GALLERY: A taste of Vryheid Tourism

VRYHEID Tourism invited role players in the growth of tourism in the AbaQulusi area to a ‘One Day Tourism Awareness Tour’ on Friday September 26.
Among the invited guests were Councillor Zwane; municipal officials; members of the Vryheid Tourism Committee; Vryheid Tourism members; community members; two pupils from Vryheid Comprehensive School, as well as a teacher from the school and two pupils from Vryheid High School.
The tour was arranged by Alet Swanepoel and Vryheid/AbaQulusi Tourism, with the intended purpose of exposing the next generation of employment seeking individuals, currently at the stage of secondary education, to the opportunities that a career in tourism might offer.
The group departed from the AbaQulusi Municipality Information Bureau on the corner of Landdrost and Mark Street at 8:00am on Friday morning, traveling north on the Kambula road to Bivane Game Lodge, some 30km out of Vryheid.
The hospitable staff of Bivane Game Lodge welcomed their excited guests with snacks and refreshments on arrival, followed by an introduction to the beautifully maintained lodge.
As well as some insight as to how the business operates and a guided tour of the impeccably maintained facilities.
Thereafter, guests were treated to an enjoyable game drive through the breathtaking scenery surrounding the lodge, home to more than 20 species of mammal including Eland, Kudu, Red Hartebeest and Giraffe, as well as some brand new Buffalo who had been brought to the lodge only the previous day, and over 2000 head of game.
Halfway through the game drive, the group of visitors were taken to the site of Bivane Game Lodge’s very own waterfall area, where cold refreshments were served and the captivating beauty of nature was taken in by those in attendance.
Approximately two hours after departure from the lodge, guests returned and were treated to a freshly prepared buffet meal.
This gave them the chance to discuss the days events amongst themselves.
With so much beauty surrounding Vryheid, is it any wonder that the tourism industry offers such exciting opportunities for the future.