Blue Train MAgazine April 2013

www.bluetrainmag.co.za

Complimentary Guest Magazine

March 2013

Desroches Island • Explore Your World • Art Galleries

bees fly more tHan once around tHe world to gatHer a pound of Honey

tHanks to tHeir strong wings, Honey bees fly very fast

bees fly tHe sHortest possible route between flowers to increase speed and productivity

Honey bees are HigHly organised

Fast, Efficient, Reliable You can be confident that your products are being delivered across the country by a reputable, reliable, dedicated courier and distribution company.

National Call Centre: 0861 EWC 000

www.ewc.co.za durban - (031) 573 9700 | bloemfontein - (051) 435 5075 Johannesburg - (011) 383 1500 | port elizabeth - (041) 451 0458 cape town - (021) 380 6200 | george - (044) 873 2973/4

contents 26 www.bluetrainmag.co.za

Hanlie Kotze Letter from the Executive Manager

Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu Letter from the Editor

Complimentary Guest Magazine

March 2013

10 12 Desroches Island • Explore Your World • Art Galleries

News Keeping You Informed

From The Mailbag Passenger Letters and Comments

EVENTS Dates To Diarise

BITS Need To Know

BUSHVELD BLISS South Africa’s Best Bush Breakaways

WILDLIFE ON THE WIDE ANGLE Top Wildlife Photography Tips

SURF AND TURF Bush and Beach Breakaways

BUSH ETIQUETTE Safari Do’s and Don’ts

FREEDOM IN THE HEART OF THE CITY The Inkululeko Community Centre

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AFRICA’S EDEN The Chobe National Park

A bygone era Hayward's Grand Safari Events & Expeditions

A LITTLE JE NE SAIS QUOI Franschhoek Country House and Villas

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PIZZA WITH PIZZAZZ

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Burrata

ROADS LESS TRAVELLED Off-Road Academies

Destination Listings Luxury Accommodation & Dining Guide

IN THE TRACKS OF A LEGEND The History of The Blue Train

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SUITE LAYOUT Coach Info

April 2013

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Letter from the Executive Manager Hanlie Kotze

Greetings to all!

A very warm welcome to all our guests, clients and partners.

The month of April marks the beginning of our – and many other companies’ – new fiscal year. If companies could be personified, this would be their “New Year’s Day”. The beginning of a new fiscal year always reminds me of the first day of school. It is an eccentric analogy, I know, but during her intricate depiction of new beginnings, Edith Lovejoy Pierce, the American poet, summed it up perfectly when she said: “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” It is a new fiscal year with an opportunity to start afresh. Our pages are blank. It is time to be radical and write new scripts to achieve the objectives we have set for ourselves, both in our lives and in our businesses.

Freedom Day Our young democracy is slowly moving into adulthood. As we celebrate the 19th anniversary of our country’s freedom on 27 April, I would like to wish all South Africans peace, joy, love and most importantly, unity in this, our beautiful land.

Happy Freedom Day to all. th

INDABA 2013 – Africa’s Biggest Travel Trade Show This year’s INDABA will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (formerly the Durban ICC) from 11th – 14th May, and The Blue Train will certainly be there. Our stand is situated in the ICC Main Hall, Stand No. ICCJ009.

Moreover, we will also have one of our train sets staged at the Durban Train Station, to allow visitors the opportunity to come and view the train, its amenities and product offering.

We look forward to yet another spectacular event, as well as to seeing all of our valued clients there.

Warm regards,

Hanlie

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Letter from the Editor Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu It seems to be a universal truth that the older we get the more quickly time seems to move. We make comments about how fast time is slipping by, how quickly a day has sped past, how rapidly the year is progressing. I even caught myself thinking the other day: “Wow, it’s April already. Just where has the year gone?”

But while I don’t think time “speeds up” as we age like we claim it does, I do think that age has something to do with the phenomenon.

There is a reason why children are often more care-free and less bound by the strictures of time than adults are. And it’s not because they have less of the stresses and strains of the world to deal with – after all, losing your favourite toy to a friend can be just as traumatic as losing your promotion to a colleague. I think it has more to do with the fact that they have not yet learned to worry about the future or fret about the past. These are “skills” they only acquire as they grow older.

Children are born without a sense of the future or the past and so, waste no energy ruminating on either. As a result, we are all born with the innate ability of living perfectly and contentedly in the present – ironically, something which many of us spend the majority of our adult lives trying to reclaim!

But it certainly is something worth trying to reclaim, because when we stop beating ourselves up for the mistakes and the missed opportunities in our past, and stop fretting and planning and trying to control the future, it’s amazing just how perceptibly time slows right down again, and how much more enjoyable every day becomes.

I hope all of us manage to get this right eventually, and if we cannot perfect it regularly, at the very least I hope we can get it right for those important days which we need to savour the most – like right now, as you travel on South Africa’s most luxurious five-star moving hotel. For many of you, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and so I hope you truly savour and enjoy every single moment of it – from the superb butler service and decadent meals, to the picture-perfect views passing by your window and the softest of linen on your bed at night.

Live in the moment, savour every second and enjoy the ride.

Noeleen

editor@bluetrainmag.co.za

THE BLUE TRAIN www.bluetrain.co.za Pretoria, Gauteng Tel: +27 12 334 8459 Fax: +27 12 334 8464 Cape Town Tel: +27 21 449 2672 Fax: +27 21 449 3338 United Kingdom Tel: +44 1403 243619 Fax: +44 1403 217558 Central Europe Tel: +44 2089 245126 Fax: +44 2089 245126 United States Tel: 001 305 864 4569 Fax: 001 305 675 7693 PUBLISHER Deidre Theron-Loots deidre@africanspiritmedia.co.za African Spirit Media (Pty) Ltd PO Box 11273, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: +27 861 THE MAG (843 624) Fax: +27 88 012 346 2367 mail@africanspiritmedia.co.za

EDITOR Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu editor@bluetrainmag.co.za MANAGING EDITOR Nicky Furniss nicky@tcbgroup.co.za ADVERTISING SALES national sales manager Bryan Kayavhu+27 83 785 6691 bryan@tcbgroup.co.za Images © iStockphoto.com Cover Image © Londolozi Private Game Reserve DESIGN & LAYOUT Joanne Mc Laren joanne@virtualdavinci.co.za Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room

PRINTING Business Print Centre, Pretoria CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Les Hex, Nicky Furniss, Liandri Pretorius, Nikki Werner, Bernard K Hellberg, Nicola Weir The Blue Train Magazine is published monthly by African Spirit Media (Pty) Ltd. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of African Spirit Media (Pty) Ltd, The Blue Train or any of their clients.

Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No material (articles or photographs) in this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Publisher.

Copyright © 2013. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to African Spirit Media (Pty) Ltd and/or the individual contributors.

All rights reserved.

news

Business “Unusual” Charters

A special tailor-made, all-inclusive charter on The Blue Train is a wonderful way for guests to explore South Africa’s landscapes and landmarks, lasting from a few hours to several nights. From a VIP cocktail breakfast, lunch or dinner, to a business “unusual” conference, a product launch with a difference, a special wedding reception, staff incentives or even a birthday celebration, the experience is up to you.

The Blue Train follows any route, provided the rail networks are compatible to its technology.

The Blue Train Steams Ahead in Africa The Blue Train was named “Africa’s Leading Luxury Train” at the World Travel Awards 2012 – an accolade it has now enjoyed for four consecutive years.

Hanlie Kotze, The Blue Train’s Executive Manager, could not hide her excitement: “We are thrilled and very proud to yet again be named amongst the crème de la crème of the African continent. The World Travel Awards are hailed as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry and aim to reward those travel brands that have excelled and made a great contribution to the industry. This award is evidence of the hard work everyone has been putting in – especially over the last couple of months. It also serves as a signal that our plans to take this brand to another level are on the right track,” she said.

The Blue Train Wins Silver The Blue Train is delighted to have been announced as the second placed Runner Up at the exclusive Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards in the category of “Favourite Specialist Train Operator”.

This prestigious awards ceremony was hosted at The British Museum in September 2012. The Blue Train previously won Gold in 2010, and came fifth in 2011. This year, the top prize went to The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which is a worthy winner.

Other trains in the Top Ten included The Palace on Wheels, The Maharajas’ Express and Deccan Odyssey in India, The Rocky Mountaineer and Royal Canadian in

Canada, The Hiram Bingham in Peru and The Old Patagonian Express in Argentina. Rovos Rail, the other specialist train in South Africa, won tenth place which is fantastic news for South Africa – playing host to two of the world’s Top Ten trains.

“We are truly delighted with this achievement. The nomination alone in these prestigious awards is a great honour for us,” comments Hanlie Kotze, the Executive Manager of The Blue Train. “We always strive to meet and possibly exceed all of our guests’ expectations, every time, all the time. It is through great nominations and awards such as the Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel awards that one finds time to reflect and iron out any shortcomings or complacency that may have crept in on our service standards,” she adds.

Condé Nast Traveller is a highly respected publication that is largely regarded as the only authority on travel and lifestyle in the UK. Its ‘Truth in Travel’ ethos along with its policy of never accepting sponsored press invitations means that the publication never yields to pressure and is a magazine readers trust.

The Blue Train Magazine in the Spotlight The Blue Train Magazine once again did us proud at the 2012 SA Publication Forum Awards which reward excellence in custom publishing. The magazine was awarded certificates of excellence in two judging categories, namely design and communication, and was not only selected as a finalist in the Communication category but went on to place third overall in the category, which included over 150 other corporate publications. The magazine was also selected – for the first time – as a finalist for the award of “Best External Magazine Category A” (magazines with a higher budget).

