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TOUR REPORT
Meerkat Magic
was a DSTV program which sparked our
interest in visiting Oudtshoorn. Our
pre-tour research revealed that there were
two persons involved in Meerkat
conservation. Further study showed that only
one of the two was reliable.
The Meerkat Adventures tour lasts 3 hours,
starting before sunrise, so we built our
tour around this.
Our first day saw us heading for Mossel Bay where we checked into The
Eight Bells Mountain Inn, for 2 nights. We
had heard many glowing reports and read a
few complaints about this hotel,
but were pleasantly surprised on arrival.
Once settled in we explored our surroundings
and at 4pm were summoned to the lounge by a
bell being rung, announcing tea time.
Pre dinner drinks in the lounge at 6.30 pm
was followed by a sumptuous 3 course meal.
Day two dawned with heavy mist enshrouding
the hotel and breakfast provided the fuel to
get our bodies moving again, this time
direction George for a visit to the Railway
Museum, home of the Outeniqua Power Van.
The stunning beauty of the
Outeniqua Mountains unfolds as
you travel one of South Africa’s
most scenic routes, experiencing the forest, four
passes, water falls, seven
tunnels, fynbos,
proteas, bird, animal life and
the panoramic picnic site.
We managed to view the many vehicles on display in the museum prior
to the trip and had a light lunch in a
railway carriage on site, and took in the
sights of Mossel Bay before returning to
Eight Bells.
Day three saw us checking out of Eight Bells
after breakfast and on the road to
Oudtshoorn and Oue Werf Country House, our
home for the next two nights.
A visit to Oudtshoorn is not complete
without a visit to an ostrich farm. We chose
to visit Safari Ostrich Farm for a guided
tour, followed by a light lunch at the
George Hotel in central Oudtshoorn.
Oue Werf is situated in the countryside, a short drive north of
Oudtshoorn. We were warmly welcomed on our
arrival and shown to our rooms to settle in
prior to a walk to a local winery for wine
tasting.
Pre dinner drinks were served on the patio
followed by dinner in the dining room.
Day four started at 4.15am. We needed to
meet the Meerkat Adventures guide along the
road by 5.45 am. We drove in misty
rain and by the time we reached the site
17km away, it was raining. We sat in
the cars waiting for 30 minutes for the rain
to stop . Eventually coffee was served
and we made our way down to the Meerkat
burrows. We waited for some time before one
little male popped up to check the weatehr
and headed back down into his burrow again!
After nearly 2 hours we decided to leave the
site and Devey the guide said the weather
looked promising for the following day, and
only pay if we see Meerkats.
After a hearty breakfast (cold weather
increases the appetite!) Brian and Molly
headed to the Cango Caves and the rest of us
headed into Oudtshoorn for retail therapy.
(Don't you have shops in Cape Town,
Girls??!!). On our return to our guest
house Molly sat watching a film crew who had
chosen Oue Werf for a photo shoot. The
Australian Master Chef was visiting the area
and cooked a fritata at our guest house.
Dinner was, once again, at Oue Werf.
Today being our final day, was also an
early start! Back to the Meerkats -
however, this time totally clear skies and a
glorious sunrise had us all very happy.
We didn't have to wait long before the
Meerkats appeared. What fun to sit in
the bush watching their early morning
antics. It's an experience you won't
easily forget. We were fortunate to
see the entire family appear- stretching,
yawning and foraging! A fabulous treat.
A good breakfast and last minute packing and
by 10.00 am we were ready to
'get-on-the-road' again.
Several stops to gather local produce and we
were ready to enjoy lunch at Joubert Tradauw.
Their setting is perfect in the vineyards,
but, unfortunately, their service doesn't
match the surroundings. Nearly an hour and a
half later we could eventually get back on
the road home.
All in all a fabulous time away - shared
with very enthusiastic people - we had such
fun - Thank You one and all who shared this
tour with us! |
