It’s an unusually warm and sunny afternoon and my best friend and I are enjoying some slow jams as we chat and reminisce while making our way to Sun City.
The sunroof is semi-open and we’re cruising along the R556, dodging potholes and wondering if we’ll survive what feels like a lengthy journey to the famed resort.
Our chatter includes recollections of our numerous trips there as teenagers. I remember my first time, and my excitement at finally seeing what the fuss was all about. Of course, like everyone I knew at the time, the Valley of Waves was the most exciting feature.
On a few visits over the years, I racked up endless hours at the water park, either trying to “escape” the oncoming waves or debating the risks versus rewards of the various water slides (I drew the line at the hair-raising Temple of Courage), and trawled the many shops at Sun Central looking for trinkets to take home. We often left the resort exhausted, vowing we’d never return, only to become eager to make the trek again when December plans ran dry.
This time, I am heading there to explore the resort’s winter offerings, a novelty as I’ve only ever visited at the hottest times of the year. I’m excited to see what’s in store and lose myself in what has been dubbed a “world within a city”.
At last we arrive and head for The Cascades Hotel, where we’ll be spending two nights. It’s already a treat to be driving in through the “residents” — not the “day visitors” — entrance, and a friendly porter kicks off the five-star treatment at the newly refurbished hotel with an offer to take our luggage.
After a welcome drink at the Luma Bar and Lounge, we are led to our room. Elegant, spacious and warm with a beautiful view of a cascading stream below, it is enjoined by an equally spacious and luxurious bathroom that boasts a tub. After a tour of the space and all its offerings, we’re ready to get started on our whirlwind experience of the resort. Two nights, after all, isn’t much time in a place that promises 101 things to do during a stay.
We kick off with a visit to King’s Tower, the highest point at The Palace which is used as an event space for intimate cocktail parties and small dinners. We enjoy an unparalleled panoramic view of the resort and its stunning surroundings, before dusk and cold weather cut our party short.
Then it’s off to The Grill Room, The Palace’s signature steakhouse, for a sumptuous dinner. Executive sous chef Frans Kutumela stops by to take us through the delicious meals on offer. His recommended starter of chicken soup is simply to-die-for.
DRIVING AND DANCING
The next day we’re in full exploration mode, starting with a breezy tour of the Gary Player Golf Course on rented Segways. After a quick tutorial from our patient and funny guides, we drive off to explore. We make various pit stops for unique views of the resort, and meet an array of animals along the way, including a lone impala and a family of mongoose which, we are told, have made the course their home and are impossible to control or remove.
0 of 2
We make our way to Segaetsho Cultural Village for a quad-bike ride in the Letsatsing Game Park and a tour of the village. We are told not to speed through the park as this will scare the animals. I am glad to oblige as a bumpy ride on a quad bike feels like an extreme sport. Our dusty drive includes stops at various points to snap pictures of the wildlife and enjoy snacks in the bush.
The cultural village is the highlight of my trip, as we are treated to insights about the Batswana people and the numerous clans within this diverse group. We are shown the huts/rondavels housing the more prominent clans — there are more than 10, we learn — and it’s surprisingly easy to “form” your own. All you need is proven royal blood and people willing to legitimise your claim. Who knew?!
We get a brief history of each clan and where its members are located in the province. We also learn of the various battles between the clans and the much-feared (back then) Zulu tribe, with the latter earning its own pride of place among the rondavels as a result.
The tour ends with a spirited showcase of Batswana music and dancing, in which we all take part.
0 of 2
We spent the rest of the day relaxing at The Brew Monkey gastropub and rounded off the day with a visit to the SA-style Shebeen restaurant for some cold quarts and shisanyama.
Our final treat was on our last morning: massages at the Gary Player Health Spa were a soothing so-long before our return to the concrete jungle that is Joburg.
I’d definitely return to Sun City after this amazing and enriching experience — only this time to prove that there are really 101 things to do during a stay there.
• Ngcobo was a guest of Sun International
0 of 2
A STAY AT THE CASCADES
WHERE IT IS: Sun City is about 175km from Johannesburg in North West, a roughly 2.5-hour drive.
ACCOMMODATION: The recently refurbished five-star Cascades Hotel is situated between the entertainment centre and the Gary Player Golf Course. It is named for the waterfalls and calming pools that trickle throughout the property and has 241 rooms, ranging from standard, superior luxury, luxury balconied, family luxury, presidential, superior and garden suites to paraplegic rooms.
FOOD: The Cascades has four restaurants catering exclusively to guests; Peninsula restaurant offers a full English or continental buffet breakfast. Maltos restaurant offers lunch meals while Maltos Beach specialises in soft drinks and light meals. The sumptuous Luma Bar & Lounge offers soft drinks and light meals.
RATES: Prices at the Cascades start from R3,741 for a standard room sleeping two people per room. Each booking includes breakfast and access to the Valley of Waves. See the website for details of the other hotels.
CONTACT DETAILS: E-mail scenq@suninternational.com or see suninternational.com
