Comments from some of our guests

2005

Djuma Bush proved to deliver unmatched adventure. During the first night we tracked a female leopard that was stalking an antelope and managed to wait in pitch darkness until we heard a wail. Lights on revealed the leopard no more than 20 yards away with the antelope in its jaws. Great guide work to position us at night to experience this kill. Next day great guide work again positioned us to see a lion pride attack a buffalo herd which resulted in a kill. We also tracked rhino at night, a large male leopard and tallied the Big 5 plus a cheetah in a single day. Less luxurious but prior safaris had never matched the adventure and success that I experienced at Djuma. They need to feature their superb guides and exceptional safari adventure opportunities.
Wanted you to know how much I enjoyed the safari. It proved to be luxurious, multi dimensional and thrilling.
Best regards,
Philip H. "Pete" Stark Ph. D
USA
November 2005

Hi Chris and Kim!!
Just a short note to thank you both again for a truly wonderful four days at Bush Camp. Both Becci and I had a fantastic time, and are full of memories of amazing animal and bird sightings, and terrific hospitality. As you could probably see, we were both very sad to leave!
We got back to Heathrow ok early this morning - quite an eventful journey - there was a massive electrical storm at Jo'Burg airport, with forked lightning in the sky around us as we were taking off! We landed at Heathrow to find the temperatures rather lower than those in SA…………… Minus 5 here and thick fog everywhere!! Bit of a shock to the system as you can imagine!
Anyway, hope all is well with you. Have fun, take care, and say hi to Life, Morgan and the gang from us!
Best regards,
Will & Becci.
UK
November 2005
Click here for their happy group photograph

Hi there,
I am just writing to say that both my wife and i really enjoyed our stay with you and wanted to express our thanks for a first class holiday. We really couldn't fault the facilities, the accomodation was everything the website billed it to be, the plunge pool came in very handy, and to see elephant walking past whilst sitting in it was amazing. All the staff were extremely polite and helpful and the food was excellent. We also made friends with our tracker, James, and our guide, Rexon, and were wondering if you had a postal address for them so that we could write to them personally. I would not hesitate in recommending the Vuyatela Lodge to anybody, the service was of the highest caliber in all aspects, and are already looking forward to a return visit. Thank you for a great honeymoon,
Steve and Nicky Coker
UK
November 2005

Hi Liane-
I wish to thank you all at Bush Lodge for your ,yet again ,most wonderful hospitality. There is something that is special for me -about Bush Lodge to me- the people are most warm, hospitable, as well as knowledgeable - and I know why repeats want to go back there- They feel a home from home - I find that the staff really really fit well together - you can see that all get on well and respect each other and somehow the service to me is absolutely outstanding ....... they enjoy being there and no one can hide that !!! Nothing is ever too much bother- and they even remembered me - when there are all those different faces going through there ---------
The food was absolutely wonderful -too- the best !!!
Chris, Kim, Liane, Piet, really good to see you again- pity that time was so short-------------------
Thanks Chris for your sharing your knowledge . it was great - hopefully retaining some of it-
Piet -good to see you again - pity I was not there long enough to be able to have both yourself and Chris taking me out- But I am deeply grateful for the opportunities to again experience our wonderful country's wildlife
I believe that Eunice is very talented there - Great food !!
Bongi and her willingness to iron my clothes and then to come back and advise me my washing will get dry before I leave to go to Vuyatela - was and added star!!
You guys all deserve 5 stars -
Again many thanks for all your hospitality
Bronwyn
South Africa
October 2005

Hi Mark
I wish to thank you all at Vuyatela for hosting me recently . As usual the accommodation is superb - I really believe that for the client who is used to only the best in comfort , they would only find good comments for the uniquely interesting decorated accommodation and living areas ... Authentic making one feel you are in deed in Africa-I love the "rubbing post " decor- That is an addition since I was last there-I love how Pippa has used the bottles to create light- and the mozaic work simple but attention to detail is given - well done Pippa....
With regards the food you never allow anyone to go hungy ..Always food and drinks available to ensure that guests to not have a "drought"...
Charles is a great asset - he has the guests best interest at heart and although he was not our guide- he carried our luggage for uson our departure - insisting it was not professional for us to carry our own - and he did it with a wonderful smile - thanks Charles- He also had to see us to our room after dinner and although I know that the staff may all want to have a good sleep - there is no pressure on the guest to cut short their evening -
I am deeply greatful for the opportunities to again experience our wonderful country's wildlife ..
It was wonderful to see Pippa and her daughter - thanks for arranging that -
Again many thanks for your hospitality
Bronwyn
South Africa
October 2005

Dear Jurie, dear Pippa:
Back home in Germany I would like to thank you for the 3 most wonderful day in my life I had at Vuyatela last week (booking was made by my son in law, Thoma).
Everything you offered was perfect. I enjoyed it very much.
Kindly regards
Yours Walter Kopf
Germany
October 2005

