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

  
 

March 2009

  
 

Read about events at Djuma Game Reserve
 
 

Bush Lodge
"Bush Lodge was closed for the first three weeks of February to allow for extensive refurbishment and an updated look and feel." …. Click here to read more.
 

Vuyatela
"The dam has caught the eye of two hippo and a tiny calf"…..Click here to read more.
 
Galago
"Over the 7 days Aubrey and Fanoti showed us the Big 5"... Click here to read more.
 

for more information visit www.djuma.com

If you would like to subscribe to this monthly newsletter, click here

This newsletter is archived in the Drumbeat section of our web site
Editor: Pippa Moolman
The photos above were taken by Graham Cooke - private guide.
   
The photos of Bush Lodge above were taken by Kim Walters - assistant manager at Bush Lodge.
 
Bush Lodge

Bush Lodge experienced perfect weather for the whole of February. The dam wall alongside the swimming pool has been rebuilt, but unfortunately broke through with the first heavy rain storm. Not to be hampered, the earth moving machinery was sent in and repairs done with a bigger, better and stronger wall in place. The good rains, 155mm in total, have gone a long way to start filling the new dam.
Bush Lodge was closed for the first three weeks of February to allow for extensive refurbishment and an updated look and feel. There is a beautiful bar area featuring a large "slice" of Leadwood trunk serving as a bar counter, beneath a row of pendant lights. Chandeliers line the length of the building drawing one's eye to the top level that has been furnished with comfy couches, lending a light and airy feel. The floors have been updated with yellow ochre concrete and pebble details at the edges. The lower dining level has been opened up towards the swimming pool and new dam and the entire buffet area has been revamped in a contemporary style. Chalet 7 and 8 and the curio area have been carpeted and the bathrooms of the other rooms updated. We look forward to hosting return guests to get their feedback on all the changes around the lodge.
Due to the activity within the lodge the usual game that passes through has stayed on the periphery of the grounds. However, the new dam has proven to be a big hit with herds of elephants and giraffes, being the most frequent visitors so far. There is also an abundance of marula fruit throughout the reserve that has been a welcome treat for the elephants.
Out on safari, the most noticeable sighting would have to have been when guide Andrew and two Danish families were introduced to a scene by an overwhelming stench in Buffelshoek. Upon further investigation they came across a dead elephant, not just any ellie, but "Wonky" (see photo of him above) a resident bull of many years with a skew tusk and gammy hind leg. We believe he was in a scuffle with another bull, as he had three holes in his trunk and the last sighting of him alive showed that he was in musth, or available to mate. Perhaps his deformities were against him in battle. A crash of rhinos and a breeding herd of elephants were seen together at Kudu Corner. The guests were most excited to see two of the big 5 at one sighting.
Happy staff birthday wishes to Abel, Linneth, Andrew and Warren. We would like to wish each of them wonderful years ahead.
Fond regards from the Bush Lodge team.
 
Vuyatela
February brought us the rains we have been waiting for. Apart from the 100mm in one go we have had rain almost every second day. The dam is full and stretches up to khaya 1 and has a little river feeding it right past khaya 8. The dam has caught the eye of two hippo and a tiny calf which seem to have taken up residence in full view of the lodge. The Segui Family staying in khaya 1 were close on hand the morning after the calf was born and managed to film the little one still struggling to walk and swim. Now that the dam is full we are grateful to see the abundant elephant herds returning often to swim and cool off in the deep water.
The animals have been having a field day around the lodge grounds due to the plentiful marula fruit lying all over the place. Thank goodness the ellies can't get into the grounds, but there is no stopping the impalas, nyalas, monkeys and baboons gorging on the berries. Depending on how one looks at it, the baboons have decided to venture into the buildings to experience what the guests do… They opened the sliding door to the newly refurbished spa, played on the couch, made use of the mirror and stole some cushions that were retrieved from the bush. All the evidence was very much imprinted on the fresh white décor! On another occasion, Mildred was checking guests into khaya 8, when they noticed baboons running in all directions. On closer inspection, they found the hot water running in the outdoor shower! We know this is what makes life in the bush enjoyable and unexpected.
Karula, female leopard has done it again! She made an impala kill and took it into a tree above the pathway to khaya 4. Several staff had been using the path before we noticed what was happening at tree level. A little while later when she left the kill, our guides moved her dinner slightly further away for the safety of our guests and staff. She was observed later at the kill with her two cubs and hyenas circling beneath the tree.
We were lucky enough to see the Sandy Patch lioness with her three healthy, growing cubs at Buffelshoek dam. We still worry about their future with the Nkahuma pride of lions in the area. We have not seen the Mapogo lions for a while, but their tracks have been spotted close to the lodge. The Styx Pride (1 lion, 4 lionesses and cubs) have been seen often on Bush Lodge property close to the Mala Mala boundary.
We welcome back our return guests: Steve Rosekelly, Inge Niklus and Steve Van Bergen. They reported back favourably about the new look lodge.
Happy birthday wishes to our staff members Elizabeth, Ephraim, Warren and Jess. Jess is our new addition to the Djuma family, and is in charge of the kitchens between Vuyatela and Bush lodge.
Until we meet again, best wishes from the Vuyatela team.
 
Galago

The Murgatroyd group had the following to say about their safari: "Had a very comfortable stay at Galago and the weather was fairly kind to us. Over the 7 days Aubrey and Fanoti showed us the Big 5 and lots of other animals. Very good sightings of leopard and buffalo and special sightings of Serval and African Wild Cat. Not very often seen in the UK! A great way to visit relatives."
"Our first trip to South Africa. Aubrey and Fanoti searched out everything we could wish to see. Thank you to the staff for making our trip most memorable."
Julie, Dave and Pauline
The Fouche's celebrated Matthew's 21st birthday at Galago. "We had a wonderful visit. Saw the big 5 with their babies - lots of fun with family and friends.
Thanks Aubrey and Fanoti."

 
Join us next month and share our experiences as the seasons march on.
 
 
Given that the images are not sent with the html code that subscribers receive in the newsletter e-mail, subscribers need to be online to see the images. It is done this way to prevent large files clogging up people's e-mail servers.
 
You received this e-mail newsletter because you are subscribed to the Djuma Game Reserve Drumbeat Newsletter. We respect your privacy and will not divulge your e-mail address to any third parties. Should you wish to unsubscribe please reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line or click on this link to unsubscribe yourself.
 

Home
 

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

Copyright © 1998 - 2008 Djuma Game Reserve - All Rights Reserved.