South Africa F2T Famil Report
V-Australia
Meeting up at Sydney Airport with the Sydney contingent of clients on the F2T SA famil there was Tiff, Cass & Neil all raring to go! Neil was so excited he arrived at the airport a good 4 hours early to ensure he did not miss the flight.
After a short domestic Virgin Blue flight from Sydney to Melbourne we were united with Bianca the Adventure World rep and F2T’s Melbourne based clients Tash & Carla at Melbourne Airport.
During the following 14-hours flying with V-Australia to Johannesburg we were entertained with current programming, sated with tasty meals, refreshed by women’s only bathrooms and kept hunger at bay with the help-yourself pantry containing snacks and water – no need to keep pressing the ‘hostie buzzer’!
A slight hiccup upon arrival with Neil’s bags delayed… somewhere, we completed missing bag forms and made our way to Emperors Palace Hotel & Casino Resort.
Emperors Palace Hotel & Casino Resort
Located a mere 20 minutes from Johannesburg Airport this collection of 4 resorts is a great alternative to over-nighting in Johannesburg City. From the 3* Peermont Metcourt for budget travellers to the Metcourt Suites for families needing some extra room to the 5* D’Oreale Grande for the premium traveller, there is accommodation to suit all budgets and travellers.
Shown to our opulently furnished rooms at the D’Oreale Grande in time for a quick change before heading to dinner with the girls. At this stage Neil had caught the complimentary shuttle returning to O R Tambo International Airport to purchase clothes, shoes, deodorant and make up to get him through the first night in South Africa, because surely his 
luggage would turn up tomorrow… right?!?
Within this complex is a variety of eatery choices from easy take away to the Tribes African Grill & Steakhouse serving African game animals you see on safari, example Kudo! Cass was brave enough to try the Kudo and salivated over the juicy tender meat, yet she was haunted during the following safari game drives as family members of her delicious dinner seemed to know she had eaten one of their own and stared her down!
A shooter named in honour of South Africa’s National animal surely is the way to finish off a great meal, so bottoms up on the ‘Springboki’ shot is what was in order, made from a layer of Green Crème de Menthe & Amarula it 
is a great night cap after a long flight!
Exhausted, we crawled to bed, however if you fancy a flutter you too are catered for at the ‘Vegas Style’ Casino with a variety of slot machines, Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and Hold’em Poker Tables all available.
Entabeni
A great alternative to the over-run tourist Mecca Kruger Park. Entabeni is a malaria-free Private Game Reserve reached by a 3-hour private transfer from Johannesburg (heading North) being entertained along the way by the driver Enzo’s dry African humour. Stories abounded of the 
corrupt police and near-death wildlife experiences along with tales of the indigenous African’s alternate way of thinking, demonstrated in the following true account;
“On the highway I pulled up alongside a thin black African man carrying a large water container atop his head. Concerned about how far he had walked and how far he had to go I wanted to offer him a lift. I began by asking ‘where did you come from’ he looked at me disbelievingly and slowly raised his arm pointing his thumb behind him saying ‘that way’… okay I thought… let me re-phrase this and asked ‘where are you headed’ his look was now incredulous, shaking his head in disbelief he raised his arm pointing his index finger straight ahead and answered ‘that way’.”
Arriving at the entrance to Entabeni, thoughtfully signposted is ‘22 speed bumps ahead’ which is always good to know when you’re rattling around in a large people mover. Not long past this informative sign we came across our first wildlife sighting… 3 giraffes hanging out in the bush! Climbing, pushing and shoving inside the van to get a great photo ensued, the giraffes complied peering over their backs and fluttering their long, dark eyelashes. After snapping 10 photos’ each at the same angle (this would happen throughout the entire trip, ensuring we had hundreds of the SAME photo of EVERY single thing) we continued on to our accommodation.
There is a variety of accommodation with the central theme to blend in with nature. We stayed at Lakeside Lodge which is situated on the banks of Lake Entabeni. The bungalows are cosy with thatched roofs, elegant furniture, and spacious modern bathrooms, there is even your own private deck to sit back and enjoy the serenity.
Our safari game drives were led by the baby-faced Rickus who greeted us in full safari regalia complete with a bullet belt slung across his chest. We all felt a little safer seeing we would be protected from the untamed, dangerous wildlife with man-made artillery, until we were informed no guns were taken on game drives… so the point of the bullet 
belt???
Awoken before the crack of dawn by a chirpy Rickus we did the traditional Rusk dunking in Coffee for Breakfast before hopping into our open safari vehicle for a full day of game viewing interspersed with hotel inspections… the best way to do site inspections!
Everyone got a thrill sitting on the edge of our seats watching the Lions stalk the Wildebeests, the warthogs kneeling to eat their food, the baby Zebra’s running to keep up with the adults, the herd of Elephants making their way across the plains, the baby Rhino suckling (which made someone a little thirsty - on a side note Rhino milk packs a punch 
when it comes to nutrients), the Hippos hiding under the water, the Kudo bounding, the Giraffes popping onto the dirt tracks out of nowhere, the lone Wildebeest who had staked a claim on a 2x4 patch of dirt– he affectionately became known as Bob… there was always something going on!
Being a South African travel veteran Bianca cracked the obligatory safari jokes such as “Hey Rickus Rickus, are the Zebra’s white with black stripes or black with white stripes” and upon spotting Zebra’s walking across the dirt track “Hey Rickus Rickus look it’s a Zebra Crossing”!
