FIVE cranes will be flown out this week by World Freight (Pty) Ltd from Cape Town International Airport (CIA) to take up residence in their new home at the Amsterdam Zoo in Holland.
They will soon be followed by two lions, three wild dogs, three cheetah and 10 crocodiles who will make their way from the Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape to a national game park in Tunis.
These are but a few of the "unusual" packages Derrick Faller's freight company handles on a daily basis, dealing mainly with international tourists' requests to transport their curios to their country of origin.
"We offer them a much better price than the airlines charge them - because we deal with bulk orders we can negotiate better prices with the airlines - and this encourages tourists to spend more in South Africa. Also, there are no limits on the weight of the packages - in fact, packages of 100 kilograms or more actually drop in price per kilogram."
World Freight is based on the road to CIA, but will truck goods in from other areas in South Africa.
"Goods are usually sent on to the country of destination a day before the tourists depart so that their packages are there when they arrive."
Tourism boards also often recommend Faller's service, he says.
Other users include tourism-related companies such as art galleries, curio shops and, as mentioned, zoos and game parks.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