Dear All,
Just wanted to say thanks for everything during our stay with you at Bush Lodge, it was a truly memorable experience and the highlight of our tour of South Africa. We were lucky enough to see all the animals we wanted to and many more, even seeing the big 5 all in one game drive ! The food and hospitality at the Lodge was second to none. We have been telling all our friends and family to come and stay with you and we too hope to return,
Love from Julie & Emma
UK
August 2005

We want to come back!
What can we say, thank you to everyone for the most fantastic time at Djuma. I am so glad I chose to renew our wedding vows at Djuma instead of Mauritius. Mark made it a very special day for us both, one that we will both remember for a long time.
Solly and James were excellent as our guides and we leant so much from them both, each and every member of the team were superb in every way.
It was not just the wildlife but all the senses were filled, the smells, the haunting sound of the Lion roaring during the sun downer, the taste of the delicious foods, the sound of the wonderful children singing and dancing at the local school, all our senses were filled during this amazing time. I really think I have left my heart back in Africa.
I will attempt to send some pictures through let me know if they arrive ok.
Words are not enough to say what an amazing time we had, and I can guarantee that we will return,
lots of love to one and all
Tanya & Blane Stevens
UK
September 2005
PS
Did the female leopard return to the cubs with a kill?
Click here for their photographs

Hi Charmian
Three days after being back from base Tranquillity at Galago its stress stress stress.
Just to let you know that we had a fabulous time and our guests were very well looked after.
Morris and William kept us suitably entertained with great sightings but failed with the Pels Fishing Owl (sigh! next time)
We asked for owls and had great sightings including both giant and spotted eagle owls (the spotted had different coloured eyes) the barred visited us each day and the pearl-spotted was seen on many occasions. Great sightings of the BIG 5 were had on each day
Elizabeth kept us drooling with sumptuous salads and other dishes.
As usual Galago lived up to its high standards and we left with heavy hearts.
The photos include the leopard crawling warthog and the resident barred owl.
Once again please thank the Galago staff for treating us like royalty
Regards
Brian Atkinson
South Africa
August 2005
Click here for their photographs

Dear Cha
Just to say how much we enjoyed our brief stay at Djuma......we had an absolutely wonderful time, have managed to take some passable photos which do help to bring back the whole experience of being in the bush............which I still dream about!
Once again.....thanks to ALL the staff (especially the ones behind the scenes who we did not meet).....can't remember all the names apart from Kimmy, Chris & Abel. AND PLEASE PASS THESE COMMENTS ON AS WE KNOW THAT THE LODGE DOES NOT HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS.
PS............what's the name for "lion"? something like 'ngani?...it's bothering me!
Les Frees
UK
August 2005

Dear Mark, Warren, Aubrey, and all at Vuyatela (not forgetting Shamali!)
The Brodskys arrived home this morning and I wanted to write to say thank you again for a most wonderful and special experience. Our holiday met and exceeded every expectation and we left with Africa having won our hearts in a way that we never expected. We loved every minute of our time at Vuyatela, cannot believe how quickly the days and nights passed, and are determined to save hard to come back again!
I am due to debrief our travel agent (Aardvark) later this week and shall be singing your praises and also to all of our friends who may be
Contemplating a safari trip. I've just looked at our digital pics and they brought back all the wonder of a truly magical trip.
It is hard to pick out any one moment from such a special time, but in
Terms of game chasing and viewing, we are all agreed that Warren and Aubrey finding the leopard cubs for us after dark would take some beating - a moment that we will cherish in or memories, not least because it was about the one sighting we couldn't get any photos of.
You must get bored to death of visitors' pics so I haven't sent any, but if you would like to see a few of our better ones, just let me know and I will stick them on the e-mail.
Warren kindly left a message that he had found the pair of Jason's binoculars we somehow managed to leave behind. We would be keen to have them back if this can be arranged without major expense - they are not an expensive pair and I fear that their weight will make them expensive to post. If that is the case, I am sure we can sort out an alternative - we have friends who are down in SA from time to time who could bring them back for us if need be or I don't know if any of your team every passes through London. We are not in any particular hurry as we don't have any imminent holiday plans (sadly!).
With very warmest regards
Scott Brodsky
UK
August 2005
Click here for their photographs

Dear Mark,
I just wanted to email you to say thank you for the amazing time we had at your lodge this year. We came in June for part of our honeymoon to South Africa and Mauritius and our stay at Vuyatela was by far the highlight of the whole trip. The lodges were beautiful, comfortable and spacious; the food was absolutely amazing and all of the staff were so friendly and helpful. Our guides, Solly and Rodney, were excellent. We had such a good time, I was really sad to leave. Thank you for making us feel so special and making our honeymoon the luxurious, fun and top-class holiday we had always dreamed of!
Many thanks,
Gillian & Danyel White
England
June 2005

