Fly Airlink - Freedom of the African Sky

Out of Africa
Discover the Mopani experience in the world famous Kruger National Park

As featured and advertised in the February 2012 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

Situated on the banks of the Pioneer Dam in the renowned Kruger National Park is the Mopani Restcamp. Nestled among the koppies and large centennial baobabs, it is one of the Kruger’s undiscovered gems.
The Mopani area is home to large herds of elephants and one of the largest herds of buffalo in the Park comprising over 1,000 animals. A resident leopard and a small pride of lions in the area give guests the opportunity to discover two other members of the Big 5.

Mopani Rest Camp was the last of the big camps to be built in the Park and was originally built in 1991 to create a stopover point between Letaba Rest Camp and Shingwedzi Rest Camp, as well as providing additional accommodation for the guests visiting the Kruger National Park.

Airlink has up to three daily flights from OR Tambo Airport to Phalaborwa Airport. This convenient access route gives both leisure guests and conference delegates a fast and effective way to reach the gateway to the Kruger National Park. Car rental companies are available at the airport. Phalaborwa is only a leisurely two hour game drive of 75km away from Mopani Rest Camp and transfers can be arranged.

Lodgings

The Rest Camp consists of 102 units and a guest house. There is something to cater for each budget including: 45 Guest cottages that can accommodate up to six guests. It has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms;
45 Bungalows sleep two adults and two children. Two Units are accessible for the disabled;
12 Cottages sleep two adults and two children (2 X sleeper couches);
1 Guest House that can accommodate up to eight persons in four separate units;
In addition, Mopani Restcamp now also boasts a modern conference centre for meetings and conferences.

Design cues

All Mopani's accommodation features well-planned modern designs. The layout of the camp was planned in such a way as to create a special atmosphere for visitors. All the units have kitchenettes and bathrooms. The traditional thatched roofed units are all situated among the indigenous bush which creates an atmosphere of privacy for each, making this a unique feature in comparison to the older camps. Whether deciding on a refreshing swim in the camp pool for the energetic, or the tinkle of ice in a cold refreshing drink in the restaurant bar while watching animals coming down to the water’s edge it all enhances the feeling of relaxation and tranquillity.

Over and above providing three meals a day to accommodate the appetites of game park visitors and guests, the Mopani Tree Restaurant also caters for the Mopani Conference Centre and hosts extravagant wedding receptions. For a truly African experience, guests can enjoy a boma braai under a starry sky with the sounds of nature as a backdrop. The crackling of wood logs sets the tone for a relaxing time out in the bush.

All catering at the Kruger National Park is managed by Compass Game Park Services (CGPS), a division of Compass Group Southern Africa - one of the largest food services company in the country.

Talking shop

The Mopani Conference Centre now makes it possible for delegates to have a tranquil and refreshing breakaway while being given the opportunity to work uninterrupted in a venue conducive to productive conferencing. The conference Centre provides a choice of venues dependant on the needs of the group. The main hall or Nxanatsi (Mopani seed) can seat up to 120 delegates school room style and 300 delegates cinema style. The three breakaway rooms or Matomani 1 & 2 & 3 (Mopani worm) can be used in various configurations and is a good choice for smaller meetings or workshops . All four venues are equipped with data projectors and fixed overhead screens. A built-in PA system is installed in the main hall which can be enhanced by two roving microphones. The lighting and equipment can be controlled from the podium giving the presenters the ability to create the atmosphere desired. Flipcharts and an old style overhead projector are available as well.

After a hard day’s productive conferencing, a game drive on open vehicles driven by knowledgeable guides help delegates relax. Mopani rest camp offers morning, sunset and night drives. Do not forget about the possibility of a morning walk for the adventurous. Experience the bush at close quarters; the sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness surrounding you create a stirring in the soul as you experience wild animals on foot. A drive with a difference is the bush braai which combines an exciting guided game drive with a meal in the wilds of Africa. The in camp trail allow guests to explore the natural bush on their own within the safety of the camp fence while sign boards provide information on the ecology of the area making the trail both interesting and informative.

Mopani is also the ideal location to offer the opportunity to bush lovers to wed in the great outdoors. There are a variety of venues available at Mopani. This will mean that the ceremony and the reception will both be unique experiences. These can range from a simple relaxed informal occasion to a formal function. The knowledgeable staff will assist the lucky couple create a memory to cherish forever. Arrangements for catering can be personalised to suit the requirements of the bride and groom. Arrangements for flowers, decorations or other special needs can be organized with the conference co-ordinator. Transport to venues outside the rest camp is in open safari vehicles adding a unique flavour to the wedding. A minister can also be arranged for the ceremony where needed. Some couples expand the reservation to a full weekend enabling it to become not only a special wedding but quality family time as well. The panoramic views, natural bush and the majestic baobab make ideal locations for wonderful wedding photography.