addo

MOSAIC TOURISM is based in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, within the Sunshine Coast of South Africa. We passionately and proudly boast about the splendour and beauty of our country.

From the sun-drenched beaches stretching from the Sunshine Coast to the Wild Coast, to the rich diversity of historical and cultural heritage sites, the incredibly fun 4×4 and adrenalin adventure opportunities and spectacular flora and fauna to be viewed, you have a wide variety of options from which to tailor a tour to your heart’s desire.

In all we do, we aim to exceed expectations. With our commitment to service and professionally registered THETA tour guides with a vast knowledge to share details and facts about all seen and experienced – we ensure that guests visiting South Africa will not leave disappointed.

We offer flexibility, allowing guests the option of predefined tours or engaging with us to put together a tailor-made tour in accordance with specific needs and budget.

We can personalise tours for couples, families and groups of up to 30 people. We communicate closely with our guests so as to ensure we provide a holiday experience just as is desired.

From mild to wild, we can guarantee you a holiday that will be unforgettable. We guarantee an authentic South African MOSAIC experience!

Two top MOSAIC Moment Tour requests:

GUGU’S TOWNSHIP TOUR (Half Day)
Gugu’s Township Tour is a definite favourite and has become synonymous with a truly authentic township experience where guests encounter the warmth of true South African hospitality. The guided hop-on-hop-off half day tour will take you into the heart of the traditional urban community, New Brighton Township. Here you will take in the sights and sounds of real township life, meet local residents and experience the rich culture, heritage and diversity of this community.

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK (Half / Full Day)
Experience these gentle giants up close and personal in Addo Elephant National Park, located just outside of Port Elizabeth. We recommend an early departure to experience what can be some of best game viewing earlier in the day. Enjoy a thrilling drive through the game reserve, viewing numerous Elephant, Warthog, Zebra and Kudu. Hopefully we will spot buffalo, Lion, Hyena and Black Rhino as well as other species of animals and bird life that inhabit the park.

Many more MOSAIC Moments to choose from within the following tours:

ž• Adrenaline Adventure Tours

• Beyond the Bay

• Elephant Experiences

• Tour the Town

And if what you are looking for is not there, then create your own MOSAIC moment:

• Tailor-made Tours

To View Our Website CLICK HERE

This 7-day tour will take you along the beautiful sceneries of the Western Cape. Drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and miss nothing in between. Enjoy the beautiful coastlines on the Indian ocean and marvel at the stunning landscapes the Western Cape has to offer. Meet many different people and make memories that last a lifetime!

The Garden Route

Day 1 Stellenbosch Wine Route

Leaving the mother city of Cape Town behind, we drive to Stellenbosch to the Spier Wine Estate where, if you have chosen for the Activity Package, we visit the Cheetah Breeding Centre before some excellent wine tasting a little later in the day.
On clear days the magnificent mountain scenery makes for a memorable first day. On arrival at our accommodation stop for the night, your guides will brief you on what to expect from the days ahead.
Meals: Lunch

Day 2 Route 62 – Oudtshoorn

Today we travel along the famous Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn and, time permitting, stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub… If you have chosen for the Activity Package, we take a guided tour of the Cango Caves, which are some of the most impressive limestone caverns and the different formations are quite astonishing. You will have the opportunity to visit an Ostrich farm later in the afternoon. Tonight we stay in Oudtshoorn. Optional Activities: Ostrich Farm visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Knysna / Plettenberg Bay

Today we cross over the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains to Knysna. Your afternoon is free to explore Knysna, one of South Africa’s most popular seaside towns.
Optional Activities: Canoeing, hiking, Knysna Elephant Park, Lagoon Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4, 5 Bloukrans and Tsitsikamma National Park

One of South Africa’s best-kept secrets is the Tsitsikamma National Park. If you have chosen to include the Activity Package the entrance fee will be included. Boasting exceptional hiking trails and superb coastal scenery Tsitsikamma is a destination that many people will return to. The first few hours of the famous Otter Trail Hike are included in your Activity Package. For those needing an adrenaline boost the nearby Bloukraans Bridge is home to the world’s highest bungee jump at 212m! Optional Activities: Bungy jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Addo Elephant National Park

Continuing in to the Eastern Cape, we enter Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to many of Africa’s big game. Our truck gives us an elevated view on our game drive this afternoon, particularly for those photographic enthusiasts amongst us.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Port Elizabeth

After an early morning game drive in Addo we depart the National Park and drive, to Port Elizabeth Airport where our tour will end.
Meals: Breakfast

RATES INCLUSIVE / EXCLUSIVE

Tour Price: ZAR 4.950,00, single supplement: ZAR 280,00
Activity Package: ZAR 250,00
The prices in GBP are only indications. Payments are to be done in ZAR (South African Rand).

