Saturday afternoon: Game drive in Klaas Voogds Game Reserve
( www.patbusch.co.za/klaasvoogds.htm ) followed by
wine tasting at Rusticus Vintage Cellar ( www.rusticus.co.za ).
Saturday evening: dinner at Fraai Uitzicht ( www.fraaiuitzicht.com )
Sunday morning (after breakfast): Surprise massage, collect a selection of five bottles of  'Origine Klaas Voogds' wine at Soekershof Walkabout and ....... "We're coming back!!!"

Representives of the Klaas Voogds community and tourism related businesses within the boundaries of the Western Cape are excluded from this quiz.  Choice of weekend between April 1 and June 30 2007. Dinners: set 3 course menu (but in consideration with your likes and dislikes). Drinks served are for own account.

The questions:

Who is/are the original founder(s) of Soekershof?
In which road is Soekershof Walkabout located?
How Long is a Chinese man?
Which different activities can visitors undertake within the Klaas Voogds area?
(name at least 5)
How many shrubs are planted in the Klaas Voogds Maze?
From which country do the present owners of Soekershof Walkabout originate from?

Write a 'lekker' story about "the Dutchman who did not make it either" (approx. 200 to 300 words but if it is a real 'lekker' story you may even exceed 1000 words). The story may be written in Afrikaans, English, Dutch or German; whichever of those languages suits you best.

Tip: Google to 'Klaas Voogds'

Entries, including your name and all contact details, send to [email protected] before February 15 2007. Your contact details will not be sold to third parties.


And now: The latest (now old) news

The October issue of Child's Magazine has chosen the 'Our little nursery' of Soekershof Walkabout as one of the 8 most child friendly nurseries in the Western Cape. Also the whole 'out of control' concept of Soekershof Walkabout is attractive for families with children (from 8 yrs and older). In 2007 several TV-programs are broadcasting Soekershof Walkabout. To mention a few: 'Going Nowhere Slowly'; 'Destination SA' and the teenager science program 'Hip2b2'; Staff member Maart Geduld will go in-depth about the cultivation and (medical) use of several plants. He will also explain why not all cacti are green .......................; the function of the different parts of a plant and how to handle cacti with your bare hands. Later this year also a special about Joey (wire work) is scheduled. All programs on the most viewed (in SA) channels of SABC.

In September/October we welcomed two groups of the 'Hardy Plants Society' from Kent in the UK. Thanks to Andy Rice of Eco Tours in Cape Town.  Kirstenbosch & Soekershof were the only two botanical gardens which the groups visited during their botanical tour through the Western Cape. In November owner Pieter de Paolo of Vivai Cuba Cactus Nursery of Siracuse Sicily ( www.vivaicuba.it ),  one of the largest specialised 'cactus-landscapers' in Europe spend two days in the succulent gardens of Soekershof (thanks to Obesa Nursery in Graaff Reinet ( www.obesa.com ). He hasn't seen it all yet. For him the reason for another visit in the beginning of 2007. He was also surprised by the great hospitality at the accommodation in Klaas Voogds where he stayed ("The best guesthouse I've experienced in South Africa").

From December 17 to January 16 Soekershof Walkabout will be open 7 days per week from 8 AM to 4 PM (last visitors in). We advise visitors to come as early as possible or after 3 PM. Although our Solar Umbrellas function very well the temperature in the shade can still be relativily too high to walk distances.

Students Melissa Ember and Eloise Human of Northlink College in Cape Town had their first practical at Soekershof in October. Their subject concentrated on the marketing of Soekershof Walkabout amongst schools in the Western Cape. Results: the first school visits took already place during the past months and quite a number of enquiries for 2007. In January 2007 Eloise and Melissa will continue their practical. Via this newsletter both of them want to thank all tourism businesses within Klaas Voogds where they felt themselves very welcome and experienced a great hospitality!!!

.... And this path leading us into the maze: are we not the path ourselves? Is the physical path not a symbol of our inner reality? ...... From a simple but enjoyable excursion I was left with lots of questions as food for thought .......... (Maria King in Wind Calls of the Christian Community in Cape Town)

Did you know that Green Travel Market ( www.greentravelmarket.info ) will represent Soekershof Walkabout at the travel fair Reise Pavillon in Hannover (Germany)  ( www.reisepavillon-online.de ) February 2-4 2007?

Don't forget the QUIZ!!! (Who wants to miss such an opportunity?)





Website creation & Maintenance: Robertson Valley Technologies
Photo-assemblings: Inez Lenders, Nijmegen, Netherlands, www.inezlenders.nl
Photo's: Pete Slingsby, Cape Town, SA,  www.themaps.co.za
            Stéphane Haesaert, Belgium,
            Soekershof Walkabout, Robertson