In the African night, the beat of a drum means news...

January 2007

Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve

Bush Lodge

Vuyatela

for more information visit www.djuma.com

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This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site

Lush and green describe beautiful Bush Lodge this month. However, we eagerly wait more rain this season. We have only had 36mm this month and the temperatures have been soaring around the mid thirties.
The game viewing this month has been truly amazing, even around the lodge. White Cloth female leopard joined us one night before dinner, accompanied by her son. She took a drink from the pan under the flood-light on our open area. Another exciting event in the lodge has been a mother genet and her young baby taking up residence in the ceiling of our dining area. During the day we can see their fur poking through the wooden-slatted ceiling. If we are really lucky we get to see some whiskers or sometimes a tail. On the morning of the 21st the guides and the trackers heard several alarm calls coming from monkeys on the open area in front of Bush Lodge. They went to check this out and sure enough there, sitting close to the trees on the edge of the open area, were four cheetah. They had successfully killed an impala and were busy feeding. Shortly after the onlookers arrived, the cheetahs seemed to be distracted, then one of the cheetah, took off across the open area in pursuit of another impala! This time the cheetah did not get a good hold on the impala and alarm calls on the part of the impala went out! Three male lions must have heard the frenzy in the area and made their way to the injured animal. Unlucky this time for the lions, as the cheetah had already finished the meat from the first kill. The guests, guides and trackers watched in amazement at the scene. The cheetah headed off in one direction, and the lions off in another, a peaceful ending. Breeding herds of elephants have kindly visited us during the day and evening, stopping to cool off and take in some water. Most exciting of all were sightings of two wild dogs that were crossing our area. It has been many months since we last saw these endangered animals.
On the guests side we had hosted honeymooners, Paul and Clare Brivati from London, and also Dan and Candice. We wish them well on their journey together. Then, Charlie surprised and delighted Ciatra, his partner, with a marriage proposal on the morning of the 7th. That evening we organised a romantic private deck dinner at their chalet. We wish them all the best and maybe we will see them on their honeymoon.
Of course Christmas was filled with lots of celebrations. The Bush Lodge staff celebrated Christmas a little earlier and the party passed in traditional fashion - music, lots of food and drink, and plenty of dancing. A busy year behind us with several changes, thus great to see everyone enjoying themselves and celebrating with such enthusiasm. The camp was lit up with Christmas lights and a tree covered in tiny lanterns, making it very festive and homely. Christmas Eve was celebrated with champagne and a huge feast and Christmas music echoing through the dining area. A lot of our staff children were staying with us over the festive season and they treated us to a celebration of singing - all the guests and staff were delighted. The Van Gaalan Group joined us for Christmas from the Netherlands, three generations, the grandparents (ouma and oupa) were also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. We hope they enjoyed the rest of their trip in South Africa.
Bush Lodge has gone through a couple of changes to the office area. A fantastic new internet room has been completed, comfy chairs, a fan and a lick of paint has turned the room into an airy relaxing space for our guests. The rangers now have their own dedicated space and computer, so they can keep you all up to date with the ranger's diary.
We sadly say goodbye to Grant McDonald who leaves us this month for a long holiday and maybe a career as a pilot. On behalf of all the staff here and especially myself, I would like to thank him for all his help over the last few months, we wish him all the best in his new chosen path, and hope it is not too long before we see him here again at Bush Lodge.
Another year has come to an end. I would like to thank all the staff at Bush Lodge for all their hard work and dedication. All of us at Bush Lodge would like to thank our guests who visited us in 2006 - may you all have a safe, prosperous and happy 2007.
Until next time, fond thoughts from
Kim and Bush Lodge family

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Djuma Game Reserve
P. O. Box 338, Hluvukani, 1363, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Tel: (+ 27 13) 735 5118
Fax: (+ 27 13) 735 5070
 

 
Webmaster: Jurie Moolman