re treatDESTINATION & LE ISURE MAGAZINE

YOUR GUIDE TO SA’S BEST HOLIDAY SPOTS Retreat 3

FREE

the waterberg issue

EXPERIENCETHE WATERBERGWhere to stay andwhat to do

WIN WIN WIN- Gorge swing and two nights at Vic Falls- Open water diving course for two- Digital cameras- Beauty treatments- Books

2 Editorial Retreat 3

Retreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

EditorSuzanne Grobler

Deputy EditorRenier van Vuuren

AdvertisingRenier van Vuuren > 073-166-1515renier@smartpublishing.co.zaAnneke Kirchner > 083-301-9134anneke@smartpublishing.co.za

Key AccountsSuzanne Grobler > 083-742-6370suzanne@smartpublishing.co.za

Design & Layout Brett WilsonEsta van Niekerk

Contributors Mike JoubertThomas McKinnon Suzanne GroblerLinda PretoriusChristina RuppHanleigh DanielsCoenraad RallRenier van VuurenCharl BeukesRaymond Grobler

Accounts & SubscriptionsRonel Keet > 012-362-2732

DistributionRenier van Vuuren > 073-166-1515renier@smartpublishing.co.za

Business Manager George Grobler > 083-460-0402george@smartpublishing.co.za

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Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved. No material, text or photo graphs may be reproduced, copied or in anyother way transmitted withoutthe written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressedare not necessarily those of thepublisher or of the editor. Werecognise all trademarks andlogos as the sole property oftheir respective owners. Retreatshall not be liable for any errorsor for any actions in reliancethereon. All prices were correctat time of going to print.

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Regulars4 Letters

18 Retreat Traveller’s Tales19 Food & Wine: Recipe30 Industry News

Road Trips6 The Waterberg: Unspoilt Bushveld

Places to stay: Waterberg12 Thaba Monaté13 ABBA Game Lodge14 Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge

If you love the bush, but have small kids or simply hate taking malaria tablets,the Waterberg is an ideal option. Unspoilt Bushveld and home to the Big 5; we

explored Bela Bela, Modimolle, Vaalwater and Lephalale during our road trip. We review two brilliant GPS devices and also tell you about a couple of

fantastic new South African travel books – one focusing on mountain passes andpoorts and the other on lighthouses. Two copies of each book, beauty treatmentsfor 10 lucky readers, an open water diving course for two, and a weekend’s accommodation at Vic Falls with a gorge swing for two thrown into the mix, areup for grabs in this issue.

Check out our brand new Retreat Guide section at the back of the mag for adirectory of places to go and things to do, and keep an eye out for our next issuewhich will focus on Gauteng’s shopping malls, restaurants, activities, and more.

I am standing in front of the lighthouse at Cape Agulhas situated at the most southerly point inAfrica. Send me a picture and letter about your ideal “retreat” to stand in line to win great Canoncameras (p4). – Suzanne Grobler <suzanne@smartpublishing.co.za>

Inside

Soft laser light therapy for treatment of:• pigmentation, age spots, skin rejuvenation and wrinkles• strechmarks, scarring, infections and hair removal • sports injuries and recovery

Facial Therapy | Chemical Peels | ReflexologyLiposun Africa Slimming | Acrylic/Gel Nails

NEW! Brush-on Instant Tan

6 15

Business Traveller15 Zuikerkop Country Game

Lodge

Lifestyle: Décor16 www.livingspacetoday.co.za

Books17 Lighthouses of South Africa17 A Guide to South Africa’s

Mountain Passes and Poorts

Tools for the bush20 TomTom XXL20 Navigon 631021 Ovi Maps ease holiday

frustration

Eco Smart22 Titbits23 Betta Lights Solar Power

Lighting Solutions

Competitions17 Book give-aways17 Win beauty treatments22 Win an open water diving

course for two24 Win an adventure-filled

weekend for two at VictoriaFalls

Retreat Guide25 Accommodation / Activities28 Products / Services

19 17 23 30

re treatDESTINATION & LE ISURE MAGAZINE

Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.zaRetreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

4

Dear Retreat,

I have very dear friends with agame farm in Natal near Empangeni, and once a year Iam fortunate enough to spendtime with them, away from thestress of what it means to liveand work in Johannesburg.

My encounters with God’s creation during these times area source of refreshment and quietness that goes a long wayto helping me just pull myself towards myself.

One morning last April, I got up just as the sun was rising to see ifthere was any game at the waterhole near the cottage I was staying in. Thisphotograph of the rising sun is a wonderful reminder of just how privileged weare to live in Africa – a continent where some of the most spectacular sunrisesand sunsets can be seen. The freshness of a new day is exciting! Despite themany problems we may face living in this country, we are always guaranteedthat just as the sun sets on one day with all its challenges, the sun will riseagain the following morning and we have fresh opportunities to meet new challenges and rise above our circumstances with a positive outlook.

Naomi Binns

Hi Retreat,

This picture is of our “anniversary”retreat. We spent a beautiful and relaxing weekend on the Harte-beespoortdam. Thepic is of myhusband onthe banksof the dam.It is only 45min awayfrom JHBbut onceyou are there it’s like you are faraway from the hustle and bustle!What a treat!

Karen Lochmberg

Hi Retreat,

This photo was taken on a recent trip to Letaba in theKruger National Park. Letaba isa magical place set roughlyhalfway up in the KNP. Bushbuck roam freely in thecamp, such as this one having amuch needed drink from thepond outside the Elephant Museum in the extreme heat.Due to Letaba being further

north, there are less tourists which makes it more of a relaxed place thansome of the busier camps further down south.

The campsite was lovely and clean, and not busy at all. During the mid- afternoon drive, the temperature hit 40° C! Thank goodness for aircon.

We will most definitely be visiting the KNP again next year, and hopefullysee that “ghost” of the bushveld, the Leopard, as it avoided us yet again.

Chris Van Wyk

Dear Retreat,

I happen to live near the Kruger and love to visit thepark at every opportunity I get. Like so many people Ilove unwinding in nature. On this particular day we hadbeen driving around the middle of the park and decided to head south toward Crocodile bridge. As wemade our way down we bumped into a herd of elephant, the little ones were so hot that they werelying at their mothers feet asleep in the midday heat.We gently moved onand met another vehicle looking a littlelost so we told themabout the wonderfulsighting we had justhad, they said theyhad had a pretty interesting sighting alittle further down theroad of a dead impalaand cheetah in a tree.

We immediatelyheaded in the direc-tion they had told usand sure enoughbumped into the sight-ing. We sat and lookedthrough the binos fora while and decided to head off when suddenly a bigtom leopard jumped into the tree and started to eatthe impala. All this took place in full daylight at 14h00±100 m off the road.

It truly is the best sighting I have ever experienced,one can only wonder at what happened to the poorcheetah, but it looks like it and the leopard had apunch-up, judging by the leopards right eye.

The scene amazed us as predator can become preyin a flash, it also showed the harshness of nature, itsbeauty but above all its endless mystery.

Sean Hensman

Hi Retreat,

This picture was taken earlymorning in the Pilansberg NatureReserve. We don’t very often getthe opportunity for the wholefamily to be able to go away fora weekend together, but this wasone of the few lucky ones. Theother problem is to get everybody out of bed early inthe morning to go on a gamedrive (you can imagine themoans and groans).

So, this was worth the complaints, coming over themountain and finding these hotair balloons right in front of us.It was a spectacular view.

