It’s the time to be jolly

It’s the time to be jolly

Restaurants business hours on 24 and 25 December

Artist Cafe

24/12: 08:00 – 14:30

25/12: Closed

Clementines

24/12: Open

25/12: Closed

Eat Cheese Deli

24/12: 07:15 – 15:00

25/12: Closed

Gosto’s

24/12: Open with live music by Denzl

25/12: Closed

Highland Coffee

24/12: Open

25/12: Closed

Mont d’Or La Vue Parfaite
24/12: Open till 21:00

25/12: Open for in house guests only

Street Cafe

Open for lunch only

The Highlander

24/12 Open

25/12 Closed

Noah’s Cheese

24/12: 10:00 – 15:00

25/12: Closed

Red Stone Craft Gin Bar

24/12: 10:00 – 15:00

25/12: Closed

Time and Again

24/12: Opening in the Evening

25/12: Closed

Mosaic Pizzeria

24/12: 12:00 – 21:00

25/12: Closed

Clarens Brewery

24/12: Open 10:00 – 15:00

25/12: Closed

Red Stone Craft Gin Bar

24/12: Open 10:00 – 15:00

25/12: Closed

Baris Monger

24/12 Closed

25/12 Closed

Post House

24/12: 08:00 – 

25/12: Closed

Protea Hotel

24/12: Open

25/12: Open serving all meals, Christmas  Lunch and Dinner by Booking only

Roterhahn

24/12: 09:00 – 14:30

25/12: Closed

Trout & Mallard

25/12: Open for lunch until 15:00

Gosto

24/12: Open with live music by Denzl

25/12: Open for lunch until only

Treat

24/12 07:30 – 14:00

25/12 Fully booked

Di Bus Stop

25/12: Closed

Quick Update on Lesotho Border Crossing

Quick Update on Lesotho Border Crossing

A quick update on the Lesotho border crossing for ‘foreigners’, which is us South Africans going over. You will need a negative Covid test result, valid within 72 hours of your crossing at the border; this will allow you entry into Lesotho (plus passport, car papers). You will then need to take another test in Lesotho (Maseru), which will also need to test negative, with a current 72 hour waiting period for results. This negative test result will need to be presented at the border for re-entry into SA. We are waiting to hear if the border will be testing at all any time soon; with a quicker turn around time than 72 hours, but for now; this is the criteria to comply with.

Afriski celebrates its 20th anniversary with a rebrand

Afriski celebrates its 20th anniversary with a rebrand

One of only two ski and mountain resorts in Southern Africa, Afriski Mountain Resort celebrates 20 years of mountain adventure in the beautiful country of Lesotho.

Established in 2000, Afriski initially focused on developing a snow destination in Southern Africa, deep in the remote areas of the country. A perfect location in the Maluti Mountains which formed the right shaped ‘bowl’ for the perfect slope situated at 3222 metres above sea level. This did not come without its challenges. We had a temperamental lift system, no electricity, limited lances to make snow that relied on generators and if one needed cell signal your best bet was to venture to the top of Mahlasela Pass. 

 

Bringing us to 2020, Afriski now boasts multiple slopes, world-class snowmaking equipment and facilities, a wide range of summer activities and a destination that welcomes over 15 000 people a year. 

Re-positioning the resort into an all-year-round mountain destination, called for a brand audit and the decision to re-design the Afriski Mountain Resort brand. The re-branding exercise ties in with the businesses’ 20-year anniversary and “aims to shed light on the evolving worldwide trend of expanding the mountain experience way beyond just snow,” explains Director Peter Peyper. 

 

Afriski now boasts a full range of ways to play in the mountains, with activities that include mountain biking, trail running, hiking, fly fishing and enduro biking. Another area growing in popularity is high altitude training and a new activity called the Zipsail. This activity combines a shorter 600m zip line with an abseil of 70m, from a suspension station located on the cable in the air, above the resort.

Afriski is a Southern African treasure, so it was important for us to build on the existing energy and enthusiasm of the brand and repackage it for a market that appreciates responsible, proudly African businesses. We looked to the local Basotho culture for inspiration and the result is a colourful representation of the vibrant people and breathtaking landscape of this impressive Mountain Kingdom. The brand now enjoys a warmer and more inclusive colour palette applied generously together with strong, bold type and vibrant, rhythmic lines that mimic the easy roll of the mountains. This new brand looks and feels just like a holiday. 

Amendment to tourism regulations gazetted

Amendment to tourism regulations gazetted

The Department of Tourism, Forestry and Fisheries has announced that it will be gazetting amended regulations aimed at relaxing some of the Alert Level 3 restrictions imposed on the sector.
 

It has been confirmed that these amendments have now been gazetted by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs.

Therefore, intra-provincial accommodation for leisure purposes is now permitted under Alert level 3.

Similarly, the curfew prohibiting the movement of persons, except for work purposes, has now been amended to between 22:00 and 04:00.

In terms of the media statement, the current curfew prohibiting the movement of persons between the hours of 21:00 and 4:00, except for work purposes, will be amended to 22:00 and 4:00 in order to allow restaurants to serve dinner to its patrons.