This effectively recognises The Blue Train as one of the best external corporate publications in South Africa – an accolade which the magazine’s production team are extremely proud of.

The Blue Train is now a Heart Save Area Several Blue Train staff have completed a Heart Saver CPR/AED Course and are now proficient in the necessary knowledge and practical skills to recognise life threatening cardio-pulmonary emergencies on board. This will enable them to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of an emergency. The staff will be aided by the Samaritan Pad 500P with CPR Advisor, which is a small, portable and easy to use device, which helps to restore a pulse in most heart attack victims. It also aids rescuers by giving precise visual and voice instructions on how to use the device and how to administer effective CPR.

For Further Information

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For more information on The Blue Train’s exciting packages and to read the booking conditions for advance reservations, visit www.bluetrain.co.za or contact The Blue Train reservation office in Pretoria on +27 12 334 8459 or Cape Town on +27 21 449 2672. Email any general enquiries or feedback to info@bluetrain.co.za. n

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From the Mail Bag

Passenger Letters & Comments

Our trip on The Blue Train was a dream come true and the staff provided very friendly and helpful service.

Mrs C van Buren-Schele, South Africa The entire experience from check-in to departure was a pleasure. All of the guests were made to feel special by the very friendly and helpful staff.

Mr R Wall, UK The meals and wine selection were outstanding. Check-in was smooth and the staff were very friendly and helpful. The facilities were pleasant and comfortable.

Mr PJ Mitrovich, South Africa Another wonderful experience. All the staff were excellent and some could speak Japanese. That was lovely for us as it made us feel more comfortable.

Ms Y Koudo, Japan Justice (dining waiter) was very friendly and helpful and Philane (butler) was excellent. Thank you for a superb experience.

Mr A Gajathar, South Africa Many thanks for the excellent quality and selection of meals. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was a great experience.

Dr J Noel, Luxembourg Everything exceeded our expectations.

Mr DFP du Toit, South Africa All the staff were very friendly and helpful. Thank you for a wonderful experience. We will definitely return for another trip on The Blue Train.

Ms VF Dlamini, British Virgin Islands This was a dream fulfilled and all the staff were excellent – thank you.

Mrs G D’Costa, Australia Thank you all so much for making our anniversary so memorable.

Mrs C Curlen, Ireland

Do you have a complaint or comment that you would like to share with us?

Please fill in the guest questionnaire that is available in your suite or alternatively send an email to info@bluetrain.co.za.

Please also feel free to send your photos from your trip on The Blue Train to the same address.

Comments may be edited, shortened or translated from the original language.

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events Relive Musical History The multi-award winning Broadway smash hit musical, Jersey Boys, makes its South African debut at Montecasino, Johannesburg, on 3rd April, followed by a season at Cape Town’s Artscape Opera House from 19th June. This worldwide musical phenomenon tells the real-life story of how four poverty-line kids become Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, one of the greatest successes in pop music history. The Four Seasons wrote their own songs, created their own sound and sold 175 million records globally – all before they hit 30! Jersey Boys portrays their inspiring journey from the streets of Newark to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through their most popular hit songs such as “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and “My Eyes Adored You”. Tickets are available from Computicket at www.computicket.com. Visit www.jerseyboyssa.co.za for more information.

A Hairy Affair Wine beauties meet hairy beasts when the colourful wine community of Bot River sets the stage for its annual Barrels & Beards celebration on 20th April 2013. Each year, the laidback wine folk of this part of the Overberg follow a tradition of “no shaving or barber visits for the duration of the harvest season”, only to reveal their scruffy facades during a fun-filled “beard parade” at the festival. Along with esteemed judges, guests get to vote for the boldest beard in Bot River while savouring the latest 2013 cellar gems straight from the barrels.

This exclusive evening includes a hearty “Terroir to Table” dinner, as well as live music and the opportunity to sample and purchase wine from eight local producers, including Barton, Genevieve, Rivendell and Wildekrans. Bot River is situated en route to Hermanus and is an hour’s drive from Cape Town. For reservations, email nicolene@botriverwines.co.za.

Perfect Pairings One&Only Cape Town’s Head Sommelier, Luvo Ntezo, and celebrity chef, Reuben Riffel, have worked with some of the top winemakers in the country during the past two years to present their fabulous Wine&Dine evenings. These are set to continue in 2013 with an exciting lineup of estates to look forward to. In April, One&Only Cape Town will welcome one of the founding fathers of the South African wine industry as Neil Ellis Wines host the dinner on the 24th of the month. Neil Ellis is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern wine industry in this country and is responsible for groundbreaking work in opening up new regions and grape varieties to a wider audience. Other dinners to look forward to throughout the year include wines from Simonsig Wines, Bellingham Wines and Haute Cabrière Wines. For reservations, contact +27 21 431 4511 or email restaurant.reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com.

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events For Fans of Fromage The popular South African Cheese Festival will once again bring a rich variety of cheese together under one roof from 26th to 28th April at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch. Each year, the Cheese Festival brings several artisan cheese makers from around the country to the event where festivalgoers can meet these passionate cheese masters that lovingly create small amounts of cheese with the utmost patience and care. Visitors can also taste a huge variety of cheeses on offer by South Africa’s larger cheeseries as well as indulge in an exciting range of sweet temptations and other sumptuous products. A brand new Friday night programme also is set to provide visitors with an extended cheese experience, where they can join other cheese lovers after work for a scrumptious moonlight picnic accompanied by live music. Tickets are available from Computicket or from Checkers stores nationwide. For more information, email cheese@agriexpo.co.za or visit www.cheesefestival.co.za.

Vintage Glam This year’s Vintage Ideas Market at Simondium’s Country Lodge between Paarl and Franschhoek has upped the glitz with a glamorous Great Gatsby theme. From 26th to 28th April, the elegant lodge will transport visitors back to the lavish 1920s with amazing authentic and vintage-inspired items. The venue provides over 1.5 hectares of covered display space for exhibitors of décor items, jewellery, glass and silverware, vintage-inspired clothing, kitchenalia, garden accessories, irresistible bric-a-brac and priceless antiques.

The lush garden, with its meandering peacocks and calming water features, presents the perfect space in which to relax and enjoy drinks and refreshments.

Special children’s entertainment will also be provided to keep the little ones busy, so that parents can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the market. For more information, visit www.festiveideas.co.za or contact +27 21 874 1046.

Opera for Everyone Well known South African opera tenor, Stéfan Louw, and the Pro Cantare Choir will be performing together for Aria! Opera for Everyone on 19th April at the Joburg Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort. During the concert, Louw will sing popular as well as lesser-known opera arias with piano accompaniment in order to give opera connoisseurs something that is not often heard on South African stages, while at the same time introducing newcomers to opera with well-known tunes such as “Nessun Dorma” and “E lucevan le stelle”. Radio veteran and opera connoisseur, André Liebenberg, will also enthral the audience with interesting facts about opera in general as well as about each aria that will be performed.

The Pro Cantare Choir is a mixed choir based in Roodepoort and, although they are mainly an opera chorus, also perform folk songs, musicals and operetta. Tickets for the concert are available from Computicket.

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bits A Girl’s Best Friend Born of the philosophy that a diamond should be as beautiful as the milestone in your life that it symbolises, Yair Shimansky has spent years designing and patenting perfect diamond cuts. The Eight Hearts diamond, which takes three times longer to polish and is shaped by only one in a thousand diamond polishers, displays a perfect eight-heart pattern when viewed from the bottom, and a perfect eight-arrow star when viewed from the top. The Brilliant 10 features 71 facets precisely aligned for the ultimate display of fire, brilliance and scintillation, while – also exclusive to Shimansky – the My Girl Diamond is both beautiful and one of a kind with its unique eight-sided square diamond cut. The My Girl diamond is now internationally patented across 35 countries, making it the world’s first patented cut to originate from South Africa. Visit www.shimansky.com for more information.

Teatime Treats Belle’s Patisserie is an intimate space in Johannesburg’s chic and trendy Blubird Shopping Centre. Visitors can look forward to an eclectic and mouth-watering assortment of freshly made temptations, including French pastries, baguettes, macaroons, red velvet cake, decadent cupcakes, tarts and light lunches, as well as an extensive range of savoury options. Belle’s also offers a delightful Sunday afternoon High Tea for special occasions or just for catching up with friends, during which guests can look forward to a delectable selection of finger sandwiches, patisserie and cupcakes that are almost too beautiful to eat. Belle’s Sunday High Tea is served from 14h30 and costs R200 per couple. For more information, visit www.bellespatisserie.co.za.

The World’s Number One Champagne Combine a lineage of five centuries, absolute respect for the land and insurmountable expertise; and you might find yourself knocking on the door of Philipponnat. Set in the heart of the Champagne region, this south-facing vinery hosts the ancient and prestigious vineyards of “Clos des Goisses” and “Le leon”. Philipponnat Champagne dates back to the days of Louis XIV, and its distinctive style is based on the search for a balance between intensity and freshness, two qualities that are the hallmarks of the house. The intensity comes from the use of a majority of Pinot Noir, while the freshness of the Champagne is attributed to the ethos of never using less than 30% Chardonnay. If you are not able to frequent the finest Michelin-rated restaurants in France and abroad, The International Wines Company will bring the full range of the world’s number one champagne to your doorstep. For more information, visit www.philipponnat.com or www.internationalwines.co.za.

