An African Adventure on the Garden Route Buffalo Hills Reserve near Plettenberg Bay has announced a new direction which promises to raise enormous excitement amongst a whole new segment of both domestic and foreign visitors. “Since our inception eight years ago we’ve followed the traditional model of luxury accommodation coupled to guided game drives and game walks - although we did have one ace up our sleeve which no one else could offer: our traditional Mampoer distillery,” said owner Tony Kinahan. “But our guests told us they wanted more choice in the way they could interact with our unique environment – and we’re delighted to announce that Buffalo Hills is now open to small groups of mountain bikers, trail runners and walkers, with birding and horse riding products opening during this year. “Buffalo Hills is now a real African Adventure on the Garden Route.” Tony said that the inspiration behind the design of the new products was the rapidly-growing interest in multi-sports and the technology now used in orienteering and map-work. “The GPS has opened great opportunities for us, and we’re busy plotting routes and designing route books to make exploring at Buffalo Hills an exciting and unusual experience for everyone – from children to senior citizens and from the relatively unfit to top multi-sports athletes,” he said. “And, of course, these new products will also serve to make Buffalo Hills even more child-friendly.” About 800 hectares of prime conservation land in the Buffalo Hills / Bitou River area near Plettenberg Bay is available for use by guests on guided- and self-guided trails – and a further 20,000 hectares of indigenous forest is accessible on controlled, guided tours. Animals contained within the fenced area include relatively large herds of wildebeest, bontebok, kudu, eland, zebra, impala ,giraffe, red hartebeest & bushbuck. Nocturnal animals include the elusive leopard, bush pigs, blue duiker, honey-badgers, and rooikat (or lynx). “Seeing animals in the wild when you’re sitting on a game viewing vehicle and when you’re walking or cycling close near them are very different experiences,” said Tony, “and we expect that people will want to enjoy them all. “So now our guests and day visitors will be able to combine game viewing with their favorite activities - and that’s the part we think will be unique.” “We’re working with Tony Cook of Mountain Biking Africa – our contractor for guided mountain biking – and with Equitrailing, a local horse tour operator. “But above all we’ll be working with the people of Wittedrif to use these new products to find ways of creating sustainable employment for members of the previously disadvantaged community in the village,” he said. The Reserve’s management is presently planning a new conference facility as well as a new restaurant - both of which will be under canvas.