Fly Airlink - Freedom of the African Sky

1. Is the establishment in question an AA Quality Assured participating establishment? (See www.aatravel.co.za for details.)
2. To check what discount is being offered by that particular establishment and if the discount is on the accommodation only or also includes meals at the discounted rate.
3. The discount offered will most probably be offered by most establishments only during off peak periods, but may vary from establishment to establishment. All bookings must be made directly via telephone with the establishment.
4. There is no limit to the number of people who may benefit from the discount offer providing it is linked to a (six month) valid Airlink or AVIS document as described above, or providing the traveller is a current AA SA member and that the discounted offer is used during one uninterrupted stay at a particular participating establishment.
5. Only one discounted stay at a participating establishment may be redeemed using that particular Airlink or AVIS document, or AA SA Membership Card presentation, a copy of which will be retained by the establishment.
6. The discounted offer from participating AA Quality Assured establishments will be valid for the duration of the programme which will run from 1 September 2011 until 29 February 2012.
7. With the validity of any of the qualifying criteria being for six months from the date of Airlink or AVIS travel and including AA SA members, the discounts will be honoured by participating establishments until 31 August 2012. Any extension to the programme will be communicated through all the appropriate Airlink; AVIS; AA SA and AA Travel Guides channels.
8. Additional Bonsela in the form of prizes linked to a loyalty programme are included for participating travellers. Establishments will sign and stamp blocks on a form, for every room night spent at their establishment. For example, two rooms for two nights would equal four blocks being signed. Once all ten blocks on the sheet are completed, the traveller submits the form to AA Head Office to enter a bi-annual holiday draw which includes air fare, car hire and accommodation for two. (more info on website)

Turn back to nature: Simbavati River Lodge

As featured and advertised in the September 2011 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

Man has marvelled over nature since the beginning of time. Some may even argue that the human spirit cannot live without nature, as much as the human body cannot function without air. Accordingly, the owners of Simbavati River Lodge, an intimate camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River in the heart of the worldfamous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in Limpopo, have applied this philosophy to the game reserve. The Timbavati Private Nature Reserve comprises 53,392 hectares of private land – its open borders adjoining the world-renowned Kruger National Park. Since 1962, the Reserve has been dedicated to conserving and maintaining the biodiversity of species which existed long before the arrival of man.

Simbavati takes its name from the local Shangaan language and means “the place where the lions come down from the stars” – an apt name for one of the few locations worldwide that is home to the white lion in its natural environment. The resident white lion prides of the Timbavati carry the recessive ‘chinchillia’ gene that is responsible for this unusual anomaly. Just recently, two white lion cubs were born into resident prides, and guests have a good chance of sighting one of these cubs while visiting Simbavati.

There’s plenty of wildlife to see at this magical place in the bush, and the wealth of animals in the Timbavati Game reserve makes for a superb safari experience. It is a place of natural romance, excitement and wonder; where the honey and emerald colours of the Mopane woodland meet the savannah.

Game drives on open 4x4 vehicles, in the company of experienced rangers and trackers, offer excellent photographic opportunities including regular sightings of the big five – lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. There are also 360 bird species and an array of fascinating smaller wildlife.

Simbavati River Lodge is a four-star facility that boasts eight fully air-conditioned luxury tents and three chalets, all of which offer guests breathtaking views. The sweeping deck and its close proximity to the river provides a relaxed base from which to commune with the elements and enjoy some serious game viewing without leaving the camp.

Simbavati offers indoor and outdoor dining areas, a lounge, wine bar, curio shop and swimming pool for cooling off in the heat of the day. The interior spaces are contemporary, airy and inviting.

This intimate and welcoming safari lodge emphasises relaxation, and is unpretentious and tranquil. The intimacy of the lodge, together with the expansive wilderness, provides couples with the perfect setting for an authentic bush wedding – a dramatic backdrop for a perfect, private occasion to make that lifelong commitment. Simbavati also offers an amazing honeymoon experience, combining exclusivity and romance with highly personalised service. Each couples’ needs are carefully considered and catered for, as no wedding can be the same – ensuring a spectacular wedding with its own signature style and panache.

In addition, children of all ages are welcome. However, only children aged six years and older are allowed on game drives, unless the family books a private vehicle. Land Rovers can be arranged and are subject to availability at an additional R1,000 per game drive, which lasts three to four hours.

After breakfast, a ranger is available to take children for some bush activities.

In living colour: 2011 Sunday Tribune Garden & Leisure Show

As featured and advertised in the September 2011 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

The 36th Sunday Tribune Garden & Leisure Show will take place at the Royal Showgrounds, Pietermaritzburg, from 30 September to 2 October.