Anneliese van Aardt

Dear Retreat,

On Women’s Day I had planned totake my partner on a surprise escape to Durban Ushaka MarineWorld, but had to opt for a lowerbudget yet equally fulfilling outingto the Pretoria Zoo. We had lovelyweather and learnt a lot about marine living and wildlife. The daywent by and as the Zoo was aboutto close, some of the animals wereoozing sounds as if to say to us:“Goodbye and thank you for visiting”. The trip was a spiritualand therapeutic experience.

Reuben Rankapole

Hi Retreat,

This photo was taken during our visit to Mabula lodge in the Waterberg district in the Limpopo region. Being so close to the Rhinos and other animals was by far the most wonderful and fulfilling experience I have ever had. We learned so much aboutthe animals and the way they live. One thing that I always remember is the way the hyenas relate to each other and the factthat they have a sense of love and unity among themselves (andthat they mate for life!).

During our trip I felt so renewed and relaxed away from trafficand all the city has to offer. I have indeed enjoyed myself. Wecan learn so much from the animal kingdom; tolerance, love andunity.

Helen Tladi

Winning Happy Snap & Letter

Hi Sean,

Wow, what an awesome moment to have captured inpixels! This is certainly a oncein a lifetime experience.

Congratulations on winning the second of five Canon PowerShot A470 cameras (sponsoredby Canon). –Suzanne

A close second, well done.

Letters Dear Retreat Letters Dear Retreat

5x prizes of R1499 each Grand prize of R9999

Sponsored by:

Competition runs from Retreat 2–7.Competition open to SA Residents only.

“Retreat”Happy Snap& LetterCompetition

Win a Canon PowerShot A470 every issue for the next 3 issues of Retreat magazineby sending us your picture and letter combo with the theme “Retreat”. Only thebest combo will win! All the entries will go into the draw for the grand prize (a CanonEOS 450D) which will be announced in Retreat 7. Happy snapping!

Send your “Retreat” Happy Snap & Letter combo to the Editor atletters@retreatmag.co.za (Please ensure your pics do not exceed 2MB).

5

March/Apri l 2010

76 Road Trips Waterberg Road Trips Waterberg

Villa Olien Guesthouse is set in Modimolle, in the Waterberg region,some 130 km north of Pretoria, surrounded by splendid hot mineralsprings, peaceful nature reserves and a choice of game farms.

♦ Seven luxury villas available

♦ Each can accommodate five guests sharing in twin or double rooms

♦ Spacious lounge with television and individually controlled satellite channels

♦ A fully equipped kitchen is available for self catering purposes

♦ Scrump�ous breakfast prepared by our professional chef on request

♦ Private braai facili�es are available and each unit is surrounded by its own

in�mate evergreen garden

♦ Each unit offers safe parking in lock-up garages

♦ 4 km away from the Waterberg Conven�on Centre

Self Catering Villa R1 600 per night max five persons

www.villaolien.co.zaTel: 083 443 2118 | Fax: 014 717 3772 | Email: guesthouse@villaolien.co.za

Pic

ture

: R

eu

ben

Heyd

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rych

The Waterberg: Unspoilt BushveldFor this month’s Road Trip we packed the car and setoff to Limpopo’s unspoilt Waterberg district.

If it’s magnificent Bushveld you’re after, then your heart willfind rest in Limpopo’s rustic Waterberg. Running from the

south of the province to the west on the border to Botswana,the Waterberg mountains stretch for more than 14 500 km².Due to its ruggedness a lot of land cannot be cultivated, so the Waterberg is home to a massive amount of game and birdspecies. In fact, the Waterberg Biosphere was the first regionin the northern part of South Africa named as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The Waterberg is also extremely accessible, with the N1 highway out of Pretoria and Johannesburg your primary route.

Bela Bela (Warmbaths)

Modimolle (Nylstroom)

27 km up the (curvy) road from BelaBela you’ll find yourself in Modimolle,

the commercial centre of the Waterbergdistrict. On your way try to stop at oneof the many roadstalls to try some ofthe region’s lovely peaches, watermelonor grapes on offer (or their mampoer ifthey stock it!). During January Modimolle plays host to a Grape Festival, with good reason, since localswill tell you this region produces someof the sweetest grapes in SA.

>> Continues on p 8 >>

camping and self- catering facilitiesmakes it one of the most popular resorts in the country.

If you can, try to stay in one ofthe beautiful wood cabins over-looking the dam.

Two game reserves near BelaBela that are testament to the Waterberg’s beautiful wildlife areMabalingwe and Mabula gamelodges, while a multitude ofsmaller game lodges are dottedaround the area. A final mentionmust be made of Zebula Golf Estate and Spa, South Africa’sonly 5-star golfing resort, situatedjust outside Bela Bela.

From the N1 take a left onto the R516and you’ll soon enough find yourself

in Bela Bela (formerly Warmbad), SouthAfrica’s premier hot springs resort town.Bela Bela is known for its temperate climate, and as a family holiday destination it comes highly recommended.

Two resorts dominate the scene, bothequally entertaining. Forever Resorts iswhere most of the hot springs action is.20 000 litres of water per hour, naturallyheated to 53ºC, makes it way into thebeautifully developed resort. The resortsports a vast amount of water sport activity including water ski-ing, tubingand super tubes.

Klein Kariba is one of the best keptresorts in South Africa. Their beautiful

Retreat 3March/Apri l 2010

8 Road Trips Waterberg 9 Road Trips Waterberg

• Perfect for weekend breakaways• Overnight spot enroute to Botswana• Conference and func�on venue

Sebe Sebe Lodge lies on the banks of the Limpopo River, near

Lephalale on the Botswana border:

“Place of Peace and Tranquility”

SEBE SEBE Lodge

Contact Sebe Sebe Lodge +27-83-456-6940

Email: sebesebe@telkomsa.net www.sebesebelodge.co.za

• Numerous game species and other wildlife• Home to abundant bird species• Wide range of ac�vi�es: game viewing,

night drives, fishing, mountain biking, bush walks, hun�ng can be arranged.

Various properties from 21 to 8 000ha. Game, cattle, irrigation farms andsmall holdings. Fully developed andundeveloped farms available. All properties on the Waterberg plateau.

Waterberg EiendommeProperties

Attie Louwrens

083-236-4387

ajlouwrens@telkomsa.net

Jan Blignaut

083-355-2144

014-755-3760

A trip to Thaba Kwena will be a treat for the kids. It is thelargest commercial crocodile farm in the southern hemisphereand plays host to some 22 000 crocodiles. They get fed everySaturday, so make sure you go then. Crocodile meat (tasteslike chicken we think), and skin are available to buy.

Anglers should get a line wet in the Donkerpoort dam, justoutside Modimolle, where you’ll find Carp, Bream, Black bassas well as Barbel.

61 km from Bela Bela you’ll find yourself in Vaalwater, righton the edge of the Waterberg Biosphere. The Waterberg

Nature Conservancy was established in 1990 to conserve morethan 150 000 hectares of Waterberg habitat. It plays host to anumber of animal species and incorporates local farms andnature reserves, as well as a number of rural villages in thearea.

Close to Vaalwater you’ll find St John’s Church. Built in1914, the church, withits thatched roof, wasdesigned by Sir HerbertBaker, also of course responsible for theUnion Buildings.

