|
|
Letter from the Owner.
Welcome to Wolfkop Nature Reserve cottages. Just to give you a better feeling of the Nature Reserve, I have decided to tell you a little bit more about the Nature Reserves history, work force, fauna and flora, activities which include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, Fishing, star gazing, what to do around the area, you the guest, our vision, mission, camping villages and chalets.
History
The farm Ebenhaeser was divided into smaller farms which one farm is now called Sewe Oliene. The owner John Mouton of the farm Sewe Oliene and my dad went into a joint venture to start a Nature Reserve in 1991. It took 5 years to relocate the mountain farm land of 450ha into a Nature Reserve. After that the 2 cottages Tolbos, Boegoe and my dad’s house was built with another 16 properties allocated on the top part of the Nature Reserve. Only 3 properties are still in the market whereby of the other 13 that have been sold only 5 owners have build there houses. 2001 my dad bought the whole 450ha Nature Reserve from John Mouton. Plans are on the way to build another 2 cottages, but not in between the cottages as we are focused to keep each cottage’s individuality, privacy and tranquility intact.
Work Force
The whole team that is working with me lives on the farm Sewe Oliene and has been picking oranges all there life. Some of the non dedicated work force have left, but I can say with allot of proud that I know have a very loyal, respectful and happy team. My goal is to uplift there lives so to give them privileges previously not available to them. Therefore I have created a bonus system after there salary which is related to there performance and quality of work after feedback from you the customer. In the past 2 years Kobus have earned a fridge, freezer, TV with dish and washing machine previous items which he never had. The other team members cleaning and maintenance managers Emma and Paullina have received an oven, TV, and washing machine. Api the Garden manager have saved up for a mountain bike. I have tried to encourage all team members to be creative, free thinkers and to give there input into the garden and natural décor inside; so that they can feel that they are part of the entity and not just an employee.
Fauna and Flora
Over 150 bird species have been identified by me on the reserve this include Veroux Eagle, barn owl, sugar birds, herons, Secretary birds and loads more, so please remember to bring your binoculars. We also have porcupine, duikers, baboon, Dassies, rabbits and various other smaller mammals on the reserve. Leopard tracks have also been spotted. Your best bet is to do a quiet hike early in the morning to spot the different mammals. The recent fire has given opportunity to view loads of pioneer plants so please do go for a hike on the clearly marked trail which is an 3 hour hike.
Activities:
Hiking: From Harpuis house, Tolbos, Boegoe please follow the signs with rocks that start at the fork between turn of toe Tolbos and Boegoe – walk towards Waboom cottage/up the road left from the T junction. From Waboom walk back with road you drove up with about 300m and on right you will see a sign and then just follow the sign. Please!!! Remember to take water, hat and sunscreen with. We have an amazing 8km hiking trail which covers the back wilderness part of the reserve with its famous rock formations – see if you can spot Wolfkop’s finger of God/space ship, Arch de Triomph and the leopard that was turned into stone by the God Medusa. There is also succulents, buchu, pin cushions and various Proteas. You also get a 360º view over Oliphant’s river valley/mountains and Cederberg Wilderness area. Mountain biking: the route is 7 km and is an advance route seeing that it is down hill which has to be cycled back up again, but the route is very beautiful and include, Rock formations, fynbos, the 2 farm dams, Rooibos and Citrus plantations. Star gazing: the air is very crisp and has no light pollution. Please use the sky map to identify constellations - or just make up your own .Best time to view shooting stars is after midnight. Canoe(book in advance)/swimming/Fishing: When driving from the Wolfkop gate about 200m you will see a dam on the left hand side which you can swim in and is safe for children as it has a slow decent – on the right hand side is a road leading to another dam between the orange orchids which is full of bass for you to fish in. You can even ask Kobus to explain to you where the camp area is so you can go fishing at the Oliphant River.
What to do around the area.
Go through the other lay out of activities, and routes to scenic drives.
You the guest (mission):
Our primary goal is for you to have a lovely time at your cottage and on the Reserve/campsite. Please feel free to give us tips, suggestions and opinions of extras that you will add to the accommodation facilities. Loads of previous guests have helped us with adding new things and giving opinions on service provided. Gratuities to the team is highly appreciated by them and especially if you have time to phone them on Kobus nr.
Vision:
We are always trying to create Wolfkop to be more environmental friendly, but unfortunately this takes time and money so one step at a time. Ideas include: changing to solar heating for geasers, for each cottage, better herb gardens with vegetables and an earth worms structure for compost. Whe are trying to use bins to devide plastic, tin, paper and organic matter, but currently the towns rubbish infrastructure does not include dividing into different matter. As the cottages do better we are always striving to make our fellow team members lifestyles better and to give them a better salary than the average market salary.