Beste Mark
Het vandag weer begin werk na die twee weke vakansie en kry nou 'n kansie om julle van harte te bedank vir die wonderlike twee dae wat ons daar in Djuma beleef het, dit was voorwaar nie net 'n hoogtepunt van ons vakansie nie, maar 'n onvergeetlike vertroeteling en ervaring in die bos - en dit alles natuurlik aan jou te danke weens ons Pink Route konneksie!
Sal jy asb. weer eens ons dank oordra aan Charmian, Marietjie, Aubrey, Charles en al die kombuispersoneel wat so goed vir ons reggestaan het.
Onthou om my te kontak as jy in die Kaap is dat ons kan kuier en uitgaan.
Met dankbare beste wense.
Niel, Thomas, Martie en Willem
Dr. Niel le Roux
South Africa
July 2005

Jurie,
My son, Jeffrey, and my recent stay at Vuyatela was wonderful. All the staff from Mark on down could not have been more friendly and made us feel right at home. Graham was spectacular as a guide and we had some special photographic moments in the "golden hours". I had hoped that the ranger's diary would include the dates of our visit as I like to include them in my journal. Nonetheless, I would like to submit photos to your website and need to know if there is a special procedure for doing so.
Thanks again for such a special 5 nights. We also enjoyed the village visits and the sight of the preschoolers running around playing football with one of the balls we brought was very special.
Regards,
Eric Gurwin
USA
June 2005
Click here for his photographs

Dear Mark,
We just wanted to thank you, and all at Vuyatela for the best holiday we have ever had. Our stay at Vuyatela was the highlight of our trip. We have some fantastic movies and photo's to remind us of this. Vuyatela is fantastic, we felt very pampered and the attention to detail is outstanding especially loved the hot water bottles on a cold night.
Please thank all your terrific staff, on our behalf, and a special hi to Solly, Jimmy and Rodney.
We are now back in the land down under, and back into our daily work routine but our talk and dreams are full of Africa, we will be back
thanks again
take care
love
Cherie & Clare
Australia
June 2005

Dear Charmian
Just is just to thank you very much for the arrangements for our family visit to Galago, 20 - 23 April 2005. Everything worked out just perfectly. The ninth person who accompanied us is a young man who is handicapped since birth and walks with much difficulty. Your kindness facilitated his being part of our group and this is much appreciated.
With kindest regards
Prof Swart
South Africa
April 2005

Hi Char,
I have arrived safely back in California. I had the best trip of my life in South Africa. I want to thank you so much for doing that for me.
I had such an amazing time at Vuyatela. The animals were great, the accommodations and food were great, but the highlight for me was the people.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Djuma staff and learning about their culture (and learning to speak Shangaan!) You have incredible people working for you and each one of them touched my heart in a very special way.
It was great to meet you and Graham, and Mark, Solly, Aubrey, Rain, Patrick, and all of the rest of the staff. I enjoyed practicing my Shangaan on the housekeeping and kitchen staff and hope to be fluent on my next trip out!
Shanni Stamper's wedding was absolutely beautiful - I have never in my life seen a happier bride and groom.
Anyway Char, thank you for all you did for me. I hope to see you all very soon.
I am including some pictures I took of my new friends - please tell everyone I said hello.
Is there a way I could email Solly, Patrick, or the girl who does the massages? (I can't remember her name).
Thanks again for everything,
Katie Glenn
May 2005
USA
Click here for her photographs.

Hi Mark
Just back from Cape Town.
We wanted to email you and thank you very much for your warm hospitality and for making our wedding so very special. I've spoken to Carina at Rainbow this morning regarding our return visit next year to celebrate our 1st anniversary!
Again a huge thanks to all - the whole family were blown away by the amazing experience.
Take care and hopefully see you next year.
Jane & Sean Keogh
April 2005
UK

Dear Chris (and Kim)
We enjoyed receiving the latest news from Djuma which brought back so many happy memories of our fantastic stay with you at Bush lodge on 21,22 and 23 January. Our experiences then under your superb guiding skills, Chris, remain at the forefront of our memory. We also so appreciated the hospitality provided under your, Kim, direction. We learnt from the news bulletin that you are both back from your U.K. leave. We half expected that you might call in on us in Milngavie but I expect your time was 'action -packed'. Do call some other time when you are over here again.
I promised to send you, for the record, our list of birds and animals seen and this is now, somewhat late, attached. You pointed out a good many more birds to us but if we were not smart enough to see them too we did not count them! On our whole SA trip we notched more than 150 different birds but missed the Knysna Lourie!
What a holiday we had overall but the highlight was, undoubtedly, the 3 days at Djuma.
Best wishes to you both.
Donald and Ros
UK
January 2005
Click here for Donald and Ros' complete sightings at Djuma list