Included

• Meals mentioned in Itinerary
• 6 nights twin share camping
• All activities mentioned in itinerary (except for optional activities)

Excluded

• Activity Package R250- The activity package consists of a Spier Wine tasting plus cheetah entrance, Cango Caves basic tour, Tsitsikamma National Park entrance.
• Single Supplement R280- The tour is based on twin share accommodation. If you want to go alone you have to pay the single supplement.
• Personal Expenses

The tour can also be booked as an accommodated tour.

Departure Dates 2012

January: 9th, 23rd
February: 6th, 20th
March: 5th, 19th
April: 2nd, 16th, 30th
May: 14th, 28th
June: 11th, 25th
July: 9th, 23rd
August: 6th, 20th
September: 3rd, 17th
October: 1st, 15th 29th
November: 12th, 26th
December: 10th, 24th

Please read our terms and conditions to inform yourself about our booking procedures.
Kindly note that the prices and accommodation are subject to change based on date, availability and special requests.

What makes this tour different

Experience the deserts like never before. Learn how the locals have managed to adapt and survive in the harsh desert conditions. Learn about the desert eco-system and marvel at the beauty of the nature.

Print PDF

Article source: http://www.shareafricatravel.com/the-garden-route/?utm_source=rssutm_medium=rssutm_campaign=the-garden-route

This 7-day tour will take you along the beautiful sceneries of the Western Cape. Drive from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and miss nothing in between. Enjoy the beautiful coastlines on the Indian ocean and marvel at the stunning landscapes the Western Cape has to offer. Meet many different people and make memories that last a lifetime!

The Garden Route

Day 1 Stellenbosch Wine Route

Leaving the mother city of Cape Town behind, we drive to Stellenbosch to the Spier Wine Estate where, if you have chosen for the Activity Package, we visit the Cheetah Breeding Centre before some excellent wine tasting a little later in the day.
On clear days the magnificent mountain scenery makes for a memorable first day. On arrival at our accommodation stop for the night, your guides will brief you on what to expect from the days ahead.
Meals: Lunch

Day 2 Route 62 – Oudtshoorn

Today we travel along the famous Route 62 towards Oudtshoorn and, time permitting, stop at Ronnie’s Sex Shop, not a sex shop at all, but a rather interesting country pub… If you have chosen for the Activity Package, we take a guided tour of the Cango Caves, which are some of the most impressive limestone caverns and the different formations are quite astonishing. You will have the opportunity to visit an Ostrich farm later in the afternoon. Tonight we stay in Oudtshoorn. Optional Activities: Ostrich Farm visit.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Knysna / Plettenberg Bay

Today we cross over the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains to Knysna. Your afternoon is free to explore Knysna, one of South Africa’s most popular seaside towns.
Optional Activities: Canoeing, hiking, Knysna Elephant Park, Lagoon Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4, 5 Bloukrans and Tsitsikamma National Park

One of South Africa’s best-kept secrets is the Tsitsikamma National Park. If you have chosen to include the Activity Package the entrance fee will be included. Boasting exceptional hiking trails and superb coastal scenery Tsitsikamma is a destination that many people will return to. The first few hours of the famous Otter Trail Hike are included in your Activity Package. For those needing an adrenaline boost the nearby Bloukraans Bridge is home to the world’s highest bungee jump at 212m! Optional Activities: Bungy jumping (highest in the world), treetop canopy tours, hiking.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Addo Elephant National Park

Continuing in to the Eastern Cape, we enter Addo Elephant National Park, which is home to many of Africa’s big game. Our truck gives us an elevated view on our game drive this afternoon, particularly for those photographic enthusiasts amongst us.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Port Elizabeth

After an early morning game drive in Addo we depart the National Park and drive, to Port Elizabeth Airport where our tour will end.
Meals: Breakfast

RATES INCLUSIVE / EXCLUSIVE

Tour Price: ZAR 4.950,00, single supplement: ZAR 280,00
Activity Package: ZAR 250,00
The prices in GBP are only indications. Payments are to be done in ZAR (South African Rand).

