Johannesburg - When self-made business tycoon Marnus Broodryk isn’t keeping a close eye on the feasibility of pitches on home-grown reality series Shark Tank, he uses travel to unwind.
First holiday memory?
As a young boy, we went to a small seaside resort, Winklespruit, on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast. South Africa really has the best weather in December and there is no better place than Cape Town or KZN during this period.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Cape Town, but I need to qualify: Cape Town but only with good weather.
Best holiday?
A holiday spent with good friends, doing adventurous things, and having enough time just to zone out on life and reflect.
What have you learnt from your travels?
Regardless of country, race, religion, we are all somehow connected. We are all looking for love and acceptance. I always enjoy spending time in Third World countries and seeing how content the people are despite not having much; Thailand and India are prime examples.
Ideal travelling companion?
My partner and I are great travel buddies. We have a good balance between planning things and doing things on the spur of the moment. Not too boring but not too rigid - that’s a great companion.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
A bit of a beach bum and a bit of an adrenalin junkie but definitely not a culture vulture.
Greatest travel luxury?
I enjoy staying in great hotels with beautiful minimalistic designs.
Holiday reading?
I always read biographies, never fiction.
Where has seduced you?
I fell in love with Sri Lanka. It’s such a beautiful country, the people are amazing and it is not as commercial as some of the other South Asian countries.
Worst travel experience?
I’ve missed a couple of transfer flights and there’s nothing more frustrating than looking forward to getting to a destination and suddenly finding you have to spend a couple of days in a country or airport with nothing to do.
Best hotel?
My favourite hotel in South Africa is the Sandton Southern Sun and globally the W Hotel chain.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Favourite drive is along the Garden Route.
Best meal abroad?
I’m a bit of a foodie when it comes to international vegan cuisine and always spend time in vegan restaurants abroad.
Favourite city?
London, but I need to qualify: London during the summer.
Where to next?
I’m off to London next month for business and thereafter I’ll be spending December in Cape Town.
Independent Traveller
* Marnus Broodryk is one of the five self-made tycoons putting their money on the line in M-Net’s new home-grown reality series, Shark Tank South Africa.