Sun Karros Daan Viljoen now open

At the beginning of June, Sun Karros Daan Viljoen opened its doors to an expectant business community after the old rest camp was extensively renovated and rebuilt. With its new livery, Sun Karros Daan Viljoen has been magically transformed from the old resort into an upmarket establishment with superior conferencing facilities. All the chalets have been rebuilt and the accommodation can now only be described as exquisite.
Two years and N$55 million later, this project in the Prosperity Group stable, eventually started trading on 01 June. Sun Karros Marketing Manager, Marlize Maree told the Economist that the project was done in phases.
“We are working in phases, the first and second phase have been completed. This consisted of the Chalets, Campsites, Kraal Restaurant and the three conference centres – Kudu, Gemsbok and Es. We are busy with the third phase that is the big restaurant and swimming pool. We foresee to have this completed by the end of September this year. From there we still have a few things to do. This project will keep us busy for at least another year or two” she said.
The resort’s emphasis is on conferencing. It is marketed to Namibian businesses as an upmarket conference facility with the added benefit that delegates can stay at the resort for the duration of their conference. And if a crisis does develop at the office, Windhoek is only half an hour away by car. Maree said “We are currently focusing on the Namibian corporate market because of the launch of our conference facilities. Here we have specific packages that cater for the needs of the specific company. However if one books accommodation for delegates we do not charge the daily conference fee for the persons making use of our chalets.” For specific conference requests, she said they can tailor make a conference to suit any company’s budget and format.
Sun Karros also offers team building services in collaboration with Wild Dog Safaris, who facilitate all team building events hosted at Sun Karros.
When the old Daan Viljoen resort was first noticed by the Prosperity strategic team, one of the site’s most promising features was its seclusion while still relatively close to the capital. Maree said “We decided to move our focus to conferences after we realised that Windhoek is quite in need of more facilities due to the number of conferences and events each year. What makes Sun Karros different is the fact that we are only 20km from town, so it’s close enough that the delegates do not have to sleep over but also just far enough that people cannot drive into town for a quick trip. You are 20 minutes from town but feel a 100km away.”
The three conference venues, seating between 26 to 146 delegates depending on configuration, are also fully equipped with wireless or data options, sound, multimedia etc.
The current rate until the end of January 2013 is N$185 per person for a full day and N$125 for a half day. This includes all tea/coffee as well as morning and afternoon snacks. Lunch and dinner are not included. An accommodation special charges N$700 per person, including breakfast and then the day rate is waived.
On sustenance, Maree said “We do everything in-house, lunch is N$95 and dinner N$220. For lunch we have set menu’s every week and it is only a 1 course meal, beverages not included. Dinner is a set menu and once again beverages not included.”