that were given to each person with a scroll letter which read:

As you enter the house, enjoy a glass of Champagne...
and if you are lucky, it will be for your gain.
For inside the flute is not all that it seems,
there is a small piece of glass - Is it the stone of your dreams?
Please sip it with care and when you are done
get the stone analyzed to see if you have won.
For down in the bubbles - it is one or the other
The Diamond or a cubic zirconia...

Each glass had a 'surprise' in it, and although I was not the lucky diamond winner, I did receive two lovely cubic zirconia and loads of fun was had by all!

Jewel Africa - a true African Gem and world class showroom, large diamond and fine jewellery manufacturing outlet and an experiential shopping destination ideal for tourists and visitors is offering this unique opportunity to enhance your function, conference or teambuilding experience.

Exclusive, private tours as well as an exciting and enticing evening of browsing and learning about South Africa’s mineral wealth topped with their unique scintillating diamond surprise…

Warm Regards

Glenda Paterson
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Principal - Cape Hotels

glenda@capehotels.co.za
Tel / Fax:  +27 (0)21 856 0606
www.capehotels.co.za