For those lookingfor an “opskop”, Vaal- water lets its hair downwith the annual Water-berg Game Festival. It’stimed to coincide withthe last game auction ofthe year, and takesplace from 23 to 25September.

Modimolle (Nylstroom) << From p 7 <<

Vaalwater

For bird lovers gettingyour binoculars out atNylsvley bird and naturereserve is a must, since a massive 370 different birdspecies can be foundthere. Nylsvley is situatedto the north of the town,with SA’s largest flood-plain vlei forming part ofthe reserve. The Marekele

National Parknear Vaalwateroffers four ofthe big five including Lionand Leopard,and is alsohome to thelargest colonyof Cape Vultures in SA,with about 800breeding pairs.

BetweenModimolle andVaalwater wefound a beau-tiful waterfall hidden awayoff the road,which seemedideal for aquiet little picnic.

South Africans have enjoyed the Waterberg since theStone Age, when the first inhabitants settled here aboutthree million years ago. With its large amount of gamereserves, camping sites, dams and a lot of local flavour,all in a malaria free area, the Waterberg should be onyour “top 5 places to explore” list.

Vaalwater

Retreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

10 Road Trips Waterberg

Into the wild…Driving through this beautiful region it’seasy to see why Lephalale has becomesynonymous with the Bushveld. Hereyou’ll find miles and miles of untouchednature, ancient trees and rolling landscapes that whisper of memoriesmade under the wide African sky. This isbig five country, while an evening campfire is never far away. About 250 gamefarms are scattered across the region,with rustic to five star experiences onoffer. Game viewing, eco-tourism andtrophy hunting are big draw cards forboth local and international visitors. Allthis with the peace of mind that Lepahlale is a malaria free area.

Sporty… or not?Those looking for thrills and spills arewell catered for, since a wide range ofadventure sports are offered in the region. Teeing off on an 18 hole ‘evergreen’ golf course, rock climbing,mountain biking, hiking, 4x4ing, micro-lighting, boating and fishing are just afew of the sports to get the adrenalinepumping. For those looking for a more

reserved past time, over 300 birdspecies can be viewed in the Lephalaleregion, with quite a few rare and uniquespecies on display.

The Lephalale region truly caters forevery need. Everyone is welcome here:from the discerning tourist looking forfive star lodge luxury, (flown in via the Lephalale airstrip), to the come-with-a-tent, braai-all-weekend camper lookingfor care-free peace and quiet under theamazing Bushveld stars.

Where it all started…As a town Lephalale is not particularlyold. Established on the farm Waterkloofin 1960, Ellisras was named after the original farm owners Patrick Ellis andPiet Erasmus. The growth of the townowes a lot to the development of theGrootegeluk Coal Mine. It is currentlySouth Africa’s largest coal operation andalso the world’s largest coal beneficiation complex. You may alsocome across Matimba, the largest directair-cooled power station in the world,which is supplied with coal fromGrootegeluk.

Facing a bright future…Lephalale is not only about the past orthe present, but also, very much, aboutthe future. Eskom is building a new dry-cooled, coal fired power station, calledMedupi, in Lephalale. Another big playerin the energy field, Sasol, is currentlyundertaking a feasibility study to build anew coal-to-liquid fuel (CTL) plant in theregion, while Anglo American has alsobeen investigating possibilities in thearea. All these operations are conductedwith a well managed impact on the environment.

Lephalale continues to capture thetrue spirit of the Bushveld. There isenough space here for nature and man,traditional values and modern development, to co-exist. Once you havefelt the heartbeat of the Waterberg, youwill feel it calling you back for evermore…

ContactVisit www.lephalaletourism.co.za,www.lephalale.com, call 076-238-0342 / 014-763-2193 or email info@lephalaletourism.co.za for more info.

Diverse Lephalale, previously known as Ellisras, is situated onthe northern side of the Waterberg Biosphere. Only threehours from Gauteng, Lephalale is one of the last big townsyou’ll pass through on your way to the South African /Botswana border at Stockpoort, situated 70 km further north,and Groblersbrug, about ± 110 km away. It has become a majorstop-over for safaris into Botswana, but as a des�na�on on itsown, Lephalale is definitely well worth pursuing.

Lephalale (Ellisras)

The heartbeat ofthe Waterbergbushveld

Natural damThere are a couple of standout featuresat ABBA, one of them being the lovelydam located on the doorstep of its self-catering units. It’s small enough not beimposing, while being big enough not tobe mistaken it for a splash pool. A bigbenefit of the dam is that it is only openfor fishing to people camping at ABBA. Anglers can look forward to catchingCarp, Barbel, Bass and Kurper in aquiet, relaxed atmosphere. The name ofthe game though is catch and release,and for those looking to take their catchhome, the much larger Donkerpoortdam is literally just round the corner.

WildlifeWhile some might enjoy the fishing,others will delight in the amazing

wildlife on offer. There is no fence separating the camp from the game,and we encountered Impala roamingvery close to the camping area (don’tworry there are no predators in themix). From the caravan sites you have aview over a big part of ABBA’s 1100 haof grassland. Here one finds a wide variety of buck species, including Eland,Kudu, Njala, Waterbuck and Springbok.You can also catch a glimpse of the Zebra and Giraffe, while the Bush pigscome and go as they please. The gamecan be viewed while hiking through thegame park, or simply from your frontporch, since they roam around thelodge. If the game is not enough, consider the multitude of bird species or52 tree species growing on the farm.

Caravan campingABBA’s neat caravan stands are a bigtreat, since it’s not everyday that youhave a thatched roof to park a caravanunder. There are 15 of these sites, eachequipped with their own braai and electricity. There is a comfortable spacebetween all sites, and clean communalablution facilities are situated close by.

Self-cateringThere are eleven self-catering chaletsavailable, we recommend the fourchalets overlooking the dam. Holidaymakers can relax in these fully furnishedthatch roofed chalets, available in 2, 4,6, and 8 sleeper arrangements.

ActivitiesThere is a lot for any family to do atABBA, making it ideal for vacationers either on a weekend stay or on a longerbreak-away. It can get hot during the

day, so cooling down in the pool can bea very soothing experience. There isalso a heated pool for those with coldblood running through their veins. Holiday makers looking for a tad more adventure can go canoeing or pedalboating on the dam, while mountainbikes can be hired to explore the gamelodge via pedal power. Old faithfulls likethe trampoline, a volleyball court andoutdoor chess offer an easy way to passthe time. For the smaller kids, there isenough to do at the children’s playground and farmyard, while theycan also enjoy a ride on the tractor andtrailer.

The Warthog’s DenFor evening entertainment theWarthog’s Den is always open. The dining area is fully licensed, and an á laCarte menu is on offer, while breakfastcan be enjoyed in the morning. Thereare pool tables available for those up foran eight-ball challenge. The on-site shop will provide you witheverything you need during your stay,including milk, firewood, sweets andcooldrinks.

ContactABBA game lodge has very decentprices for their caravan stands andthatched self-catering units. Contactthem on 014-717-2362 or visitwww.abbagamelodge.co.za for moreinfo.

If you are looking for a break-away with the family in the midst of 1100 hagame farm, then ABBA Game Lodge is the perfect choice. ABBA is situatedjust outside of Modimolle (Nylstroom) next to a natural dam, far awayfrom any big city hustle and bustle.