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bits A Delicious Mouthful Bunnahabhain (pronounced Bū-na-ha-venn), produced on the Isle of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, means “mouth of the river” in Scots Gaelic and refers to the Margadale River that flows close by. Unlike other single malts produced on Islay, the Bunnahabhain 12, 18 and 25-year-old single malts are crafted from unpeated malted barley, resulting in a gentle taste profile. Founded in 1881, the distillery lies on the north-eastern tip of Islay and it is here that Ian MacMillan, master distiller, creates these internationally award-winning single malts. They are all un-chillfiltered and have recently replaced the chillfiltered range that was available for many years.

By going back to making whisky in its purest form, the way it would have been done by Bunnahabhain’s original distillers many years ago, it has received praise and awards from whisky critics and lovers alike for its depth of flavour and character.

Bunnahabhain is available from fine liquor stores nationwide.

Spectacular Ocean Views Nestled at the base of Chapman’s Peak within the Table Mountain National Park, Tintswalo Atlantic provides guests with a private, luxury retreat. On the Atlantic Ocean’s water's edge, guests are treated to an awe-inspiring panorama of the picturesque fishing village, Hout Bay as well as iconic Sentinel Mountain. All 11 island-themed suites complete with spacious en suite bathrooms, open up to glorious, unhindered ocean views. The world-renowned beauty of Cape Town is only a few minutes’ drive away by means of a comfortable chauffeur driven car. Tintswalo Atlantic is truly the ultimate destination for holidaymakers seeking serenity, tranquillity and luxury. For more information, visit www.tintswalo.com.

Tutored Tastings Bouchard Finlayson has introduced a series of Tutored Wine Tastings that will be held in both Cape Town and Johannesburg throughout 2013. The events are open to the public, and are designed to introduce a new audience to Bouchard Finlayson wines in central locations and informal settings. Pinot pioneer, Peter Finlayson, winemaker at the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley winery, says that the sessions are designed to be interesting and fun, without any elitist notions. The tastings are limited to 20 guests, which, says Finlayson, “allows for knowledge to be shared in an intimate environment while savouring a delicious glass of wine”.

A tutored tasting of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay (hosted by Bouchard Finlayson’s Junior Winemaker Chris Albrecht) will be held in Cape Town on 17th April, followed by Hannibal and Pinor Noir on 5th June in Johannesburg. The latter will be repeated in Cape Town on 11th June. For bookings, email info@ bouchardfinlayson.co.za, or contact +27 28 312 3515.

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Travel

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Travel

Bushveld Bliss South Africa’s Best Bush Breakaways

With its proliferation of protected natural areas, South Africa boasts an abundance of superb bushveld lodges and camps at which to truly get back to nature – in pure luxury of course. This month we bring you our top bush getaways from across the country.

Text: Nicola Weir Images: © Londolozi, Singita Sabi Sand, Bushman’s Kloof, Virgin, Thanda Private Game Reserve

Ulusaba Sabi Sand Reserve, Mpumalanga Ulusaba, Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve, is located in the Sabi Sand Reserve bordering The Kruger National Park.

Here, guests can enjoy over 13,500 hectares of unspoilt, game-rich bush in near solitude, with two luxurious accommodation options from which to choose: Rock Lodge and Safari Lodge.

Rock Lodge is set against the backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range and the design of each of its rooms has been inspired by different African tribes or region. Cliff Lodge is also located here which houses just two luxurious suites perfect for smaller groups and families.

At Safari Lodge guests can awaken their sense of adventure as they navigate the swing bridges that link each exquisite tree house room. These rooms were built entirely from local and natural materials, and provide an ideal viewing spot to watch elephants, bushbuck, lion and other wildlife pass by. Just above Safari Lodge, is the Treehouse Suite. At this private suite, guests can get up close and personal with hippos and elephants when they come to drink from the nearby dam.

Apart from game drives twice a day as well as a daily bush walk, guests can also soak up the sun by the pool or relax at the Aroma Boma Beauty Treatment Centre. For the more active, the floodlit tennis court and fully equipped gym are available at any time of the day. Guests can visit the wine cellar at Safari Lodge for a spot of wine tasting or go star gazing at the observatory. Cultural, wildlife or scenic tours, including helicopter trips and a tour of the local community, can also be arranged at extra cost.

Dining at Ulusaba is by firelight, candlelight or starlight. Guests can feast on a traditional braai (barbeque) in the heart of the bush, or sample local specialties while watching animals wandering by.

For more information, visit www.ulusaba.virgin.com.

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Travel

Bushman’s Kloof Cederberg, Western Cape Bushmans Kloof is a member of the family-run Red Carnation Hotel Collection and is a sanctuary to more than 755 indigenous plant species representative of three major Biomes, namely Fynbos, Succulent Karoo and Afromontane Forest. It is also situated in the world’s smallest but richest floral kingdom, the Cape Floral Kingdom.

More than 30 rare or endangered plant species are protected at Bushmans Kloof, with many of them occurring nowhere else in the world. Here guests will be able to feast their eyes on the area’s unique floral diversity with flowers in vibrant colours stretching as far as the eye can see.

Bushmans Kloof is also home to over 35 species of mammals, including the rare Cape mountain zebra, along with over 150 kinds of birds. A SA Heritage Site, it bases its entire business ethos on preserving this precious natural environment, while providing guests with the ultimate African wilderness experience in the beautiful surroundings of the Cederberg Wilderness Area.

Guest can enjoy exhilarating outdoor activities such as nature drives, guided rock art excursions (Bushman’s Kloof is custodian to over 130 San rock art sites), botanical walks, rock climbing, archery, fly fishing, yoga sessions and pampering spa treatments.

Crowning the Bushmans Kloof experience is its revered gastronomic, comfort food served at any of the lodge’s spectacular dining venues, which has earned it a place on the coveted Condé Nast Traveller UK Gold List for three years in a row. For more information, visit www.bushmanskloof.co.za.

Granite Suites at Londolozi Kruger National Park, Limpopo Newly refurbished, Londolozi is exclusively family run, and it is thanks to the experience the owners have acquired over the past 30 years, that they are able to offer guests an authentic wilderness experience with all its inherent possibilities for inspiring awe, wonder and fulfilment.

Londolozi’s Private Granite Suites form one of the smallest camps in Africa and provide exclusive and intimate accommodation for groups of six or less. The camp was designed to create spaces of elegant simplicity, where every vista blends seamlessly into nature’s organic design to celebrate the beauty of the camp’s bushveld surroundings.

The spacious suites, stylish in their simplicity, appear as natural extensions of the granite rocks and ancient forest that flank the camp. Vast beds, private meditation decks, different swimming pools in every suite, outside showers suspended over great slabs of granite and an outdoor bath set at the river’s edge complete the tactile pleasures of the suites.

Guests are invited to go beyond the classic game drive to experience bush yoga, meditative walks, animal tracking, wellness therapies, full moon bush dinners, adrenaline adventures and private poolside massages. For more information, visit www.londolozi.com.

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Travel

Boulders Lodge at Singita Sabi Sand Sabi Sands Reserve, Mpumalanga Singita Boulders Lodge is one of three unfenced lodges located at Singita Sabi Sand. It offers rare solitude and the ultimate in safari luxury on prime game viewing land recognised globally for its diversity and formidable concentration of big game and frequent leopard sightings.

Guests can enjoy wraparound views from most parts of the natural stone lodge, and the lookout deck offers the perfect spot from which to observe wildlife along the banks of the Sand River.

Singita Boulders Lodge offers 12 suites, all with their own en suite bathroom and shower, outside shower, private heated swimming pool, double-sided fireplace, mini bar and fridge, air conditioning, overhead fans, private lounge, direct dial telephones and game viewing deck. The main lodge boasts a timber deck lounge and dining areas overlooking the Sand River, a bar area and traditional open boma, gymnasium, health spa, library and wine cellar.

Lodge activities include community tours into neighbouring villages; shopping at the Premier Wine Boutique and the Singita Boutique & Gallery, which stocks a range of African artefacts and curios; and being pampered at the resident spa. For more information, visit www.singita.com. n

Royal Private Villa Thanda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal Thanda is situated in the heart of Zululand and is the essence of the ultimate luxury safari experience with its world-renowned accommodation, excellent game viewing opportunities and superb guest service. Thanda Private Game Reserve is currently one of only two game reserves in the world to hold Leading Hotels of the World status.

Fit for royalty and surrounded by expanses of African bush, The Royal Private Villa at Thanda can accommodate ten guests in five luxuriously appointed suites. Encompassing 1,000 m2, the villa is equipped with a private boma, library, cellar, business room with internet facility, games room, heated swimming pool and a magnificent deck looking out onto a watering hole often visited by all the members of the Big Five.

The spacious and opulent interior of the villa includes a magnificent lounge boasting Afro-chic dĂŠcor, a piano and a fireplace. The beautiful dining room is ideal for family dinners served by the chef who will cater for any dietary requirements.

The five richly decorated and spacious en suite bedrooms are the pinnacle of luxury and each has its own viewing deck. By reserving the villa exclusively, guests are entitled to their own personal game viewing vehicle and game ranger, personal chef and masseuse. For more information, visit www.thanda.com.

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Shumbalala Game Lodge - An African Dream In the vast wilderness of South Africa’s hot northern plains, adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park, deep within an ancient tapestry of natural wonder, you will chance upon SHUMBALALA GAME LODGE. From your early morning game drive or bush walk in the Big 5 Thornybush Game Reserve to lazy afternoons at the pool and a sunset safari, tales of the day are told in the wine cellar as you prepare for a sumptuous dinner fire-side al fresco or candle-lit indoors. Choose from four luxury suites or the Presidential Suite, all of which have private viewing decks and picture window bathrooms.

