Sharon Van Wyk

Think of Phalaborwa. Think hot. And dry. But not unpleasant. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the bushveld town, in spite of five hours on the road from Pretoria. Developments have led to a whole new ball game at the Hans Merensky Estate, writes Sharon van Wyk.

Sharon van Wyk visits Singita’s Lebombo Lodge in the heart of the Kruger National Park. The lodge is a 40-minute drive away up in the Lebombo mountains, from which it gets its name, in the south central area of the park overlooking the ephemeral N’wanetsi river, which means "shining waters" in the local Shangaan tongue.

So much to do, and so little time. That’s how the Garden Route makes you feel. Like it’s all flashing before your eyes and you don’t have time to really soak it all up. It is kind of "to the left is Wilderness and to your right are the Outeniquas and up ahead is Knysna and there’s the Tsitsikama and here we are in Plettenberg Bay.

Singita is situated in the Sabi Sands reserve, north of Skukuza on the edge of the Kruger National Park. It runs two lodges here, Ebony and Boulders. Sharon van Wyk visits Singita private game reserve for three nights of unadulterated luxury.

Seventy years ago France’s five fledgling private aviation companies joined forces to give birth to what has become a grande dame of airlines — Air France. The airline certainly does not look its age. Far from retiring into obscurity, the French carrier has remained stylishly youthful (as perhaps is fitting for a Parisienne).

Taking extra-special care of your executives while they’re away from home is not just the priority of South Africa’s corporations and companies — it’s becoming a focal point of many smaller establishments, which pride themselves on being able to offer first-class service to businessmen and women on the move. A Houghton guest house is making a name for itself in the corporate jungle.

Domestic airline Nationwide Air has officially launched its first international route on the most popular route in Africa — Johannesburg to London. At a packed auditorium at the Melrose Arch Hotel, Nationwide MD Chris Hoare unveiled the carrier’s latest addition — a Boeing 767-300ER wide-bodied jet — bought from Air Canada.

Appearances can be deceiving. It’s an old adage but it illustrates a point often overlooked in the travel trade — luxury isn’t worth a dime if it isn’t backed up by great service and hospitality. So when you come across a destination that offers value for money, friendliness, excellent service and hearty meals, but isn’t competing for a spot in a decor magazine, it can be refreshing. At least that’s the case at the Magoebaskloof hotel.

How do airlines calculate prices in a world where exchange rates and oil prices fluctuate daily? And why don’t airfares decrease when these factors do? This question was put to three major players in the local airline arena, namely our very own national carrier South African Airways; their chief competitor British Airways; and arch-rival Virgin Atlantic.

Sharon van Wyk visited Emerald Casino Resort and found an uncut gem on the banks of the Vaal river. An hour south of Johannesburg, the luxurious resort caters to a variety of needs and whims including an indoor water-world, a tourist-friendly zoo, a range of adventure sports and up-market conference facilities.

The colonial age may have left Zambia’s border town bereft, but the spirit certainly lives on — David Livingstone was here, and he left more than his name behind him. Hot in the footsteps of African explorers, Sharon van Wyk discovered the magic
of Zambia and the magnificent Victoria Falls.

Grace and charm is alive and well in Limpopo — South Africa’s ‘forgotten’ province. Escaping the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg, a mere few hours drive away, Sharon van Wyk indulges in some R&R while enjoying views of the majestic northern Drakensberg.

It is no secret that South African tourism is booming. In 2002 our country emerged as the best performing tourist destination in the world, attracting 6,4-million tourists. Overseas arrivals were up a massive 20,1%, with a healthy 11,1% increase in total foreign arrivals for 2001.

Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry should have been a tour operator. Imagine it, packing your suitcase and boarding the starship <i>Enterprise</i>, zooming at warp eight to your chosen destination and beaming down, baggage and all, to your well-earned holiday … No long-haul flights, no lengthy check-in queues, just speed and efficiency.