Game viewingThere is truly a lot to keep yourself, andthe kids, busy with at Thaba Monaté.First and foremost is the fact that it is agame farm, with access to the beautifulsurroundings and wildlife through anumber of ways. The twice daily gamedrives are always a popular choice,while 4x4 enthusiasts can also explorethe game drive routes on their own. Ifyou’re up for the challenge you can attempt to tackle the routes via mountain bike, while hikers have twowalking trails to explore.

The Koedoebessie trail lasts two anda half hours, while the more challengingKiepersol route takes five hours to complete. Some of the game along theroutes include Kudu, Nyala, Red Duiker, Klipspringer, Blue Wildebeest, Warthog,Zebra and Giraffe. As expected, birdwatching is also top-notch.

Fishing and sportJust a short walk from the main reception area you’ll find yourself coming across the local dam, stockedwith Bass and Carp. If you are up for aspot of fishing there are canoes for hire,while you can also try to catch themfrom the banks. (A catch and releasepolicy is in place.)

If this is not enough to keep sport fanatics happy, there are also squash,tennis and volley ball courts ready for

some action. Aputt-putt course,jungle gym andtrampoline arethere for both theyoung and theyoung at heart.

Swimming poolWhat is a resortwithout a niceswimming pool?Thaba Monaté offers two, with holiday goers beingable to relax next toboth a cool waterpool (fitted with acrossbeam for watersports) or acold water pool witha heated section.Having these tocool you down whenthe sun is at itshottest makes a bigdifference.

The Bush Pig InnAt the end of theday a relaxing drinkis in order, down atthe Bush Pig Inn.With DSTV on offeryou won’t miss thatimportant Super 14clash, while there isalso a pool tableavailable if the

rugby doesn’t keep you entertained. Thefully licensed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast as well as an á laCarte menu during the day.

Corporate booking and facilitiesCorporate companies looking for conference facilities will find ThabaMonaté a perfect choice. The Big Fiveboardroom offers seating for up to 150people, with a range of seating stylesavailable, including U-shape, Cinema,Boardroom and Schoolroom. The follow-ing conference aids are also available:proksima and screen, flip charts withpens, white boards and white boardmarkers. Audio visual technology suchas a DVD player, VCR, overhead projector and a television can also bebooked.

ChaletsThaba Monaté offers secluded, beautiful,thatched chalets that either sleep two,four or six people. These chalets includea braai area with linen, a microwaveoven, stove and fridge. To keep thebushveld atmosphere intact, there is notelevision or radio on offer.

Caravan and campingThe caravan and camping facilities atThaba Monaté have attracted campersfrom across SA. Each site is spacious,

and has a braai, as well as water andelectricity. The scullery and ablutionblocks are kept clean through-out theday.

ContactWith all this on offer, Thaba Monaté hasvery competitive prices. Visit their web-site at http://thabamonate.co.za,email thabam@ctec.co.za or call themon 014-736-2291/4131.

Thaba Monaté

To do a lot, or not to do a lot

10 km north of Bela Bela, Limpopo, you’ll find yourself in the outer reaches of the Waterberg. Situated here on the edge of small hills is the lovelyThaba Monaté bushveld and nature resort. Herethe choice is yours – you can take your �me to unwind and make your way through their 400 ha ofbushveld, or partake in what could be your mostac�ve holiday ever.

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.za

12 Places to stay Waterberg

Retreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

13 Places to stay Waterberg

ABBA Game Lodge

Game or fish?

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.zaMarch/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.za

15 Business Traveller Free State

Situated just outside Clocolan, betweenthe wide landscapes of the Eastern

Free State, Zuikerkop Country GameLodge is ideal for a function or conferencewith a difference.

Far away from the city’s rush, Zuikerkop allows you to clear your headand invite innovative ideas to make themost out of your conference. The lodgehosts a practical and stylish conferencevenue, equipped with the latest technology in projection hardware, seating up to 80 delegates.

Groups of up to 80 can also use theopen air boma to brainstorm or to relaxand mingle around a warm fire. A deck,which overlooks the private reserve, isexcellent for crisp outdoor breakfasts orcocktails at sunset.

ActivitiesOutdoor activities include game drives ontheir 1200 hectare estate, hikes for amore upclose experience with the morethan 20 species of game roaming theproperty, swimming or miniature golf.

RestaurantThe lodge’s upmarket restaurant offersexclusive dishes like “Brie wrapped inbacon, accompanied by sun-dried tomatoes, drizzled with an exotic strawberry pesto,” giving you a taste ofZuikerkop’s unique way of spoiling theirguests.

AccommodationGuest accommodation includes two-sleeper rondavels, double- and twin-sleeper chalets, and one charminghoneymoon suite.

With the right balance of tranquility,good service and attention to detail,Zuikerkop proves to be a great getawayand a premium conference and functionvenue.

Conference packages, which includea light lunch and refreshments, areavailable from R250 per person.

For more information contact themon 083-389-0587, info@zuikerkop.co.zaor visit www.zuikerkop.co.za.

14 Places to stay Waterberg

While you can only truly experiencethe bush if your lodgings are a

tent, there is no reason why this tentshouldn’t be anything but comfortable.

Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge, situated on the foothills of the Waterberg Mountains in the LimpopoProvince, offers this true bushveld experience. With nine Hemingway-styletents, complete with ensuite bathroomsand airconditioning, a little R&R inrugged-luxury is assured.

Honest comfortEach tent is furnished with a doublebed, rattan furniture and a bar fridge.The well adorned bathrooms are fullyequipped with all that is necessary toensure a comfortable stay.

DiningBreakfast, lunch anddinners are simpleand refreshing andenjoyed in the openLapa dining room.

There is truly something special about enjoying one ofthe dishes less than 100 m from plainsgame like Wildebees and Sable, quenching their thirst at the wateringhole in front of the lodge.

Pontoon cruiseSundowner Pontoon cruises can be enjoyed on the Palala river while admiring a true bushveld sunset. ThePalala river is ideal for bird watching,casual fishing and crocodile spotting.

Clay pigeon shooting Shouldering a 12 gage in the cool morning hours and spraying orange disks‘full of lead’ is a realstress reliever.

Ernest Hemingway famously said: “All Iwanted to do now was get back toAfrica. We had not le� it yet, but whenI would wake in the night, I would lie,listening, homesick for it already.”This by the man who popularised

the word ‘Safari’ in the West,when he we was enjoyingAfrica in fully- furnished and accommodated East-African Safari tents, now commonly

known as Hemingway-styletents.

Bateleur Tented Safari Lodge

Honest bushveld comfort

Other activitiesBeyond the usual facilities and activities,Bateleur offers Big Five game drives andnight drives, walking safaris, gametracking and casual fishing.

To make the stay unforgettable youcan also enjoy off-lodge activities like anouting to the White Lion project; Elephant back safaris and a visit to an archaeological pots site.

Basic Conference Facilities Seating 40 delegates,Bateleur offers basic conferencing facilities intrue bushveld style fromR175pp (includes lunchand snack and drinks mid- morning and afternoon).Other facilities include aswimming pool, jacuzzi,lapa bar and boma.

RatesR595 per person sharing

or R695 per person sharing(including breakfast, dinner and a gamedrive). Self- catering options are available at R395 per person.

ContactBateleur has too much to offer for just aone night stay – a weekend is needed totruly experience the African bushveldand the warm and welcome hospitalityoffered by Bateleur Tented Safari Lodgeand its staff.

For more info, contact them on 014-763-4064, 082-529-5997, email atinfo@bateleurlodge.co.za or visit theirwebsite www.bateleurlodge.co.za.

