Biomes at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve (2)

Wikipedia

The Knysna-Amatole montane forests is a subtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion of South Africa, covering an area of 3100 square km in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces. The ecoregion, which is South Africa's smallest in area, covers two separate enclaves. The Knysna forest extends along the Garden Route Coast while the KwaZulu-Cape coastal forest mosaic lies along the coast to the north-east.

The Amatole forests lie in the Amatole mountains, which lie inland and 400km to the east of the Knysna Forest. The ecoregion has a subtropical, warm-temperate climate with rainfall occurring year round, and ranging from 525 mm to 1220 mm per year in the Knysna Forest, and from 750 mm to 1500 mm in the Amatole forests. The trees are of tropical and Afromontane origin, and include ironwood (Olea capensis), stinkwood (Ocotea bullata), Outeniqua yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus), real yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius), Cape holly (Ilex mitis), white pear (Apodytes dimidiata), Cape beech (Rapanea melanophloeos), bastard saffron (Cassine peragua), Cape plane (Ochna arborea), assegai tree (Curtisia dentata), kamassi (Gonioma kamassi), white alder (Platylophus trifoliatus), and red alder (Cunonia capensis).

Wikipedia

The forests are home to African elephant, African leopard, rock hyrax, and other mammals as well as an assortment of bird species, reptiles, amphibians and insects. Despite the small size of the ecoregion, the Knysna and Amatole forests are South Africa's largest individual forests. The Knysna Forest has been exploited for valuable timber since the 1700s, and the Amatole forests since the 1900s. Currently the forests are mostly within protected areas, although managed timber harvesting is allowed.

Biomes at Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve

Fynbos Flowers: (The Fynbos Hub. 2011)

Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve stretches over 2200 hectares and embraces two of the natural biomes which occur in South Africa, Fynbos and Forest: Fynbos, meaning 'fine bush' in Afrikaans, is the natural shrubland or heathland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape of South Africa, mainly in winter rainfall coastal and mountainous areas with a Mediterranean climate. The name refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many fynbos species, the majority of which are evergreen sclerophyll (hard-leaf) plants.

Three of the characteristic fynbos plant families are proteas, ericas and restios. Proteas are represented by many species and are prominent in the landscape as one of the few large-leaf plant types, generally with large striking flowers which may be pollinated by birds. Ericas or heaths are generally smaller plants with many small, tubular flowers and needle-like leaves. The grass-like restios - only a few species of which are known outside the fynbos area - grow in wetter areas. More than 1400 bulb species occur among the fynbos, of which 96 are gladiolus and 54 lachenalias. Fire is a necessary stage in the lives of almost all fynbos plants, and is common during the dry summer months.

Many of the seeds germinate only after the intense heat of a fire. In readiness for fire, most proteas retain their seeds on the bush for at least one year, a habit known as serotiny. They do this in structures which resemble the original flowerheads. In some species these structures are strikingly beautiful and long-lasting, which accounts for their use in dried floral arrangements.

Man vs World filmed at Plett Game Reserve

We were lucky to be able to assist the guys from Man vs World film a segment of their show at Plett Game Reserve recently. 

Have a look at the great adventures that Rob Bell undertakes all over the world, using only man power and nature to help him travel vast distances.  He uses no motor, petrol, electric or other power.  This is the extract from his Garden Route leg of the journey: 

"4  Garden Route, South Africa

Rob Bell tackles the mountains, rivers and coastline of South Africa's legendary Garden Route. First up is Canyoning; Rob will be swimming, abseiling, sliding and jumping his way down the Salt River gorge. Then he's back on his bike, cycling the national highway to the infamous Bloukrans Bridge. The next day starts with Trail Running on the shores of the Indian Ocean, along the spectacular Otter Trail before cutting inland to finish his epic South African journey on horseback, riding with the giants of the African plains at the Plettenberg Game Reserve."

Read more here

1 million to ban the lion trade -- Big win in court!!

Hundreds of South African lions are being slaughtered to make bogus sex potions for men. But we can stop this cruel trade.

A global ban on tiger bone sales has traders hunting a new prize -- the majestic lions. Lions are farmed under appalling conditions in South Africa for "canned hunting", where rich tourists pay thousands to shoot them through fences. Now experts say lion bones from these killing farms are being exported to phony 'medicine' makers in Asia for record profits. Trade is exploding and experts fear that as prices rise, even wild lions -- with only 20,000 left in Africa -- will come under poaching attack.

If we can show President Zuma that this brutal trade is hurting South Africa's image as a tourist destination, he could ban the trade in lion bones. Avaaz is taking out strong ads in airports, tourism websites and magazines, but we urgently need 1 million petition signers to give the ads their force. Sign the petition on the right to build our numbers fast. Amazing win! A South African court just ruled that the government violated our right to free speech when they tore down ads calling for the protection of South Africa’s lions -- and we’re all over the news. Let’s use this momentum to get our petition to 1 million and save the lions.

Go to the petition by clicking here

Western black rhino declared extinct

London (CNN) -- Africa's western black rhino is now officially extinct according the latest review of animals and plants by the world's largest conservation network.

The subspecies of the black rhino -- which is classified as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species -- was last seen in western Africa in 2006.

The IUCN warns that other rhinos could follow saying Africa's northern white rhino is "teetering on the brink of extinction" while Asia's Javan rhino is "making its last stand" due to continued poaching and lack of conservation.

Read the rest of the article by clicking here

Celebrating Rhino Day 2013

We celebrated Rhino Day in September and we haven't gotten around to posting the photos. So here they are! We had a fabulous day and had a lot of fun. 

We even dressed up. Can you imagine what the animals thought when they saw us on the game drive?

We had so much fun in the name of spreading information and education people on Rhino poaching and how this will actually realistically effect us in the future. 

Our Sister Lodge, Plett River Lodge

Plett River Lodge offers stunning accommodation situated right on the Bitou River, just 5 km from Plettenberg Bay, one of the top holiday destinations on the beautiful Garden Route of South Africa's Western Cape.

Set within private tree-lined gardens with unobstructed river frontage and a lavender-filled courtyard, Plett River Lodge offers comfortable accommodation for discerning guests who want a relaxed holiday with all the creature comforts. Panoramic views of the local countryside and access to the many activities of nearby Plett and the Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve make the guesthouse a sought-after destination.

Witness an exquisite morning sunrise over the Bitou River and listen to the sound of a Fish Eagle calling in the distance. Keep your binoculars close by to identify the prolific birdlife as you sit on the vast deck which extends over the river. At sunset unwind with a glass of wine on the deck or in the comfortable lounge where guests are encouraged to make themselves at home.

Tea and coffee are available all day in the guest lounge where there is also an honesty bar.

We welcome children and have provided swings and a jungle gym for them in the garden. Our friendly, experienced staff will babysit for you should you wish to enjoy an evening out on your own.

Guests of Plett River Lodge enjoy a discount at our sister establishment, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve, for guided two-hour game drives in a game viewing vehicle and horse safaris. Just 10 minutes' drive from Plett River Lodge, Plettenberg Bay Game Reserve is one of the largest game reserves in the Western Cape with more than 35 species of game roaming freely.