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The beginning
of May always means "Indaba" for those involved in the travel
industry. This year was no exception and Djuma trekked down to Durban
to "sell our lodges" to the international travel industry.
With Helen van Tonder, our marketing manager at the helm and assisted
by Jurie, Campbell, Charmian, Liane, Graham and Mark, we were once again
very warmly accepted. The lead up to Indaba started at the beginning
of the year with the vague notion of re-printing our old brochures.
But nothing is ever that easy in "Djuma-Land"; so we took
up an offer from John Hunt, of Hunt Lascaris (advertising gurus of note)
to give us some tips on perhaps revamping the old brochures. Before
we knew what "Tequila" had the proofs of our new brochure
waiting to approved! Well needless to say, we were astounded at their
brilliant design and copy and could not refuse "dumping the old
and bringing in the new". Many thanks to Michael, Adele, Nikki
and Andrew to mention a few names in the creative team who brought about
a very novel brochure. This "artwork" has set Djuma apart
from the hundreds of other game lodges in this very competitive industry.
We were also opting for a "new-look" stand at Indaba to show
off the new brochures and talk about our lodges with pride and joy.
The company that set the stand up last year had changed hands and so
with nervous anticipation Pippa contacted Sergio of "Decaf and
Décor" in Durban to do the hard work. We decided on a contemporary
shebeen look which included a lot of corrugated iron, "poinsettia"
red panels to show off some local art, a bar counter covered in "The
Sowetan" newspaper and a table made out of beer crates. On the
last day of Indaba, Djuma was awarded "Best Safari Stand"
which was so unexpected and a fabulous honour. Thanks a million Sergio,
and please start thinking about designs for next year!
Pippa Moolman
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At
about 05h30 on the 13th May a huge fight broke out between two lion
prides, very close to the Vuyatela staff village. The prides involved
were the "Sandy
Patch Pride" and the males of the "Sikutana Pride". The
former was
comprised of 2 lionesses, 3 sub adults and 2 young cubs. The third cub
from
that original litter went missing about a month ago in Djuma's western
sector. The "Sikutana Males" had entered Djuma from the south
a few days
prior to the battle. Upon investigating the furor, the body of a young
male cub was found. No spoor or body was found of the remaining youngster.
The females and 3 sub adults were seen later in the day leaving Djuma's
territory to the north. They have since been seen on and around their
home territory, "Sandy Patch".
Even though this is difficult to come to terms with, it is all natural
behaviour as far as wild lions go. In time to come the lioness will
come
into oestrus and probably mate with one of the Sikutana males. As time
goes by, we can only be witnesses to the events that unfold in the bush.
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This cold
May was a "celebration month". With no less than 9 honeymoon
couples and 3 Wedding anniversaries. The champagne has not stopped flowing
at Vuyatela. (We even had old friends that saw each other again for
the first time after many years!!)
With Indaba behind us and our feathers still intact, we are preparing
for a jam-packed winter. And even the animals seem to be co-operating,
with plenty of lion, buffalo, elephant and leopard.
With Nicole here and offering various types of massage therapies, we
seem to have a hit. She is booked up for most of the day and some guests
even "um and ah" about whether to go out on drives, or relax
and have a bit of pampering.
Our reception
area and curio shop are busy having a thorough revamp. "Poinsettia"
Red walls (yes, who needs dull bush colours here!), aluminium sliding
doors and wood and glass window/shelf units are busy being installed
as I write. A photo is pending as soon as the area is completed.
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May brought
further indications of winter, with most of the trees in the camp now
bare of leaves and the gardening team kept hard at work tidying up behind!
The crisp nights also seem to have increased the animal activity around
the lodge with leopard spoor being an almost nightly occurrence largely
caused by the resident male, 3-Spot, who has been sighted on a number
of early mornings in the surrounding drainage line.
Whilst the pool may now be a little chilly for swimming, it nearly had
a new purpose when a large bull elephant thought the clean water looked
appealing! He certainly gave the guests something to remember and provided
some impromptu photo opportunities.
The safari team has been hard at work preparing firebreaks in the area
in case of an unwanted fire as well as grading and maintaining our extensive
road network.
We thank the many guests who took the time to send us mails and photos
regarding their visits with us and their feedback is always much appreciated.
Till next month 'The Bush Lodge Team'
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