Open spaces enchance open mindsAdvertorial

RE

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Retreat 3

17 Books

March/Apri l 2010

Lifestyle Décor

Centurion Business Hotel is designed for business people and fulfills all theirspecial expectations. The hotel is small enough to feel personal but bigenough to cater for all your needs.

This Executive hotel is conveniently located in Centurion, and has easy access to major highways, is in reach of major Gauteng urban centres andOR Tambo Airport.

Centurion Business Hotel offers a vast range of services, including a fullconcierge, business assistance, conference, wi-fi and chauffeur services.

At your service

+27 82 884 2177 | +27 72 287 0575 reservations@centurionbusinesshotel.co.za

www.centurionbusinesshotel.co.za

Living Space (www.livingspacetoday.co.za) is one of SouthAfrica’s prime online furnishing and decorative finishing

resources. Grace your project with their elegant tiles, stylishbathroom suites and range of branded furniture. To top it alloff, when you buy from Living Space’s online store, you are guaranteed competitive prices and personal service.

What makes Living Space unique is that they are able toput the customer in touch with service suppliers like architects and expert builders and plumbers. For instance,Living Space’s partnership with top interior architectural designer, Phil Darby, allows you to benefit from amazinglyreal 3D architectural visualisations.

Find elegance onlineAt www.livingspacetoday.co.za you will find a comprehensiveselection of tiles, bathroom fittings, mosaics, bedroom andlounge furniture. Through its extensive network of manufacturers Living Space can supply these products online.

Brand names in the range include Dado Quartz baths,Cloud Nine and Rest Assured premium beds, Cobra taps andBathroom Butler heated towel rails. Take time to browse theironline catalogue.

Not only for individualsLiving Space’s services are not limited to the individual. Property developers requiring products and design advice; hotels and lodges requiring elegant furniture, curtaining andlinen; or an architect’s dreams can be brought to life.

Focus on bedsAccommodation is a prime objective with the 2010 World Cupahead. Living Space has a wide range of beds which will bedelivered to you at prices that cannot be beaten. Bed saleshave sharply increased as the need and opportunity to accommodate spectators is being realised.

Solution providersStruggling to come up with an elegant dining room solution?Is your bathroom lacking that stylish designer touch? LivingSpace will work their magic. These are challenges they cannot resist, making a consultation with their experts yourobvious next step.

Visit www.livingspacetoday.co.za for more info or callthem on 082-890-9398.

Itching to make yourliving space whatyou’ve alwayswanted it to be?Trust Living Space toprocure the decora�ve materialsand make it happen.They can put you intouch with all the design and building exper�se you will ever need. In anutshell, let Living Space facilitate your project, whetherit be home improvement, at the office, a developmentproject or at your travel lodge.

www.livingspacetoday.co.za

Design your lifestyleAdvertorial

South Africa’s shoresare among the most

dangerous in the world.Treacherous waters,rough weather conditionsand razor sharp reefshave for centuriesbrought about a sad fateto many sailors. To guidethe way to a safer journey, there are a myriad of lighthousesscattered along ourshoreline. Gerald Hoberman’s book pays homage to all the liveslighthouses have saved and to the dedicated work of light-house keepers throughout the years.

Beautifully portrayed through dramatic, as well as detailedphotographs, Hoberman brings the stories of these guidinglights back to life. This collection comprises technical specifications of different lighthouses, gripping shipwreck stories as well as myth-enshrouded legends, like the one ofthe notorious Flying Dutchman. This hard cover book is atimeless example of the wealth and diversity of South Africanmaritime history and surely deserves a special place on everycoffee table.

It costs R600 for the Flagship edition and R300 for theBoatswain edition. Available at all leading bookstores or youcan order from www.hobermancollection.com or 021-551-0270.

A Guide to South Africa’sMountain Passes and PoortsPatrick Coyne, Osborne Porter Literary Services (2010)

Agem of a guide for thosewho love to explore roads

less travelled, Patrick Coynetakes readers on a fascinatingride to and through 50 ofSouth Africa’s most lovelyplaces. The paperback book describes the winding roadsover passes, through kloofsand poorts connecting townsthat would otherwise be very bothersome to travel to. Itexplores the dramatic andunforgiving natural wondersof mountains and ridges bar-ricading land bound travelsvia direct route in the days ofold, complete with GPS co-ordinates for every stop mentioned.

To add to this enjoyable and almost nostalgic read, Coynegives useful information on things to do and see enroute, aswell as historical facts and tales. It is a pity that not all thepublication’s illustrations and photographs are reproduced infull colour or at the best quality, but it takes nothing awayfrom a highly recommendable publication.

R195 (incl VAT & postage in SA). For more info visitwww.osborne-porter.com.

Lighthouses of South Africa Gerald Hoberman, The Hoberman Collec�on (Pty) Ltd (2009)

Book give-awayRetreat has two copies of each title to give away to four lucky

readers. Send your name, surname, suburb and age with either “Lighthouses” or “Mountain” in the subject line to

competition@retreatmag.co.za

Competition closing date: 31 May 2010

A family trip (twoadults and two kids

under 12 years) to BushBabies and the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort.

Congratulations to Gafsah Davidsfrom Eldorado Park!

Win one of ten so� laser light therapysessions courtesy ofSoft laser light therapy for treatment of: pigmentation,age spots, skin rejuvenation, wrinkles, strechmarks, scarring, infections, hair removal, sports injuries and recovery.

How to enterSend your name, surname, suburb and agewith “L’abri” in the subjectline to competition@retreatmag.co.za

Winner: Retreat 2

Competition closing date: 31 May 2010

March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

19 Food & Wine Recipe

Braai deboned leg oflamb on an open fireIngredients1x deboned leg of lamb5x large sprigs of fresh rosemary1x clove of garlic (crushed)1 tbl spoon of butter100 ml of balsamic vinegar100 ml of olive oil100 ml red wine

Step 1You can use a closing grid or a regulargrid on the braai, but make sure youturn it constantly to prevent the meatfrom burning. Also ensure that youmake a big enough fire to have coals fora course of at least an hour and a half.

Step 2Mix together all other ingredients to make a bastingfor the leg of lamb.

Step 3Brush on the basting every time youturn the leg of lamb. (Make sure thereare no flames when cooking, COALSONLY!)

Step 4Even though the leg of lamb has beendeboned and flattened, some pieces willbe thicker than others. About 40 minsinto the cooking time of the leg, youmay want to cut off thicker pieces ifthere are diners who like their meat alittle more well done.

Step 5This step is optional: If you are in possession of a double roaster, and notafraid to use it outside, you can place itover the leg every time you have turnedand basted. This will speed up cookingtime by 20 mins and will add a smokeyflavour to your leg of lamb.

Rosemary potatoes• Boil potatoes until soft, peel and cut

into desired sized blocks.• Melt 1 tbl spoon of butter in a frying

pan.• Sauté the potatoes in the butter along

with a pinch of salt, pepper and threesprigs of finely chopped rosemary.

Cheesy brussels sprouts• Use a 2:1 ratio with cheese and cream

(2 cheese:1 cream) e.g. 200 g cheesewith 100 g cream

• Grate your cheese as fine as possible and add it to the cream. Place it in themicrowave for 30 second intervalsuntil the cheese is slightly melted anda thick enough consistency to coverthe back of a table spoon.