Attracting more than 24,000 visitors, including 5,000 from out-of-province, the show has evolved into a national event of consequence. Often referred to as South Africa’s Chelsea, and certainly the largest horticultural event of its kind in the southern hemisphere, the occasion again promises to exceed the expectations of participants and visitors alike.

The theme for this year’s show is Circles. With the emphasis being on inspirational show gardens, visitors will be exposed to the latest landscaping techniques, innovative design features, and displays of indigenous and exotic plant material. The show also incorporates a garden equipment and accessories component.

National representation The highlight of the show always centres around the magnificence of the 40 or so keynote gardens. These include displays by the parks departments of Durban (eThekwini), Pietermaritzburg (Msunduzi), Nelspruit (Mbombela), Pretoria (Tshwane), Bloemfontein (Mangaung), Cape Town, Kempton Park (Ekhuruleni), Krugersdorp (Mogale) and Kimberley (Sol Plaatje).

All designer gardens are subject to the scrutiny of the invited Chelsea Flower Show mentored judges, whose brief it is to adjudicate displays in accordance with the best of international criteria; this process being complemented with an invitation to the public to vote for their favourite garden.

Every effort is made to cater for the aspirations of all age and demographic groups. To this end and to harness the fresh and uncluttered skills of the youth while simultaneously instilling pride in one’s environment, the show caters for the young. Several schools, including a number from rural areas, will participate by way of designer mini-gardens measuring 2m x 2m. Should this prove a little daunting, the show will also include in excess of 100 (yes, one hundred) 50cm x 50cm tray gardens from schools across the Province.

Also, for private gardeners who believe they have an element of talent without purporting to be technical experts, there will be a separate section catering for such displays. These will be judged solely on the ‘wow’ factor with any display awarded a gold medallion receiving R1,000 prize.

Garden clubs and horticultural societies form an integral part of the show, with the annual pièce de résistance being the 600 sq. metre Hall of Orchids. For the fourth successive year, the event will incorporate a substantial indigenous component; this to complement the presence of a large number of nurseries – certain with highly specialised plant material – affording the public an educational experience while simultaneously encouraging sales.

More to experience
In addition to horticulture, the show has, for much of its history, hosted the Illovo Floral Cake Icing display and 2011 will be no exception. This is the largest and most prestigious expo of icing expertise in the Country and is a major attraction in its own right.

Every day of the show, ‘Ready Steady Plant’ demonstrations under the watchful eye of Tanya Visser, Editor of The Gardener, will take place. Although a light-hearted and funfilled experience, the 20 minutes granted to the teams to design something meaningful is an inspirational eye-opener in its own right.

To complement a comprehensive display of product and services, Mayfords/ Efekto will be hosting In Tune with Nature, a 90 minute light classical concert on Saturday morning 1 October.

Getting there
Airlink offers more jet flights from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg from R630 * all inclusive, with daily flights from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg. Special fares are limited per flight and terms and conditions apply.

If you’re visiting the royal show, think Airlink; fly direct, it's fast, convenient, reliable and affordable.

Under the hammer: Orange River to debut at Nederburg Auction

As featured and advertised in the September 2011 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

Two very different worlds meet when a wine from Grootdrink in the Northern Cape this year finds itself in the spotlight of the Nederburg Auction, one of the premier events on the Cape wine calendar.

A red muscadel from the Grootdrink winery, one of the five wineries incorporated under the Orange River Cellars’ brand has been selected for auction at this year’s Nederburg affair which is to be held on the weekend of 16 September. Ten six-bottle cases of the River’s Tale Red Muscadel 2002 will come under the hammer, the first time that a wine from Orange River Cellars puts in an appearance at this prestigious event.

The River’s Tale Red Muscadel 2002, a gold medal winner at the Muscats de Monde Competition in France in 2009, was selected for entry during the Nederburg Auction panel-tastings earlier this year.

According to Koos Visser, Marketing Manager of Orange River Cellars, this selection reaffirms the Orange River’s reputation as a quality wine region. “The Nederburg selection panels ensure a very high standard is set in choosing wines for the Auction,” says Visser. “We hope that the quality of the River’s Tale Muscadel, as well as the wine's unique origins, will complement the array of fine wine's that are to be auctioned this year.

Irrigated by the Orange River, the region’s vineyards enjoy clean air and a temperate sunny climate. The Muscat de Frontignan vineyards are mostly planted on clay soils, which add to the body and aromatic components of the wine.

“Although Oranjerivier is today also focussing on the production of natural table wines such as Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Shiraz and Chardonnay, we remain a producer of top-quality fortified wines due to the climate which ensures our wines are fruit-driven,” concludes Visser.