Chalets:
There have been loads off extras that I have now included since I firstly took over the cottages 3 years ago which include: Jacuzzi’s, Hammocks, hot outside showers, herb garden, queen size beds with cotton percale bedding and fresh ground coffee. Activities include hiking trail, mountain bike trail and canoes for fishing on dam. Each cottage name comes from fynbos found on the reserve. As you can see small tolbos plants have been planted on the way to Tolbos. At Harpuis house there is a border of harpuis bushes that are at edge of fynbos garden.
Camping villages:
While staying at the cottages, please go and visit the campsite which is from the Wolfkop entrance gate 13km further up the tar road. You will see that there is a white sign board with Grootfontein campsite on right hand side of road. Turn right and drive down towards the river.
Relax
Unwind at the reserve or campsite on Grootfontein farm with book and binoculars for birds and night time stars and planets.
Hike
Hiking: Go through the list of hiking trails and ask Kobus to explain where our Nature Reserve hike and Boskloof hike (at campsite)
Mountain bike
There is a advanced route on the Nature Reserve and no route is laid out at Grootfontein campsite, but feel free to bike around the farm’s, citrus and rooibos plantations/ - Please do remember to close all gates!!
Canoe and Fishing
Hire an Indian Canoe for on the river at campsite or on the dam in the Nature Reserve – please book in advance. Bring your own fishing rod to catch some bass
life jackets and paddle are included and must be worn at all times – use at own risk!!
Rock Climbing
The Nature Reserve and farm has amazing rock formations. Feel free to bring your own gear and explore!!!
Dine
Try out “via the grape vine” coffee shop – there food is very healthy and of excellent quality 022 921 2190 situated 5 min from Wolfkop on left hand side when entering the town from Wolfkop side
Sitrus Coffee shop and restaurant is situated next to tourism office in main road and I highly recommend their food as well.
Drive via Elands bay to Lamberts bay to dine at the open air restaurant “Muisbosskerm” situated 5m from the waves. The cost is R175 per person and is definitely worth the price. The buffet include smoked, raw and fire grilled fish, red meat stews and clay baked farm bread – crayfish is optional and extra 027 4321017
Wine
Johan van Zyl Pinotage is to my experience top quality – hand picked and produced in the old method in Franschoek and matured in French oak – you can buy it at the local Goue Valley liquor store right across Spar +/- R60 a bottle
Cederberg wines – Wine maker Dawid Nieuwoudt are doing pioneer work in the Cederberg whereby his vineyards with there micro climate characters are winning double gold each year nationally and internationally. The vineyards are also naturally organic due to its altitude and location
West coast route 3 – 5 hours
Driving towards Cape Town over Piekeniers Kloof pass on N7 turn of at Eendekuil and drive via Elands bay, towards Lamberts bay and then Clanwilliam. Drive via the old gravel road back to Citrusdal past the Clanwilliam dam and Orange and Rooibos farms. The drive is a 3 - 5 hour ride and include white sandy beaches, Clanwilliam dam, sandstone formations, Citrus and Rooibos plantations.
Cederberg route 3 – 8 hours
From Wolfkop drive into town and straight through the town onto the old gravel road towards Clanwilliam and after 26 km turn of right to Algeria. Past Algeria to Dwars river farm +/- 30 min where Cederberg wine farm is and famous bushman paintings, Stadsaal caves, and 6 hour hike to Wolfberg Arch, Observatory or Maltese Cross . If you have another 3 hours and a bakkie/4x4 drive past Dwarsriver towards Matjiesriver nature reserve +/- 10km further on and at T Junction turn left. Drive for 1 hour to Elselsbank – ask one of the locals to show you the waterfall and swim pool (awesome spot). Drive on to Wuppertal 20 min further on and ask locals to show you the swim hole (unbelievable rock formations) drive through Wuppertal up Hardekou pass towards Clanwilliam and on top of Pass is Heuning vlei turn off. Turn off and visit this beautiful village. – ask the locals to show you the swim hole (stunning). Drive past Biedouw valley towards Clanwilliam and visit travelers rest bushmen paintings.
Koue bokkeveld route 3 – 6 hours
From Wolfkop into town at first 4 way stop turn right and go over Middelberg pass into Koue bokkeveld – home of Ceres fruits and drive to Ceres, Wolseley, Tulbach taste there wine. Drive to Porterville and visit the waterfall farm tel nr 082 8781358 to hike 22 waterfalls in 2 hours.
|
|
|