• Boil sprouts until soft, then add sauce as topping.

Recipe by Raymond Grobler

Experience the REAL AfricaCroc Valley Camp

South Luangwa, Zambia

Tel: +260 216 246074 | Cell: +260 977 175 172Email crocvalleycamp@iwayafrica.com | Web www.crocvalley.comRetreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

Retreat Travel ler’s Tales18 Reader’s Column

Just after 5 am in Crock Valley Camp,Zambia, a loud splashing was heard

coming from the camp’s swimming pool.On closer inspection we saw it was oneof our regular groups of Elephant, a matriarch, two juveniles and baby thathad come for their morning drink. Theywere inside the pool, splashing, dunkingeach other and having loads of fun. Asthe bar area was filling up with clients towatch the spectacle in the pool, themother Elephant decided that it wastime for them to leave.

Croc Valley’s Hippo friendly swimmingpool was specifically designed, shapedlike half an egg with sloped sides, sothat Hippo and Elephant could get inand out. Unfortunately we had just finished painting the pool with a fancynew rubberized pool paint, and this stuffwas slippery when wet – very slippery.

After several attempts of slipping,falling, gauging holes into the cementwith her tusks, and trumpeting, themother managed to get herself out ofthe water. While the onlookers were stillhappily snapping away at a distance,oblivious of the inherent dangers, themother demolished the pool pumphouse with a couple of shakes of herhead and tusks. Grass, iron sheets, andpieces of bricks went flying in all directions.

She then set about getting her infantout of the pool. She put her trunk overthe baby Elephant, pulling it out whileone of the juveniles pushed from thebottom, push and pull until baby wassafely out. Mom and baby strolled off tofind a tasty morsel to eat while the twojuveniles were still stuck in the pool. We were deliberating on how to quicklyget the two out, because if the mom returned while we were busy trying, wewould be in big trouble.

First we tied together some hammocks, then tied them around atree and threw them into the pool. TheEllies could use them to walk on and getout that way, or so we thought, but assoon as the Elephants put their feet onthem they slipped again and fell backdown. We then tried a long piece ofsturdy Mopani tree to maneuver the Ellies from behind. Snap, it broke.

Suddenly the mother returned, trumpeting in distress probably saying

“leave them kidsalone”.

To scare her away, ashot was fired over herhead and in an instantshe turned, and wasoff. During all thiscommotion one of thejuvies had managed toget himself out, probably urged on bythe noise from theshot. He ran, furiouslytrumpeting andsearching for his kin.

At least now wecould concentrate onone Elephant only witha watchful eye on therest of the brood. Wewere out of ideas whensomeone suggestedtarpaulin that you wraparound the Elephant’sbackside, like a nappy,but not tied in thefront, supporting theweight as the Elephantinched his way out ofthe pool. After numerous attempts,even trying to get outin reverse gear, theElephant smelt freedom, and was out.With ears flaring andtail up in the air like acar aerial, he trumpeted towards hisfamily. People went scattering in all directions but luckily no one was hurt.

We were still trembling through thecheers of the onlookers now wanting tocongratulate everybody on the successful rescue.

Two days later the pump house wasrebuilt, the water drained out of the

pool, and eight twenty liter buckets ofelephant dung unceremoniously dunkedinto the river. It was the first time everwe have seen a pool muddier than theriver.

We have had many exciting days atCroc Valley Camp, but I think this onetops the list...

Retreat Traveller’s TalesShare your humourous, peculiar or inspirational Traveller’s Tale with us by emailing 400 words and pics (pleaseensure your pics do not exceed 2 MB) to suzanne@smartpublishing.co.za.

We have been fortunate in having various groups of Elephants pass through the Croc Valley campsite. Theycome to feast on the various indigenous trees that line the Luangwa River bank. O�en the Ellies also stop to have adrink at the Hippo friendly pool. On this par�cular day wewere thrown into the deep end...

Zambian Elephant RescueBy Charl Beukes

Retreat 3

2120 Tools for the bush Product reviews Visit www.techsmart.co.za for more reviews.

The TomTom XXLwith its 5" screenlooks par�cularlysmart with its bezelfinished in a coolblack with a silverlining. As such itwould not look outof place in a priceyGerman sedan, but

TomTom XXL

A lot more screen

There’s no catch to this as we were thoroughly impressed bythe Navigon 6310, apart for its slow satellite fixing which is

frustrating. The 6310 is loaded with features, with one of themore impressive being 3D maps. We were really impressed withthe unit’s 3D terrain maps which offer a topographical view ofyour route, highlighting the bends and slopes of terrain.

Features like text-to-speech, lane assist and MyRoutes(which offers up to three route options based on various factorslike distance, time and traffic) are also present and work as expected.

Maps look great on theunit; they are clear andoffer tons of informationwithout cluttering up yourview. We did find thatzooming into the maps wasless intuitive than we wouldhave liked though, as youare taken to a differentscreen.

The Navigon 6310 retailsfor R3299, contact Hi-FiCorporation for more details.

Navigon 6310

All this for only…A�er only entering the SA market in November lastyear, it’s no surprise that Navigon GPSs are well priced.Their 6310 with its 4.3" screen for example is aboutR2000 cheaper than compe�ng GPSs with similar features.

5" is a lot of screen to play with, and it makes not just navigating the menu a breeze, but also viewing the device,

with especially the text being easier to read.The user interfaceon the XXL is identical to TomTom’s smaller models such as theTomTom Pearl, in fact it’s much the same except for the biggerscreen. Their Help Me! functionality is as excellent as ever,with emergency numbers, the nearest emergency services anda First Aid guide never more than a few presses away.

TomTom is kind enough to not just load maps for the Republic, but also for the rest of Southern Africa includingMalawi, Zambia and Mozambique amongst others.

The TomTom XXL costs R2249, which is about R250 morethan the entry level Pearl at R2000. The delicious 5" screenmakes the extra bucks worth it though.

Available from Matrix Warehouse on 011-869-2613/4 orvisit www.matrixwarehouse.co.za.

seems equally at home in a bakkie or 4x4.

60 Mitchell street, Pretoria-West

TENTS BEDS GASLAMPS CAMPING EQUIPMENTGASSTOVESMATTRESSESGROUND SHEETSCADAC ACCESSORIES MOSQUITO NETS

We�beat�any�quotation

Mosquito net

Military Backpack

Camping cot

Camouflage nets

Backpack

Water bottleBattle jacket

ARMY SURPLUS STORES

Tel: 012-327-3282 Cell: 082-898-7961 Fax: 012-327-1194Email: army@armystores.co.za www.armystores.co.za

There is nothing more frustrating than when you arelost in a strange location whilst on holiday. The great

thing about Ovi Maps is that it allows you to plan routeseither directly on yourmobile device or on yourPC in advance. The 3D mapping also makes iteasy for you to recognise exactly whereyou are and where youare going. For example,if you are going from theCoca-Cola Dome to EllisPark, both venues willlook as they do in reallife on the maps and anyother landmarks youmay pass on route willbe shown too. Gettinglost is now a thing of thepast.

Other features of theOvi Maps include Lifecasting, a servicewhich enables you toshare and tag your current location withfriends on social medianetworks to which youcan add relevant photographs. This means that when meeting up withpeople they will know exactly where to find you and theywill also have the exact co-ordinates and mapping detailsof the location for future reference.