Hi there Helen
Hope you are well :-)
From the minute Christa and I got there, we felt completely relaxed. The staff were wonderful, very friendly and eager to talk to everyone and anyone, and answer all our questions. The food was magnificent and the rooms were just gorgeous, very comfortable and had everything we could have needed. Charles, our ranger, is wonderful. He has an amazing sense of humour and it's obvious, from the other guests' reactions, that everyone liked him as much as we did. He was very informative and helpful and did his best to find us the game that we most wanted to see. We trusted him completely.
Thanks again to Mark and Marieke and the rest of the staff for making our stay so pleasurable.
Kindest regards,
Natasha Shaw
South Africa
April 2005

Hi Liane,
This mail is long overdue, however "better late than never" springs to mind! I was browsing the Djuma web site and felt it was due that I send you and your team this mail.
I had the pleasure of staying at Bush Lodge in early December 2004 along with my partner Jeanette (from Norway) and Jonathan and Sarah Boulton.
We were at the lodge for three of the most memorable nights of my life.
Being South African and of course spending as much time as possible over the years in Kruger, this was in fact my first trip into the Sabi Sand. It was naturally the first trip for my girlfriend, and being Norwegian she was blessed by beyond incredible game viewing for our days there.
Jonathan and Sarah have stayed with you several times, and it was in fact under their recommendation that we decided to stay at Bush Lodge, and well needless to say it was a decision well made.
The staff at Bush lodge were simply superb. Having run flyfishing lodges abroad for several years, I am familiar with the hospitality industry and so understand well the requirements for everything to run smoothly both in front and behind the scenes. Everybody made every effort to make our stay memorable, and succeeded.
I would specially like to mention Piet and Abel our rangers. Forgetting the unreal game we saw over our drives, it was in fact an afternoon walk with Piet that I will remember most. His keen eye, phenomenal knowledge and excited interest in the bush was truly infectious. Seeing nothing larger than a tortoise on that walk, it will remain in all of our minds as a very special few hours.
I have a superb gallery of photos taken while at Djuma, and I will be sure to send those to you on a CD when I get the chance.
Piet and Abel guided us onto several superb Cheetah sightings, including a mother teaching her cubs to kill a Impala lamb, and at least an hours worth of following a separate Cheetah the day after before she eventually made her kill under our noses.
The big five all graced us with their presence and well again I simply have never had game viewing close to it.
Jeanette was speechless for most of the trip. Her first trip to Africa could not have been better, and I thank you all for making it so extra special. She still talks about it constantly, and can't wait for her next trip back.
However I need to re-iterate that is was the entire Bush Lodge experience that made our trip so memorable and I thanks to all for their warm hospitality and look forward to joining you all again in the not too distant future.
Kind regards
Mark Taylor
Norway
December 2004

Dear Kim(mi), dear Chris und the whole staff of the Bush Lodge,
back in Germany we remember the highlights of our journey through South Africa.
And one of the absolute highlights was our stay from March 19 to 21 at your Bush Lodge.
We enjoyed your place very much and most of it the Game-driving with Chris and Patrick!
Thank you for showing us to be a guest of the wild animals!
With kindly regards
Evelyn & Hermut Oppenheim
Germany
April 2005

Greetings from Vero Beach, Florida
Just a note to thank you and the wonderful staff at Djuma. We had a
great vacation at the Bush Lodge last week. Our special thanks to
Charles and Rodney, they were excellent and very well informed.
Please let us know the postal address of the Primary and Elementary
Schools so we could tell them how much we appreciated their welcome to
us.
Thanks.
Our Best Regards to everybody.
Arun and Asoka Wijetilleke
USA
April 2005

Dear Staff:
We would like to thank you again for the wonderful experience we had at your resort on March 31 through April 2. Our sister in law Sheron said it would be a wonderful experience and it was more than that! Our guides were very knowledgeable the room beautifully clean. All the food was outstanding and we loved the dessert the first evening.
Is there any way we could get the recipe for the custard with the warm sauce and orange slices?
Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Terrie and Dave Fitch
April 2005
USA

Dear Liane, dear everybody,
Here we are back to Switzerland, back to the cold ( very cold )..It was snowing when we landed in Geneva and -4°c !
You can imagine how difficult it was to go out of the plane we nearly hesitated to take a flight back to S.A.!!
Anyway here we are back to our lives and it is really hard after all we've seen and lived during our 2 weeks and in the Djuma Lodge..
I hope all of you are doing well and once again many many thanks and congratulations for all you do for your guests. This experience will stay forever in our minds.
We will send you some pictures...
Hope to hearing from you soon or even better hope to see you soon...
Take care and a big kiss from the cold!
Julie & Nicolas
Switzerland
February 2005

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