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The
Rooibos plant (Aspalathus, linearis) is a naturally occuring
herb found only in the Cederberg Mountains, and was named
'red bush' by the Dutch settlers. During Summer the thin needle-like
leaves of the plant, which normally grows from 0.5m to 1m
high, change from green to a distinct rich, red colour and
are then ready to be harvested.
Rooibos was widely used by the Khoisan as a Herbal remedy
for many different ailments Most South African children grew
up on Rooibos tea and for centuries the herb has provided
welcome relief to babies who are allergic to cows milk formulas
or suffer from colic.
Today rooibos is recognised as a delicious, healthy drink
that is packed with anti-oxidants, and the tea is exported
all over the world The caffeine-free beverage has very low
tannins and is known for its unique, sweet and slightly nutty
taste that has a soothing effect on the digestive and central
nervous systems.
Our chilled Rooibos tea has become a very popular signature
beverage, and we're proud to share our recipe with you:
Bushmans Kloof Rooibos Iced Tea
(Makes 2 litres)
2 litre Water
9 Rooibos Tea bags
65ml Honey
Star Anise
Cinnamon
1 cup Sugar
250ml Apple Juice
Boil all the above ingredients (except the apple juice) together
and allow to cool. Strain the tea mixture into a container.
Add the apple juice to the iced tea and place in fridge until
ready to serve.
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The
Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) belongs to the species Oryx
gazella, which is one of three members of the Oryx genus,
the other two being the scimitar-horned Oryx of north Africa
and the Arabian Oryx.The fringe-eared Oryx of Tanzania/Kenya
and the Beisa Oryx of Ethiopia/Somalia are considered subspecies
of Oryx gazella.
Have you ever wondered why Gemsbok graze in the open on a
blistering hot day? It is a little-known fact that Gemsbok
has an ingenious mechanism to cope with becoming water stressed.
When they can no longer afford to spare water for evaporative
cooling they simply stop sweating to solve the problem, and
allow their bodies to heat up to temperatures as high as 43°C
However, they are able to cool the brain through a 'blood-flow
radiator' called a carotid rete system. As they heat up, they
start panting through the nose. Situated just behind the nasal
passage, the carotid rete, a fine mesh of interwoven arteries
and veins cool the hot arterial blood heading to the brain
with cooler venous blood coming from the nose. Amazingly enough,
this system was first discovered almost 2000 years ago by
the Greek physician, Herophilis.
The Gemsbok heats up slowly during the day, reaching its maximum
body temperature toward the end of the day, when the air temperature
is starting to cool again. This is possibly the most important
adaptation that allows antelope to inhabit the more and regions
of Southern and Northern Africa. |
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Our visitors are currently experiencing one of Nature's true
wonders - newborn Springbok lambs tottering behind their mothers
on their brand new, and sometimes still shaky legs. These
decendents of the once mighty herds of 'Trekbokke'
that roamed the dry Western Karoo and Kalahari in their thousands
in search of food and water are the ultimate desert survivors.
Their erratic reproductive patterns have had scientists baffled
for years. While lambing usually peaks In January, they often
bear lambs at other times of the year, in contrast to the
highly syncronised Impala of the moist North-East, who all
have their young at to onset of the rains. So what Is the
Springbok's secret? We do know that they have the uncanny
ability to detect rain several hundred miles away, over flat
desert plains, so perhaps they are playing the fickle and
unpredictable arid Karoo at her own game, by being equally
fickle and unpredictable. Perhaps they are the ultimate bet-hedgers
- spreading their risks, hoping to get their timing right
- most of the time! Whatever the case, they epitomise the
fascinating and the mysterious in Southern Africa's dry regions.
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Summer
is Agapanthus season in the gardens of Bushmans Kloof and
this year is no exception with spectular displays of white
and blue. Well loved by gardeners world-wide, these flowers
are indigenous to South Africa and seem to thrive in our sunny
summer months. Lovingly tended by Head Gardner Neelsie Viljoen
& his team, they are quite the showpiece! |
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Bushmans Kloof was proudly selected from among almost 300
Relais & Chăteaux properties worldwide, to be named
winner of this year's Prestigious Ralais & Chăteaux
Enviroment Trophy 2007. The award was bestowed in recognition
of the outstanding enviromental and conservation projects
managed by the reserve. These include our Rock Art conservation
programme; providing a sanctuary for the endangered Cape Mountain
Zebra and Clanwilliam Yellow Fish; as well as alien vegetation
clearing. Other enviromentally friendly practices at the lodge
include the cultivation of organic kitchen gardens, recycling
waste material; and water and energy saving.
Lodge Manager, Fred Stow attended the award ceremony which
was held at the Grimaldi Forum In Monaco on 14 November 2006,
a function that was graced by none other than Princess Stephanie
of Monaco. The coveted award was presented to Stow by President
of Relais & Chăteaux, Jaume Tapies and the magnificent
crystal trophy Is now on display at Bushmans Kloof lodge.
Relais & Chăteaux Is an international association
of the world's finest restaurants and hotels and Is dedicated
to protecting and preserving the enviroment The global Environment
Trophy, awarded for the fourth time, was jointly presented
to Bushmans Kloof and The Little Nell (Aspen, Colorada, USA)
in recognition of the respect for the enviroment and nature
demonstrated in such a remarkable manner by the two Relais
& Chăteaux properties.
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On Friday 3 February 2007 I was one of six very excited
employees from Bushmans Kloof who departed Cape Town
International to attend the Annual Staff Appreciation
Ball held by sister hotel group Red Carnation in London.