Ovi Maps is immediately available for download on selected Nokia handsets including the popular Nokia N97,Nokia N97 Mini, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia E72.For a list of compatible devices go to www.ovi.com/services.

Ovi Maps easeholiday frustra�onNokia recently made Ovi Maps free on their rangeof smartphones, a move which resulted in over 1million downloads of the free maps from the OviStore in the first week. Nokia have now made 3Dmaps available as part of the free download, makingit easier for travellers to recognise their surroundinglandmarks and therefore makes naviga�on eveneasier.

1st Prize: Wynand du ToitR15 000 towards your dream holiday + a Nokia 6710 Navigator handset2nd Prize: Cheryl MalekR5 000 towards your dream holiday + a Nokia 6710 Navigator handset3rd Prize: Lizzy MahapaA Nokia 6710 Navigator handset

Congratulations!

WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION

lower ZambeziKing Fisher Lodge

Email: baillieeng@gmail.com

Cell: +26 097-743-7270 and +26 09- 785-7873, Contact persons: Vernon, Alister or Roz

30 km down stream from our Lodge is thestart of the Cahora Bassa dam another primeTigerfish area, we are at the centre of it all!

Accommodation is four thatched comfortable ensuite chalets overlooking the river.

Four boats fully equipped for conventionaland fly fishing (two fishermen per boat).

Our Lodge is situated at the lower end andstart of the magnificent Mpata gorge, whichruns for almost 20 km before it opens outinto wide sand channels and small islands,all part of the lower Zambezi National park,all premier Tigerfish areas.

Tools for the bush

Titbits

Green journeys

Betta LightsAdvertorial

Betta Lights is a SouthAfrican company that

specialises in solar energy solutions, and was one of the702 Small Business Awards2009 finalists. Betta Lightshave a number of ready-madesolar products suitable for theSA market.

Betta.Life.LightFor small houses or cottages(about 50 sq meters), theBetta.Life.Light offers an all-in-onesolar lighting solution. The system supports seven LED lights, one reading lightand a cellphone multi-charger. A solar panel facing northcharges a six volt battery during the day, which of course powers the lights at night.

The LED lights, including the reading lamp, are supplied withthe system, with the whole solution ready for DIY installation.The lamps can work for a 15 hour period off the battery with noextra power needed.

A good battery is one of the essential ingredients in a solarpower set-up, and the rechargeable Lead Crystal battery usedby Betta Lights is one of the best in the business. Lead Crystal

batteries have a very good shelflife, with a good high-rate discharge. It’s also one of thegreenest batteries on the market since there are nogaseous emissions, while theelectrolyte is non-corrosive andneutral plus it cannot filter intothe ground. The

Betta.Life.Light system costsR3800.

Betta.Room.LightThe Betta.Room.Light

is the perfect solution ifyou’re looking for a backup

light in case of a power emergency. The light has an array

of 33 LED lights, providing efficientlight to cover a 20 m² room. Connected

to the unit is a 12 V battery that ischarged via a 10 Watt solar panel, takingabout six to seven hours. Once done the unit canprovide light for 12 hours. It includes a built-in lightsensor to prevent the unit being left on during daylight. The Betta.Room.Light should be wallmounted approximately 1.6 m above ground.

The Betta.Room.Light costs R1500 to R2000depending on delivery. Contact Natural Power on 083-403-8056or 012-656-8467.

Betta Lights Solar Power Lighting SolutionsWith Eskom’s current electricity supply problem and anew tariff increase of 24.8%, solar energy is an ideaworth inves�ga�ng.

Eco Smart2322 Products

Green Maps is a NewYork-based NGO which

engages communitiesacross the world to create online, downloadable mapsdetailing green events, activities and serviceproviders. With the map now available as a smartphone app it’s even easier to stay on thegreen route while travelling.

We found a Cape Town map already available (www.capetowngreenmap.co.za)and one for Joburg in the making. Have a lookat www.greenmap.org if you want to planyour route or upload a new map for your area.

Bright idea

Gardener on the roof

The city council of Coventry in the UK recently announced plans to install dimmer switches in

street lights over the next five years (http://tinyurl.com/dimlights). They estimate that adjusting the lamps’ brightness according to specific lighting needs and switching to more efficientwhite light bulbs could cut energy use by 40%. Critics, however, saythat the plan would have to be carefully implemented to deliver onthe promise. A step in the right direction nonetheless.

Research at Michigan State University has shown thatgreen rooftops really do make a difference in the

concrete jungle. Studies showed that test plots of 1 m2

each, planted with a thin foliage cover could, on average,capture 375 g of CO2 during a growing season. The researchers estimate that if all the rooftops in the citywere converted into green spaces instead of being justopen concrete slabs, it would be the same as taking 10 000 SUVs off the road. Read more atwww.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof.

Not-so-green greens

Arecent study shows that citylandscapers’ good intentions

may be doing more harm thangood. University of California, scientists compared the amount ofgreenhouse gases that park lawnsin California remove from the air tothe amount emitted as a result of maintenance activities. They foundthat mowing, fertiliser use andmanagement of lawns produce atleast four times more carbon dioxide emissions thanwhat they trap through photosynthesis. The findingsshow that the environmental benefits of green spacesshould be calculated according to a more balanced approach. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ungreen.

We tell you about environmental efforts and research around the world andfind that some are definitely greener than others... By Linda Pretorius

Eco Smart

Win an open water diving course for two

courtesy of

How to enterSend your name, surname,

suburb and age with “Diving” in the subject line to

competition@retreatmag.co.za

Prize includes:• Tuition by a teaching status PADI instructor;• PADI OW Crew pack with manuals and

Electronic RDP; • Course theory & pool sessions;

• Rental of full scuba gear for all training and qualifying dives;

• Three nights tented accommodation at Sodwana Bay;

• Five dives at Sodwana Bay.

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.za

Competition closing date: 31 May 2010

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.za

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25 Retreat Guide Accommodation / Activ it ies

Conference and Wedding venue

Pumulani’s huge trees, verdant gardens and charming old farmhouse dating from the 1950s, willimmediately make you feel at home.

Tel: 012-808-0719 / 1426

www.pumulanilodge.co.za

Tamboti Bush Lodge is in the middle of the proposed Dinokeng GameReserve, one hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The six suites at the lodgeare stunning, each with their own décor and style. Undoubtedly the bestá la carte restaurant in the area with a wonderful variety of food, fabulous bushveld cuisine and friendly service.

Tel: 012 711 0909 | Cell: 078 459 4822Email: info@tamboti.co.zaWeb: www.tamboti.co.za

Ideally located just 4 km from the Victoria Falls, MarambaRiver Lodge provides a most attractive all-year-round basein a shaded woodland setting. The Lodge is situated in theMosi-oa-Tunya National Park on a bluff overlooking theMaramba River. We are often visited by the resident wildlifewith Elephant wandering through the grounds at certaintimes of the year.