Wake up knowing that each day will allow for the adventure and peace of Africa to enter your soul – in a place where the lion sleeps.

Reservations – Thornybush Collection: Tel: +27 (0)11 253 6500 • Fax: +27 (0)11 803 7350 • sales@thornybush.co.za

Lodge: Tel: +27 (0)72 8122172 • Fax: 086 6858902 • info@shumbalala.co.za

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Wildlife on the

Wide Angle Top Wildlife Photography Tips

One of the biggest attractions for tourists to South Africa is the magnificent scenery and diverse array of wildlife in our game reserves and national parks. Hand-inhand with this growth in wildlife-related tourism is a massive boom in photography generated by the digital revolution. Many travellers are therefore coming to Africa hoping to capture beautiful images of the wildlife that they see here.

Text: Les Hex Images Š Eco Training

Lex Hes from Eco Training, the pioneer and leader in field guide and nature training, gives us his top tips for getting that perfect wildlife shot.

Telephoto Lenses For wildlife photographs to work, you have to more or less fill the frame with the animal that you are photographing.

This means that you should, at the very least, have a compact camera with a 5x zoom lens and at best, a single lens reflex camera that can accept a variety of lenses including telephoto lenses of up to at least 200 mm focal length. Lenses like this will bring the subject closer to you and give your wildlife photos more impact.

Get to Eye-level or Lower Viewers relate better to the subject matter in your photograph when they are able to look into the eyes of the animal at or below the same eye-level. Viewing an animal from above can make the subject look small and insignificant but seeing the animal at eye-level puts the viewer on the same level as the animal. Viewing the animal from below makes the subject look bigger and more powerful which increases the impact of the picture.

Watch the Background The background of a photograph is often overlooked by amateur photographers. In order for your photo to have

more impact, the background behind the subject should not distract the eye. Wildlife photos are particularly susceptible to disturbing or busy backgrounds as they typically include branches, twigs, grasses, shadows and bright skies. By moving backwards, forwards or up and down, the photographer makes it possible to move distracting backgrounds in relation to the subject so that they disappear. A dark shadow behind your subject can make the subject stand out in sharp contrast to the background, which makes a bigger impact.

Depth-of-field If your camera has the facility to do this, backgrounds can be made less distracting by using a shallow depth-offield. This throws the background completely out of focus and allows your subject to take centre stage. The part of the camera which changes depth-of-field is the aperture which is measured in f-stops (eg. 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22). An f-stop of 2,8 creates a much shallower depth of field than an f-stop of 22.

Highlights in the Eye Always remember that a photograph is an inanimate object, but that the subject that you are photographing is a living thing. The challenge is to make the animal look as alive as possible. One way of doing this is to ensure that there is always a highlight of some sort in the animal’s eye. This can be a sharp reflection of the sun, or it can be the reflection of a

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soft cloudy sky in the eye. If you cannot get a highlight using the natural light, you can always use flash to create one.

Lighting Soft, warmer, lower contrast light creates more aesthetically pleasing photographs than cold, harsh, bright, high-contrast light. So always try and do your wildlife photography in the early mornings or late afternoons when the sun is at its lowest angle. Photographers often talk about the golden hours of the day (the first and last hours of the day when the sunlight is at it warmest and softest). Avoid taking pictures in the middle of the day when the sun is high above you.

Take Lots of Photographs Many photographers will take many mediocre photos of animals in situations which are often not ideal for good photography. The light may not be right, the backgrounds too disturbing or the animal is not in the right position.

Instead of ending up being disappointed, rather wait for situations where everything is right and then take lots and lots of photographs. You will be less disappointed this way and will increase your chances of catching that moment in time when an ordinary photo becomes a great one.

Experiment When confronted with a good photographic situation, experiment. That is one of the joys of digital photography.

You can experiment with lighting changes, using the flash, changing angles and settings – and you get to see the results immediately. Shoot pictures in vertical and horizontal format and, if you have the facility, change lenses and shoot wideangle, telephoto and everything in between. Use your flash to try and get different lighting effects. This experimentation can lead to different and unique photographs.

Get to Know Your Subject Matter If you want to get serious about wildlife photography, you should read up and learn as much as you possibly can about Africa’s wild animals. The more you know, the greater your chances of being able to predict situations which could lead to good photographs.

Patience A hallmark of a successful wildlife photographer is patience. Be prepared to sit for long periods of time with animals while you wait for all of the above factors to come together to produce that prize-winning photograph.

One Final Tip: Be There!

All the tips in the world cannot lead to good wildlife photographs unless you get yourself into our game reserves and national parks. Visit our wildlife areas as often as you can. You will build up photographic experience and you will get to know where the best photographic spots are.

Visit www.ecotraining.co.za for information on Eco Training’s Wildlife Photography Courses. n

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Travel

Surf and Turf Bush and Beach Breakaways

For many, the idea of a bush holiday and a beach holiday are usually mutually exclusive, but not in KwaZulu-Natal. In this tropical seaside province you can go game viewing in the morning and then dip your toes in the ocean in the afternoon.

Text: Nicky Furniss Images: Š Nicky Furniss, Nambiti Private Game Reserve & The Oyster Box Hotel

Bush Breakaway Just three hours from Durban or four from Johannesburg lies Nambiti Private Game Reserve, an 11,000 hectare Big Five reserve near Ladysmith. Thanks to its accessible, malaria-free location, Nambiti is an ideal choice for families or couples looking to get away for a quiet bush break.

Visitors are also spoilt for choice when it comes to

Umhlanga’s Oyster Box Hotel has been a favourite destination for decades, and after a major refurbishment, is now more stylish than ever before

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accommodation, with no less than ten lodges on the reserve to choose from. These vary in price from self-catering to five-star, and offer a variety of accommodation options from safari tents and old farmhouses to modern bush lodges with dramatic settings perched on cliffs overlooking the Sundays River, bordering waterholes frequented by game or boasting panoramic views of the surrounding plains.

Travel Nambiti Private Game Reserve is home not only to the Big Five but also to a variety of other animals, including giraffe, antelope, hippo and jackal.

Irrespective of where visitors choose to stay, all ten lodges have access to the reserve, which is undoubtedly Nambiti’s main attraction. Nambiti’s land was originally used for cattle farming, but since its conversion into a game reserve 12 years ago, its proprietors have worked tirelessly to rid it of invasive species and to reintroduce indigenous plants. This has encouraged the return of many of the birds and smaller animals that used to call this area home. Larger animals and predators have also been reintroduced over the years so that, as well as the Big Five, Nambiti also boasts cheetah, eland, wildebeest, jackal and giraffe, amongst other species.

Early morning and afternoon game drives are ideal for becoming better acquainted with Nambiti’s many inhabitants, and on lucky days you may be rewarded with a sighting of a fresh lion kill or even the remnants of one being picked over by a lone jackal. You will listen quietly for the distinctive click of the eland’s hooves as it walks, coo over a baby giraffe or even – as we did – be rewarded with a sighting of an elusive serval cat while sipping hot chocolate during the morning tea stop.

When not game viewing or gorging yourself on delicious lodge food, there are a variety of other activities to keep the family entertained, including fishing, lounging by the pool or opting for a pampering spa treatment at one of the lodges. Nambiti is also in the heart of battlefields country. In fact, the Anglo Boer battle of Elandslaagte took place just outside the reserve’s northern gate. Visitors can explore Elandslaagte on their own or sign up for a battlefields tour, which takes in a number of sites in the area, including the Anglo Zulu battlefields of Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana.

Another must for families is a visit to the Le Sueur Cheetah and Wildlife Centre, which is located within the reserve. Here visitors can interact with a variety of cats – including cheetah, leopard, serval and caracal – many of which were rescued or orphaned at a young age and, once rehabilitated, will be released into the wild again. The centre also has its own cheetah breeding programme and it is the highlight of any trip to Nambiti to play with these energetic cubs. Interested visitors can also sign up for a two hour cheetah walk which forms part of the young cheetahs' education into the world of hunting. Another favourite inhabitant of the centre is little Zulu, the meerkat, who was rescued from a veld fire. He is well and truly part of the family here, and makes a point of ingratiating himself to visitors – particularly ladies – by curling up on their laps!

For more information on Nambiti Private Game Reserve, visit www.nambiti.com.

Thanks to sensitive management, Nambiti Private Game Reserve now boasts a greater carrying capacity than even Botswana or the Kruger National Park

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Beach Bliss The perfect counterpoint to a couple of days in the bush is undoubtedly the fresh breeze and cool water of KwaZulu-Natal’s picturesque coastline, and Umhlanga Rocks in particular.

The red and white striped Umhlanga lighthouse stands guard over the beach, which is always a hive of activity, from sunbathers and swimmers to fishermen hoping to haul in a good catch. The pier – with its striking whale bone sides – is a perfect spot from which to enjoy the view of the cargo ships chugging to and from Durban harbour, or for spotting the odd dolphin surfing on the waves. On either side of the pier, the paved promenade stretches the length of the beach and is perfect for a stroll, jog or cycle. During the holidays, there are lots of kids' activities on offer, and with the Gateway Theatre of Shopping just up the road, there is plenty to keep the family entertained on a rainy day.

The jewel in the crown of Umhlanga’s offering, however, is undoubtedly the Oyster Box Hotel – an Umhlanga institution since it first opened in 1947. The hotel was rebuilt three years ago when it was taken over by The Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and is now even more worthy of its iconic status.

