The walk down to the Witvoetskloof waterfall was particularly popular as was bird watching and enjoying the amazing night sky of this secluded part of the Overberg.

We are looking forward to a great 2013 season and wish all our past guests a wonderful new year.

Enjoy the reading and see you soon at Fynbos Retreat!

Just to say thank you for a wonderful weekend at The Fynbos Retreat. Please pass on our thanks to Billy and Colleen for their friendly hospitality and care, they were absolutely amazing and a big asset to your establishment down there.

Warm regards

Glynis

The half hour Milkwood trail provides a relatively flat, circular route that is ideal for children or a short, easy stroll. The route starts above the level playing field at Arum Lily House and takes walkers into the ancient milkwood forest above the dam. Here you will encounter some magnificent old milkwoods, white stinkwood and wild olive trees. In the middle of the forest the path passes above the Witvoetskloof spring that bubbles out of the ground below the limestone cliffs and provides the source of the farms water supply. The trail then runs in a clockwise direction around the dam through some wetlands and dune fynbos and back to the Fynbos Retreat Houses.

The Grootberg trail is 6.5km long and takes hikers to the summit of Grootberg at 409m with spectacular views of ocean and fynbos. The trail then drops down into the Witvoetskloof forest where hikers reach a beautiful waterfall under the canopy of ancient forest trees. Here you enter a completely different world of ancient trees, lichens, mosses and dappled shade.  After leaving the waterfall the trail heads up the valley through the forest criss-crossing the stream on a beautiful path with boardwalks and bridges. Having passed many ancient indigenous trees the trail exits the forest up a short steep section of
wooden steps and boardwalk. The trail then winds its way up the Witvoetskloof Valley for about 1.5 km through lush riverine vegetation and finally through
stands of proteas and pincushions back to the start at Fynbos Retreat.

The 6km Waterfall trail winds down through fields of proteas and pincushions before crossing the river for the first time over a wooden bridge, where you will pass under some Cape beech trees and past beautiful ferns that have somehow survived the regular fynbos fires.  The trail crosses back over the river through dense riverine vegetation over a bridge and short sections of board walk before entering the Witvoetskloof indigenous forest after 1.5km. The descent into the forest is via some steep wooden steps and the contrast from the surrounding fynbos vegetation is immediate. As you descend you enter a different world with ancient indigenous trees, lichens, ferns and mosses. The trail passes a small waterfall and crosses bridges and wooden boardwalks as you skirt around the ancient trees that have persisted for centuries in this kloof. After a final steep descent you emerge at the Witvoetskloof waterfall where one can take a fresh shower under the falls or simply soak up the beauty and tranquillity of the area. After leaving the waterfall the trail
again crosses the river and heads further down the valley within the forest before exiting into a spectacular diversity of Fynbos. This last section of the trail is mostly level with a few short climbs and follows the old flower harvesting track that leads through a remarkable variety of fynbos habitats and species.

For detailed narratives, maps and profiles of the trails see www.fynbosretreat.com or www.walkerbaytrails.co.za.

Lesley Richardson and Michael Lutzeyer hold the fynbos ribbon which was cut by Councillor Ben Solomon

Fynbos Retreat is tucked away in a secluded valley on Grootbos, overlooking a beautiful swimming dam and is surrounded by spectacular fynbos and forest landscapes.

Sean led the guests on a short hike through the Milkwood Forest

Fynbos Retreat is the perfect getaway for hiking, mountain-biking, bird-watching, swimming or simply relaxing and enjoying the peace and tranquillity of this magnificent valley in the Overberg. The accommodation consists of two fully equipped houses providing a wonderful base to explore the surrounding natural paradise. Arum lily house can sleep a maximum of fourteen guests and includes braai facilities, a pizza oven, a large living room with a fireplace, dining room with large communal dining table, fully equipped kitchen and four bedrooms. Fountain bush cottage has a large open plan kitchen and lounge with a cosy fireplace, balcony overlooking the water, braai area and three bedrooms.

For more information see www.fynbosretreat.com and www.walkerbaytrails.co.za

The post will be available from early January 2012. For more information click here.. FYNBOS RETREAT Management couple

The weekend at Fynbos Retreat was used to tie together the many lessons that the children have learnt with the Dibanisa team throughout the programme.  The children were entertained by the Football Foundation coaches and volunteers, by playing a variety of games. Just before supper, we had a few special visitors!

Christoff Longland, who is a guide at Grootbos, joined the children to talk to have an interactive discussion about snakes. He discussed the different kind of snakes found in the area and touched on other animals such as the honey badger and mongoose. Christoff also showed the children a mole snake, much to their delight and horror! They had the opportunity to have a closer look at, as well as to touch, the snake!

After supper, the children participated in a solitaire activity. The children were taken to an open field and placed a couple of meters apart. The object of the activity was so that each child could consider what they had learnt and look at the stars. The children who wanted to, were given the opportunity to join Susan and Rozier for a night walk. The Okkie Smuts kids concluded the evening with a few songs. There weren’t many dry eyes amongst the adults!

After breakfast and games of soccer and volleyball, everyone went for a short hike. Before we set off, Rozier discussed the principles of hiking with the children. Rozier showed the children the spring which feeds the dam. We had a look at three different ecosystems: wetland, Milkwood Forest and mountain fynbos.
Unfortunately, we had to pack up and go home! We would all have loved to stay and spend some more time together!

We would like to thank Susan Lochner from Green Futures, Annamarie Steensma from the school, Natasha Bredekamp from the Football Foundation and her volunteers Amy, Britta, Tilman and Edith. A big ‘thank you’ goes to Rozier for his hospitality!

And last but not least, we would like to thank the Okkie Smuts kids for their participation and help! You guys were awesome and we hope to see you again!

Thank you for visiting our new website for Fynbos Retreat. On the blog we will keep you up to date with new, events, notices and general information regarding Fynbos Retreat and it’s surrounding areas. Check back soon for updates.