Fly Airlink - Freedom of the African Sky

How green was my valley, and Live the Lake Jozini experience!

As featured and advertised in the September 2010 issue of Skyways, Airlink's inflight magazine

The Midlands of KwaZulu- Natal... an endlessly green landscape of rolling hills and sweeping valleys. Warm summer months mellow into the spectacular golden hues of autumn, and mild winter days are brought to a close with crisp nights. Occasionally, winter supplies a fairy tale touch with soft snowfalls.

Situated at Nottingham Road on the Midlands Meander, Gowrie Farm Golf Estate is surrounded by a wide variety of delightful attractions and outdoor adventures. Some of the finest trout waters are found in this area and the scenery and birdlife are spectacular. The classic nine-hole golf course designed by Guy Smith reflects Guy's passion for traditional courses. With push-up greens and rugged bunkers, Gowrie Farm, unlike most modern golf courses, is a walking course, allowing one to fully enjoy its magnificent setting.

For those wanting to escape to the country and enjoy this beautiful part of the Midlands, Gowrie Farm also offers a range of delightful holiday accommodation venues:

Gowrie Farm Golf Lodge
Above the magnificent stone clubhouse are five luxury fourstar en-suite double bedrooms. This bed and breakfast getaway boasts stunning views over the golf course and Clubhouse Lake. Hearty country breakfasts are served on the sunny verandah of the clubhouse and dinners may be enjoyed at any of the delightful local restaurants. Guests are kept cosy with underfloor heating and all rooms are fitted with flatscreen TVs and DSTV.

The Folie
For the ultimate in luxury, book The Folie on Gowrie Farm. This contemporary luxury self-catering accommodation was designed by one of the country's leading architectural firms, Design Workshop SA. The Folie offers accommodation for eight adults; guests are taken care of by Foreman, an outstanding chef who ensures that, while they enjoy the beautiful setting, his guests' experiences are special ones. This is self-catering accommodation, so guests are welcome to bring along their own ingredients, which Foreman will gladly prepare and cook. Alternatively, guests may simply choose from his delightful range of menus and sit down to delicious food, log fires and breathtaking views

Old Tom Morris Cottage
Ideal accommodation for families, or a four-ball wanting to enjoy the countryside, with a golf course on their doorstep, this luxury selfcatering cottage offers four double en-suite bedrooms and spacious open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas. The cottage is fully fitted and beautifully appointed, has full DSTV and is serviced daily. Underfloor heating and a large fireplace in the living area ensure that guests are kept warm in the winter months. The neighbouring Gowrie Village is a stroll away and has some charming country shops, a gym and a pharmacy. Guests may also enjoy leisurely hikes through Gowrie Farm, where bird-life is abundant.

Charles Smythe Cottage
Looking for a country getaway for executive meetings or conferences? The Charles Smythe Cottage on Gowrie Farm offers a beautifully appointed conference venue overlooking the golf course and surrounding farmlands. This modern facility is fully equipped and its conference room seats up to 24 guests. For those wishing to extend their stay, the cottage also incorporates four luxury double bedrooms, all en-suite with flatscreen TVs and full DSTV in each room. The open plan kitchen / lounge / dining area boasts incredible views as well as luxurious, modern furnishings. A large double-sided fireplace ensures a cosy atmosphere in which guests can relax and take in the tranquil surroundings. This is selfcatering accommodation, but guests are welcome to stroll over to the Gowrie Farm Clubhouse for country breakfasts on its sunny verandah.

Complete Getaways

2012 2011 2010

Our destinations

South Africa Lesotho Swaziland Madagascar Mozambique Zambia Zimbabwe

Contact details
Golf: 033 266 6348
Conferences: 033 266 6294
Accommodation: 033 266 6294
Email: gowriegolfclub@telkomsa.net
Web: www.gowrie.co.za

How to get there:
Airlink offers direct flights from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg.
Book online at www.flyairlink.com or call +27 11 978 1111

Live the Lake Jozini experience!