Included

• Meals mentioned in Itinerary
• 6 nights twin share camping
• All activities mentioned in itinerary (except for optional activities)

Excluded

• Activity Package R250- The activity package consists of a Spier Wine tasting plus cheetah entrance, Cango Caves basic tour, Tsitsikamma National Park entrance.
• Single Supplement R280- The tour is based on twin share accommodation. If you want to go alone you have to pay the single supplement.
• Personal Expenses

The tour can also be booked as an accommodated tour.

Departure Dates 2012

January: 9th, 23rd
February: 6th, 20th
March: 5th, 19th
April: 2nd, 16th, 30th
May: 14th, 28th
June: 11th, 25th
July: 9th, 23rd
August: 6th, 20th
September: 3rd, 17th
October: 1st, 15th 29th
November: 12th, 26th
December: 10th, 24th

Please read our terms and conditions to inform yourself about our booking procedures.
Kindly note that the prices and accommodation are subject to change based on date, availability and special requests.

What makes this tour different

Experience the deserts like never before. Learn how the locals have managed to adapt and survive in the harsh desert conditions. Learn about the desert eco-system and marvel at the beauty of the nature.

Print PDF

The Addo Elephant National Park is not just about elephants. This Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk was one of the gems I managed to capture on our last trip there.

RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2012/05/reptiles-and-raptors-at-river-bend.html

Addo –
Prices From
: R350 – R450
Prices Are
: Per Person
Star Grading
:

Max Guest
: 18
Type
: Self Catering

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Situated in the malaria free Addo Region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Privately owned Charihandra Game Lodge offers tranquillity and peace with magnificent views over the mountains and breathtaking Addo sunsets. The Addo Game Lodge is ideal for business and pleasure, perfectly situated as a gateway to all that can be enjoyed in the Addo area. Equipped with modern conveniences in a secure beautiful setting, a mere 24km from the Addo Elephant National Park and only 48km from the Port Elizabeth Airport. Leave the bright lights behind and escape to the beautiful Addo tranquillity.

Facilities:
Braai / Barbeque, CC Accepted, Ceiling Fans, DSTV, Gym, Minibar, No Pets Allowed, No Smoking Rooms, Swimming Pool, TV In Room

Nearby Facilities:
Bird Watching, Game Drives, Hiking

Meal Plan Available?
No

Our Location:

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RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

There really is no better place to experience a wealth of exotic culture than to take holidays in South Africa. Located on the tip of Africa, the area generally referred to as South Africa rests between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. Inside the borders of Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique is the Kingdom of Besotho.

This extraordinary part of Africa has an unforgettable history, which only adds to its magnificence. It is due to this rich and diverse history that you will find public holidays such as Human Rights Day, Day of Reconciliation, Youth Day, and Freedom Day.

If you are not certain when to book your holidays to South Africa, the months between June and October are the driest. These winter months not only offer great weather, they are also considered to be the best times for game viewing and hiking as well as a variety of other outdoor activities. For those wondering about whale watching, these are also the key whale watching months.

Your South Africa holidays should definitely include at least one local festival. This part of the country is notorious for its numerous cultural events, so it should be easy to find something while you are visiting. One popular event is the Addo Elephant Trail Run. Held each April inside the Addo Elephant Natural Park, this event allows racers to run alongside the elephants for an unforgettable experience.

There is also the Festival of the Arts in Cape Town each July, as well as the Hermanus Whale Festival, which is held each September. This festival provides great family entertainment and awareness about the local environment. Another highly popular festival is Woodstock. Yes, Woodstock lives as a youth festival each year at the end of September.

Aside from festivals are many beautiful towns such as Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Johannesburg. Don’t forget about the national parks such as Mkuze Game Reserve, Kruger Park, and Kgalagadi Traansfrontier Park.

RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

Article source: http://riverbendaddo.blogspot.com/2012/05/some-sightings-captured-porcupine-in.html

RiverBend Lodge is a mere 55 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth and is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday. Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

A new born elephant calf at the Addo Elephant National Park, He seems so small and fragile amongst the bigger guys.

Description

I have just visited his FB page and see that he posted on his wall Tuesday from his mobile (see below or go to his FB page if it is still working). Is he not in custody?? And if he is how can he have a CELLPHONE with him??

• Amos Limba
Her drink….i mix that, her heart….i hold that, her back….i’ve got that, my girl….she knows that, her role….she plays that. We happy….omg they hate that….
Share • Tuesday at 7:40pm via mobile •

Credibility:


1

Woody Cape: Home of the Blue Duiker
One of the species I’m very interested in at Woody Cape is the Blue Duiker. The Blue Duiker is the world’s smallest antelope. Yes, that makes South Africa, and in particular Addo Elephant National Park, home to both the world’s largest antelope (the Eland) and the world’s smallest antelope.

Well, technically speaking, there seems to be a lot of competition for the title of “The Smallest Antelope In The World”. In my books the Blue Duiker easily shares this title with several other small antelope.

Blue Duiker (Blouduiker – Cephalophus monticola) at the Woody Cape
The Blue Duiker has an interesting slit on each side of its face used for scent marking. Both males and females have short horns, although the horns can sometimes be absent from females.

The main diet of the Blue Duiker consists of freshly fallen leaves, flowers and fruit. However being a true Duiker at heart they also indulge in some carnivorous activities and will supplement their diet with animal material. Sure, a big Common/Grey Duiker can stalk and hunt a mouse/baby bird, but what’s available to a hungry little Blue Duiker. Well, apparently they have a sweet tooth for ants, but I’m sure carrion, insects and small vertebrates also form part of their diet.

They are often found near water. I haven’t seen any fresh water close to where I’ve camera trapped these Blue Duiker, so I’m assuming they can manage without free standing water if there is enough moisture in the food and some dew/rain might help as well.

Sneaking past the camera
Blue Duiker are often hunted by humans using snares. Despite this they can still be found in many places living very close to human developed areas. This is somewhat surprising to me since the species does not have a particularly fast breeding cycle (about 7 months gestation) nor do they produce many young (usually only one).

To me the adults look very small and vulnerable. One would expect them to be very high on many predators’ snack list. But then again I’m yet to photograph any predator that would be a serious threat to an adult Blue Duiker… Maybe the habitat provides enough cover to keep them safe.

Notice the tiny horns
The first Blue Duiker image (at the top) was photographed with my trusty old Bushnell Trophy Cam 2009 (without the built in viewer). It has been a great workhorse and I’ve been very happy with it.

The two images above where taken by my newer Bushnell Trophy Cam XLT (with the built in viewer). My first unit kept on over exposing most of the images. It must have had an electrical from the start because the battery life deteriorated steadily. The unit eventually experienced a full on electrical failure, melting parts of the battery compartment in the process. It was still under warranty so I got it replaces and the new unit is much better. I’m happy with its performance thus far.

I also own one of the new Cuddeback Attack (white flash) camera traps. The image below of a Blue Duiker was taken with this camera.

The “blue” in their name comes from the blue sheen of their coats, but I think Orange-Legged Duiker might have worked as well
The Cuddeback Attack is a horrible camera! This might sound a bit harsh, but I love my old Cuddeback Capture and compared to it the new Cuddeback Attack is terrible.

The new Cuddeback Attack is a huge step backwards. The image quality and flash is worse. But the worst of all is the new mounting mechanism. It is absolutely terrible! Anybody who has used an old Cuddeback Capture will know that its mounting mechanism was pretty bad, but Cuddeback somehow succeeded in creating something even worse: the “Genius Mount System“. This new moulting system is truly horrible. In fact I’ve even lost half of the mounting mechanism somewhere between the Woody Cape sand dunes and the park’s offices.