While being able to call one of the hotel's 86 beautifully appointed rooms, suites or even garden villas yours for a couple of days is the ultimate prize, the hotel also has lots on offer for day visitors, especially in the way of sumptuous dining.

A relaxed breakfast under the beachy red umbrellas of the Ocean Terrace is the perfect way to start the day – especially as guests are spoilt for choice with a lavish continental and hot breakfast buffet that will have you going back for seconds more than once. Another “must” is The Oyster Box’s famous afternoon tea (think heavenly cakes and pastries, cheese boards and cucumber sandwiches), which is served in the Palm Court and is accompanied by rose patterned china and the twinkling sounds of the resident grand piano. In the evening, visitors can sample the hotel’s signature Umhlanga Schling cocktail in the Lighthouse Bar, before heading downstairs to enjoy the hotel’s popular curry buffet. With a selection of curries from around the world, as well as an authentic Tandoori oven, this is the ideal place to truly savour some of KwaZulu-Natal’s Indian heritage.

The hotel’s award-winning spa is also open to the public, but hotel guests are the ones who really get the royal treatment – especially those of the younger variety. All children under the age of 16 are given a backpack of essential holiday items when they check in, and are also entitled to yummy complementary goodies such as milk shakes, ice creams and toffee apples during their stay. There is a children’s playroom complete with games and DVDs, and special activities (such as storytelling and face painting) are hosted during holiday periods. All guests have access to the hotel’s very own private cinema, which screens movies every day and comes complete with a glorious selection of yummy nibbles to enjoy during the screening.

Kids will also love the fact that complementary jars of sweet treats are liberally dotted throughout the hotel. When scouting for these, they can also be on the lookout for Skabenga, the beloved hotel cat, who also has his own Facebook page.

While the kids are off exploring, Mum and Dad can do

some exploring of their own, as it’s always fun to try and spot which celebrity, politician or business powerhouse has booked into the Presidential Suite that week. Alternatively, there is always a pool to lounge next to, a spa treatment to indulge in or the option of retiring to the Clock Library to enjoy a quiet drink and a good book.

For more information on the Oyster Box Hotel, visit www.oysterboxhotel.com. n

The Oyster Box’s daily evening curry buffet is the best way to savour the Indian flavours KwaZulu-Natal is famous for, while the kid’s playroom keeps younger guests thoroughly entertained

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Bush Etiquette Safari Do’s and Don’ts

A visit to one of Africa’s many beautiful game reserves is, for many tourists, the culmination of a life-long dream. Here is our guide to everything you need to know to ensure that your first safari experience more than lives up to the dream.

Text: Nicky Furniss Image: ©iStockphoto.com

Going to an onsen or hot spring in Japan is second nature to most Japanese. For visitors, however, a trip to an onsen can be riddled with all manner of social faux pas if the procedure (which may seem completely counter-intuitive to most western thinking) is not carefully explained. There is the whole public nudity thing of course, then the fact that you need to wash before getting into the bath as opposed to in it, plus of course the very real possibility of bringing shame both to yourself and

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to successive generations of your family by – heaven forbid – dipping your washcloth in the bath water! All of these rules are normal to the average Japanese person, but often need to be explained to everyone else.

The same can be said for heading into one of Africa’s many beautiful game reserves – whether to drive yourself around the park, join a guided game walk or hitch a ride on a game viewing vehicle. For those of us lucky enough to have

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spent family holidays ogling elephants from the back of the family car, while munching on mom’s homemade crunchies, the rules of what to do in a game reserve are a part of us as those crunchies once were. But for many of the wonderful tourists we welcome every year, they may not be, so here is a brief outline of the do’s and don’ts of heading out into the African bush.

Be Prepared Many of Africa’s game reserves fall into high malaria areas, so be sure to check whether the area you will be visiting is affected, and if so begin a course of anti-malaria drugs before arriving.

Also be sure – once all the excitement is over and you’re on your way back home – to take those last few tablets in the course.

This may make the difference between bringing home some fun souvenirs or something altogether more unpleasant. With this in mind, also be sure to pack insect repellent, mosquito coils or citronella candles, as well as long-sleeved shirts and long pants for when the mozzies move in come sundown.

Long sleeves (plus windbreakers and warm jackets) are also a good idea for early morning game drives which can be punishingly cold in open-top vehicles, particularly in winter. Closed shoes are a good idea when visiting a game reserve and particularly if you are joining open-top game drives or guided walks. For the latter, hiking boots are recommended – as are long pants (to keep off the ticks and the bugs when passing through long grass) and long-sleeved shirts (for keeping off the sun). Sunscreen is a must wherever you are travelling in Africa, as are caps or hats (which are also handy on open-top drives to keep your hair from whipping back and forth like Willow Smith’s!).

While it’s not necessary to whip out the camo, or the pith helmets and khaki safari suits (unless you want the locals to snigger at you), it’s a good idea to wear muted colours, particularly on guided walks. Many animals are colour-blind, but those that aren’t may be startled – or even intrigued – by bright colours – and intriguing a predator is not necessarily something you would want to do when traipsing through the bush!

Getting Acquainted with the Animals For many people, going on an African safari is the culmination of a life-long dream. But while you are most certainly guaranteed to see some animals, do arrive with realistic expectations. Game reserves are not zoos, where you can quickly tick off one species after another. Here you have to look for them (often very hard) and at the end of the day, you may have seen all of the Big Five plus a wild dog and some elusive caracal, or you may return having seen nothing but a pair of impala. But then, that’s half the fun – it’s like getting a lucky packet at Christmas: you never quite know what you’re going to get, but if it’s a good one, it can be really good!

Never feed any animals in a game reserve – even that cute little Vervet monkey that keeps tapping on your window.

Feeding the monkeys makes them a nuisance, while feeding other animals may affect their eating habits or place you in danger. Speaking of the monkeys, if the camp or lodge you are staying in cautions you about closing windows and doors – do it,

otherwise you will have only yourself to blame when you come back to find your room ransacked!

Many camps are not fenced so be aware when walking around during the day – although it is quite fun to come out of your room to find a warthog scuttling by, or a kudu nibbling on some leaves. Also allow the rangers to walk you to and from your room at night. Many of Africa’s predators are nocturnal and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Never underestimate an animal. Just because it’s cute does not mean it is tame, or won’t bite, kick or claw you should you come too close. A game reserve is an ideal place for that old adage: “Look, but don’t touch!”

Game Viewing Etiquette When driving yourself around a game reserve, only ever get out of the car at designated game viewing hides and ablution blocks, and when you do, do so with caution. The African bush is not an ideal place to just pop behind a tree to relieve yourself – there are many dangerous things that could be waiting for you if you do.

When you come across something particularly interesting – such as a fresh lion kill – bush etiquette dictates that you are welcome to park and watch for as long as you like, until someone else drives by. When the cars start to gather, take a last look and move on to let someone else have a peek at the action.

The same can be said for open-top game vehicles. If you are going on a number of game drives over a few days with other guests from your lodge, be courteous and rotate seats each drive.

There are positives and negatives to every seat in a game viewing vehicle – you get the best view from the back row, but also most of the bumps (not pleasant when you have just slugged a big mug of tea and the next loo stop is over an hour away!); the front row offers the most wind protection and allows you to hear all the wonderful animal facts the guides often impart; while the middle row has a bit of everything.

Also be courteous when photographing and watching game.

If the action is on your side of the vehicle, be sure to crouch or move out of the way after a few minutes to allow those around you to see too.

Game viewing is by nature, a quiet pursuit as wild animals are often spooked by noises that are unnatural to them. That said, never bring a cell phone on a game drive or walk, talk softly at all times and above all refrain from shouting “OMG! There’s a lion!” at the top of your lungs. Even if it’s your very first lion and you’re very excited, keep the shouting until later otherwise the lion could very likely set off in the opposite direction and all your excitement will be for nothing. With this in mind, if it is possible to switch off your camera’s sounds, do so. Never use your flash when photographing animals – it can be very disorientating for them, particularly at night.

Finally, when all else fails, just listen to your ranger or guide – they are the professionals after all, and besides, it’s never a good idea to argue with a guy with a gun! And above all, relish every minute of your bush experience – Africa is a special place and now you get to be a part of it too. n

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Freedom in the

Heart of the City The Inkululeko Community Centre

Children that were once seen loitering in the city streets after school, now have the Inkululeko Community Centre to call their second home.

Text: Liandri Pretorius Images: Š Inkululeko Community Centre

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Situated in Salvokop, Pretoria Central, this non-profit programme has been up and running since 2000. After a community survey revealed that many children were left roaming the streets alone after school because their parents were at work, the Inkululeko Community Centre was established to serve as an afterschool refuge for these children.

Today, Pastor Joel Mxolisi Mayephu is the co-ordinator of the Inkululeko Community Centre. He joined the management team in late 2004, following his wife’s example when she became involved with the Tshwane Leadership Foundation.

The Inkululeko Community Centre is a programme run by the Tshwane Leadership Foundation, which also oversees many other programmes which aim to help people in the community who are in need.

The Tshwane Leadership Foundation was founded 20 years ago by six inner-city churches. Together, they operate projects such as The Potter’s House, which helps at-risk women and children, and the Lerato (“Love”) House, that has helped more than a thousand girls to date who were in need of shelter, safety and education.

Educating the Youth of Tomorrow Besides serving as a church, the Inkululeko Community Centre has a day care centre and they offer primary school learners help with their homework at the Homework Help Centre.