If you trace the Great Rift Valley southwards on a course of more than 4 500 kilometres, you approach the Indian Ocean via the Lebombo Uplands. This geological fault line will eventually peter out somewhere within the vast basin of the Pongola River

Here lies Lake Jozini.
My adventure begins here at Shayamoya Tiger Fishing and Game Lodge and her breathtaking views of Lake Jozini, my arrival point before boarding the Shayamanzi Houseboat.

This corner of Northern Natal is a region steeped in superstition and myth. My favourite tale is the myth of Nkanyamba, a seven-headed serpent prowling the skies in the belly of a dark cloud while strafing the heavens with his fiery, lightning tongue. According to local lore, this monster is able to travel from lake to lake during thunderstorms. It is also believed that H Rider Haggard, author of King Solomon's Mines, stationed at the Ubombo court house during the late nineteenth century, based his book on the gemstones and caves found in the Lebombo Mountains.

Tiger fishing in South African waters
But I came here in search of the intrepid Tiger Fish, as these waters are unique in hosting this ferocious fighting fresh water, game fish with the record size weighing 8.3 kg. It is just such a thrilling sport creating an adrenalin rush as the Tiger hit their prey at 50 km/h! The Tiger or striped water dog occurs in all rivers flowing eastwards in most of Africa, and are well known to our Northern neighbour, Zimbabwe. Altogether, the area closely resembles the Lake Kariba experience, right here on our doorstep and ultimately accessible, five hours from Johannesburg or three and a half hours from Durban. Completing the picture are the Shayamanzi Houseboats which are the only two of their kind in South Africa.

Shayamanzi houseboats
During a two-night cruise, we anchored at different spots including the magnificent gorge which goes deep into the Mountains. We fished from the tender boats which are also perfect for exploring the shallower waters for even better views of the game and abundant water birds. The area is an extremely rewarding birding destination, boasting around 400 species of birds. Very exciting is the discovery of a nesting pair of White Headed Vultures. This nest is one of only four or five in the entire country. During my stay I added a few additions to my bird list: the African Rail, Senegal Lapwing, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler and Croaking Cisticola.

Shayamanzi I sleeps 12 in 6 cabins and Shayamanzi II is a 30 meter dream cruiser, sleeps 20 guests with 3 levels. The top deck is the entertainment section with lounge, dining room, and the bar which is accompanied with music system, DSTV, DVD and karaoke, suggesting wild parties! And what about the heated Jacuzzi on the aft deck… I bet that has seen many a party under the stars, surrounded by glow-flies and the calls of the hyena. We were pampered with exquisite meals served by a phenomenal crew with the knack of easy, undisturbed hospitality and loads of smiles.

As I retired to my oak-paneled cabin, the stars reflecting on the water and the moonlight shining through the curtains, I heard hippos snorting in the nearby bay and I thought I was in heaven.

Shayamoya Tiger Fishing and Game Lodge
Shayamoya owns an outstanding panorama across the Pongola River towards the distant Swazi Kingdom. With faultless service and delectable bush cuisine, Shayamoya definitely stimulates your appetite for the bewildering range of activities on offer. Fishing safaris, game drives, mountain bike past herds of zebra, track white rhino on foot or drift up the River on the game viewing boat. Kids also have their own little kids' walk and game drive. There are 10 natural stone chalets, rustically elegant, strategically positioned to take in the explosive sunrise over the glistening waters. For all garden enthusiasts, the indigenous garden is a sight to see, especially in the winter months when the aloes are in flower.

Now that my mind and body has had a taste of the earthy rhythm of the area, this definitely is a destination I have to explore again. One word, peace, comes to mind, where worries of every day seem far, far away.

For more information, call 034 435 1110 (Lodge) or 034 413 2299 (Houseboats) or go to www.shayamoya.co.za or www.shayamanzi.co.za.

How to get there:
Airlink offers direct flights from Johannesburg to Manzini. Book online at www.flyairlink.com or call +27 11 978 1111