So, now if I want to use the camera I have to be a little bit “creative” when I try to mount it…

With the Cuddeback “Genius Mount” lost somewhere in the Woody Cape I patented my own system: the “Truly-Genius Mount”. Consisting of a helpful tree and a piece of wire it truly surpasses the previous system!
From the first day the camera didn’t impress me. When the recommended firmware update came out I thought “what can I lose” and went ahead with the upgrade.
Um, well…
I followed each step carefully, and according to the output from the camera all went well…
However, I can assure you that everything did not go well.

For example the entire menu is now confused. None of the timer values on the dial (used to set the camera’s delay) match with the digital display any more.

But in the end the camera still “works”… So now I use it as is.

In fact this new quirky behaviour even resulted in an unexpected surprise! The camera somehow decided (by itself), halfway through the camera trapping session, to switch itself into video mode. The result of which is a short (and pretty bad) video clip of a Blue Duiker walking past the camera.

Camera troubles aside, I think this is a decent start at photographing this intriguing little creature. Now if only I can get one to look at the camera…

Location:
Addo in Eastern Cape

Description of our establishment:
Woodall is a beautiful property, situated on a peaceful citrus farm, a mere 65km from Port Elizabeth and adjacent to the malaria free Addo Elephant Park. It is ideally suited for nature lovers, food and wine connoisseurs, as well as those seeking time out in the spa. A special feature is the beautiful garden which is alive with birds.
The décor is chic, colourful and contemporary. Accommodation is private with exceptionally large rooms, especially the suites which have their own gardens and pools. A special feature is the wide choice of relaxation areas, including indoor and outdoor sitting areas, library, sundowner deck, chill room as well as a contemporary TV lounge are available.
One of the highlights of Woodall is the exceptional award winning gourmet cuisine, for which it is renowned. The chefs draw their inspiration from the flavours of local ingredients and freshly picked produce grown on the property. Complementing the menu is the underground wine cellar, one of only a handful in South Africa to be awarded the Diners Club Diamond Wine List Award in 2011. The restaurant with its open deck area is situated over a lake teeming with birds and waterfowl – one of the best birding spots in the area.
The health spa on the property is equipped with sauna, steam room, vichy shower, and hydrotherapy bath. In addition there is unlimited use of the gym. Guests can enjoy walks among the citrus orchards surrounding the property as well as private safaris into the Addo Park on Woodall’s game vehicle – the experience includes a picnic basket complete with drinks and snacks.
The property is owner run and the locally recruited staff offer excellent, friendly, and attentive service. Woodall is very involved in the upliftment of the local community and have a number of economic and social initiatives in place.

Caters for children: Yes

Description of our child care facilities and services:
Baby Sitting
Special Kiddies Menus
Camp Cot
High Chairs
Kiddies Turn Downs
Gift for kids on arrival

Real Tarahumara Indians
Did you know, the Garden Route has its very own Tarahumara Indian?    
Well, practically…    ok, not quite. He’s not Mexican, he doesn’t live in a canyon or have to run around the wilderness for days looking for food. But he does wear huaraches – they’re the real handmade McCoy and he’s a runner. That’s about as close to Tarahumara as a South African can get.

Andrew Scott, better known as Drew, is a sworn huarache convert. Not only does he make his own Tarahumara-style thonged sandals, but he’s tossed all his other shoes. And I mean ALL – he has a pair of huaraches for work, a pair for running, and a “smart leather pair for going out”. That’s it.

Drew’s seasoned foot in his seasoned huarache.
I met Drew when I ran the Addo Elephant Trail Run in March. It was 15min before race start and this guy was running around, leaping up and down and making final adjustments to the thongs that secured a thin strip of rubber onto each foot. He ran the Addo 50km that day – on stony trail, through rivers and up steep switchbacks, all in his huaraches. He’s no slouch either – this non-Mexican finished in 14th position out of 137 finishers.

It’s all about the thong…  and the rubber.
Drew reckons the huaraches are good for all types of trail running…  apart from muddy conditions, that is. Mud between foot and rubber sole makes the foot slide around and makes gripping a problem. As for grit, pebbles and water, Drew says no problem, he just kicks it all out as fast as it comes in!

“If you love something enough, it becomes a lifestyle,” says Drew.

(Personally I’ll stick with my trusty Salomons, but hey, whatever blows your wild hair back!)south

By Christine van der Merwe
No real name given
+ Add Contact

This photo was taken on March 22, 2012.