The Inkululeko Day Care Centre provides pre-school education for 60 children, many of whom would otherwise be left home alone as their parents have no one to care for their children during the day. “There were a lot of children at risk due to their parents having to work and leaving their children locked in their shacks or rooms,” explains Pastor Joel.

Inkululeko is partly funded by the Department of Social Development, but this is not nearly enough to cover all of the centre’s costs. “We get other funding from churches, individuals and some pre-schools in Germany as well as two funding institutions,” says Pastor Joel. “This funding is not sustainable; hence we operate on a sliding scale.”

The centre also relies on income generated from renting out the facility for weddings and funerals, renting out tables and chairs, and offering Internet services at a nominal fee.

Free to Decide “Inkululeko” – Zulu for “freedom” – epitomises what the centre aims to achieve. While almost all of the children at the day care centre come from disadvantaged backgrounds, they are enabled to reach their full potential when they are old enough to go to school.

Many of the learners who were enrolled here as toddlers, now come to the Homework Help Centre after school. Currently the Homework Help Centre caters to 43 schoolchildren at the Jopie Fourie Primary School, the only primary school in the community.

It’s not all work and no play, though. Every Friday, the learners from the Homework Help Centre get the opportunity to enjoy books and toys provided by the Toy and Book Library, which they operate from a container.

Older children are also able to join clubs at the community centre. Children can be a part of the Swimming Club (Inkululeko has the only swimming pool in Salvokop), where they take part in a water safety and skills development programme. Aspiring little actors can join the Drama Club and the Library Club is designed to keep bookworms entertained.

Healing the Community “I have learnt that I can become a healer. Through reaching out to wounded communities I have discovered my own God-given talents, weaknesses and strengths,” says Pastor Joel. He says that the challenges people face, are common everywhere and that the people facing those challenges can conquer their problems when they look within themselves for solutions.

Inkululeko is currently trying to raise R2 million to develop their property to help more learners with homework, provide a proper Internet café and tea garden and improve the kitchen and the sleeping space at the day care centre. However, the Tshwane Leadership Foundation is currently in dire straits financially, which directly affects the Inkululeko Community Centre. As a result, some of its social programmes are at risk of being discontinued in the future.

For more information, contact +27 12 320 2123, email info@tlf.org.za, or visit www.tlf.org.za. n

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Africa’s Eden The Chobe National Park

Abundant birdlife, swathes of lush riverfront scenery and enough animals to trip over, make Botswana’s Chobe National Park one of the most idyllic and rewarding game viewing spots in Southern Africa.

Text & Images: © Nicky Furniss

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Travel The Chobe River adds a splash of colour to the otherwise bleached Botswana landscape and attracts a host of animal and bird life to its banks and islands

Arriving in Botswana from neighbouring Livingstone can be deceptive. It involves a boat ride across the wide, blue expanse of the Zambezi River, which divides Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia. As the driver kicks the speed boat into top gear, a fine mist of spray from the river is a welcome relief from the African heat.

Surrounded by all this blue wetness, one can’t help thinking that you will be met on the other side by lush tropical greenness.

Nothing could be further from the truth as you sink into the soft sand on the Botswana side of the river. While Zambia boasts green leaves and sprouting fields, Botswana at the end of the dry season is just that – and bone rattlingly so. What little greenery there is, has either been stripped of its colour by the heat or coated in a fine layer of brown dust, like everything here. Even the trees look so brittle and sapped of moisture that a strong puff of wind seems likely to turn them to dust too.

And so, an hour or so later after you pass through the gates of the Chobe National Park, your first glimpses of blue and green seem so improbable that you hardly believe your eyes. Rising out of the surrounding desert, the Chobe River cuts a swathe through the dusty landscape, bringing with it lush green islands and verdant river banks.

These islands are so lush and improbable in their surroundings that they appear as a mirage out of the shimmering heat waves that crinkle the air. But as you drive closer, you realise that not only is what you are seeing real, but that it is also teeming with wildlife.

Animals fill the riverbanks, flood plains and islands by the hundreds. Herds of antelope munch grass alongside zebras and warthogs, while baboons play lookout in the surrounding trees.

Hippos happily galumph in the shallows, crocodiles sun themselves on the riverbanks, and kingfishers dart in and out of the water with tiny silver fish in their beaks. If Noah was filling an arc of animals two

by two, this would undoubtedly be the place to do it!

The Chobe National Park is one of the largest national parks in Botswana, and covers approximately 10,500 km². Due to its sheer size, the park can be divided into four sections, each characterised by its own distinct ecosystem. These are: the Serondela or Chobe riverfront area in the far north-east corner of the park; the Savuti Marsh in the west; the Linyati Swamps in the north-west; and the dry hinterland region between Savuti and Linyati.

The most popular area of the park is undoubtedly the Serondela area, and in particular the stretch of park that lies between the town of Kasane and the Chobe River. This is partly due to the fact that it is so easily accessed from neighbouring Zambia (it is a two hour journey from Livingstone Airport), but also because of its namesake, the Chobe River, which flows along the border of the park and is a major watering spot for the park’s resident animals, particularly during the dry season (May through October). The area also boasts forests of hardwood trees and abundant birdlife, and its flood plains are the only place in Botswana where visitors can see Puku antelope.

Then there is also the fact that the park boasts one of the largest concentrations of game anywhere in Africa. So much so, that game guides here merely have to drive and point, as every turn in the road or bend in the river yields up another miraculous sighting.

Boat safaris offer wonderfully up close and personal sightings of both the river’s inhabitants and those that are drawn to it. There is nothing quite like sitting quietly watching an iguana sun itself on an outstretched ledge of riverbank, while a nonchalant buffalo peers down at you from a slope above as it chews sedately on a piece of grass. Or witnessing the odd juxtaposition of a majestic fish eagle perched on a dead tree stump, while behind it domestic cattle wander the river bank. (Our guide was quick to point out, though,

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A family of elephants swims across the Chobe River in order to feast on the sweet grass on one of its many islands

Only in Africa: a fish eagle perches on a tree stump, while domestic cattle graze in the background

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that this only happens on the seemingly “lawless” Namibian side of the river!)

Everywhere you look there is birdlife. Carmine bee eaters chase their prey in a whirl of constant flutter and activity, while storks and cranes wade through the shallows looking for their next meal.

And then there are the elephants. Impossible to miss due to their sheer size, true, but in the Chobe they are impossible to miss quite simply because they are everywhere. The Chobe National Park is a paradise for those passionate about pachyderms, as the population of these gentle giants has been allowed to grow unchecked here – to the extent that there are now an estimated 120,000 of them in the park! And even when you aren’t tripping over the ellies themselves, you are often surrounded by their handiwork, usually in the form of stripped and battered trees, the saddest of which have to be the majestic baobabs that dot this part of Botswana. Towering above the landscape they have watched over for often centuries, these trees are undoubtedly some of Africa’s most iconic and imposing. This is why it is sad to see their huge trunks nibbled away to tiny waists just waiting to topple over, or to see massive specimens that have finally succumbed, lying prone on the ground.

It is because of this, as well as the general damage to the vegetation that the elephants inflict, that many people believe the park should put measures in place to control the population. It is an understandably sensitive subject, however, and one which the government is not quite ready to broach. So in the meantime the elephants will remain kings of this African oasis, and visitors to the park can revel in some of the best sightings of these animals anywhere on the continent.

One of the most memorable sights has to be seeing a family of elephants swim across the expanse of the Chobe River to reach the sweet green grass of one of its many islands. As they congregate at the water’s edge, the largest among them usually leads the way and plunges into the water while the others fall in behind in single file, from largest to smallest, like something out of a Disney movie. In a perfect straight line, the leader plunges deeper and deeper, until the water forms a perfect plimsoll line across his head, with just the tips of his ears and the top of his head visible. The smaller ellies are forced to swim, and after a while all that can be seen of the babies is their trunks sticking out of the water as they paddle along in the parents’ wake, until finally they can huff and puff themselves out of the water on the other side – slick and black from the water – with sweet green grass as their reward.

Watching this is one of the great African experiences, and one which a trip to Africa’s Eden, The Chobe National Park, will certainly give you – along with many more. n

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Back in Time to a Bygone Era

Hayward’s Grand Safari Events & Expeditions

Hayward’s Grand Safari Company creates incredible luxury tented camps on demand.

These camps seek to celebrate the grand tradition of the romantic and adventurous safari expeditions of yesteryear.

Text: Nicola Weir Images © Hayward’s Safaris

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Hayward’s expertise lies in the art of producing and managing top-drawer tented camp experiences for large groups within Big Five game reserves and wilderness regions throughout southern Africa. Their client base includes local and international opinion leaders, celebrities and private business tycoons.

In these remote locations, Hayward’s and its selected partners execute their clients’ wildest dreams from start to finish, including vivid stage performances, delectable catering and hair-raising adventure filled activities.

Rated annually by the South African Tourism Grading Council as a five-star establishment, Hayward’s Grand Safari Events and Expeditions is the only officially rated mobile tented camp experience on the continent.

They cater for a maximum of ten safari events and expeditions per year to ensure that their clients receive only the most focused and dedicated service.

Able to accommodate up to 200 guests, Hayward’s ventures into southern African wilderness areas not accessible to the general public, to ensure total exclusivity and a completely bespoke experience. Hayward’s can set up on a client’s own property, or head to one of Africa’s amazing phenomena such as the annual wild flower display in Namaqualand, or the amazing wildebeest migrations in Tanzania and Kenya. South Africa and its neighbouring territories offer a magnificent array of choice for those in search of something unforgettable.

