Commemorating 10 years of welcoming guests to South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape province, Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve has announced a series of new developments, including new flights.
Iain Buchanan, director of the reserve, says for a number of years, Mount Camdeboo was the family holiday spot, from there it grew into a vision of developing the property for conservation and eco-tourism – evolving after each trip.
To improve access to the Graaff-Reinet area for international visitors in particular, in partnership with PlettAirSafaris, Mount Camdeboo recently launched a new 6-day weekly scheduled flight from Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route to the Graaff-Reinet airstrip.
“This new flight route will reduce travelling time to the area and makes an ideal Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay (with Cemair) – Graaff-Reinet (with PlettAirSafaris) flight route for those who don’t have the time or inclination to drive,” says Mount Camdeboo.
Flight schedule
The introductory reduced rate of R3 000 is applicable until 31 August 2017, at which time the normal rate of R3 380 will come into effect.
Added to this, in partnership with Fly Karoo, guests staying at Mount Camdeboo can now also discover some of the most spectacular spots on the reserve’s mountain tops for an unforgettable sundowner with scenic helicopter flights.
Additional flight options include scenic flights over the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, Spandau Kop and the Valley of Desolation, with ground tours available as an add-on.
While guests are currently able to explore this area on foot, Mount Camdeboo says additional developments will include the Milk River Gardens coming to life, creating a demarcated 1,6km circular walking/ running trail for those wanting to get more active.
A Milk River Map will indicate points of interest, including an educational flora and bird walk, with markers along the trail naming different species of flora to be found.
According to Reserve, the intention within this initiative is to encourage land-owners to find the value in converting in part or full to wildlife and flora conservation and ecotourism-based enterprises, and in so doing see an increased value to both land and profits.
And if this combined vision is realised it would see hundreds of thousands of hectares of this spectacular and diverse environment rich in flora and fauna being protected and preserved which will be enjoyed by future generations.
“It has been an incredible journey that we have started on and one we hope will continue for many generations – one of self-discovery, of understanding the actual value of what we are sitting on here and building an incredible team that has been with us from the start and continue to put in way too many hours!” says Iain.
“I consider ourselves incredibly lucky to be custodians of this environment for a slither of its existence. Hopefully, the decisions we make in our lifetime can affect its future positively.”