Article source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sisitv/7124936615/

Three-way race in rugby Grand Challenge

ALTHOUGH it is early days in the EP Grand Challenge rugby competition, NMMU, Despatch and SAPS are threatening to turn the league into a three- horse race.

Tributes pour in for disgraced Shiceka after death in hospital

TRIBUTES poured in yesterday following the death of disgraced former cooperative governance and traditional affairs minister Sicelo Shiceka, despite a marred career which saw him embroiled in a R1-million travel expenses scandal.

Another attack at festering Arlington

ANOTHER knife attack has occurred at Arlington Waste Disposal Site. The attack, which took place on Saturday afternoon, comes amid calls by the DA for an investigation into the chaotic state of the site and questionable swopping of contractors.

Schoenies otter takes fishing lessons

IT’S one of the iconic wild animals of the metro’s open spaces, but it’s not often seen – certainly not clambering onto the rocks right under your feet. But that was the experience of fishing buddies Gavin Curtis and Stuart Duckenfield who were trying their luck with light tackle and pilchards at Schoenies yesterday (August 10 2011).

Cause and effect of climate change explained

SO HOW to communicate the complexity and magnitude of climate change to youngsters from a little school in Zwide? The kids, in grades six and seven at Mzimhlophe Primary School, were given the answer to this question during their visit to the SA Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre (Samrec) yesterday (August 03 2011).

R1.5-million farming venture will fit Eastern Cape to a tea

THE Eastern Cape government has set aside R1.5-million to kick-start an expanded honeybush tea industry that could be ramped up to produce a turnover of R100-million a year and hundreds of new jobs. The good news follows on the results that have emerged from a study of the honeybush industry, commissioned by the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) on behalf of the provincial economic development and environmental affairs department.

Snowed-in guards airlifted to safety

NINETEEN stock-theft guards stationed on the top of the Drakensberg have been plucked to safety as heavy snow presses in on their lonely outposts. The guards are housed alone or in pairs in 10 shipping containers, at key points along the Lesotho border with the north-eastern Eastern Cape, in the Rhodes area.

Algoa Bay the best monitored in all of Africa

ALGOA Bay is now “the best monitored bay in Africa” with millions of rands worth of equipment installed below the surface measuring a wide range of environmental conditions. That was the proud revelation yesterday (July 28 2011) from SA Environmental Observation Network (Saeon) co-ordinator Shaun Deyzel, who was speaking at a marine science symposium hosted by SA National Parks, at the Addo Elephant National Parks.

Mantis in new Nigeria deal

PORT Elizabeth based tourism group Mantis Collection has announced a bold expansion into West Africa with a landmark, multi-million US dollar deal signed in PE yesterday (July 25 2011) to roll out a sumptuous suite of boutique hotels in Nigeria. Mantis founder Adrian Gardiner signed the deal at Shamwari Townhouse in Summerstrand with highly respected Nigerian businessman Nze Chidi Duru, who is the chairman of Abuja-based Grand Towers Plc. The Nigerian company has interests in the pension, banking, retail, communications, IT and hospitality sectors.

Surf event sets greening benchmark

BILLABONG Pro J-Bay is setting a benchmark for international surfing contests with a comprehensive programme to protect the local environment and combat global climate change.

Karoo farmers take their fracking probe to Jo’burg oil summit

A SMALL Karoo farmers’ association is so concerned about fracking, and damning new evidence out of the US, it is funding the R10000 bill demanded for a four-day oil and gas conference in Johannesburg, to allow one of its members to attend.

Swell job for man with decades of experience

WITH the small waves prevailing yesterday (Sunday July 17 2011) for the Billabong Pro J-Bay, all surfing mojos are focused on the second week of the contest and the swell that, it is hoped, will still set things on fire. The man with un-paralleled expertise in this department is contest director Eric Stedman, 54, who has been scanning synoptic charts, fiddling with barometers and assessing wind direction since he was a grommit back in East London in the 1960s. It also helps that he began surfing Jeffreys Bay 43 years ago.

New official whale watching operator launch in the bay

ALGOA Bay’s first boat-based boat-based whale-watching operation in a decade has been officially launched – and already some exciting sightings are being reported. Lloyd Edwards of Raggy Charters, the company awarded the boat-based whale watching (BBWW) license for Algoa Bay, said yesterday (July 14 2011) he spotted the cow and calf pair of southern right whales off Algorax earlier this week.