The locations used are exquisite and remote, and often Hayward’s camps are the first activity a region has

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seen in over 100 years. Having said this, however, being eco-friendly, sustainable and socially responsible is central to the company. Each five-star rated camp is a once off, sustainable and eco-friendly venue which offers guests legacy building interactions with wildlife, land custodians and park wardens.

Guests are accommodated in luxury tents that boast first class furnishings and amenities. Meals are hosted in larger tents that play the role of main lodge in the campsite. Here, guests can look forward to delectable African inspired cuisine, riveting entertainment and of course, obligatory G & Ts at sunset.

Hayward’s Grand Safari Events & Expeditions is a privately owned company under the directorship of Peter JW Hayward who has an extensive track record in the design and management of big safari camp operations. For more information, visit www.haywardsafaris.com. n

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Travel

A Little

Je Ne Sais Quoi Franschhoek Country House and Villas

The Franschhoek Country House and Villas is a charming gem in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley. This five-star establishment mirrors the French charisma that has made this town such a historically important spot for three centuries. Every feature of the hotel is carefully crafted to give guests a genuine sense of being part of Franschhoek’s French heritage. The cobbled streets, fountains and old stone buildings make the establishment one of the most charming, and finest, in the country.

Text & Images: Š Franschhoek Villas

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Travel

Four room types are available at the Franschhoek Country House and Villas. Many features are standard to all, including complimentary WiFi internet access and air conditioning. The De Luxe Rooms are renovated portions of the historic manor house, and come complete with en suite bathrooms, lounges and private balconies, as well as all of the amenities one would expect from a five-star establishment.

The Luxury Rooms are more spacious and boast under floor heating, a fireplace, private patio and lavish lounge area.

The Garden Cottages are child friendly, with two floors in each. Private patios and balconies ensure that there is enough space for the whole family, and all can truly relax in the peaceful garden surroundings. Finally, the Villa Suites are the newest and most luxurious

offerings in the hotel. Each villa covers 100 m², and has a spacious lounge, dining room, fireplace and two private balconies.

To top off the retreat experience, the in-house spa offers a range of massage and beauty treatments. Full body massages, reflexology, body wraps and facials are just the beginning – the hotel has also developed a number of signature treatments for both women and men. The spa is intimate and welcoming, and the professional pampering staff will guarantee the best possible experience.

The hotel also boasts the award-winning Monneaux Restaurant. Executive chef Louis Jansen serves up truly inspired creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch

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on the fountain terrace is a delightful way to pass the afternoon, while dinner in the refined and elegant manor house dining room makes it clear why the restaurant has won numerous awards over the years. The underground cellar is ideal for private dinners with an extra-special feel, surrounded by some of the best South African and international wines, many made in the Franschhoek Valley. If exploring more of the region’s culinary pleasures is on your list of things to do, the hotel staff will book wine tastings and make reservations at restaurants around Franschhoek on your behalf, and the free shuttle service will take you there.

Should you wish to combine business with pleasure; the Franschhoek Country House and Villas will cater for your every business need. The conference facilities include all the best technology needed to make a meeting successful and impressive. Data projectors, high speed internet access and televisions are just some of the features available in the opulent boardroom. The hotel staff will also gladly make any special arrangements needed for your function.

Any visit to the beautiful Franschhoek Valley is guaranteed to be made even more memorable by staying at the Franschhoek Country House and Villas.

For reservations, or to make an enquiry, contact +27 21 876 3386, email info@fch.co.za or visit www.fch.co.za. n

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Chef

Pizza with Pizzazz

Burrata

A handsome Italian restaurant in Cape Town’s Biscuit Mill development combines the casual ease of a classic pizzeria with the professionalism of fine dining.

Text: Nikki Werner Images: © Burrata

As one walks into Burrata, a certain mood can be felt. It is created by the strip-lighting in a lamp of soldier-straight wine bottles (a nod to owner Neil Grant’s sommelier credentials), the accents of lipstick-red pepper grinders and the over-locked edges of thick, button-holed napkins. It is masculine, from the heavy cutlery, to the rough cut logs used to feed the heat haze of the Naples-built pizza oven. It is the kind of feel you might expect if a slick Italian – the kind who likes his suits tailored – opened a steakhouse. Except Burrata serves Neapolitan-style pizza.

In South Africa there are many steakhouses and pizzerias, but there is not much between casual dining and fine dining.

Owner Neil, however, often wondered why there should not be attention to detail, a certain class of dining or a special glass of wine on a casual night out. And so he opened Burrata.

It is a name well suited to explaining the restaurant’s particular style of food. Burrata is a cheese that is both artisan and of the moment; an orb of mozzarella that spills cream when split. It has been crafted in Italy’s South for generations and more recently has become de rigueur among Cape Town’s food cognoscenti.

The nuts and bolts of Burrata’s pizza are rooted in handmade tradition, with Neil’s business partner, Barry

Engelbrecht, travelling from Neapolitan pizzeria Da Michele to New York’s Kesté to perfect the ideal cold-fermented base. Head chef, Annemarie Steenkamp, is also a master of conjuring up modern interpretations of Italian classics, such as elegant folds of free-form lasagne layered with smoky aubergine and sweet onion puree.

Annemarie tells me diners complained when her risotto of preserved lemon, bone marrow and caramelised onions went off the menu to make way for a new one. “But twice as many people love the crispy pork and Granny Smith risotto,” she adds. I am one of them. It is showered with fine pork crackling, so what’s not to love?

Born in Klerksdorp and raised on a staunchly Transvaal diet of vleis, reis en aartappels (meat, rice and potatoes), Annemarie cut her teeth during five years at Franschhoek hotel and restaurant Le Quartier Français (which is currently on San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list) as sous chef to Margot Janse. She also cites Heston Blumenthal as her inspiration. “I would love to walk around in his mind, just for one day,” she says.

This is why at Burrata you might find pasta topped with cured egg yolk, as opposed to Parmesan. A bright, translucent

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Chef

orange and essentially “cooked” in salt and sugar, this firm yolk is grated over Cavatelli – a shape Annemarie describes as “like a mini hotdog roll, cut open” – with semi-roasted tomatoes, olives, basil and roast quail as an extension of the eggs used in the pasta dough.

The fresh pastas produced in Burrata’s kitchen work off four different recipes, each a variation on the combination of flour, semolina, eggs, olive oil and salt. From these recipes they make a pliable, egg-rich dough for filled pastas, a sheet pasta that is turned into papardelle for slow-cooked short ribs, and a squid ink-stained tagliatelle nero that is tangled with West Coast mussels.

In 2009 Annemarie accompanied Margot to Italy to cook for SA Tourism’s big build-up to the soccer World Cup. And in Rivena, under the stern tutelage of a chef called Patrizio, Annemarie received an education in knowing her tortellini (looks like a belly button) from her cappalletti (looks like a pope’s hat). “No no! Not tortellini! Cap-pa-LET-ti!” was Patrizio’s lament.

Annemarie remembers the Italian chefs on duty rolling out a daily sit-down lunch of “gigantic bowls of pasta with bread and meat and wine” – a spirit that is very much present in Burrata in its generous plates of risotto.

When she was not working, Annemarie would defer to the waiters in the local restaurants. “You tell me what to have,” she would say, often landing the winning order. Her most memorable was fresh porcini mushrooms, thinly sliced, with coarse salt, olive oil and shavings of Grana Padano. “It was amazing,” she recalls.

Her appreciation for fresh, delicious ingredients is evident in her seasonal specials, such as grilled asparagus with pine nut and caper berry vinaigrette and shaved prosciutto. It is also evident in the images on her phone – all food pictures, naturally – including a pan of frying mushrooms, or an enormous onion at a food market in Canada. “It was snow white, and just the most beautiful onion you ever saw,” she enthuses.

Annemarie even sees beauty in the much maligned Brussels sprout. She separates the leaves and scatters them like petals across a pizza to be charred by the 480 °C pizza oven, where it will rub shoulders with glamorous companions like pancetta lardons and straciatella – the shredded-mozzarella-and-cream heart of burrata – mixed with lemon juice and vodka.

Outside of the pizza menu, Annemarie’s clean, precise plating hints at the exacting standards she internalised while working at Le Quartier Française.

But when Annemarie talks about her family, she relaxes into a smile, “We’re like a Greek family… At breakfast we talk about what we’re having for lunch, and at lunch we talk about what we’re having for dinner.” Greek, perhaps, but also truly Italian.

Burrata is located at The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Friday 12h00 to 22h00, and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 17h00 and from 18h30 to 22h00. For more information, phone +27 21 447 6505 or visit www.burrata.co.za. n

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Feature

Travelled Roads less

Off-Road Academies

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Feature

Off-Road Academies ensure that 4x4 owners and enthusiasts can learn how to get the most enjoyment out of their vehicles – without any nasty surprises along the way.

Text: Bernard K Hellberg Images © Continental Off-Road Academy & The Land Rover Experience

South African off-road enthusiasts are fortunate in that the subcontinent offers terrain for every conceivable type of driving preference. Whether the rugged Richtersveld, Baboon’s Pass in Lesotho or legal beach driving in Mozambique, choices are varied and many.

This then, is the reason why off-road driving conditions demand a comprehensive set of skills, because being good on

sand will not necessarily equip the driver for the demands of mud or steep rocky inclines. And, let’s face it, most off-road vehicles – whether the tiny but competent little Suzuki Jimny or the latest Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen – represent a substantial financial investment and it would be plain silly to risk losing such a vehicle merely because the owner did not deem it necessary to get to know the vehicle properly.