Furthermore, intra-provincial accommodation for leisure purposes will now be permitted subject to a limitation of 2 people per room with the exception of a nuclear family (parents and their children).
 

People are still not permitted to travel across provinces for leisure purposes.

Tour operators will be permitted to conduct guided tours in open safari vehicles subject to social distancing measures.
 

Amazing work at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge

Amazing work at the Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge

The LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary & Lodge is situated 13km from Bethlehem.

With an ever-increasing need to home rescued big cats from zoos, circuses and private keeping, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS headed to South Africa in 2006 in search of an appropriate home for these animals. That is when the property was found where LIONSROCK is today. Not only would it become the home of rescued big cats from across the globe, but those already on the property would no longer face an uncertain future – at the height of so-called canned hunting and destined to become trophies or breeding machines. In 2008, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary opened its door to the public with the lodge offering accommodation, a restaurant and a variety of activities including educational sanctuary drives. Over the course of a few years, LIONSROCK is now home to more than 100 big cats – lions, tigers, leopards and a three-legged cheetah. It’s not only a world-class sanctuary where animals come to recover from their pasts, but also where people escape from their busy lives, taking a moment to reflect on life and enjoy the spectacular views and nature the Eastern Free State has to offer.
With an ever-increasing need to home rescued big cats from zoos, circuses and private keeping, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS headed to South Africa in 2006 in search of an appropriate home for these animals. That is when the property was found where LIONSROCK is today. Not only would it become the home of rescued big cats from across the globe, but those already on the property would no longer face an uncertain future – at the height of so-called canned hunting and destined to become trophies or breeding machines. In 2008, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary opened its door to the public with the lodge offering accommodation, a restaurant and a variety of activities including educational sanctuary drives. Over the course of a few years, LIONSROCK is now home to more than 100 big cats – lions, tigers, leopards and a three-legged cheetah. It’s not only a world-class sanctuary where animals come to recover from their pasts, but also where people escape from their busy lives, taking a moment to reflect on life and enjoy the spectacular views and nature the Eastern Free State has to offer.
Watch one of their amazing virtual tours here
If you would like to watch more click on their website link
Do good Mandela Day

Do good Mandela Day

Don your superhero cape and do good this #MandelaDay as called on by our beloved Ntate Mandela. Never has it been more important to show support, kindness and love to our fellow humans and animals.
Here in #Clarens, we have some superheroes of our own who would jump for joy if you could assist.
Combined Churches in Action are providing a daily meal for 200 vulnerable children at the Tsepong Centre here in Clarens. Information is on http://ccia.co.za/
The Clarens Feeding scheme is delivering a food parcel to 300 destitute families every Wednesday. This initiative is 100% privately driven and funded and the team of volunteers are desperate for any donations. You can WhatsApp 0836081441 to assist.
Nnete Foundation is assisting learners to continue their schooling in these times. Read about their work on https://www.nnetefoundation.com/about-us
Our friends at Lion’s Rock Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem are an animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing animals held in captivity. See the amazing work being done and help with a donation on www.lionsrock.org
Clarens Community Concerns collects unwanted clothing and household goods to distribute amongst our locals who can purchase for less than the cost of a loaf of bread or a smile if they are unable to purchase. The funds raised go back into the Clarens charities. You can e-mail deboeratlast@gmail.com to donate.
The Cluny Animal Trust is hammering away at building 100 #MandelaDay weatherproof dog kennels for the dogs in the informal settlements of Clarens and Fouriesburg.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/clunyanimaltrust.co.za to donate or participate.
If you are unable to part with your hard-earned savings in these trying times, show some love to your neighbours and fellow residents through random acts of kindness. A wise man said “Be kind, unless you can be fantastic. Then be fantastically kind”.

Read about our Recycling Centre

Read about our Recycling Centre

Evon Els and Palo Ncala have run this as part of the Clarens Village Conservancy (CVC) since 2013.
Household, restaurant and other commercial waste are collected or delivered and processed 5 days a week. The Centre buys suitable waste from our Township. Cardboard waste gets pressed into bales and yields 10 x 220kg bales per month. Glass gets broken manually and yields 60 – 90 tonnes per year. Plastic and cans are pressed into bales of 80 kg, yielding approx. 3 bales of plastic and 1 bale of cans per month. These are all sold back into the trade from where they came, except the cans which are collected purely to keep the environment clean. Any household items and clothing which are received, get distributed back to the less fortunate. The income raised from the sale of the recycled material is minimal and hardly sufficient to keep the Recycling Centre operational; the CVC assists by diverting donations to the cause.
All residents and visitors are encouraged to recycle! Evon says that in order to keep the doors open, a lot bigger volume is needed and she appeals to everyone to do their bit. Monetary donations are also welcome and help to keep the centre going.
Evon and Palo say “Let us work together to keep our wonderful town and environment clean”.
Please visit www.clarensvillageconservancy.com for more information, or how to donate.

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