During the site inspections it was agreed the stand-out properties were the Ravineside Lodge which are thatched wooden lodges built on stilts on the cliff-edge, Wildside Safari Camp in which you stay in raised canvas tents and upon waking find lion footprints throughout the sandy camp and Hanglip Mountain Lodge which epitomises the romantic Africa of yesteryear within the luxury 5-star suites furnished in African Baroque style and set on a wide open plain with wildlife meandering past and through the resort.
The newest Resort, the ‘Legend Golf & Safari Resort’ not only has comfortable, modern accommodation, it is also home to an 18-hole golf course with each of the 18-holes designed by a world golfing legend from former US Masters Champion; Trevor Immelman to US PGA champion; Bernard Langer, reading like a who’ s who of world golf!
However the Extreme 19th is what most people come to play… this unique Par 3 tee’s off 400 metres above ground on the edge of Hanglip Mountain onto the green below in the shape of Africa, this hole is accessible only via helicopter. Complete this Par 3 with a hole-in-one and there is currently $1,000,000 up for grabs! Due to current insurance liabilities advertising for the $1M has been removed from most campaigns, however is still available to be won at this point in time.
Our stay at Entabeni was capped-off with Sundowners at the local swimming hole, by this stage we had been on the go for 12-hours with our last meal long since digested, so let’s just say that 2 glasses of wine had the same 
effect as a bottle – this was evident when driving to the lodge in the pitch black and we came across another safari vehicle filled with Americans, “Oh my goodness a giraffe just picked up a lion and threw it” Tiff excitedly told the other vehicle – what then followed was a torrent of unbelievably imaginative wildlife sightings we had just seen, “Rickus Rickus it’s true, you saw it, tell them it’s true” – needless to stay Rickus drove on quite quickly.
It was quite unfortunate to discover on our final day that Rickus’ name was actually Vickus… let’s put this down to the South African accent.
Sun City
Enzo our driver collected us for our transfer to Sun City (approx. 5 hours East), he also bought with him Neil’s lost luggage, which was found in Melbourne – whilst we were game driving… which is always very convenient! Seeing as this was the last day of travel Neil had been shopping up a storm, even more then Tiff & Cass - the African Shopping Queens! He was now kitted out in the South African Rugby’s Springboki hoodie, was wearing deodorant meant for 10 year old boys and had accumulated a stash of Woolworths supplies.
Arriving at our 6+ star resort, the Palace of the Lost City drew gasps by its sheer dominating grandeur! A quick bag drop and the site inspections commenced, with a range of accommodation from the family-friendly 3-star Cabana's to the 4-star Cascades suited to the Executive traveller and onto the luxurious 6+ star Palace of the Lost City Resort which takes its architectural theme from a lavish lost African tribe fantasy, suited for the premium client, Sun City has accommodation to suit all travellers on all budgets.
With a suite of “Money Can’t Buy Experiences” including a surf lesson in the “Valley of the Waves” 
with a local surfing champion, to a romantic dinner for two in one of the Towers at the Palace (with fireworks), Sun City is the place to send people you are trying to impress!
A visit to the Cultural Village was next on the agenda where the majority of cultures & tribes in South Africa are showcased through interactive song, dance and food. Tash and Carla were invited to join the tribal dancing and they gave the Big Black Mama a run for her money when they shook their thang! Tiff, Neil & Cass were also asked to join in the fun, however no invitation was extended to Bianca & Mel who sat on the bench like loser wall-flowers!
A witch doctor then proceeded to join Neil & Cass in holy matrimony… we think? We’re not quite too sure what spell was inflicted and no repercussions have been reported as of yet and then everyone ate a worm, apparently traditional African fare the initial bite is crunchy however after a few munches it is has quite an unpleasant taste of which I don’t think anyone would like to try again.
Our final night together was celebrated in style with a private dinner hosted by Sun City’s GM, dining in elegant surrounds we were treated to exquisite dish after mouth-watering dish of fresh Asian cuisine, with full bellies the GM escorted us to the Private gaming room for cigars & drinks. 
With entrance requiring a minimum $10K hand we were glad of having the right contacts! Headsstarted to nod so we called it a night, aside from Bianca, Mel & Neil who made a last minute dash to the Shebeen for a bit of local entertainment, little did they know with a tumble from Neil they would become the entertainment! With a sliced open finger and blood pumping on the dance floor it was time to make their exit!
The next morning was washed down with a champagne Breakfast before heading to the Pilanesberg National Park for our Elephant Back Safari. The Pilanesberg National Park was opened in 1979 and is the largest game resettlement project in the history of South Africa with more than 6,000 animals being resettled here in the early eighties including the Big Five( Lions, Elephants, White & Black Rhinos, Buffaloes, Leopards) as well as Zebras, Hyenas, Giraffes, Hippos and Crocodiles.
We were informed the Elephant Park was fenced off from the dangerous animals, however during our safari we came across Rhinos, which I do believe are capable of mauling humans??? Anyways we were treated to an hour of lumbering through the National Park atop these magnificent beasts whilst having the opportunity to do some final game park viewing.
After alighting we had the chance to feed the elephants which involved grabbing their tusk with your left hand and pulling in a downwards motion, this would cause the elephant to open their mouths in which you reached far into the back of their throats with your right hand to place the food. This was all great fun until Bianca took it to the next level and put the food on Mel’s head resulting in the elephants whacking her in the head with their trunks.
A final 4-hour Eastwards transfer with Enzo to the Airport for our flight home was to cap-off an amazing 4-nights enjoying a variety of what South Africa has on offer. Travelling with such an amazing, fun, vibrant group of people has left a bucketful of fond memories that will not soon be forgotten!