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Luckily, there are as many academies out there as there are types of terrain and each can take you from the basics of your off-road vehicle all the way to being an advanced off-road driving expert.

The Land Rover Experience offers various levels of specialised training. Located in four centres – two in Gauteng at Kyalami and Gerotek, one in the Western Cape and one in KwaZulu-Natal – their training is aimed at Land Rover owners who would like to get maximum enjoyment from their vehicle by becoming acquainted with the basics of route planning; tackling steep obstacles such as side slopes, ruts and ditches; as well as water and mud obstacles. This is all covered in their Level 1 Experience which is offered as a complimentary gift by the selling dealer.

Level 2 training takes the process further with the addition of winching, expedition skills and GPS navigation – after all, getting back is as important as getting there in the first place.

Because of the versatile go-anywhere nature of these vehicles, owners can also opt to go for defensive driving training where they will also be able to hone their anti-hijacking skills.

The Land Rover Experience venues are not limited to Land Rover owners only. So, regardless of make, skilled trainers are available to improve your skills – turning that visit to the rugged bush into less of a “sweaty palm” affair.

Another major player in off-road training is the Continental Off-Road Academy which hosts, among others, the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists. Established in 1990, Continental has been involved with major events such as the Survivor Africa series, the Toyota Ruff Stuff Challenge, and the Malaysian Rainforest Challenge.

All their courses begin with a one-hour presentation before

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you enter the classroom – your 4x4 vehicle and Continental Academy’s mobile classroom of choice is Isuzu. Once you are in your vehicle, you will go through practical activities including ascending, descending and personal safety hints (which do not include sending women and children to gauge the depth of rivers and streams before attempting to cross!).

Other important aspects covered at the Continental Academy include tyre care and knowing how to adjust the pressure; the use of low-range and diff-lock (a constant mystery to the uninitiated); playing in mud holes and the correct use of recovery straps.

For obvious reasons, another major tyre manufacturer, Goodyear, has joined forces with Klipbokkop 4x4 Academy near Worcester. Under the expert guidance of the renowned Gerhard Groenewald, who specialises in Toyota vehicles, this venue also offers accommodation consisting of 20 luxury en suite, air-conditioned rooms, which explains why the facility has become popular among drivers from 21 countries worldwide.

Klipbokkop is well known for its incentive trips which can be tailor-made to suit clients’ requirements and they also offer mini overland trips of up to two days. The vehicle of choice at Klipbokkop is the Toyota Hilux 3.0 D-4D Double cab 4x4 Raider.

No matter which off-road vehicle you have chosen to buy, it would be a pity not to make use of its full capabilities. And seeing as there is no such thing as designer mud in a can, get out there and come home covered in real muddy glory – earned the hard way.

For more information, visit www.landrover.com, www.conti4x4academy.com, or www.klipbokkop.co.za. n

The Spirit of Africa Just two and a half hours from Johannesburg, you can watch the Big Five in 12000 hectares of malaria free reserve, whilst enjoying an array of wildlife and adventure activities. Forty-seven bedrooms boast a look that is clean, simple, and elegant and follows an African flavour. Natural, bold colours stand confident and proud, enhancing an ethnic feel throughout the lodge. Renowned for its ethnic cuisine and variety of unusual dining venues, guests have a choice of dining in the lodge restaurant, or a candle lit Boma dinner under an African sky accompanied by African spectacular entertainment. Enjoy guided bush walks, horse trails, eco adventure trails (quad bikes), morning and afternoon safaris in open 4 x 4 vehicles. There are a host of additional activities nearby including hot air balloon safaris and golf. Relax at the pool or indulge yourself at Mabula Spa.

Reservations 011 516 4367 or res@extraordinary.co.za

www.mabula.com

Accommodation Guide

Azanzi

Beach Hotel

An intimate, all-suite boutique hotel on the eastern shoreline of the mystical Zanzibar Island.

The central guest entertainment and guest areas of Azanzi flow into vast uninterrupted stretches of silk-like sand. The hotel suites feature an array of guest comforts designed to pamper you during the quieter moments of your fun-filled days. Your hosts will be delighted to arrange any number of activities for you, including snorkeling, diving, dhow trips and historic village tours. Alternatively, you may simply want to laze in the shallows of the water’s edge or cool off in the pool.

Mkokotoni Matenwe

Kiwengwa Mangapwani

Contact

Pongwe

Azanzi Beach Hotel • Call: +27 11 781 1661 • E-mail: res@anthology.co.za • Website: www.azanzibeachhotel.com Stone Town

WiFi

Universal AC

Spa/Pool/Gym

S,P

Smoking Rooms

Disabled Access

Room Service

Child Friendly

Guided Drive/Walk

Air-conditioning

Malaria Free

Conference Facilities

Wheelchair Friendly

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Chwaka

Bwejuu Paje Jambiani Makunduchi

Kizimkazi

Restaurant Guide

Bosman’s Grande Roche Hotel

An aura of timeless elegance sets the tone for Bosman's Restaurant at the five-star Grande Roche Hotel, where fine dining and attentive service are the order of the day.

Situated in the Manor House at the Grande Roche Hotel in the Paarl Winelands, this 70-seater restaurant and terrace has a multitude of awards to its name including being listed as one of the top ten restaurants in South Africa, as well as one of the top 100 restaurants in the world. These richly-deserved accolades are recognition of the superb harmony of flavours and textures that are the hallmark of a truly magnificent dining experience combined with unsurpassable service and spectacular views across the Paarl Valley.

Contact

access 50-minute drive from Cape Town

Bosman's Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl Winelands • Call: +27 21 863 5100 • Email: reserve@granderoche.co.za • Website: www.granderoche.com

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History

In the Tracks of a

Legend The History of The Blue Train

For over half a century, The Blue Train in South Africa has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world’s pre-eminent travelling experiences. Officially named The Blue Train in 1946, the train’s predecessors trace their history to the 1890s and the discovery of diamonds and gold.

Text & Images: © The Blue Train

For the empire builders of old, the unchartered African interior was the landscape of a dream in the making. A dream that would etch its course in parallel lines that snaked their way northward from the Atlantic shoreline, conquering the distance from Cape Town to Cairo.

This dream was not to be, as the Great African Railway reached only as far as a bridge across the gorge of the Zambezi River, overlooking the thundering smoke of the Victoria Falls. But in the fading years of the 19th century, the discovery of gold and diamonds drew thousands to the edge of the continent, and those lines of tempered steel began to bear the burden of industry, commerce, and society on the move.

Soon, as the moneyed classes made their presence felt, the network added leisure travel to its list of duties, and in the slipstream of leisure came luxury. The Union Limited and the Union Express, ferrying passengers between the mailships of Cape Town harbour and the goldfields of the Witwatersrand, were the standardbearers of steam-powered opulence in the easy-living heyday of the 1920s, boasting everything from card tables to hot and cold water on tap. A coat of royal blue and cream would later give the trains their distinctive livery, and it was from this line, in these shades, that The Blue Train – a “Palace on Wheels” – would ride the rails to legendary status.

Withdrawn from service during the dark days of World War Two, extensively refurbished and modernised in the seventies and nineties, The Blue Train went on to define a new era of luxury travel, making the switch from steam to electric and diesel, linking veld to sea, and tradition to progress, with a sense of style, grace, and mesmerising power that have never come close to being matched.

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History

Keeping Up With Technology From the Age of Steam to the Age of the Internet, The Blue Train has kept on track with ever-changing technology. In the process, it has lost none of the charm that anchors it to a bygone era. In its earliest incarnation, as a direct descendant of the Union Limited and Union Express that plied their way between Johannesburg and the Cape coast, The Blue Train thundered down the rails at the command of a mighty steam locomotive. A wisp of romance still lingers from that coal-fired era, clouding the memory of an energy source that proved to be less powerful, less efficient, and far more difficult to maintain than its whisper-quiet replacement. Today, the dual Blue Train sets, differentiated only by their number of suites and the option of a Conference Car that doubles as an Observation Lounge, are hauled by a fleet of diesel or electric locomotives. Whatever the motive, The Blue Train glides through the countryside at a maximum service speed of 90 km/h, ensuring that the noise level of 55 decibels, somewhere between the sound of soft rainfall and normal conversation, is never exceeded. Inter-suite sealing ensures utter privacy for guests.

In the world of ever-shrinking boundaries, ever-intensifying demands, rail travel in the grand old tradition has become a luxury in itself. The luxury of time: time to indulge, time to reflect, time to savour sights, sounds, senses and sensations. You’ll feel it from the moment you step into your suite, transformed by a magical act of alchemy from an elegant, spacious lounge by day, into a sanctuary of comfort and slumber by night.

Bringing together cultures and travellers from across the globe, The Blue Train is an exclusive society on the move – one that will undoubtedly prevail for years to come. n

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Train Layout

bees fly more tHan once around tHe world to gatHer a pound of Honey

tHanks to tHeir strong wings, Honey bees fly very fast

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bees fly tHe sHortest possible route between flowers to increase speed and productivity

Honey bees are HigHly organised

Fast, Efficient, Reliable You can be confident that your products are being delivered across the country by a reputable, reliable, dedicated courier and distribution company.

National Call Centre: 0861 EWC 000

www.ewc.co.za durban - (031) 573 9700 | bloemfontein - (051) 435 5075 Johannesburg - (011) 383 1500 | port elizabeth - (041) 451 0458 cape town - (021) 380 6200 | george - (044) 873 2973/4