Super surf contest starts at J-Bay

THE latest edition of one of the great global surfing contests, built around an iconic right-hand point break, was launched in Jeffreys Bay last night (Wednesday July 14 2011).

Unique source of Bay water

HOW many cities in the world can say they get their water from a World Heritage Site? Very few, I bet. Yet, that’s the case with Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and in fact the Gamtoos River Valley vege farmers.

Bayworld raggies returned to the ocean

THE biggest baddest pair from Bayworld’s de-commissioned aquarium, two bulky raggedtooth sharks, were released yesterday (July 26 2011) back into the sea. It was a sad day for the oceanarium, where they have lived for nearly two decades, inspiring awe in hundreds of thousands of visitors – but it is good news for the species, as the pair are now part of a research project aimed at securing our waters as one of the few safe havens in the world for raggies.

Dairy farm could close soon

BUSHY Park Dairy Farm, a flagship “proudly Port Elizabeth” business and a much-loved feature of the metro for the past 20 years, is facing closure. The shock news was confirmed yesterday (June 21 2011) by managing trustee Puffer Hartzenberg, who was responding to unconfirmed reports about the matter.

Unique study of great whites

A UNIQUE study into the abundance, distribution and movement of great white sharks in Algoa Bay, sponsored by the metro, has been launched. There has never been a fatal shark attack in Algoa Bay, but the metro has committed the R800000 grant as a pro-active step, taken in line with their marketing of Port Elizabeth as “the watersports’ capital of Africa”, researcher Dr Matt Dicken explained yesterday (June 21 2011).

Refurbished Skead book published

A NEW book aimed at celebrating our natural heritage and guiding sound future conservation policy has been published in Port Elizabeth. Historical Incidence of the Larger Land Mammals in the Broader Western and Northern Cape (including the Eastern Cape as far east as Sundays River) is a complete re-furbishment – with summaries, maps, illustrations and two new chapters – of the original work of the same name by legendary naturalist Dr Jack Skead, who died in 2006.

Co-op sponsors two farmers on US mission

TWO Karoo farmers have flown out of PE on a ground-breaking mission to the US, to get the low-down on fracking, in the country where it all began.

Link Refit to electric cars proposal

IF WE CAN link Refit with electrical motorcars – then we could really be onto something. Speaking to The Herald yesterday (June 14 2011), department of environmental affairs deputy-director general for climate change, Peter Lukey, said the scheduled launch this month of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (Refit), will likely lead to significant positive change.

Exciting reforestation project underway in Transkei

AN UNUSUAL re-forestation and carbon sequestration project is underway in the heart of the old Transkei, where savage erosion is a common feature. The R7600000 project is being run as a partnership between the Congress of Traditional Leaders’ of South Africa (Contralesa), the national department of environmental affairs and a Johannesburg-based company called Carbon Worx.

EC investment boost to counter climate change

EASTERN Cape economic environment MEC Mcebisi Jonas yesterday announced significant new green economy investment to boost green economy skills in the province.

Branch recalls fascinating career

FOR world-renowned reptile and amphibian expert Dr Bill Branch, who retired this week from Bayworld after 32 years employment there – it all began in 1969, on the shores of a lake in East Africa.

Green electricity programme set to launch this month

GOVERNMENT will this month launch the long-awaited Refit programme that will make funding available to pay private energy entrepreneurs who will generate their own green electricity and sell it to the grid.

EC leads climate change battle

THE Eastern Cape government has declared its intention to lead from the front in the war against climate change, with a landmark multi-benefit project agreement signed at the Eastern Cape Climate Change Conference in East London yesterday (June 08 2011).

Climate change conference

EVERYONE change – a milestone Eastern Cape climate change conference, featuring senior political leaders and climate change experts, is set to start in East London today (Wednesday May 8). The Eastern Cape Climate Change Conference will focus on the strategy document that has been prepared by local role-players, and will look towards the UN’s Cop17 summit, the international climate change indaba in Durban in December

‘Plenty of power for smelter,’ says CDC

BLACK-out fears notwithstanding, there is more than enough electricity for the megawatt-hungry Coega manganese smelter, according to the Coega Development Corporation (CDC). CDC communications’ chief Senzeni Ndebele was responding this week to concerns expressed about the power demands of the smelter and how this will affect Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality residents and existing businesses.