Tel: (+26) 0213 324189Cell: (+26) 0976 587511Fax: (+26) 0213 323130Email: maramba@zamnet.zmwww.maramba-zambia.com

The Zambezi Swing

• Experienced instructors• Top of the line safety equipment • Unparalleled views of Batoka Gorge • Full days include lunch & cool drinks• 100% SAFETY RECORD

All activities can be booked separatelyand we welcome visitors and spectators.www.thezambeziswing.com

Tel: +260 213 321188 | Email: theswing@zamnet.zmCell: 082 440 5051 | Email: ndebele@mweb.co.za

Abseil Rap Jump

Gorge Swing

Whoopie Slide

High Wire

March/Apri l 2010

Win an adventure-filledweekend for two at Vic Falls

Two nights accommodation for two people (dinner, bed

and breakfast), Airport transfers return (Livingstone

Airport), one complimentary bottle of wine with

every meal, courtesy of Maramba River Lodge

Gorge swing at Batoka

Gorge for two people

courtesy of

The Zambezi Swing

The Zambezi Swing

re treatDESTINATION & LE ISURE MAGAZINE

INCREASEyour company’s visibility

Smaller businesses are given the opportunity to adver�se with Retreat in our new Guide and obtainmaximum exposure of 100 000 copies distributed inGauteng on a bi-monthly basis. The Guide will be organised into sec�ons for Accommoda�on, Ac�vi�es,Restaurants, Products, Services, etc.

Retreat introduces our new Retreat Guide

REDUCED RATES!Take advantage of Retreat magazine’s 100 000 copies distributed bi-monthly!Adver�se in our printguide from only R540 per month.

Talk to us to see how we can help youAnneke Kirchner

012-362-2732 • 083-301-9134anneke@smartpublishing.co.za

Terms & conditions

• Entrants must be over 18 years and be in possession of a

valid passport.

• Prize excludes flights and airport taxes.

• Prize can not be exchanged for cash.

• Winners must pre-book with sponsors to ensure availability.

How to enterSend your name, surname, suburb and age with “Vic Falls” in the subject line to competition@retreatmag.co.za

Competition closing date: 31 May 2010

COMPETITION

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.zaRetreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

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Accommodation / Activ it ies Accommodation / Activ it ies

AMA ZWING ZWINGAMA ZWING ZWINGHartbeespoort

Zip Lines

View the game below, while sliding through the

air. With a total length of 1.3 km, this adventure

in the sky is made up of 7 slides, of which the

longest is 240 m. Ideal for team building,

corporate conference groups, school groups

and family fun days. Situated at Amazingwe,

close to the scenic Hartbeespoort Dam.

Tel: 082-803-7731 /

071-670-0238

Fax: 086-637-4206

Email:

info@amazwingzwing.co.za

www.amazwingzwing.co.za

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Contact details:Chere du Toit 082 496 8888Fax: 086 617 2537chere@mount-hope.com

Only 2 hours drive from Pretoria in theheart of the Waterberg Mountains,close to the town of Vaalwater. Lodge sleeps 22. Conferencing, hun�ng,eco-tourism, quad bikes, horse rides, game viewing, swimming pool, DSTV, river walks , bird watching.

www.mount-hope.com

Herman Street 76,Lephalale (Ellisras)

De La Vee B & B

Tel: 014-763-4177Cell: 083-658-9746Fax: 086-628-7979Email: delavee@xsinet.co.za

home of the happy fisherman

Chalets 2, 4 and 8 sleepers /Camping / 5 star Ablution

For bookings call Penny Rautenbach +27 82 829 7910Sara +27 13 744 0313 / Solly Senekal + 258 84 611 3562

or 071 370 7310Email: penny@lvr-nst.co.za or sarah@lvr-nst.co.za

http://www.bdmacaneta.com

Bring�your�boat,�jet�ski�and�quad�bikes�-�they’re�all�welcome!

Whether�you�would�like�an�adventure�Holiday�or�just�prefer�to�relax�and�getaway�from�it�all,�it’s�waiting�here�for�you!

Located in the heart of the Lowveld,Jock Sabie lodge offers a breathtaking view of the Drakensberg Mountains and it’s theideal destination for exploring the surrounding Lowveld.

Wide variety of accommodation;hotel suites, youth hostel, self- catering family units and log cabins. Conference facilities available. Rates from R380 per person sharingbreakfast included or R880 self- catering unit accommodating four people.

Tel: 013-764-2178Email: info@jock.co.za

JOCK-SABIE LODGE

This magnificent property is 50,000 acres in

extent and offers 20 km of Luangwa River

frontage. Roan Antelope herds said to be the

largest population outside a park in Africa.

Other game species like Elephant, Lion,

Leopard, Hippo, Crocodile, Waterbuck, Puku

and many more roam freely. 5 ensuite lodge

situated on the Luangwa River. Registered

1200 m airstrip. Price: Available on request.

Contact: Austin +26 096 675 8749

Email: bwanaspots01@hotmail.co.uk

Game Ranch For Sale inLuangwa Valley, Zambia

Six thatched cottages nestled on top of a hill with breath takingviews over Pecanwood, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course and Hartbeespoort dam. Each unit is fully equipped and has a private patio and braai area overlooking the dam.

Our thatched lapa can accommodate up to 20 people. We also have a swimming pool and tennis court. At Benlize our clients arrive as strangers and leave as friends.Rates R300 pppn

For more info call Bennie on 082-338-3977

L O D G E

March/Apri l 2010Retreat 3 www.retreatmag.co.zaRetreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

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GProducts / Services 29 Retreat Guide Products / Services

www.titetie.co.za

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Retreat 3 March/Apri l 2010www.retreatmag.co.za

30 Industry news Titbits

Unique way to tour Mauri�us

South African, Christo Coetzer, became the first person to

circumnavigate Mauritius on a unicycle.Starting his journey at the Le CaudanWaterfront in Port Louis on 19 December last year, he rode about 35km per day for nine days. Coetzer was appointed an Official Ambassador forMauritius and Mauritian cycling for hisachievement.

Frogging Safaris?

Surfing while flying

For veteran bush trekkerswho’ve been there, done

that, Mantis’ Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park is offeringsomething new – a Frogging Safari.

With an estimated 34 different species of Amphibians in Kruger, JockSafari Lodge ranks as one of the best places for Frogging Safaris. Froggers are issued head lights, nets and gum boots and set out afterdark. Frogs are caught and identified, and then released back into theirhabitat. Guests get to marvel at the kaleidoscope of colours and thechoir of sounds emitting from these tiny creatures, some no biggerthan your thumb. For more info visit www.jocksafarilodge.com.

Mango might just be the firstSouth African airline to offer

in-flight internet connectivity onboard all of its aircraft later inthe year. The low cost airline willbe using WirelessG’s G-Connect technology to deliver this in-flight service at a very reasonable price of less than R1for every MB used. Their application is awaiting approvalby the Civil Aviation Authority(CAA).

Protea Hotels offers something fun and unique to guests at ProteaHotel O.R. Tambo. The 4-star hotel, which is situated 5 minutes from

O.R. Tambo International Airport, features a flight simulator in theirfoyer. Flying fanatics can book a weekend away to experience the thrillof the aviation theme throughout the hotel. The flight simulator willoffer guests and aviation enthusiasts a chance to fly with the latest version of Microsoft Flight Simulator in a very realistic environment.

The flight simulator was built to replicate the interior of a commercial aircraft cockpit and it is managed by SIMSA (Sim SouthAfrica) an active commercial aircraft type flight-simulator group. Thesimulated aircraft are typically South African-used types, with routesflown around Johannesburg and to destinations around South Africa.For more info visit www.proteahotels.com.

Taking off to virtual skies

Über décor idea

If you’re looking for an affordable way tospruce up a boring room, you can check

out www.uberdesign.co.za to browsethrough their catalogue of decals, whichyou can stick on almost any surface in thehome you can think of. These aren’t justbeautifully designed, but easy to apply and remove as well.

This is your cue.

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