The International Fellowship of Birdwatching Rotarians announce a birding tour of the South Western and Southern Cape of South Africa beginning in Cape Town on 5th March 2005.

 

Rotarians, Fellowship members and their Rotarian guests, partners, etc., are invited to join us in this "Centennial Celebration Tour" after celebrating at their home clubs, districts, etc.
 

The way the tour is being planned, we trust DG June Webber of District 9350 will be on hand on the Saturday of arrival in Cape Town to welcome all visitors from overseas and Africa at a reception / rendezvous.

 

The tour will include a pellagic tour out of the Cape or for those who prefer dry land – a birding day in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. 


We shall see waterfowl at Cape Town’s “ponds”, up the west coast - sandveld bush birds, and migratory waders on the Berg River estuary.  

In the South Cape coast area we shall be exposed to endemics including Victorin’s warbler plus resident Cape Eagle Owls and a penguin colony. 

Further east we will be treated to glimpses of the endangered Black African Oystercatcher and on the eosterveld coastal fynbos we will visit Tambourine doves and Stanley’s bustard and Southern Tshagra.

 

The temperate coastal forest boasts Narina trogen and typical karoo vegetation houses Six-banded coursser and rock pipit.  The Knysna loerie should be the culmination of a great climate geographic and birding cross-section and the encore could well be the Starred robin.

There’s talk of an add-on tour to the Natal Drakensburg – not yet finalised – we await Rotarians’ reactions to our proposal.

I and the Rotary Club of Hermanus will be finalising details of the Cape Tour from 7th January – we would appreciate early indications regarding participation especially from overseas.

 

Come celebrate our Organisation’s centennial with what we know will be a memorable trip in one of the most beautiful parts of the birding world.

 

For further information and an indication of participation contact IFBR President Mike Lakin as follows:

e-mail: mikelsie@it.bw

Tel Res: 267 3952811

Tel Bus/Fax direct: 267 3971827

Mobile Botswana up to 7th January and after 20th January 267 71708171

Mobile South Africa 7th to 20th (approximately) Code 27 if outside) 734308618 (if inside South Africa) 0734308618

 

Home Hosting where possible will be arranged by local Rotarians and transport and individual bookings through the Rotary Club of Hermanus contact Rtn. David Rooch on: Fax 028 341 0848.

 

Watch this space for further developments
 

and be sure to visit us at the IFBR fellowship booth at Chicago 2005.