Upon arrival, to our great delight we were given the
oppertunity to either explore the city or just relax
in the luxuary and comfort of The Rubens at the Palace
Hotel, one of the Red Carnation Hotels in London, where
we would be residing throughout our stay.
Our programme for the week included educational visits
to the other 6 Red Carnation hotels in and around London
and attending a lavish Cocktail Party hosted by the
Tollman Family, owners of Bushmans Kloof the Red Carnation
Hotel Collection.
The highlight of our stay was the Staff Appreciation
Ball, which was held in th Grand Ballroom of the Hilton
Hotel on Park Lane. Attended by 560 employees and guests,
the function was hosted by Jonathan Raggert, Managing
Director of Red Carnation Hotels.
Bushmans Kloof was proud to recieve many Awards the
year, among which were, Beatrice Boois (Restaurant shift
leader), Winner of the Bushman's Kloof Employee of the
Year award; Charmaine Smith (Executive Housekeeper)
won Housekeeper of the year and MJ Birch (Assistant
General Manager) received an Outstanding service Award.
Despite stiff International
competition - not bad for a little lodge in the wilderness!
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Ever at the forefront of new trends and with fingers firmly
on the pulse of guest expectations, Bushmans Kloof has responded
to the extraordinary success of our annual Family Affair getaways
and the demand for family friendly holiday acccommodation
throughout the year.
Koro Lodge an existing farmhouse in the reserve will be converted
into a family unit, which will be available all year round.
The house will boast two spacious main bedrooms with en-suite
bathrooms, a large loft area to accommodate children, and
an open-plan living space on ground level that will include
a comfortable terrace with stunning views.
Located approximatly 2 kilometers from the main lodge, and
within easy walking distance of one of the main dams, the
house will be completely private and will include the services
of its own Chef and Ranger for the duration of of your family
getaway. A special children's programme will be introduced
in addition to activities such as mountain biking, hiking,
star gazing, canoeing (with life jackets of course), and a
Jungle Gym, Completion date is set for mid-2007.
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Renowned for its enlightening and enriching wilderness experiences,
this magical reserve offers a choice of invigorating and inspiring
Special Events that will energize the body, feed the soul,
enlighten the mind and stimulate the senses. Ranging from
Botanical Breaks and Chef Speciality Weekends to Family Affair
packages during the school holidays - there's something for
everyone to enjoy.
All the packages include luxury 5-star accommodation, four
meals daily, early morning rock-art excursions, evening nature
drives with sun-downers in the reserve and standard lodge
activities which include rock-climbing, mountain biking and
archery. Specialist activities will be hosted by experts in
their respective fields such as renowned archaeologist, Prof.
John Parkington, who, together with our resident archaeologist,
Siyakha Mguni will bring to life the ancient rock-art sites
dotted throughout the reserve during the Art of Archaeology
events.
For those with a penchant for life's culinary pleasures, a
veritable treat awaits with fabulous wine-tasting sessions
and gourmet food and wine pairing during the Gourmet Food
and Wine Weekends. Join some of South Africa's leading wine
makers and expand your 'wine and vine horizons' with a choice
of seven food and wine weekends with some of South Africa's
top wineries.
On alternative dates guests may join Executive Chef Leanne
Roberts at one of the Chef's Speciality Weekends as she prepares
her award-winning cuisine according to creative themes, such
as 'Cooking with Fynbos' and 'Having fun with Chocolate'.
This is your chance to savour extraordinary| tastes and tantalize
your palate with fresh, new flavours.
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| BOTANICAL
BREAKS |
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Sunday
13 to Tuesday 15 May 2007
Sunday 29 to Tuesday 31 July 2007
Sunday 23 to Tuesday 25 September 2007 |
Sunday
24 to Tuesday 26 June 2007
Sunday 12 to Tuesday 14 August 2007 |
| ART
OF ARCHAEOLOGY |
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Sunday
1 to Tuesday 3 April 2007
Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 June 2007 |
Sunday
27 to Tuesday 29 May 2007
Sunday 15 to Tuesday 17 July 2007 |
| CHEF'S
SPECIALITY EVENT |
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Sunday
29 April to Tuesday 1 May 2007
Friday 22 to Sunday 24 June 2007
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 July 2007 |
Cooking
with Fynbos
Cheese & Wine Weekend
Having Fun with Chocolate |
| GOURMET
FOOD AND WINE WEEKENDS |
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| Friday
13 to Sunday 15ApriI 2007
Friday 4 to Sunday 6 May 2007
Friday 1 to Sunday 3 June 2007
Friday 15 to Sunday 17 June 2007
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 July 2007
Friday 3 to Sunday 5 August 2007 |
Rustenberg
cellars
Klein Constantia
Rupert & Rothschild
Zorgvliet Wine Estate
Darling cellars
Cederberg Wines |
| The
above packages are from R 1500 per person sharing per
night (2-night package), including luxury accommodation,
all meals, lodge acidities and specialist talks. |
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3-Night
WINTER GETAWAY |
1
April to 31 August 2007 |
The above package is from R 1150 per person sharing
per night (3-nightpackage), Inducing luxuary accommodation,
all meals and lodge activities
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A
FAMILY AFFAIR |
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Sunday
1 to Wednesday 4 July 2007
Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 July 2007
Sunday 9 to Wednesday 12 December 2007 |
Friday
6 to Monday 9 July 2007
Sunday 2 to Wednesday 5 December 2007 |
Adults
:
Children 6 - 12 ;
Children 3-5 : |
R
4500 per person sharing for 3 nights
R 6150 single Occupancy for 3 nights
R 3250 per child for 3 nights
R 1650 per child for 3 nights |
The
above package includes luxuary accomodation. all meals,
children's programme and lodge activities. Terms and
conditions apply to all packages. |
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