News | View Newsarchives | View Newsletters
Subscribe

Sanctuary Talking - Goodbye 2007

SALES TEAM UPDATE

STAFF UPDATE

On 30 May we bid a sad farewell to Ryan Powell who has left the tourism industry to pursue a career in professional services. Ryan will be missed and we wish him everything of the best for the future.

We are delighted to welcome Bridget Stephenson to the sales team. Bridget joins us after 4 years with Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and will be focusing on the international markets.

Allison Budde who is currently in our reservations team will be moving across to the sales team at the beginning of July, taking care of the Southern African region which includes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

GENERAL NEWS

BOTSWANA FUEL SURCHARGE

Due to excessive aviation fuel increases in 2008/9, a Fuel Surcharge will be levied against all bookings traveling as from the 01 July 2008. Our reservations team will be in contact with those who have bookings that will be affected. The sales team will be sending out the amended rates sheet for 2009 as soon as possible.

BOTSWANA UPDATE

CHOBE CHILWERO

The completion of the first full Spa in Botswana is on track with the reception area and two treatment rooms opening on 01 June 2008 with the tree house and hydrotherapy treatment rooms opening on 01 July 2008. The Spa boasts relaxing treatments, an indoor spa bath and private treatment rooms including one elevated in the treetops overlooking the river. Indulging in treatments such as the “African heated Stone Massage” & “African Potato Anti-Ageing Body experience” is sure to be a memorable experience. Treatments may be pre-booked with our reservations team in Johannesburg or at the lodge. The spa menus include treatments from both the Africology and Thalgo product lines.

The upgrade to the bathrooms at Chobe Chilwero is complete including new blinds which are in line with the natural, earthy tones of the lodge.

We are also proud to announce, that for the second consecutive year, Chobe Chilwero has been awarded a prestigious place in Travel & Leisure Magazine’s “500 World’s Best Hotels” award.

CHIEF'S CAMP

Our Safari Health & Beauty Treatment room at Chief’s Camp is now open. What better way to end a day out in the African sun by enjoying one of the many Africology and Thalgo treatments which can be booked at the camp.

BAINES' CAMP

Baines’ Camp continues to offer quests the unique experience of sleeping out under the African sky and waking up to the sounds of the birds greeting a new day. Sightings of the month included buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dogs and an abundance of hyena pups. An adult hippo and her baby were also spotted grazing underneath the main deck while the guests were having dinner.

STANLEY'S CAMP

The past few months have seen leopard sightings nearly every other game drive including a pair of mating leopards. Guests were thrilled to the experience this rarely seen ritual. The highlight of the month was the sighting of wild dogs on a hunt chasing down an impala and emerging a short while later from the nearby bushes licking their faces, evidence of their success.

ZAMBIA UPDATE

SUSSI & CHUMA

Situated along one of the most magnificent stretches of the Zambezi River, lies Sussi & Chuma. Ten of the twelve luxury tree-houses have been already been upgraded with the remaining two tree-houses due for completion in mid July 2008. Wooden walkways connect the tree-houses to the main lodge building, which features on the upper level a raised bar and lounge area and on the lower level the dining area from where romantic sundowners and dinner is enjoyed. Due to its superb location, guests staying at Sussi & Chuma will have the opportunity to experience a walking Tour of The Falls as well as game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and from the lodge, cruises on the river.

CHICHELE PRESIDENTIAL LODGE

Our stately Chichele Presidential Lodge, the former retreat to Kenneth Kuanda, has welcomed a number of satisfied guests. Guest feedback has been exceptional especially commenting on the exquisite cuisine, the luxurious lodgings, not to mention the awe-inspiring activities available in the South Luangwa National Park.

PUKU RIDGE LODGE

Puku Ridge Camp’s upgrade is complete and reopened on 07 May 2008. This intimate camp with its new look and feel has already received numerous compliments from guests. The oversized tents feature a built-in headboard and seating area with en-suite facilities including an indoor and outdoor shower, and a bath offering panoramic views over the floodplain. The main area boasts a new deck area with magnificent furniture for privacy and comfort..

ZAMBEZI KULEFU CAMP

Zambezi Kulefu Camp, located on the banks of the majestic Zambezi River, a short distance from the Mapata Gorge, is in the process of a rebuild and is scheduled to open on 20 July 2008. The camp will boast 7 specially designed tents each finished with campaign style furniture, en-suite facilities including indoor and private outdoor showers and a bath offering magnificent views.

EAST AFRICA UPDATE

GORILLA FOREST CAMP, UGANDA

Gorilla Forest Camps was recognised for the support and assistance they have given to the Bwindi Community Health Centre. This centre has grown from a local four room clinic to a soon to be fully fledged hospital. The health centre has been actively supported for the last four years through direct donations, utility of its services, volunteering of labour by the GFC team as well as mobilising donars. A certificate of appreciation was presented by a specially appointed star, Federico, who is a six year old patient, admitted with pneumonia and malnutrition. GFC’s efforts toward the growth of the hospital, contribution to better health to the local and tourist community including the creation of jobs was acknowledged. This makes Gorilla Forest Camp the only lodge in Bwindi to have positively impacted on the local community more than once.

OLONANA, KENYA

The Mara has been dry throughout most of May. The river volume is low and the grass is very high from the previous month’s rains but, unfortunately, no longer quite so lush and green. Game sightings have been excellent during the month, with most guests able to see the Big Five during their stay including a baby rhino and mother and some delightful, if mischievous, cheetah cubs who insisted on trying to chew on the Olonana Cruiser.

Winning Combination

A big “thank you” to our team for their efforts in preparing a beautiful poolside dinner for a group of Canadian guests, who were absolutely bowled-over by the experience; something a little different from our usual bush dinners. This is something we shall continue to provide in the future as it proved such a hit – which we believe offer the perfect romantic dinner setting for our honeymooning guests too, all within walking-distance of their tents.

KUSINI, TANZANIA

A male lion on the “koppie” right outside the camp was roaring while guests were at the fireside. To the delight of the guests he climbed down and walked through the camp, very exciting for everyone to see this majestic creature so close at hand. Lion and lioness pairs have been spotted mating on numerous occasions and cheetah sightings in general have been quite frequent…

SWALA, TANZANIA

There are still several elephant herds within the park with good giraffe sightings as well. There are also a number of leopard and cheetah sightings; however the sighting that caused quite a stir was of four wild dogs that were spotted several times in the vicinity of the river. A male leopard has also been seen with several kills hoisted in a Baobab tree, the strange thing is that he seems to be specialising in killing pelicans and white storks close to the swamp!

DISH OF THE MONTH

Mango Bread
(Courtesy of Swala, Tanzania)

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ cups sugar
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
¾ cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)
2 cups finely chopped mango
½ cup chopped pecan nuts or walnuts
1 Tablespoon lime juice
½ cup raisins (optional)

Method:

TOP