Motherwell eco-schools big recipients

TWO Motherwell “eco-schools” were the recipients this week of tens of thousands of rands worth of equipment and furniture to help them learn better. The 26 maths and reading software packages, 100 desks and 200 chairs were donated by ABB after the power and automation giant participated last year in a Wessa eco-schools’ workshop in PE.

Pollution plume off the beachfront raises concerns

A STRANGE-looking plume of discoloured water has been appearing sporadically in the bay between Shark Rock Pier and Humewood Beach, resulting in a number of calls from concerned residents, Following an initial report on May 20 by Humewood resident Elize Pretorius, and then disappearing for several days, it reappeared again this week, prompting further calls.

Put the environment on agenda of new councils

Concerns over Ngqura oil leak ‘unfounded’

CONCERNS have been raised that the oil and gas exploration rig in Port of Ngqura could be leaking oil into the bay. Both the Norwegian company that owns the ultra-deepwater drilling rig and the harbour authorities have rejected as unfounded the concerns raised by environmental group Ocean Messengers.

Ball of fire not the beginning of the end.

Was it a bird? Was it a plane? Was it a comet hurtling to Earth in delayed fulfillment of Harold Campling’s doomsday prophesy? Well, no. In fact, it was the International Space Station (ISS) and space shuttle Endeavour, catching the last rays of the setting sun.

Ngqura a fish magnet

THE Port of Ngqura has become an extraordinary magnet for marine life, and could point the way to an important new role for harbours, according to Bayworld marine biologist and shark specialist Dr Matt Dicken.

Stately emperor pays family a flying visit

THERE are moths and there are moths – and then there is the pine tree emperor, one of the giants of the insect world. Gorgeous yellow in colour and “easily the size of a man’s hand”, one of these moths swooped into a Seaview home the other night.

Endangered forest clearing probed

A SWATHE of critically endangered forest and new generation legislation formulated to combat climate change are at the centre of a confrontation in Deer Park. The forestry department has slammed as “reckless and malicious” the clearing of the area, which is over 100m long by on average 4m wide.

Male in search of good life turns up at beachfront

HE WAS a prickly customer – but in the end he came quietly. It was Patrick Mange, the cleaner and gardener at beachfront flatblock Bandle, next to the Beach Hotel, who found him.

EC operators performs strongly at Indaba

THE Eastern Cape has fared well at the Indaba tourism conference and expo in Durban, taking gold in two different categories in the main Welcome awards and only just falling short in the Eteya emerging tourism operators’ awards. The Welcome Awards winners are both from PE and are both family-owned businesses: the Plantation, the wedding, functions’ and accommodation venue on the Sardinia Bay road, and Economic Cars and Bakkies, the 20-year-old Walmer-based car rental firm.

NMMU microscope a global break-through

NMMU has been catapulted into the forefront of nanoscience research with the arrival of a state-of-the-art custom-built microscope from Japan. The high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) is the first of its kind that has been sold commercially outside of Japan and the last of a suite of four electron microscopes, costing a total R90-million, that have arrived in the past week from Tokyo manufacturer JEOL and a second manufacturer in The Netherlands.

Get out the Karoo, farmers tell Shell

ANGRY residents of the Middleburg area have called for Shell to “get out the Karoo” after the company failed to guarantee the security of their water if fracking goes ahead. Addressing Shell representatives at a hall in Middelburg’s Grootfontein Agricultural College in a hall packed with farmers in T-shirts saying “Don’t Frack with our Karoo,” members of the audience asked repeatedly if the multi-national could “guarantee no risk to our water”.

Nieu Bethesda farmers count flood costs

IT COULD take some farmers in Nieu Bethesda a decade to get back to where they were before the flood that hit them Saturday. That’s the word from the mountainous catchment area north of Graaff-Reinet, where well over 100mm of rain fell in 24 hours, flooding the Gats River and all its tributaries, flattening stock fences, stripping roads to bedrock and bursting farm dams.